Mid-Week Post

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!

First Day In Jacmel

We all were feeling a bit under the weather this morning after a night of too many rum sours. Morning came way too soon and the idea of having to pack up all our hockey bags and personal stuff seemed a bit overwhelming for all of us. Karen and I took turns giggling at each other but once we ate breakfast, most of us felt better. Caryn, wasn't so lucky. The boat ride back to Les Cayes left her throwing up off the back of the boat and after taking a Gravol, she slept most of the 4 hour drive to Jacmel. The drive went well. Driving through the mountains is dangerous and always a bit nerve-wrecking but our drivers are wonderful and always work hard to keep us safe.

It was great to get back to Jacmel and stay at the Cyvadier, a beautiful hotel just outside the main city of Jacmel. Christophe, the ower, always makes a great effort to ensure we are comfortable when staying with him. The food is exceptional, and I was excited to have the lobster again after waiting for it for a whole year!! Lobster and Pristige beer go together very well! We haven't had a day off yet between work days and travel days, so next weekend will be welcomed with a few days at the end of our trip to do some shopping and relaxation. We barely sat down to order dinner when Adrian let me know that a young man and his girlfriend had been in a moto accident and were hurt badly, so we all went off to see what we could do. His leg/ankle looked broken but he refused to accept that or to allow me to splint it and I bandaged a fairly large wound along his shin of his right leg. His girlfriend had a large superficial cut up the back of her leg and serious "roadrash" to her bum. I didn't think that I'd be providing first aid to other guests of the hotel, but if you can help than that's what we do. In a short period of time, Karen was also able to arrange for the two of them to be seen for an orthopedic consult by the doctor (Fred) who has been at Pazapa all week determining which children he will provide surgery to when he returns early in 2012. He has been coming to Haiti for over 20 years. I was very impressed with our team tonight, and it made me realize again how awesome my teammates are!!

For the next three days, I will be working on my own at a walk-in clinic run by CCH (Coalition for the Children of Haiti) which I am looking forward to. So, until tomorrow, I am going to enjoy my cold Pristige while I listen to the waves of the ocean crash against the rocks while watching the sunset with my teammates. Once again, I feel grateful to be working with such a great team and to be in a place that has a way of making you want to stay.

Getting Caught Up

n and I have both got bit like crazy by the mosquitos. We haven’t been able to figure out what’s worse, the mosquito or microscopic ant bites. I currently look like I have chicken pox, but hopefully they will stop itching soon. We all said good bye to Wadson, Damian and Daniel (Damian’s bodyguard) after breakfast. It’s always sad to say good bye to great people. In Haiti, you bond with people quickly and develop fast friends so it’s always bittersweet when the time comes to go in separate directions.

The children at Sister Flora’s orphanage are wonderful. In such a short time, I am learning the children’s personalities. There is Beatrice, who always is where the action is at or creating a rouse, Ibald and John who can’t stop beating each other up. We have all had to put each of them in time out for hitting, slapping, spitting. Pretty common stuff between two boys who are 3-4 yrs old, some things don't change in Haiti. I met Mathiew, who's mom died in the Cholera centre and his dad left him at the orphanage because he didn't want him. I will include a picture of him in his daily outfit of a white shirt and diaper. He like many of the children, have stolen a piece of my heart and it makes my next visit a year from now seem like an eternity away.

Being on Ile le Vache is like being somewhere other than my previous experience of Haiti in Port-au-Prince. It is a carribbean paradise. I’m sitting at the hotel lobby watching hummingbirds, listening to the birds, looking at the amazing colours of blue and teal from the ocean and watching a tiny gecko run back and forth across the table while I blog. Good times and laughter with friends so far and seeing so much progress in the country is making me want to stay. This first week has flown by as usual. We are leaving for Jacmel tomorrow. So tonight, we will have some fun with rum sours and enjoy our last night on Ile a Veche and with Andy before he leaves us as well tomorrow to go back to Port-au-Prince.  

Week 1 Is Almost Gone Already!

So, I forgot to mention in my last few blogs that Michel Jean was on our flight from Montreal to Haiti with her daughter but I wasn't able to see her at the airport because it took me so long to get my baggage out of the overhead bin. As usual, upon landing in Haiti, every Haitian clapped and thanked Jesus for our safe arrival. It always makes me laugh at the way some things are done in the carribean. Another thing that makes me giggle, is the odd food combinations you get. For example, this morning we had eggs, with hot dog weiners and spaghetti. The team let off some steam last night and we all drank a bit too much, so needless to say none of us were moving too quickly this morning and reamining upright for more than 15 min at a time to pack was a challenge. While we giggled our way through our hangovers, we prepared to say good bye to the kids at Sr. Flora's orphanage and to Ile a Veche.

