A little news and a few thoughts....

As it is cool and cloudy here at home (Portland), my thoughts turn to Haiti where the penetrating heat is a soothing balm ...aren't retrospective memories the best? Anyway, I wanted to share some news...Jony and wife are proud parents of baby girl (he did not share details of date, weight, or name) and Soeurette is a proud grandmother of a new baby girl as well.

My son is heading to Iraq today- Happy Birthday Son. He has been in Kuwait for a couple of weeks, acclimating to the heat. He said it was 130 degrees during the day shortly after he arrived. Every few days I get a brief 'facebook' message, but he has commented on poor internet and hopes it will be better in Bahgdad.

People have asked me if I am going back to Haiti again. Yes, of course I will. I will go with my team for sure in February. I would like very much to have two teams - one in Feb and another in the fall would increase/ improve consistancy but its a lot of work. As we go forward in planning for February, I will talk about an October 2010 trip as well.

As well I would repeat the experience I had in working in Haiti on behalf of HHH. It was extremely fulfilling, challenging and rewarding in so many ways. However, many aspects must be considered before I can make such a committment and offer my services.

Always much to think about in life. Winston Churchhill said "We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give". Finding that balance is not an easy thing to do. We tend to get hung up on the un-necessities of life. Taking for granted the things we should be thankful for and giving importance to the things we desire.

So I will just admire that Jaguar I saw the other day and simply give thanks for what I have.

Life after Haiti

I've now been home about 10 days. I wondered about the adjustment and how I would feel about things. Adjustment to time isn't really difficult (I do enjoy the longer days of summer) but space is a little different. I havent' had to cook or clean or do laundry for about 6 months...(no dishes!) -just pick up after myself. Its always easy to see an over abundance in one's home after living in a minimal space. There is a lot of stuff everywhere. What do I do about it? How do I deal with it...I walked in circles mostly. Gave myself permission not to feel good or bad about it for now. Slowly I will start organizing the spaces around me.

I returned to work today...wondered how it would feel, what I would forget...but thankfully, the census was low enough that I only had 3 patients to worry about. I was a little slow, a little disorganized at first but Tammy and Janet were there to help. Melissa was giving me hugs all day which is always a good thing. I survived...but I must say my feet felt very confined and were happy to return to my flipflops when I got home!!! Since I work the next 2 days, I'm sure each day will get easier.

Tuesday is pie day...our annual celebration of summer and is usually held on the Thursday closest to the first day of summer but was postponed until my return. Everyone that works is supposed to bring a pie- their favorite and that is our lunch...someone will bring a pizza pie and someone might bring a quiche (it has pie crust) so we can have something besides just dessert if we want. It has over the years become one of our favorite days of the year...like a holiday for everyone.

News from Haiti...
I had news that my turtle disappeared...escaped or kidnapped, no one knows. Unfortunately they have no CSI's - maybe the UN has one but I'm doubtful of that. It disappeared sometime during the night on Friday. I guess they searched everywhere to no avail and I'm sure there is much saddness amongst the girls in the kitchen. I will rethink the pet thing next year.

Planning for next year will soon begin again. Angel and I will get together and discuss preliminary plans next week. We are always looking for help in the fund raising department so if anyone has ideas or wants to help support our team, let me know.

I look forward to any comments or questions you may have about my blog, the trip, the team, and team plans!

Thanks for reading....

Nearing the end of the journey...

Monday evening I had dinner with Celine and Hans and lovely visit. We didn't get to have sushi one last time before I left but hopefully we'll have another opportunity for this one day. She had only just returned from a trip to Miami so I was happy to be able to have the time with her before leaving.
She is a good cook...I should have taken greater advantage of this.


Tuesday afternoon we had a huge storm. While I had been hearing thunder most of the early afternoon, I wasn't prepared for the sudden cyclone that hit. I was just packing up my computer and getting ready to say good bye to everyone in the clinic. The fury of it pretty amazing- my friend John came from the guesthouse with an umbrella to help me back to my room. The gesture was so sweet but very funny. The water by this time was about 4 inches deep everywhere, the rain still going sideways due to the rain so the umbrella quite useless. We were completely soaked. I had to take off my flipflops to walk. The worst lasted only about 45 minutes but it continued to thunder and rain until early evening.

Saying good bye and leaving was bittersweet. Antonio sang in his baritone voice, his version of I left my heart in (San Francisco) Port au Prince. Many hugs, tears and promises before climbing into the van...some hot patay for my lunch from Mercia and I was on my way.

Going through airport in Port au Prince is usually a little crazy although the check in line was slow, it all was uneventful and with minimal waiting...
This was just the beginning of my 4 flights to get home.
Arrived in Fort Lauderdale fine, going through customs a very handsome agent, Levi welcomed me home. Obviously, the feelings were still tender as the tears came rolling down rather unexpectedly but he was very nice and said don't worry everything will be alright.

