by Dr. Floriza Palanas-Mendoza

16 May 2008

Tabaquite, Trinidad: Influencing change in a complex human society is a very challenging task for the volunteer. Some might struggle to stay in focus, some might give up, others give in and say: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"; "If you can’t beat them, join them"; or "Dance with the music".

However, to 'be a Roman', 'join them' and 'dance with their music' may be a useful strategy in community immersion, while the catalysis is in the process of establishing rapport and gaining peoples' trust and confidence.

The catalyst in me was sown in 1990 when I began my training as a community doctor in Mindanao State University College of Medicine, the Philippines, a problem-based and community-oriented medical school.  The catalyst flourished soon after as I started to work as a part-time local volunteer in community development programmes with missionaries and NGOs.

During my off-duty days and holidays, I rendered voluntary medical services to the community. It was a very challenging but soul-enriching experience. The missionaries and NGO staff helped me grow in a holistic manner just as they taught me to promote health with a holistic approach.

To be given a chance to serve humanity as an international volunteer under the United Nations flag was totally exhilarating. An unexpected call from the UNDP Manila Office one afternoon in August 2003 gave me that chance of a lifetime. My deployment in Trinidad and Tobago commenced in September of that same year.

I arrived in Port-of-Spain with the first batch of UNV volunteers, who encountered antagonism, resistance, skepticism and rejection from local opposition groups. I suffered too, but not much, since I regard rejection and resistance as 'part of the game'.

In every attempt to create change, in any aspect for that matter, there will always be resistance and opposing forces. Perhaps my long experience as a local volunteer somehow conditioned me sufficiently to face such situations. And with God's grace, I was able to handle the blows with love and compassion.

My duty station is in Tabaquite, a small village in the central range of County Caroni on the island of Trinidad. About 6,000 people of mixed cultures inhabit this village. The Tabaquite Health Centre delivers health care services, both preventive and curative, to the people of Tabaquite and the surrounding villages of Brasso-Caparo, Guaracara, Brothers Road and Brasso Venado.

My work is officially confined to the health centre, performing as a general practitioner and house officer, performing routine tasks as follows. On Mondays, I attend to the Chronic Disease Clinic dealing with hypertensives, diabetics, asthmatics, etc. On Tuesdays, I have Antenatal Clinic, Family Planning and Reproductive Health Clinic, Women’s Disease Clinic and Child Health and Immunization. On Wednesdays, I do pap smear collection and the Chronic Disease Clinic. On Thursdays, I perform ECGs (and blood collection if Dr. Nelson Elle, another UNV volunteer, is away). Friday is limited to paperwork and housekeeping for nurses. So only emergencies are attended to on this day, although every day of the week is open for emergencies

While I can't attend patients outside the medical centre I do extend preventive health services to the grassroots level, trying to 'immerse' myself in the community in the hope that I can use a holistic approach in health care by personal interaction with people, utilizing different strategies.

For example, I supported the Tabaquite RC School Junior Girl Guides by giving health talks. I also helped motivate the revival of the Tabaquite Youth Movement through a film project on HIV/AIDS entitled 'Schoolbreakers' which hit the big screen for the Caribbean Film Festival.

For the past four years, I have truly enjoyed working in the community and proudly upholding the flag of UNV and the United Nations as a whole. The people’s gratitude and endless appreciation kept me rolling.

The human catalyst analyzes the situation and tries to dig information from the past and present, and uses such information as guide in planning future actions. Sometimes the catalyst does not have to be very zealous in implementing immediate actions. Her mere unique existence and making a difference can, in itself, trigger catalysis and influence change in human behaviour, however slow the pace may be.

In fact, change in human society can be very slow and inconsistent. Therefore, the human catalyst must harness herself with patience and dedication, as well as perseverance and flexibility.

Yes, the catalyst is still human with all her frailties and imperfections. After the active phase, she is presently going through an inert phase, trying to resolve personal matters and gaining more strength in preparation for another active phase.

This is my story, UNV Specialist Floriza Palanas-Mendoza, MD – and catalyst.

Dr. Palanas-Mendoza thanks her supervisor Dr. Ingrid Poon King for her support and sisterly care, and also her former Resident Representative Dr. Inyang Ebong-Harstrup. "The UNDP staff in Trinidad and Tobago have been very warm and supportive as well," she adds.  "I am ever grateful to Sandra Baptiste–Caruth for being my confidante and fortress during my times of trials and tribulations in my personal life. And I dearly miss Inyang for giving me enlightenment and inspiration during that dark era."