This new oasis found was quite a respite at the end of our travels, and last night we were treated to a bountiful feast in great company. It was wonderful to see Josi and his family and to be able to introduce them to the team. WOW, how the boys have grown! As always, my time with them was cherished but too short. So hard to believe that in just a few days it will be 10 years since I first met Josi and Ruth!! Read More
As anticipated, dinner last night was delicious…tender meat, rice & beans, and the most anticipated of all – fried plantains and pikliz!!! Again, mesi anpil to Ms. Ghislaine and Adeline (and my apologies for spelling Ghislaine incorrectly in my earlier stories)! I think we have dubbed “The Holy Trinity” as the 3 P’s…Plantains, Pikliz and Prestige!! And by now you can assume we found our way to the rooftop after supper to enjoy the cool breezes and the full moon! Read More
We were indeed blessed with fans all night, but the air was so close, it was still the warmest night on the island. I don’t wish to imagine how much warmer without the fans! The generator did cut off at 6:00 and the team began stirring. There was still some question about our expected departure time from the island, but in fairly short order Timizou informed Leon that we would be wise to depart right after breakfast to avoid heavy winds and rough seas, so the team ate quickly, loaded the truck with luggage and reluctantly set off down the familiar path to the boat launch. It was time to go but it gets no easier to say goodbye… Read More
So, after publishing the post last night I came down from the orphanage roof and we headed out for “a walk,” and guess who we ran into…our friends Timizou and Letene. They joined us on our stroll, which just happened to lead to the local watering hole…again…and there we spent some time before dinner catching up on all the news over the past 11mos….good stories and many great laughs!!
We watched the clock carefully so that we would make it back before the dinner bell. Dinner, as always was delicious, and once everyone had a full belly…and thanks to the industriousness of some of the team (shout out to Pam, Deann, Anna and Neal), we made short work of the prep chores. Then it was time again to cool off on the roof, under the moon and stars. What a way to end a long day!!
This morning began with cool temps but very little breeze and I knew we would be in for a hot one! Sure enough, within a few minutes, the sun gained height and the temp easily rose by 10 degrees in minutes…not even 7:30 yet. We knew there would be a definite insistance about clinic today, since we were forced to turn away nearly 100 patients yesterday when the “whistle blew.
We were not disappointed. As I sat on the roof with a cup of coffee this morning, I noticed a couple people who appeared to have arrived very early and were sleeping on the ground. Within minutes, more patients began arriving on foot. Soon there would be a clamoring crowd…they knew this would be our last clinic day on the island and most had no idea we woold be returning in 3 months.
After a quick breakfast we headed down to meet the masses and got an earlier start to what was billed as just a half day clinic. “Big Boss Lady” Nora had informed Paulsaint we would hand out just 70 tickets today, and a definite look was exchanged…in the end, we remained flexible, as one must in Haiti, and by the closing bell at 1:00 we had seen another 107 patients! Regardless of the number though, which now exceeds 500 in less than 4 full clinic days, my only hope is that our patients feel that we have served them well!
Based on the interactions I have heard throughout the week and the general demeanor of the patients when they depart clinic, I believe we are accomplishing our goal. And not to gloat, but I again claimed victory for the cutest baby in clinic – it helps to be the story writer!! (again, permisson was granted to take and publish the above photo)
After lunch, many of the team joined Neal and me for a refreshing dip in the ocean at short beach. Shorter walk, cool water…great payoff!!
After a quick dip and walk back home I spent some time on the rooftop at the orphanage searching for a signal to get the story out before we descended on the tedious end of week chores – final sorting, filing and creating an accurate inventory of the remaining supplies.
Tedious and overwhelming does not begin to describe the required tasks, but I believe we are more organized than ever before. I only hope my May team can maintain the order!
(As you now know, I was unable to obtain a connection, so you are likely reading this a day late.) Despite the earlier end to clinic, it has been a hot and exhausting day. It was nearly 10:00pm before the chores of the day were completed and all are now hoping for fans all night and calm seas for the crossing to Les Cayes tomorrow. We will spend Sunday night at Nora and Leon’s home and may explore a bit of the city with our friends, before departing for Port au Prince Monday morning.
That is all for tonight. Can’t keep my eyes open any longer.
Love to All,
The Team
We began our week having to cancel the half day clinic at Gran Plaine, planned for the 1st full day on the island. We arrived so late the night before and had much to do to prepare, that we were not able to open the doors as planned. We knew that was disappointing to the community and that they would be ready for our services once we returned from the other locations on the island…and ready they were!
After another hearty breakfast, we just headed down the hill to the church with supplies in hand, set up the space and got busy seeing patients by 9am…right on schedule.
The patients semed to be arriving by the busload, but we know better…most arrive on foot, and some after hours of walking. However, if you have access, you might choose to drive yourself!
We passed out 130 tickets for the day and by about 1:00, all had been registered. By 2:30, we had cared for another 140 patients and are told there are another 100 names on a list for our “half day” clinic tomorrow…Today I declare myself and Deann the victors for seeing the most cute babies of the day…and also the cutest of the cute! (disclaimer: I received consent to publish the photo from the mother.)
Once clinic was over, and a favorite lunch consumed – soup joumon, Neal and I hiked to a favorite spot….”short beach”, while much of the team rested from a hot day. (The breeze was strong but in the wrong direction today.) The water was refreshing- just what the doctor ordered – and now I am on the roof of the Orphanage with friends as I complete the daily story – just what the doctor needed!
We missed Timizou at the watering hole yesterday, so will try again now before dinner. I am told we may have our ladder to reach the roof of the guest house tonight after the work is done, and if the breeze holds, we will definitely have a cool night under the stars and moon to relax.
We will need the rest if we plan a repeat of today’s work. That’s all for tonight – more news from the island tomorrow.
Love to All,
The Team