But Fany said no, she gave Laura medicine and the fever went down. I warned her the fever will come back when the medicine wears off. But Fany was determined to have Laura's birthday party today.
So, I left to buy the cake (remember no homemade cakes in Honduras) and run errands. Just as I was on my way home, Fany called. She asked where I was.
"Leaving the parking lot from picking up the cake," I told her.
"Oh," she said. "I should have called earlier." ...The fever spiked again. We have to cancel the party. Laura needs to go to the doctor.
After we worked out the logistics (finances, flat tires, phone calls to party attendants) we were on our way. Laura couldn't walk or even sit up straight. Lifting her eye lids was difficult. Thank God for Doctor Gustavo!
Doctor Gustavo said Laura has the beginning of a sore throat. He gave Fany a pain reliever and told her to switch between two different meds every four hours for the fever. And of course the handy dandy antibiotic. You can't leave a doctor's office in Honduras without an antibiotic.
Fany stayed with Laura in the car while I got the rest of the meds at the pharmacy.
When we got home, Fany took Laura out of the car and placed her in standing position on the driveway. Laura crumpled to the ground. Fany carried her inside to the bed. We mixed up the meds and dumped them into her mouth, then pinched her lips closed while she gagged and tried to spit them out.
Now Laura is resting soundly. I am thinking the cake will have to wait until Sunday. Meanwhile, I think I have a sore throat.
Here is a cool article about Familia Fuerte, one of the programs where I serve. I think you'll find it very interesting. I took it from a link on their Facebook page:
Each year about 100 families graduate from Strong Family, or "Familia Fuerte". The families served by Familia Fuerte live in Honduras' most violent and impoverished neighborhoods. We saw the necessity for Familia Fuerte when the teens we serve were struggling to change because they were still going home to unhealthy home environments each night.
Familia Fuerte was designed to strengthen familial bonds by teaching communication skills, implementing proper discipline techniques, and raising self esteem. All of these things are desperately needed in this society.
Many Hondurans struggle with direct communication. They are quick to say what someone wants to hear, or say nothing at all, but that doesn't lead to healthy family dynamics.
Discipline is often either yelling or hitting. Many parents never learned anything more. Through Familia Fuerte, they are taught other options, which is empowering to them and better for their children.
Take a peek at these proud parents who just graduated! Most did not graduate from high school, so this is extra special to them.
http://ajs-us.org/news/conquering-injustice-through-strong-families
