What Matters to You?: How Four Words Brought Two Cultures Together

At the end of the day, we are all humans. 

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Or at least, that’s what we found out by bringing “What Matters to You” to Antigua. There, these four words sparked communication and connection among our Operation Walk Pittsburgh Travel Team members, the staff at Obras Sociales, as well as patients and their family members.  

In a central hospital hallway, adjacent to an open courtyard, we began our visual project: a simple poster on a blank wall asking, “What Matters to You? in both English and Spanish. The simple question made it easy to explain our mission and why we wanted to know about patients’ lives and motivations. 

Breaking down walls and eliminating barriers between human beings is what this project is about.

At its busiest time, we had more than fifteen people simultaneously writing and sticking their colorful post-its on the previously barren white wall. Everyone had something to share.

Jess, a nurse on the Travel Team, placed her note that read: “My Family.” 

She then helped a Guatemalan nurse who was reaching to place her post-it higher where there was more space: “Mi Familia.”   

As Jess pressed down the Guatemalan nurse’s message, right beside her own, I saw a smile come across both of their faces as they looked up, laughed, and hugged each other –– communicating everything they needed to say. 

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A Few of Our Favorite Responses from the WMTY Wall in Antigua


What Matters to You? 

  • Being able to understand and connect to patients using my Spanish skills.

  • Helping people move. 

  • My family, being kind, and helping others. Being grateful and appreciating this life!

  • Human interactions, laughter, and love. 

  • Healthcare access for everyone. 

Qué es lo más importante? 

  • Mi familia! El apoyar al necesitado. (My family and supporting those in need.)

  • Tener muy buena salud, porque al estar bien todo se puede realizar. (Having good health, because with wellness you can do anything.) 

  • Mi mayor motivación? La vida y salud de mis hijos, así también la vida y salud de mis padres! (My biggest motivation? The life and health of my children and my parents!) 

  • Sentirse bien con uno mismo. (To feel good about oneself.)

  • La recuperación pronta de mi papá después de su cirugía de rodillas. (A quick recovery for my dad after his knee surgery.)

Gina Edwards