Day One- project HHH Out Patient Clinic

The Dignity and Spirit of Haiti

Some of my fondest memories in my nursing career have been working with elderly people. I've worked in a number of nursing homes over the years as well as in hospitals. The stories - history they have survived is so amazing. Sometimes its value is hidden, locked away from those of us caring for them; sometimes because the elderly don't think its important to anyone else, sometimes because we don't listen to what they have to say. Taking the time to listen is so important but we lose sight of this in our increasingly busy lives where the clock is always ticking. This morning I took the time to read the following article from Dr. Ray Ford, a physician who has been coming to Haiti for 20 years. He shared this bit of wisdom with a network of medical folks that work in Haiti.

OLD FOLKS: Many of the patients you see will have the same complaint—GAZ. They will touch their heads (tet fe’mal) or their neck, shoulders and backs to indicate their discomfort. Gaz (or gas) seems to be the common term for “discomfort” in the north of Haiti. They will complain (through your interpreter) of gastric discomfort and fever. Their skin will itch from head to foot and sleep will be difficult and interrupted. Many will have burning eyes, diarrhea or constipation. Old men will have trouble with their pee-pee and old women lower abdominal pain. You may feel at a loss to know how to help them. After you have listened to their complaints, ask them what problem is most important to them: make certain that you have dealt, at least, with that issue.

Then, as hours of patient contact pass, it becomes evident that many older Haitians are simply hungry:--to the point of malnutrition. You will discover that some are edentulous or arthritic. More insidious will be your realization that the possibility of chronic depression exists, made even more difficult by cataracts, presbyopia and deafness isolating them from their world. And so it goes, but do not despair.

You will ask yourself “how do they survive”? Who takes care of them? The complexity of that question and the answer, blurred by our vast cultural gap, comes as a gradual revelation to us, especially for the “veteran” physicians who come to Haiti again and again. If they seem ignorant to us—ignorant of our strange ways—imagine how ignorant we are of them. Haiti is a culture of networks (“webs”) of relationships that date back hundreds of years. Remember that all the people that you see will be descended from individuals kidnapped from Africa more than 200 years ago—they are unique.

We have grown up in America. We understand; we need not even contemplate what our culture and environment is all about, but consider this odd world we have entered: where many women have spent their adult lives bearing 20, 30 even 40 pound loads on their heads and necks—doing that while bearing 5, 6 or 8 children from their wombs. This is a place where men have toiled 8, 10 even 12 hours a day in farm fields, only to realize that even then the mouths had not been fed. They have lived in a world where pain is pain and hunger is hunger and one more day is all one asks of his life and the lives of the children.

These are people who possess great, sweet dignity and intellect. It is easy to underestimate them. You will take a great deal more from having been in Haiti than it will take from you. The more times you go, the more you will have each time that you return.

Recently I had a conversation with Dr. Randle who started HHH 12 years ago. He came here on his LDS mission and then later returned to begin providing rehabilitation. He too has seen a lot of changes - history - in Haiti, though I must say right now, he is not old. He is happy that HHH has survived and grown though its a bit unnerving to think of all of the effort and resources to continue the growth and the support needed to continue to meet the tremendous needs of the people in Haiti. Certainly, since the earthquake, there are many more resources and people and organizations that lesson some of that burden. He says he still doesn't understand the country any better. Thats understandable and not surprising. I'm here everyday trying to do this on so many levels - if I equate that on a school level maybe I've reached the 3rd grade.

Yesterday the construction crew arrived on site to begin the first phase of the building project. This involved cutting down the trees that sit inside the perameters of the clinic. Listening to the chainsaws and the chopping- no one called out timber- was kind of sad. The property is lush with trees that are very beautiful and some were very old and have their own kind of history. But as I said to the architect, we are building something in their place that will have a history of its own. I'm excited to be part of that history. Perhaps we will treat some of those women that carry the heavy loads on their head and shoulders. For sure its true, that I will gain much more from my experience here in Haiti than I will ever be able to repay to these people with sweet dignity and the resilience of the great mahogany tree that was cut down yesterday.