On the flight to Dallas, there was little boy about 5 in the seat ahead of me. He peaked around the seat a few times. Sometime later, and without a word, his little hand poked back offering me an orange peanut M&M. He did this about 3 more times during the flight. And near the end, just before landing, another little peak and a little bit of a smile.

In Dallas I had my longest layover and as a mexican restaurant was nearest my gate, I thought a little guacamole, chips, margarita and enchalada sounded good. When my food arrived, I started laughing. I had not even thought about it but my first meal back in the states included beans and rice! To top it off, the man at the next table kept receiving phone calls and his ring tones werre crickets. For a minute, I thought I really hadn't left Haiti, I was only dreaming all this.

My only problem occured in Las Vegas; I could not get off the plane quick enough, nor get across to the next concourse and gate to catch my Alaska connection. It was leaving the gate as I arrived. The agent was one of the nicer airline employeess encountered and immediately (even before the original flight) had rolled away, had a seat reserved on US Airways (clear across to the otherside of airport...He said please hurry and you'll make it on time and gave me directions to follow so I didn't need to go through security again. I just made it with 15 minutes to spare. However, my luggage never left Las Vegas. Hopefully, it will arrive today.

My family was waiting to greet me at nearly midnight, my dogs greeted me at the door but seeming as if I was not gone at all or just another person. Oh well, they know whats important...

So now I am home, time to reintegrate back into the family and the routine...and I hope it warms up soon.

This is going to be hard....

Saying good bye to someone you see often isn't hard. Saying good bye to someone you don't see often is a little harder....saying good bye tomorrow and wednesday...well, its going to be hard even as I know I will be back.

I'm trying to decide what to focus on...today its been what I won't miss...
(trying to keep it light) but I won't miss those disrespectful stealth mosquitos, the giant crickets that sound like they belong in the Steven Speilburg Dinosaur movie (I haven't actually seen one because I would know if I did because they are so loud, they must be very large). I won't miss the internet here...and if anyone complains about it at home, I will have some thoughts for them.
I probably won't miss the rain because we usually have our share in Portland...its just different here. The humidity....will have reminders of it in Portland for sure.
I won't miss the food for awhile....but hoping we can have a Haitian dinner fund raiser later this summer.
I won't miss the short days...its dark by 6:30 pm and I enjoy the long summer days in Portland...there are never enough of them.

Its not much of a list and nothing very important in the scheme of things.
Not much of a list to keep me away....

Good Bye Party

So I began suspecting something was going on when I went to beg for a patay for lunch and on the stove was a huge pot of chicken parts cooking. When questioned, it was all very vague with rapid fire creole....then people in the office were 'talking' around me so to speak. Rachelle came to my room before she left to say goodbye....sorry she couldn't stay longer but lived a long ways away. Then Soeurette came and said I need you upstairs now...everyone was so happy that they kept the party a secret for me to have a big surprise! About 40 people came including members of the Haitian board. It was very touching and everyone of them thanked me for being here, to help HHH and to help the Haitians. Everyone enjoyed the music, the food, and the prestige. Antonio said its good he's not in kidnapping business as he would like to keep me here longer....but knows its time to see my family. It was a nice way to start my last weekend in Haiti....
I'll do a little packing today...see how I can manage to fit everything into 2 bags or see what I can leave behind...George wants my camera so I may just give it to him. He is the man in the apartment that had a stroke. I think I wrote about him. Tomorrow I may go to the beach with Celine. She is back from Miami.
Just a few days to make more memories....


Prepping for party...








Haitian board members






some of the guys hanging out...






Kattia, Felonette, Daniella, Mme Justine, Yolie
and Michaelle

Centerpiece

Troubadou Band

Antonio and myself with Shirley (board member)

Soeurette and me

Me with Mme. Justine and Lucienne

Saying Thank You....

Today is a holiday here in Haiti- kind of cool and cloudy. Maybe a good day to go through some of accumulation of 'stuff' in my room.

I have less than a week here in this enchanted land of beautiful people. Usually Haiti has a long last name...Haiti, most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere...yes, it is poor and desparate and in need of so much but this is not not the only thing you should know about it. I've written 100 blogs, many of them detailed stories about Haiti, its people, its culture and many of them about my experiences. I've met so many people, Haitians that want to improve the lives of their fellow countryman.

