I know it's been several days since I last wrote anything from Haiti. Though it's Sunday, the backhoe operator and laborers continue to remove what's left of the adjacent apt. building and prosthesis clinic, so the smell of diesel exhaust is mixed with the mango and other fruits we have for breakfast. I continue to wipe the drips from my head with a wet bandana as I type. We have only fans to move the heavy hot air and cool water to drink, plus lots of stories to share with each other just from the day including those with the journalists from the Toronto Star who are staying here for a week. I'm sitting in the living room with stories going on behind me.
We have done some good things here - but have only made a small dent - One woman came in for therapy the other day with a 10-day old bandage on a finger. I took her up to our nurse to cut off the dirty bandage and soak the wound, learning that some guy had bitten off the end joint of her finger during a terrible argument. People who cannot pay for medical care simply do not receive it. Another woman arrived with 5 month old stitches in her upper thigh that will need a surgeon to get those stitches out as the skin has grown closed over and around them - she could very possibly lose her leg. I have treated folks with rotator cuff injuries, old fractures, and a young woman who lost most of her right arm in the earthquake. She has a young baby and has developed severe neck and scapular tightness from trying to do everything, include carry her child, with the left arm. I massaged her back, neck and stump with bio-freeze, taught her some exercises and asked if she needed anything. Next day she returned for the baby stroller, tennis shoes and socks that I promised her. I also made a strap using a gait belt so she could carry the stroller behind her like a guitar case to keep her hand free. Her smile and gratitude was nearly more than I could handle.
The children have such melancholy in their eyes - it is indescribable - we fit them for shoes and give them socks while they are here - most are walking on sandals that are worn out or too small. I am mostly frustrated by having to make decisions about who I give the shoes out to based on how worn their flip flops are, or distributing the rice and beans that we receive at lunchtime from the hospital. Jefferson and Joseph are two of "my" boys who hang around the clinic every day, always wanting to help when we pack up in the afternoon. The little boys need attention and ask for water from our 5-gal. keg since the tap water is not potable, even inside the hospital. Can you imagine a hospital employee asking for water to drink?
The children have such melancholy in their eyes - it is indescribable - we fit them for shoes and give them socks while they are here - most are walking on sandals that are worn out or too small. I am mostly frustrated by having to make decisions about who I give the shoes out to based on how worn their flip flops are, or distributing the rice and beans that we receive at lunchtime from the hospital. Jefferson and Joseph are two of "my" boys who hang around the clinic every day, always wanting to help when we pack up in the afternoon. The little boys need attention and ask for water from our 5-gal. keg since the tap water is not potable, even inside the hospital. Can you imagine a hospital employee asking for water to drink?
The past week has exposed me to a level of poverty that was formerly unimaginable. It's smell-able, taste-able, visual and extraordinarily pervasive. Yet I've also seen a different part of Haiti. Thursday evening several of us went with the Star journalists who are staying here out to a restaurant about 10 min. drive from the guest house. They had a driver they've been using and we went in 2 car loads. It was so nice to have a cocktail in a cool swanky place that is frequented by Embassy personnel and business people!
Saturday, Jan arranged for the air-conditioned mini-bus, which we've been using every day to commute to the community hospital, to take us to the mountains for the day. The team members from the clinics in Les Cayes and Jacmel had returned on Friday afternoon via truck and plane and we were 18 people reunited since last Saturday. While the bus climbed the steep narrow roads, the A-C had to be turned off in order to power the engine. Being high above Port au Prince was visually and emotionally refreshing as well as cooler. We visited and spent several hours in Kenscoff, a Baptist mission village with lots of friendly people. Lovely, the little girl who was removed from the rubble after 6 days of being trapped, lives there with her family and the Star journalists were also there doing a follow-up story on her. I didn't get to see her but all reports indicate that she is doing well. There we wandered amongst the street merchants to shop and bargain, coming away with all kinds of beautiful Haitian art and crafts. During our lunch in the western-style grill/sub shop that had a spectacular view of the valley below and next mountain, various other Westerners were present, mostly from faith-based American organizations. In the church at the end of the parking lot, many of us enjoyed the unexpected opportunity to listen to their children's choir rehearse for Sunday's evangelical service. Imagine about 150 kids, 4-15 yrs. old, swaying right/left and joyfully singing with a few adult leaders and accompanied by a pianist and drummer! I have some great photos but no way to upload them now....
We completed our holiday with a fine dinner on the veranda of an elegant hotel restaurant in Port au Prince, celebrating Hero, our skillful driver. Later, back at the guesthouse, Jan encouraged each of us to share our best and worst experience of the week, processing, laughing and crying together about the experiences and feelings that each of the 18 of us chose to express. For some people, including me, this is the first time we've volunteered our professional services in a poor country -- but not my last time. Others have traveled and worked extensively including multiple visits to Haiti. What a great group of individuals this is! I can hardly believe that half of my trip is over. I'm well (with a few mosquito bites, puffy feet and ankles) and hope all is well with you too. Bye for now. Be grateful.
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