A Letter from a Young Scholar



Cony

María Concepción Fonseca González was born November 30, 1985. Her family and friends call her Cony. She has been part of Project Amigo since she was in fifth grade. Because of her good grades, excellent attitude and lack of financial resources, she has received Project Amigo scholarships throughout junior high, high school and university.

Cony began to realize her dream in 2004 when she entered the University of Colima’s School of Medicine. She maintained excellent grades throughout her six years of medical school. Her mandatory year of social service put her in charge of the community health clinic in the little village of Tepames in eastern Colima. In the fall of 2009, she has begun work as a physician, working in a clinic and at a pharmacy as a medical consultant. She is a sterling example that students from poor rural backgrounds CAN achieve stellar careers and help those who come after them – if they are given the opportunity. She hopes to enter a surgical specialty residency next year.

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The Letter

After Cony completed her year of social service in Tepames in 2009, she wrote this letter to share her experiences and insights.

I am writing this letter to tell you a bit of recent events in my life.

Let me start by saying that my year of social service was extremely complex. On one hand, I had the great opportunity to put into practice all my skills, and I faced incredible challenges that allowed me to learn even more. I feel very honored by the confidence I received from each of my patients I experienced the wonderful feeling of satisfaction for having served my people.

On the other hand, I faced a rude awakening to the harsh reality of the shortcomings of health services The rural health centers are the health units that provide “first contact” with patients from those communities. The health centers should resolve 80% of the problems presented by providing “Evidence-Based Medicine” -- with the goal of not over-saturating the hospitals.

I learned that the system has flaws and that it is very difficult to find a balance between the needs of the patients, the requirements of the health department’s high quality standards, and our own needs for personal and professional growth. Many times I felt like I was watching a movie of my own life. I saw reflected in these families who are so poor what I also faced while I was growing up (and what I consider to be the worst condemnation of our society) – ignorance, lack of education and all that it entails. My patients were there, just waiting for a chance to fight for better living conditions.

During my year of social service, I learned to see beyond the unfriendly reality of the typical phrase of many generations of doctors in my position: "It’s only a year. It’s always the same. I cannot do anything." I decided that my year of health service would be different. I wanted to sow the seeds of change, and I firmly believe that if a group of people work together, the dreams will become reality.

Working with some of the people from the community, the local council, and the health committee, I designed a project to restructure the health center and to provide comprehensive medical care, taking into account the needs of patients, the health department and the providers of medical services. In this process, the most beautiful thing was to rediscover the incredible strength of will that exists in every human being. I was surprised by their kindness. They offered me their friendship, and they opened the doors of their homes. I enjoyed many evenings in the company of people and learned the most important lesson one can learn: to learn the wisdom of those who have lived longer than we have.

My social service ended in July of 2009. I received an acknowledgment from the Ministry of Health as the best Doctor of Social Service in the State of Colima. While I’m honored by this award, I believe that I share it with all those people who were part of my mission to make the social service year life-changing for all involved.

I hope that through these lines I have expressed at least a little of the vast wealth that I gained during this year, both personally and professionally. But mostly I want you to know that it is my friends and sponsors at Project Amigo is you to whom I owe my heartfelt thanks. You trusted me, you gave me this valuable opportunity to grow and gain the profession of my dreams. And you gave me the greatest treasure I possess -- your friendship. You’ve taught me to serve.

I hope with all my heart that Project Amigo never stops helping students like me. I hope I have fulfilled your expectations. I always try to be better; and if one day I face despair or discouragement, I remember that humans always can improve even the worst situation.

Currently I’m studying to achieve a new goal: to gain the honor to study the specialty of General Surgery.