Antonio, who became the new operations manager in February. He came from a background in banking and not knowing anything about the medical field but the people that hired him saw something good and right in the man. He tells me everyday when he walks through the clinic and sees the patients, he is newly inspired by the trust they place in us to provide medical care they otherwise don't receive. He sees the hope in their eyes for a better opportunity at living a more normal life after receiving a prosthetic. Soeurette's title is administrative director- she helps the teams get through the airport with their luggage filled with drugs, when once upon a time, we had to pay a bribe to get through (and it is by no means the only duties she has with HHH). She sometimes appears stern and tough but really she has a big old soft heart for her people. She could move to the US or Canada and have an easier life (currently, she is living without electricity- they told her it would be 3 months before it is restored to the area of the city she lives in). She has family in the states, but she feels the need to take care of her "Haitian" family, The people that work for HHH and the people that come to the clinic, the kids in the orphanages we visit. Jony is the clinic coordinator, over-seeing the staff in the clinic and has many other duties he takes on...he calls me his Angel and says I bring a ray of sunshine into his life. Antonio, Soeurette and Jony along with all of the people in the clinic, from Madame Justine and Lucienne, Kattia, Verny, all of the therapy techs, Schedula, the techs in the prosthetics lab, to Berny and Hercule in the depot, Jeune and Felonette, to the grounds keepers greet me each morning with "Bonjou Madame Gail, how was your night. Did you sleep well? How is your family- they are well?" Now they are beginning to say they are very sad that I will be leaving soon. They want to know how soon until I return. They say they appreciate that my family allowed me to come to help them. From Drs. Nau, Moise, Geneus and most recently Dr. Benjamin, from my friend Noel, his brother Maxo and Jorel (who doesn't tell me I need to speak creole like Colleen anymore) to all of the gals (Carmel, Mercia, Suze, Luna, Myrline and Syltane) in the guesthouse, John who has become a very good friend, and all of the others I've failed to mention are my inspiration. They cheer my meager attempts of creole, they have been kind to me, supported my work and most of all made me a better person. Its been an incredible experience and one never forgotten. I hope I've been able to provide a little insight to some of you who have read all of my words and wondering why I would volunteer to do this, a little inspiration to give back in your own way, or maybe even a little hope that we can make the world a better place by working together.

Healing Hands for Haiti teams try each time they volunteer to come here.
Its not enough to say Thank you but its all I have....

The rest of the family...

Lest you think I only have two kids in my family, I will have to finish the story....
Laddie, my husband of 26 years is a boyscout executive and obviously kind enough, supportive enough, loving enough to allow me to have this experience- knowing how much my work on behalf of Healing Hands for Haiti has become such a part of who I have become. He has managed the household, the dogs, his own work and been the main support for our children- even though they are adults now. He too does much work in the community on behalf of the scouts, he delivers meals on wheels, provides meals at Ronald McDonald and doesn't say no to often to any request.

Danny is the baby in the family and is now 21...not much of a baby anymore. He is a strong athletic guy- he plays basketball every Sunday night for a rec league (has BUCK tattooed on his back in case he gets into a shirts and skins game, he can be on the skins team) and works in a shoe store. He is still trying to figure out where he wants to go in this world but I've no doubt one day he'll find his way.... He is funny, drives his sister crazy sometimes...& doesn't sing very well. But there is no doubt that he loves his family and friends.

So to my family, my friends and co workers and all of those who have supported me, written to me and have missed me, your love and kindness can never be repaid, will never be forgotten and is forever appreciated.

Andy

My oldest son in the Oregon National Guard. Delta unit I think and currently in Georgia training for deployment to Iraq next month. I haven't seen him since I left Portland in January and it is difficult to think about not seeing him again until he returns to Oregon, maybe a year or more from now.

He joined the Marines before he graduated from high school and left for boot camp before he turned 18. It was one of the hardest days of my life to turn him over to the Marines that day. He did some travelling then...to Kuwait, Bahran, Djabouti and Japan....I wish he was going to Japan again now but no, Bagdad is the destination of his unit.

I don't think of him as being a tough guy- although he is pretty tough. He has two big tiger tattoos, one on each shoulder. He's had his share of scrapes and bruises and stitches as a little kid. He most recently 'survived' a Brown Recluse spider bite and is taking a load of antibiotics. I think he is compassionate, funny , strong, smart, determined. He is able to keep his cool in emergency situations (he gets that from me)...good qualities that make him a tough enough guy to honor his country.

So for people that think I'm doing something good in a tough place to live, volunteering for a relatively small organization, and doing what I can to make something a little better, Andy is doing a far greater service for a far greater organization to make something a lot better.

I love you Andy. Please take good care! I'll miss you but I am proud of you!

new refrigerator









Breadfruit- nearly got me...

13 days

I have to be ready to return home by then...not ready to count down the days but noticed I've written 94 blogs...shall I try to make it to 100 by the time I leave?