Sr. Flora came to this island - originally from Quebec- about 28 years ago. She has 22 special needs children and over 70 other children living with her. Some of the older kids go to school in Les Cayes, crossing the sea on Monday and return Friday, boarding during the week. Some of the others go to school on the Island. There are about 450 kids on the island that go to school on the island.


The children have been so wonderful and happy to greet us each day. Damian gave us a tour today and showed us the work that Soul of Haiti has been doing. They have a building which he hopes will be a 24-hour clinic within the next year and we got to see the Cholera centre just outside the gates of the orphanage. Had it not been for this clinic, hundreds on the island would have died. When Cholera hit the mainland, everyone on the island thought that Cholera would not reach them, but becuase so many travel between the mainland and the island, it took the lives of five of the beautiful children who lived with Sr. Flora. Damian also showed us the schools that have been built. One for Catholic and one for Protestant children. He showed us water stations where the locals are given discs and they put their disc into the pump and it will dispense water. As well, he was telling us that there are hopes to create solar handwashing stations. These stations would be powered by the sun and would be sensored so that when someone puts their hands under the water it would allow the person to wash their hands. It was very inspring to see what great work other organizations are doing.

Some of the childern were not happy that we were leaving. Enrico, unfortunately, gave Karen huge crocodile tears and then proceeded to stick out his bottom lip and turned his head away from her. After only my first visit, I can understand why it is so difficult for my teammates who have been here before to leave.

The ride to Les Cayes, was great. Caryn, would not have the same story. She spent half the trip hanging off the back of the boat throwing up. Once we arrived back on the mainland, we loaded our awaiting van and headed to Jacmel, a 4 hour car ride away.

I will write more once arriving at Jacmel. The internet is better there and I will be able to blog more often. Until my next post, I am going to go and count the number of mosquito bites I have. At last count, I had over 35 on my right leg.

Next post to follow soon.

Day #4

Things were amazing today. The boat was at the dock to pick us up at 9am as asked, not Haitian 9am which is more like noon. We arrived at the orphanage and got straight to work. I did complete assessments on about 12 kids today and then had fun with bubbles. Amazing photos have been taken on this trip, the children are so special and just make me want to take them all home with me. Damian gave us a tour of what Soul of Haiti has been doing on the island. We were able to see a clinic that he is working on staffing 24/7 with doctors and nurses and I saw a Cholera camp which I will post photos of later. We also saw the amazing Catholic and Protestant schools that have been built for approximately 600 children to attend school. Very humbling and brought my first lump to the back of my throat when I saw the amazing progress that has been made and the plans for the creation of a wonderful community. Went shopping at the market yesterday so it was odd to see it empty today. We were all very tired, hot and smeelly today so we swam in the ocean and then the pool at the hotel after work. Having a wonderful dinner tonight and then heading to a voodoo ceremony at 9pm. I'm a bit concerned about the 20 min walk in the dark to the location..... no more broken bones needed. Many pictures to come but I should just let you all know that I have once again found myself content, calm and feeling like I have more purpose and inspiration than I have in a long time. I have met a few new friends, Damian and Andy (an architect building the HHH rehab clinic on the guesthouse grounds). Looking forward to what the next week will bring.

Bon Bagay!

Day #3

Went to the orphanage today after a challenge of getting the boat ti pick us up. Once getting to the orphanage we, worked hard and met Damian and his group of Irish workers building schools and farms throughout Haiti. The team we met (Soul of Haiti) is working with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to build a school. They are here in Haiti and have been offering free concerts to the group every night. Nice to see that the celebrity support for Haiti is still present. Rumors are that Sean Penn and Angelina Jolie will be in this week but nothing confirmed. Saw a few children today. The funniest part of the day was that we were looking for a place in the shade to eat our lunch, and found ourselves sitting on Cholera stretchers eating lunch. Another day ended swimming in the ocean with a cold Prestige, and amazing dinner and card games over rum sours. We got to do the most amazing thing today. There is a small sandbar literally in the middle of the ocean with water about two feet deep that surrounds it, and we got to go swimming there. It is so weird to look around and realize that you are in the middle of the ocean and walking in shallow water. My teammates had a great time picking starfish out of the water and we all swam while watching the sun set. Already looking forward to tomorrow. Life is good!! 

