Its been a busy week since my return from spending Thanksgiving with my family in Portland. There is so much to be thankful for. Having everyone gathered together to share this special holiday is a gift- My 90+ yr old mother in law to the new baby Cona, just a few weeks old now. The news that 2 new babies will join the family next year. I think there were nearly 30 people in the house and 4 generations.
On Tuesday we attended a conference at the Karibe Hotel to meet with a young man from MIT that is designing a new w/chair. We will be getting some in a few months to trial. They are called the Leverage Freedom chair and can be powered with a lever system for more torque power especially good for difficult terrain. We listened to speeches given by former President Clinton and Haiti's President Martelly. Fiona and I talked with some of the local artisans in attendance to ask if they had people with disability working for them and why not? Are their places of employment accessible? We have to hold each and all accountable to make progress.
Just before I went home for Thanksgiving the workers poured the last bit of concrete on the room of our new clinic. Shouts of joy and no doubt pride was heard in those voices as they drifted up the hill to my room. It is amazing to see the progress over the past 8 months!
Last loads of cement going onto the roof.
They have already started the interior work of plastering walls, laying tile, and building the railing. We celebrated on Friday 2 December with a 'Tree Topping' ceremony to commemorate the moment in honor of the construction team. Unfortunately, we didn't have a tree yet....
Last loads of cement going onto the roof.
They have already started the interior work of plastering walls, laying tile, and building the railing. We celebrated on Friday 2 December with a 'Tree Topping' ceremony to commemorate the moment in honor of the construction team. Unfortunately, we didn't have a tree yet....The following pictures are some of the key players in this project.
Dr. Ben Nau, country medical director, Dr. Jim Rhode, Minnesota Board member and Dr. Riche Zamor, HHH Executive Director.
Mssada president, Poul Bertlson and T&C Construction, Gilbert.
Al Ingersoll, HHH Country Director and Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics with Poul Bertlson
HHH Board Vice President Rudolphe Lalanne and ED Riche Zamor...
T&C Construction, August and ICRC Clerk of Works, Alexander Humbert.
Alexander and Andy along with ICRC representatives...
New railing....
some of the construction crew....
Dr. Ben Nau, country medical director, Dr. Jim Rhode, Minnesota Board member and Dr. Riche Zamor, HHH Executive Director.
Mssada president, Poul Bertlson and T&C Construction, Gilbert.
Al Ingersoll, HHH Country Director and Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics with Poul Bertlson
HHH Board Vice President Rudolphe Lalanne and ED Riche Zamor...
T&C Construction, August and ICRC Clerk of Works, Alexander Humbert.
Alexander and Andy along with ICRC representatives...
New railing....
some of the construction crew....
Al and Deb Ingersoll and Andrew Ripp
New almost completed plaster room. Glass remains to be installed, floor sealed and plumbing completed.
Al ceremoniously adds a shovel of cement...
Here is my shovelful....
Andy Ripp adding his share...
Although it is not the entire crew, here are the representatives of the bunch, including Gracie. Afterwards, we celebrated with a small luncheon, a bit of champagne and Prestige.
That night some of us went out to celebrate at the International Club to hear Belo and several other groups. In between each set, the MC talked about the importance of inclusion and accessibility and awarded honors to several people, including a chief of Police in honor of the disabled police on the force.
To see progress is to see hope and that is a reason to celebrate.