Thought for today....omg its hot! My hair is actually dripping! There is a slight breeze every once in awhile to help but it is just a teaser! I've not been in Haiti during July and August...I can't imagine it but I'm pretty sure it would be a very good time to visit Kenskoff up on the mountain side (or Alaska).

Yesterday I bought a refrigerator for the guesthouse. I had a little money from my team and a donation from 2 of the Utah teams - not quite enough but I wanted to give a gift to them to show my appreciation for all that they have done to take care of me. The old one had only one shelf - even though the new one is smaller it is better. The women were all so happy! We have it decorated with magnets from each of the teams that have visited to this point (I will take a picture later). It is the very least I could do and I could not think of anything else I could do...well maybe a new washing machine but it would have to be portable like the one they have or a new freezer...which was way out of my budget level.

Also yesterday I delivered some soccer balls to the World Vision Office for a little boy that is sponsored by a Team Canada member. Melissa asked me to deliver when we happened to see their office on the way to Peytionville. I hope they will send pictures of him with the soccer ball. Mostly just so I know that he received it. I have a few more soccer balls left..I've decided to give them to Noel, our driver. He has put together a little soccer team in Jacmel and they will have their first game this Saturday. He promised to take pictures for me.

I also answered 17 emails from potential volunteers. Its pretty wonderful to know that despite the economy, people find the place in their hearts to offer their services to the less fortunate. To me, that seems like the best time to offer assistance, to count your blessings and give back. Sometimes its hard to see how blessed we are - its up to each of us to recognize it.

Impact of Haiti

A week has passed by since I last posted...where did time go? What did I do with it? No major activities since the team left. In fact, no teams come again until fall. I can relax a little, reflect on the past 5 months and finish (hopefully) the inventory project I started - however, as little has changed since the beginning of that project my hopes are not high. I will have to accept that change comes slowly in some cases and let it go if necessary.

Planning for the 2010 team Portland trip will begin soon. I've rec'd requests to add 6 names of people interested in joining the team...a list that has grown to about 35 people at this point. Many of the new people are interested after hearing about team members experiences. The impact of a positive experience is what brings people back to Haiti; working here is not easy, not every experience will have a positive or glorious outcome. The impact comes from the little moments. When you can eek out a tremulous smile from a little guy through his tears during stretching exercises, when you can provide comfort to the mother whose baby was born with hydrocephalus by giving her a stroller, to see the delight in the face of the man who is learning to walk again after a stroke and you replace the tips of his 4 point cane so it no longer slips on the stone or cement- little moments add up to big impact. At home, we have all of the latest gadgets, technology and interventions at our disposal - its all taken for granted that its available whatever is needed, whenever its needed. Here nothing is taken for granted- basic health care is difficult to obtain for many many many people.
Many people don't often know what is available, but when they do find help however they are truely grateful for even the most minimal of assistance.

This week Father Jean-Juste, a reknowned Haitian spiritual leader and freedom fighter passed away in Miami. He fought for justice, equality and civil rights for his Haitian people. It was written that he was a man of courage, compassion, integrity and grace. In this same week, a boat load of Haitians- 35 men, women and children were returned to Haiti by the coast guard. 35 people trying to escape poverty, so desparate they will accept the risks of God's greatest gift of life to acheive what we take for granted- liberty, education and health care for their family. Where is our courage, compassion, integrity and grace? Last week 11 people drowned in their attempt to seek this same opportunity. Where was our compassion, integrity and grace? Did it even make the newspaper in your town? I'm not an especially political person, nor a stong religious person- I receive email forwards against 'foreign invaders' to our country that annoy me tremendously and use my delete button in response, I certainly don't have the answers to change the way things are but I do pray that the people with the power to do that will find a way to make those changes. There are many little people, like me and the teams for Healing Hands for Haiti, doctors and dentists, nurses and therapists that come without compensation to teach or provide care, church groups and many many others I have met during my time that come here to provide medical care, to provide food or clean water, that build schools and orphanges with compassion, grace and courage but its not enough. We see the will of the people to survive, the spiritual strength to endure but they need the power of the Obama's, the Clintons and the Haitian Government to bring hope and a future to them and their children. We have to pray for that.

People have wondered what the pull to Haiti has on me- its often too difficult to explain or maybe because I still don't know myself. Some people that come begin to understand, however, sometimes it seems the longer I'm here the less I understand. Maybe I dont' need to understand, I don't need to have all the answers- its enough when my friend Yasmine say love is very powerful.

a very cute little boy!!!






storm clouds









fog in the trees on the mountain







Artist rendition of street scene.










view from Boutillier lookout

Nursing students in class with speech therapist

Random thoughts this Haitian Mothers Day!

