Send Rich to Morocco!

The nurses alternate days; it is very interesting to see how the two sets of nurses vary in how they run things.  One group is much smoother than the other.  They are warming up to us I think.  It took them much longer than the kids.  One of the nurses seemed very happy with me today when things were getting a little hectic, so it was kind of nice to have a pat on the back.  It is easy to lose sight of the good we are doing when it gets stressful, dirty, or hectic.  I went to get one of the kids out of bed and he was covered in his own vomit, and it kind of makes you step back and think about the greater picture.  This kid was left there all night in her own vomit.  It seems like they aren't watched very closely (if at all) at night.  It's very sad.  Then during the day, they sit (or we wheel them around) in their wheelchairs.

Where the kids are bathed/changed, etc.

A few of the kids now can say my name, which is exciting.  Nadir, Otman, Meriem, and Nuna.  Nadir can be really fresh, he picks on some of the kids and is really aggressive towards the nurses, but he has a good side and can be fun.  He seems to act as though he owns the orphanage, though.  Otman is a really great kid, and then Meriem can speak very well, and Nuna just kind of repeats what you say to her - but she has a great memory!  Then there's Jamal, who laughs hysterically when you sneeze.  He thinks it's the funniest thing in the world.  Ali loves women, and cars - typical guy, I guess - so he's not really a fan of me, unless I have his lunch.  Then there's this funny little girl Hajar, who just smiles all the time, it is rare to see her without a smile.  Then there is a little boy, who wears blue practically every day, who we have nicknamed "Little Boy Blue" because we aren't sure of his name.  Sufien is another funny kid, he just lays there, but he’s always smiling and laughing.  They range from all ages, about 8 to maybe 29.  They're really great kids!

"Little Boy Blue" - Pretty much want to take him home... sorry, Mom!

Things are much different here than they would be in the US.  The kids are bathed every day, but just in basic soap and water in the same tub as everyone else without it being cleaned.  No one wears gloves, they use the same towel on all 25 kids, and you never see any of the nurses wash their hands.  Meanwhile we come in with our bottles of hand sanitizer, gloves, and wipes. 

Outside of placement, the city has been bustling with protests against the Israel and Palestine conflict.  People in Morocco are outraged at Israel for its attacks on Palestine, and they are upset with Americans, as well, for the support of Israel.  Unfortunately, we are not pro-Israel right now, but we are associated with the American government.  Rabat had a protest with over 1.3 million people, so most of us steered clear of that area that day.  Overall, though, the people have been very, very friendly to us.  We do get the usual stares as we don't exactly blend in, but Morocco is a fairly hospitable country.  When we shop in the medinas, though, the salesmen are very aggressive.  They don't take "no" very well, and you must (it is rude not to) bargain with them on the price of everything.  This can be both good and bad.  Seeming disinterested in a product seems to work like a charm on a good price, though.

I am not planning on going anywhere this weekend to save on money and get some rest.  Then I have one more week of placement and I'm flying home to Boston next Saturday morning!  Missing everyone and can't wait to get home.  Hope you are all doing well.  Let me know if you have any questions or anything.