Day #2

Woke up early this morning after a horrible first night sleep at the guesthouse. Dogs up barking all night long and a gunshot at sunrise got me up for the day. We were off by 9am to head for Ile le Veche and made really good time through the mountains. A 4 hour ride was great, and Wadson, Karen, Adrian and I had great conversation which made the time go faster. I won't be able to post any photos for a few days as the internet access is so horrible here on the island that only one person at a time can be online. The island is beautiful and if I showed everyone pictures of the hotel, nobody would believe that I am in Haiti. Went to Sister Flora's orphanage and met some UN workers from Paraguay. The children at the orphange range in age a great deal and were so happy to see us. Wadson put on a kite show (he is on the Haiti Kite Team) and performed magic tricks so it was a fun time for all of us and  a great way to end a first day of work. Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped at a mini island in the middle of the ocean. It is an oasis about 200ft in diameter and gets about 3 feet deep. You feel like you are walking on water in the middle of the ocean. We picked starfish and enjoyed the warm waters. Afterward, we went to a private beach, jumped into the water from the boat and went for a swim while watching the sun set. I'm so happy to be back and to experience a different Haiti. The streets in Port-au-Prince are so much cleaner than last year and overall, there is a lot of building and improvements that have occurred. It's been 30 degrees before the humidity and I have forgotten how hot it gets here! Oh how I have missed Haiti!!

Day #1

Great first day!! My travels began yesterday at 5pm leaving Vancouver to Montreal. It was wonderful that Air Canada could check my bags all the way to Haiti this year which made the layover in Montreal so much easier. Arrived in Montreal as planned, took the wrong shuttle to the hotel which meant a quick walk at 1:30 in the morning and then slept for about an hour and a half before my wake-up call came in. Arrived at the airport in plenty of time to have a hearty breakfast. I decided  to save the Air Canada lounge passes Mark was so wonderful in giving me for my trip home. The rest of the team almost didn't make it on the flight as their connection from Ottawa was late. Everyone arrived, we left 30 min late and arrived in Port-au-Prince 1 hour later. Suprisingly, all went very smoothly at the airport. The normal chaos seemed much more controlled this time and we managed to get 10 bags and be out in 1.5 hours. As usual, the humidity hits you like a brick wall, and the 30 degree temperature didn't help. That said, the instant Haiti smell is reminding me of what I miss most and seeing so many familiar faces at the guesthouse is comforting. Got my bugnet set up, and then headed off to the grocery store. It is like shopping back home in Canada, there certainly isn't much you can't buy, which still seems odd to me. Stocked up on Haitian rum and opened a Pristige beer at the guesthouse. Dinner was noodles with fake meat, french fries, piklez, salad and another mystery meat which we all think was beef. We were supposed to go to the Montana for coctails tonight but we're all pretty tired, so once we repack bags in preparation for our 7am start time tomorrow, a few games of cards will be more the speed everyone is at tonight. No pictures to post today but will try throughout the week.

Bon Bagay!

A Year Has Passed

So, it's the day before I head back to Haiti and I feel so much better about this trip. I am excited to see my teammates again and the excitement that Haiti seems to bring. I have been packed for 5 days and I can't believe how much I was able to fit into my carry-on bag compared to last year. I'm not sure what I did differently, but it seems that packing 100 lbs of gear and 2-weeks worth of clothes in a carry-on was easy this year.

We'll be traveling to Ile La Veche, a small Haitian island for one week and then back to Jacmel for our final week. I will be working with a partner organization and working in a outreach clinic for 3-4 days which I am looking forward to. I will blog as often as possible but I have been told that the WiFi is horrible so I may be unable to keep in touch for a few days.

I promise to do my best to avoid breaking anything on this trip and come home in one piece.

Haiti, I've missed you and can't wait to see you!

July 2011

I thought I'd let you all know what's been going on since my last post several months ago. I am preparing for my next trip to Haiti in November and already have my hockey bags nearly full with small toys, bubbles, and sunglasses. I had a garage sale a few weekends ago and managed to raise $340 dollars which I will be putting towards my fund raising efforts.

I am still in physiotherapy once a week for both my ankle and my shoulder but slowly on the mend. The car is fixed, there ended up being over $8000.00 damage. Now I'll get to have fun with the provincial auto insurance to get a reasonable claim settled.

First night at home with my cast/ in a lot of pain!

The day after surgery and waiting to go home

Indent from the cast for 7 weeks!

First day with cast off. Grossest thing I've ever seen!

After the wonderful pedicure. Looks pretty good!

My pretty fibreglass cast for the next 7 weeks!

6 inch plate and 7 screws!

I am looking forward to getting back to Haiti and seeing my friends from last year's team. I'll fill you in on more soon. I plan on posting much more regularly. In the meantime, here are some pictures of my fracture. Kind of cool!



Chat soon!