This beautiful morning has turned a bit more humid and clouds are coming in-the mountain is shrouded in fog and maybe rain. I am hearing the thunder roll up there. The Utah 3 team left this morning, all expressing desire to return again, some even a bit sad to be leaving so soon. This is a feeling that I have much empathy with as I have about 3 weeks left of my nearly 6 months stay.
It is quiet now; The staff left for home or church, having done a quick clean up and helping me bury one of the turtles....yes, another one died. I should have held firm on my statement of not buying another one. Of course we don't know why and of course everyone was very sad. We still have one more but based on our experience, I suspect we'll be doing this again before I leave.
I saw one of the cats doing its job this morning, running across the courtyard with a critter in its mouth. There are several cats but I think they are ferral (sp) as I can not coax them to come close to me, but maybe a tame cat will be a better pet next year.
My neighbor, Stephania is gone for another week on her vacation to Costa Rica, Francine only has a few weeks left before returning to Quebec and Shaun will be leaving mid week as well but to Niagra Falls. Not sure that I will have the opportunity to see him before he leaves. Celine is still in Miami for a couple more weeks I think. It is her birthday today...we have a celebration when she returns by going to El Rancho for sushi night again.
I will try to visit the National Museum and the National Cemetary before I go...not sure what else I want to do.
June 1st is the official beginning of hurricane season. Already because of the heavy rains, it has been reported that 11 people have been killed. Yesterday we (the team and I) took a trip up the mountain, visiting a couple of orphanages, did a little shopping and had a late late lunch at a very nice restaurant in Kenskoff. Its much cooler up on the mountain and very pleasant. We stopped at Boutillier (sp) Lookout for a view of the city just before the clouds and fog came in. By the time we arrived at the restaurant the thick heavy black clouds were ready to spill..the rain came quite heavily for awhile and continued for another hour or so more lightly. The water was running like small raging rivers down the sides of the street as we drove down the mountain. I took a few pictures through out the day and will post some today to this site.
I had a little crackers and cheese for lunch, now maybe its time for a movie and a nap- or maybe nap and movie. Its that kind of day. Except with that last clap of thunder, it should have, possibly could have been heard in Miami! Holy cow! It is forboding to hear sounds like that as much as I enjoy thunder. The wind is picking up, causing breadfruit to fall from the trees with a thud, and I suspect a downpour shortly. I hope its short-lived for sake of the people.
I finish these random thoughts and post it in case of power outage/ storm.

Happy Birthday Celine, many happy returns. See you soon for sushi!

Two new turtles

Despite my better judgement, the staff wore me down and although I paid way too much goudes for them, I did buy two turtles....I was assured they were a boy and girl and would grow very big to get my moneys worth. One likes to bite and the other is very shy. We still have to name them. One disappeared for awhile but hid very effectively in the roots of the tree in their yard. But Jean and Fabalone persisted in finding them, and made a 'wall/fence' so they can not hide again in the roots. Everyone keeps an eye on them, Luna is giving them enough cabbage and carrots to feed at least a herd of turtles.

Today, as was yesterday cloudy but unlike yesterday we have had thunder and a bit of rain thankfully. The humidity was so high it might have well rained for as wet / sweaty everyone was. It is a bit cooler now and much appreciated.

Tonight is RAM night...as it might be my last visit to the Oloffson while I am here, rest assured I will enjoy it.

Adventures in Haiti

The 3rd Utah team arrived last Thursday and on Saturday they left very early to drive to Jacmel. They were scheduled to do two outreach clinics upon arrival - The teams was split in have with 10 in Jacmel and 10 in Casse, a bit east of Jacmel. Planning was interesting in that 2 different groups were involved but with only some minor political threats planning went forward. The team requested well in advance that the clinics were to see people with neurological or orthopedic problems- ie stroke, amputations etc that we see everyday in the clinic. Contacts were made to have some medical MD's and others to join the teams as well. The day arrived and the team going to Casse was required to cross a river 3 times - due to all of the rain the river, normally easily walked across was now filled with water high enough to require large 4x4 trucks - the river came into the doors...once team arrived at clinic site, all but 4 opted to return to Jacmel. The guides and security were concerned the river would continue to rise, causing dangerous conditions in crossing. Four of the team members plus a couple of additional volunteers including a Haitian MD saw some of the many patients waiting to see the team. They spent the night in a church/ school, sleeping on the cement floor. They arose early and saw more patients until the trucks were able to return to pick them up mid morning. The team in Jacmel saw about 120 patients in good time with the extra hands available to help...including Dr. Tiffany from Canada and Sarah, a mid-wife living, working and teaching in Jacmel.
Tiffany is helping set up a medical network in Jacmel. She was part of the Coast to Coast team in 2006 (Portland and Canada joined forces that year for a 30 member team during the election of Preval). Tiffany introduced me to Sarah and when team Portland did their outreach clinics in Jacmel in February, Sarah was able to join us and help a bit in the pediatric clinic.
Team Utah was able to enjoy the rest of the weekend on the beach and visiting Basin Bleu- the beautiful blue pools of water formed by a huge waterfall, the likes which would rival many of the waterfalls in the Gorge. (East along I-84 from Portland towards The Dalles).
This morning it was time to get back to serious work...a group went off to the Carfour area to an Orphanage in the mountain called Rivier Froid (Cool River) run by a nun name Sr. Teresa. A big-hearted wonderful person with a big personality that wants to save her neighborhood - her orphanage doesn't just limit itself with the care of a few disabled children but any and all that live on that mountainside that needs help will see Sr. Teresa. I can only describe her orphanage as one of the poorest interms of support that I have seen, the ground the children sit upon, uneven, hard scrabble dirt. A tarp is brought out to cover in event of rain however I'm pretty sure the ground becomes a river flowing downhill itself with any amount of rain. A hard place that is a place of love for the less fortunate to come to for care and respite and a place some call home.

