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.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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...
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...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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.
Still more to write about before I leave but for now I'll post some pictures with this and call it a night.
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