Another Birthday in Haiti

This week was my birthday...I think it was the 4th that I have spent in Haiti in the last 4 years. I have to say this one was quite nice but then I would have to admit to a bit of self indulgence....pampering at a local spa that we have found. It was a lovely day to share with my friends, Fiona, Al and Deb. The team from Utah brought me a few gifts including the 3rd book in the series I am reading (and look forward to returning to at the end of each day) and some pool furniture in the way of blow up air mattress/ chair with a drink holder. I have to say I am looking forward to Saturday and testing it out if I don't pass out from trying to blow it up.

We visited a new to us orphanage that cares for disabled children. I keep wondering why we hadn't found it before but that is the way things are in Haiti and with organizations - a term I use to encompass all groups that that come to Haiti to provide service or mission work- not knowing who is working here. Anyway, they have a large area near the airport, with gardens, rabbits, fish, chickens and children. Play structure, a small soccer field, classrooms, etc. They actually have 100 children but only 16 or 17 disabled children. Their story is very similar to all other orphanages we partner with in terms of taking care of the children. Someone had recently given them some very nice chairs for each of the children so HHH volunteers will offer and provide some care giver training and therapy for the children.

Carnival was relatively calm...Fiona and I could not attend the festivities but Jorel gave us some glitter to wear to the airport and feel festive at any rate. I have not heard of any problems associated with carnival. Jorel attended and said there was lots of music and people.

I had heard the bands might boycott and he said the music was cd's so maybe they did. I hope so.

Short and sweet tonight....need to go read 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest".

Life in Haiti...this week.

Its been a couple of weeks now since I have written - I'm not sure if its because I've been busy or if it means I have not been inspired to put words to 'paper'. I know I've been reading a lot- 2 books that have hooked me so that even when the book falls into my face at night, I try to read a little more...It is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl that Played with Fire series.

We've had a variety of visitors through here in the past month. Some that volunteer their services on behalf of HHH and the work that we do in rehabilitation and some that use our house for a hotel. Our house though it needs work, is a respite area. It sits on 4+ acres with many trees. The staff are kind, food is generally quite good, and despite the crazy rooster and Crazy Hen and the noisy birds that sound like monkeys, it is peaceful.

One of our visitors was a group of people with a sanitation product for the water. They put it in our water system and told me the water was safe enough to drink. However, since they seemed to refuse to shower in the water, how am I to trust their product. Then when our tank was empty, they assumed I had it drained. I can only laugh at this. I consider our water a precious commodity and would never empty a tank full of water unless I was told it was causing us all to be ill. Since none of us are ill....well, it was a good joke on them apparently. I'm sure they have very good intentions, and hope to eventually sell their product. No further comment necessary.

For the most part we have some extremely nice volunteers and guests that come through the guest house. I'm proud to get to know them a little bit, happy they are willing to give up time, money, vacation, and their expertise to come to know the Haitians and their country and their culture.

The weather has been fabulous...with occasional bits of rain at night. Only one really good downpour which most people were happy to receive. Low 90's during the day, low 70's is as cold as it gets at night. When all my friends north of Florida report all the freezing temperatures, snow, ice, storms it is with grace and thankfulness that I am not cold, nor complaining about the heat. Snow is sometimes pretty but so is the sunshine, blooming trees and greenery we have surrounding us.

Its carnival time in the city-Monday and Tuesday. Last weekend was the traditional carnival in Jacmel where it all started. I didn't go as much as I would like to see the parade of masks. Here in Port au Prince it is usually held down by the National Palace, with viewing stands being built surrounding the park areas. However, all of the park areas are filled with camps. We saw one viewing stand that is for the mayor and other dignitaries, but no other stands so my guess is the million or so people that usually attend will be in the street. Not sure how that will work out for the floats and other people to parade through. As it won't likely be a good place to be, we'll have to forgo the experience once again. I have heard that they are spending 90 million gourdes on carnival. I can' t imagine that they would do this with current problems of homelessness so I hope it is just a rumor. If true, I am willing to join in the manifestations it should inspire. We will have some days off though so mostly likely I will try to work on my tan...

I've added a link to the end of my article that gives a little history to the Oloffson Hotel. Its probably one of the few places I've been to more than 2 dozen times. Actually the only other place I've been to more is the airport. Happy reading and as one of my dear friends says Keep smiling!

http://www.economist.com/node/21016453