Some of the team went to Mefibochet, the orphanage of Madame Leonette- another wonderful Haitian woman wanting the best care available for children she has found throughout the country. I've written about Medibochet before and I'm very happy that through friends in the US we were able to make make connection and add them to our list of orphanages for teams to visit and provide opportunity for education and assistance.
One of the things I'm most excited about and proud to be a part of is the opportunity to provide nursing students with rehab education. We have a group of about 30 students from 2 schools here today and another 30 planned to come from 3 other schools tomorrow to learn from the speech pathologist to recognize, evaluate and provide care to people with swallowing difficulties due to strokes or other problems such as CP. The Portland team offered a seminar on stroke and diabetes. With a future rehab center planned for HHH, having future nurses with some background in rehab will be invaluable.
What this means is that my work here is coming to a close soon. This Utah team is the last team until mid September. I've spent much time on the computer planning with teams over the months; Its been a great pleasure to meet everyone and make new friends, exciting and fun to have reunions with people on Team Minnesota, Canada and Utah. Its amazing to share time with people that feel the same passion for HHH and for Haiti.
To witness the awe and excitement and nervousness of team members coming for the first time reminds me of my first trip. To see people working together to have a positive influence and leaving behind a group of people who appreciate what they have brought to Haiti is inspiring. I see teaching/ education by the teams as the most sustainable and important thing we as teams can bring to Haiti and leave behind. Its all nice to return with our souveniers of the beautiful Haitian art but it is more important to return home with the ability to bring awareness to our family, friends and coworkers to what Haiti is all about...

Wait 5 minutes....

I've heard people in Portland say wait 5 minutes the weather will change...well its been very true here today. The Utah team arrived to a beautiful warm day, soon growing hot just in the few minutes of greeting and intros...Everyone found their rooms and got a sandwich. The clouds and thunder rolled in and soon followed with just enough rain to cool us off. We had our clinic tour and Jan took everyone on a tour of the property and old house we call the castle. (Since I don't think I've mentioned the castle before I will write about it another day and take some pictures).
Anyway soon the sun was its usual sparkling -or should I say sparking hot self...for about 30 minutes. A few clouds came in with the breezes but rolled on north. A very pleasant cool evening without further rain or thunder. After supper, they sorted and repacked their 4o or so bags according to places they will work at the next 10 days, including Jacmel on Saturday. Everyone seems settled in tonight, ready to do some good work...I'm ready for bed myself.

My daughters birthday....

Today is a pretty special day...my little girl turns 24. This is only the second time in her life that I have missed her birthday. She has already had so much more life experiences than I had at her age. I find her to be amazing and beautiful, a kind, thoughtful and caring person that I'm so proud of. Erin has travelled to Paris, Rome and Tunisia as an au pair. She took a train to New York alone and explored the city and stopped in Chicago and explored. She can drive all over Portland and find her way...I've lived there for 26 years and can't do that. One time she got lost going to Estacada and ended up in Sandy...a little upset but called her Uncle Gary to the rescue.

She is dealing with Crohns disease and the misery of that bravely. She works in the public school system with a special needs girl and told me it was the best job she's ever had. She has learned bravely to deal with many scary health issues of the child. She has worked as a waitress and was a receptionist at a law office. She is a wonderful photographer (she's done wedding photos for friends but its not her favorite) ... She has been a babysitter and a house sitter...had car accidents, and surgery, she is a good cook and a good friend. Easy to talk to and funny...she is beautiful...did I say that already? I'm very proud of the the lovely young woman she has become and I love and miss her everyday that I am here. So this story has nothing to do with Haiti but everything to do with Haiti.

