Duax initially planned to shadow the doctors offering care. However, the sudden influx of local community members seeking treatment led him to utilize his linguistic abilities as an interpreter between doctors and patients. He stated, "I'm not completely fluent, but I could understand what they were saying. This actually turned out to be better for me than shadowing as it allowed me to work on my Spanish."

The Busy Clinic and Overwhelming Gratitude

The clinic operated for nine hours a day, with patients continuously filling the makeshift office. As they entered and exited, a sense of profound gratitude enveloped the Iowa native. Duax recalled, "I'll always remember the appreciation shown by all the patients towards us. We weren't saving lives; we were simply providing what we regarded as basic healthcare. On several occasions, when they were about to leave and realized it was free, they would repeatedly express, 'God bless you.'"

Benefits of Interpreting

Interpreting in the clinic brought several benefits. Firstly, it enhanced Duax's language skills. He was able to communicate effectively between doctors and patients, ensuring that important medical information was conveyed accurately. This not only improved the quality of care but also built trust between the two parties. Secondly, it gave him a sense of purpose. Seeing the gratitude on the patients' faces made him realize the importance of his role. He felt that by being an interpreter, he was making a difference in people's lives.

Challenges Faced

Despite the success of his interpreting role, Duax also faced some challenges. One of the main challenges was the pressure of having to translate accurately in a short period of time. There were times when the medical jargon was complex and he had to quickly understand and convey it to the other party. Another challenge was dealing with the emotional aspect of the patients' situations. Sometimes, the patients were in a lot of pain or distress, and he had to remain calm and composed while interpreting. However, through perseverance and hard work, he was able to overcome these challenges and continue to provide valuable service.