Today was very different than the rest of the time we have had here in Argentina. The rain and clouds reminded me of a dreary day in Pittsburgh. After listening to another guest lecture at Austral, we visited two community based health centers in Pilar. Both of these centers were funded by the Austral medical center along with donations from the community. Anyone is welcome to come to the centers to receive treatment at no cost. The centers provide necessary services such as vaccines and dental checkups.

Following this, we visited The Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan is a hospice care center that is funded solely by donations. Anyone from the community may come to the facility to have a home with palliative care. Palliative care is a type of care given to those with chronic illnesses so that they can live the last moments of their life without suffering. Rather than giving up on life, guests are invited to live as they would in their homes. With the care of generous volunteers and medical staff they are more comfortable than they would be at a hospital. They are invited to share meals, attend church, walk the gardens and live life as they please. After visiting the grounds of The Good Samaritan, I felt very pensive. The speaker that presented the information told our group a story about a young man who was guest in January. Prior his stay, he had faced adversity in many aspects of his life. He was HIV positive, estranged from his family, and addicted to drugs. While staying with the community at the center, he was able to join a new home where he felt love and turned his mental state around. In the final days of his life, he was at peace. Hearing this story and visiting the center was a very hopeful experience for me. Although death is often avoided as a topic of conversation, The Good Samaritan reminded me of the goodness within humanity. It is important to see what can be done to improve in any aspect of life, especially for those in their last moments. Rather than spending this time in a helpless state, we should work to celebrate life and find contentment.

I enjoyed going to both the community centers and the hospice center because we were able to meet people with very different walks of life. Much of our focus thus far has been on the higher level administration of health services. Seeing both of these facilities helped me visualize this administration on a more micro level. I hope in the future to have work that is as meaningful as what I witnessed today.

Reflecting on my time here so far, I hope to take some of the Argentine warm-heartedness back with me to the United States. I am hoping the showers today bring a beautiful sunny day tomorrow. ¡Hasta mañana!