Happy Birthday my darling girl!

Mothers Day

Its been a long time since I have not spent Mothers Day with my family. In fact 2 of my children were born one day before and one day after Mothers Day- What greater gifts can one receive than that. Happy Birthday Danny, Happy Birthday Erin... hugs, kisses and love to you both! Thank you for your support and sharing your mom with people you don't know so far away from home. I hope one day that you'll be able to have an experience as fullfilling in your life, that you will give the gift of sharing your love and self with others less fortunate. It is the best part life.

We had a group of 9 disabled children with us here at the guesthouse on Friday. Because the clinic was so busy, we chose to bring them to the patio area to do our work with them. This group of children were so well behaved, patient and playful with us - Some of us were 'fighting' over one little boy and he finally said to us- we can all be his new mom. Such a lesson in sharing was demonstrated by all of the children- sharing the attention with us, sharing their toys with each other and even sharing the treats- making sure everyone had something. Karen taught sign language to a young man to help him better communicate, the O&P guys casted for splints and the occupational therapists taught stretching exercises to the care giver for different kids. Everyone participated play therapy and engaging children in different activities one on one as well as group. These kids are well loved, well cared for and it was a wonderful experience for this Mothers Day weekend.

Members of Team Canada have been leaving at different times all weekend with the last group planning to leave about 11 this morning. Its been such a pleasure to work with Colleen again- we've been on 2 other teams together - and Jeff, Huguette and Eric. This team of 20 was truely international with members from several provinces of Canada, from Colorado and Virginia, and one member flew in from Scotland. They were a lot of fun to work with and I shall miss all of them!

This morning I wore the shirt Team Canada gave to me...the staff were pretending I was leaving with the team and saying I can't go, I'm Haitian not Canadian so I agreed to stay longer and they all laughed. Then they said they were making me patay's...for that I will stay!!! Patay's - or pasties- or little meat or vegie 'pies'. I love them.

The next team arrives on Thursday and 2 of my friends from Portland arrived on Saturday but are travelling to Deschappelles and Cap Haitian before coming to see me on Friday.
For now, I'll enjoy a few quiet (relative of course) days and call my mom and mom in law, wish them a happy day.

All in a days work....

Christian checking out a new mode of transportation.

Every 2 hours I fed little John 2-3 ounces - the youngest member of the family, he was born 3 months early in February, and is now about 10# I think.

4 month old Daniel

This little guy stayed with me, usually climbing into my arms for the first hour I was there.

These dudes are showing off their new shades!

8 month old Beatrice- everyone fell in love with her.

I'le a Vache from my front door

Sunset

Liz and I relaxing in front of out room.

A week has gone by with no updates...how did that happen? Partly because I didn't have internet and partly because I returned to I'le a Vache with Team Canada. A slightly different trip this time from a month ago when I went to Les Cayes and the island to Sister Flora's orphanage. This time with a group of 20 people, we left early Sunday morning, driving a large bus and made it in only 3 1/2 hours-however, we had to wait 3 hours for another person to come with our pick up load of supplies before we could board the boat to make the crossing. Although there were a few heavy black clouds, we managed to avoid any rain and in fact by the time we arrived and settled in etc, we had a beautiful sunset! Early Monday morning we boarded the boat again for the trip to Sr. Flora's. We spent the day assessing the kids, building w/chairs, building parallel bars and a standing frame for therapy, walking kids, feeding kids, playing with kids- it was a beehive of activity until 5 pm and our return to Port Morgan. Port Morgan is a 'resort' on the island, sitting on top of the hill with views of the sea all around us. Little cabin like rooms accommodated all of us as well as a few other guests. A rather large sailboat sat in the bay crewed by several young Frenchmen that had googled Caribbean something and Sr. Flora's orphanage came up so they were there working for a few weeks before they sailed on south to Australia. At Sr. Flora's the new section of the orphanage to house the disabled kids is 3/4 finished and the 6 members of our team that stayed behind will make screens for all of the windows and build a playground - although we distributed several hockey bags full of toys, soccer balls etc and by the time we were ready to leave a few sunglasses were all that we could see. Where all of those toys disappeared to remains a mystery. We left about 9 am for the boat ride back to Les Cayes to catch our bus and the 5 hour drive back to Port au Prince. Today we had a busy day with the team visiting a couple of orphanages and a lot of work in the clinic.

Tonight we had a wonderful dinner of lambi, avacado and tomato salad, beef, deep fried mashed potatoe sticks (I don't know how else to describe them), banan, rice and beans and chocolate cake. Everyone was stuffed at the end of the meal.

