I have spent the last three days at the clinic. The first day, I helped to triage about 70-80 people. Team Canada hired an interpretor for me which was very helpuful. The interpretor, Okswald, also does interpretation for the Canadian Miliatary and is hoping to become a police officer in Port-au-Prince. It is a very dangerous job and not one that he or his family wants him to have, but he feels that it is the best way for him to earn a decent living. He has been trying to visit Canada for some time but has not been able to earn enough money to save so that he can purchase a plane ticket.
I didn't get up from the chair at the reception area of the clinic all day, to eat, or drink my water and I have developed a cough which I think is an allergic reaction to all of the dust and pollution in the air. I am very glad I had the foresight to bring cough drops with me as they have been very helpful in stopping a tickle in the back of my throat.
The second day at the clinic was very different. I spent some time with Michelle, who dispenses the medication. They cut up small squares of paper, dispense the number of pills the doctor instructs and then seal it with masking tape and write how many pills to take and the number of times in a day. These expereinces always help to remind me of the contract of our healthcare systems, resources and options from Canada to Haiti. It also helps to keep me focused on "Basics is Best". Everyone at the clinic has been very friendly and acoommodating. I do feel that I need to learn how to speak Creole. I feel embarrassed this trip that I am unable to speak the language at the same level as my teammates and other blancs I hear in Jacmel. I feel that it is also an issue of respect for me to at a minimum make an effort to speak the native language. This will be my goal for next year, to be able to converse at a basic level in Creole. At the end of the day, we were provided a tour of the lower level which will be a fully functional OT/PT clinic with surgical rooms for orthopedic surgeries. Karen and Melissa played a big part in getting this clinic developed, so it was a proud moment for both of them to see it come to life!!
The last day at the clinic was the same as the first. One of the doctors, had asked me to work with him directly today, but Jacquline, the nurse was busy with patients and needed help so I stayed with her again and triaged people. We saw about 50 people today, but it was a shorter work day for us so had I stayed longer, I imagine we would have seen close to the same number of people as the first day.
I'm tired today and looking forward to an evening of rest with my teammates before we head into a town in the mountains called Belleview tomorrow for an outreach clinic. We will have a photographer, Eric, who is doing a documentary and taking photos of what HHHI and Team Canada Healing Hands roles are in Haiti with regards to rehab services and education. It will be great to have him join us for the next few days.
Off to put on my swimsuit and grab a Prestige. I might do some shopping on the beach tonight. The vendors are out selling their goods, and they always have beautiful items to sell. We've done a bit of shopping at the end of each workday, but we are saving Saturday, our first real day off as our shopping day.
I'm headed for warm salt water, cold beer, acra, the best french fries and piklez!!
Bon Bagay!
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