The First 48 hours

Published June 18, 2013, last updated on October 5, 2017 under Voices of DGHI

By Leena El-Sadek

3 planes, 3 countries, and 40+ hours later, I am finally nestled into my home for the next 2 months. Needless to say, this has been one interesting ride. My trip from USA to London was welcomed by a surprise. I approached my seat only to find it labeled “economy plus.” With his feet propped up on the wall in front of him (yes, it was that big) the man next to me quirked, “So you upgraded, too?” Turns out I was automatically upgraded because my seat’s headphones weren’t working. Nothing like starting off the trip in an upgrade, right? When I arrived in Mumbai, I collected my bags, went through immigration, and met up with Attu from Jamkhed, the health center that I will be at this summer. By noon the next day, I met up with my partners from Duke and we started the 8-hour drive to Jamkhed. By 9:00 pm several members of the Jamkhed community, including our on-site coordinator Connie, welcomed us. At dinner, we met up with other students from America, ranging from med students to MPH graduates. There are 12 students in all enrolled in this program, and we Dukies (Richa, Hannah, and I) are 3 out of the 4 undergraduates.

Speaking of the program, we finally received a schedule (well, a semi-schedule) of the next two months. The first 4-5 weeks will be a course taught by members of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project, a community-based health initiative started in 1970 by two doctors. The program capitalizes on preventive healthcare by engaging members of the community. We will learn some of the fundamental steps that have helped them achieve this internationally acclaimed model. After the course, Hannah, Richa, and I will stay in CRHP for another month to do some maternal health research. Details of the project will develop as the program continues.

As for the first 24 hours in India, well, I’m still trying to take it all in. My taste buds are still trying to appreciate the mild edge of the dishes while my body gets used to the 12 hour difference. Last night, I was stopped by a Jamkhed native. As I was walking, she hurried next to me, reached out a hand, and enthusiastically remarked, “Hi what is your name?” We exchanged a brief introduction and, at that moment, I knew I would be ok here. Jamkhed CRHP is one of the calmest, humblest, most inspiring places I have ever visited, and I just hope that these next two months will serve more than just an experience to bring back to the States.