There was a couple from Northern Louisiana on their honeymoon while we were there. The husband said he was so scared in the small airport waiting for their flight to Les Cayes. Someone would come up and move his suitcase a few inches and ask for money and all he had were $20 bills so he gave him a twenty. Soon another person would come move his bag 6 inches, and hold out his hand so he paid again - apparently this went on and on until he had paid out several hundred dollars for having his suitcase moved around the waiting area. He had us laughing hysterically with his story...the more he passed out money the more they came. I think the Haitians must of thought God was in the airport that day. We felt bad for them that they had no idea about where they had come for their honeymoon.

It is the beginning of the rainy season here however tonight is a lovely night with stars in the sky. We've had rain every night but warm sunny days- its still early in the month but there have been a few flooded areas from heavy rains last week.

I'm down to 5 weeks here with still much to do. And places to see and people to meet....one more team to arrive mid month. My creole isn't great.
Still more to write about before I leave but for now I'll post some pictures with this and call it a night.

Patricia and Cyril

Yellow Room

Red room

Protocol Room for visiting dignataries

a view of gardens from second floor

one of two grand staircase (opposite each other)

Most recent bust, Tousainnt Louveture (forgive me if I spelled the name wrong)

I was always under the impression that the National Palace didn't accept 'tourists' inside, but early in my stay here I was thinking about places I would like to visit or things I would like to do during this extended stay. I mentioned to Cyril (my friend from Tours Haiti) that I would visit the inside of the Place National. He told me he had gone to school in Montreal with the President's daughter. On Tuesday, he called to ask if I had plans for Wednesday....well, I had a team coming from Oakland about 11 am. He said be ready to go at 9 am. I had an 'appointment' to meet Patricia and tour the Palace! I was so excited I couldn't sleep. At 10 am, after going through several security checks, we were in the Protocol Salon being served coffee while being given a short history of the Palace. I was told about the different areas of the palace and told I could take photos. We didn't visit the actual offices where some of the administration was meeting delegations from Cuba and Venazuela this morning but told of the close ties Haiti held with these countries. After that we visited the Yellow Room where Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Ban Moon recently held their press conference with the press with President Preval, the Rouge (red) room & the Protocol salon for visiting dignataries. The Bust room is encircled by the busts of the first 10 heads of state. We visited the private apartments, beautiful rooms, some of which were still decorated as Michelle Douvalier, wife of Jean Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier during the 80's. This apartment is used for special occasions mostly not as a resident for the President. Most recently it served as the setting for the Presidents birthday that coincided with a visit from the Prime Minister of Canada in January. We visited the private garden where the Mr. Preval has geese, ducks, peacocks, chickens and fish ponds. A quiet and lovely setting where occasionally the President will take his lunch.The rear of the palace is surrounded by army barracks, most of which is empty. We were shown rooms were political prisoners were held and interigated...small windowless rooms. I saw words etched into the inside of the doors such as you see in one of the pictures. I think the spirits of those men still linger as I felt such dispair in this area, a stench still filled the air. At this time, our tour guide was a man that worked there from the mid 60's to about 1987 when Baby Doc fled to France. He then lived in the US for 10 years. I thought but did not ask if he had moved there for his safety. During the Douvalier regime- of Papa Doc who declared himself President for Life, the country seemed more prosperous but were also years of much corruption and fear. Papa Doc did not have an official army but a large volunteer corp of men that earned the nickname of TonTon Macouts. People lived in fear of these men that killed anyone and thousands of people from different accounts that I have read for any reason. The Tonton Macouts are not active as such but I'm sure some of these men are still around, maybe as part of some of the 'gangs' or rebel groups or some compacity for the National Police. Our guide Kathy gave us some history, but often Cyril added much more information filling in with not only trivia but also more indepth history of Haiti as well as the Palace. Certainly the reason he is an excellant and perfect tour guide for Haiti. The original palace was in the same location but built facing a different direction. About 1904, one of the (gun)powder rooms exploded destroying the palace. At the time, there was rumor (that continues to this day) that the explosion was terrorist caused. In 1914, the US Marines began their occupation of the country and the Palace was temporarily moved to another site.The construction of the new palace was started and completed in 1921.Mr. Preval is in the 3rd year of his final term. It was my great pleasure to meet his daughter and have the opportunity to see this beautiful National Palace. I'm fortunate to have a very good friend named Cyril.

( a second group of pictures posted following this)

Current National Palace

Temporary palace in 1904

Patricia Preval and me
former army barracks (prisoners were kept beneith the barracks in cells.

etchings inside of door of interrogation holding cells shown below.

Me in the lounge salon of private apartment.

lounge salon, very beautifu

one of the connecting hallways

Peace doves, a recent art addition designed during Presidents birthday party