– Daniela Aguilar Carranza, 2022 SAF intern
Good Samaritan Clinic
Work at Good Samaritan Clinic has kept me incredibly busy this past month but it has all been work that has left me feeling satisfied and fulfilled. All the work I have done has felt worthwhile and impactful; not once have I felt like I have been put to do busy, meaningless tasks.
I have gotten a lot of practice doing health assessments and clinic enrollments for migrant and seasonal farmworkers alike. I have gotten some experience with taking vitals for patients at the clinic as well which include taking blood pressure, temperature, height, weight, pulse rate, and blood oxygen level. I have also been able to gain data intake and input skills through our usage of different online administration systems.
My favorite part of the work, though, would definitely have to be doing farmworker outreach. It’s great being able to visit different farms throughout multiple counties and getting the opportunity to talk to farmworkers and help them enroll into our clinic, provide them with vaccines, and give them toiletry bags we put together. I really enjoy getting the opportunity to talk to them, joke around, and hear about all the hope and motivation they have to work and gain better opportunities for themselves and their families.
I have been very touched as well by their kindness and generosity. We have received blackberries and strawberries from farmworkers on various occasions while visiting them and, not to sound dramatic, but I swear the fruit we have been gifted has been the best I’ve ever tasted. It has really brightened up my evenings and made for a great snack that carries me through the week. I am thankful for each interaction I have had with farmworkers and with my co-workers. I have learned a lot and have seen myself grow as I have stepped out of my comfort zone and learned new things throughout my time here.