Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Miami to Pignon: The Road thru Hinche
Hello folks,
Wow...what a day.
We woke up at 3:00 am and one flight and six hours in a school bus later, we arrived at our destination- the Mt. Carmel Orpahanage in LeGene, just north of Pignon. I would love to describe every last detail of the journey but as it turns out my international data rates are FAR more expensive than I had imagined. Pastor Joe has graciously allowed me to use his laptop but it is not a fast connection, and I don't want to dominate it.
Port-au-Prince was as smooth as one can hope for in a third-world country. We basically flew in on time, went thru immigrations, customs, got our bags and were met by the good Pastor and his helpers in their US-purchased renovated schoolbus (purchased in Virginia for $2200, with $2500 in shipping costs and over $3000 in customs fees for Haiti administrators, but I digress...)
After a quick stop for water, we made our way...slowly...out of the city proper and into the rugged mountainous countryside. Lots to see...but it was Haiti as I remember it from 2010- full of beautiful people in a bad situation. (I invite any of the OWS spoiled crybabies to stop texting and put down their Red Bulls for just a moment and come see what REAL poverty looks like).
Anyway, the last miles of the trip were on unpaved, poorly maintained roads but we arrived tired but in one piece....having avoided the bands of UN convoys so famous for confiscating anything of value and either keeping it or redistributing it in "the name of the UN." We turned into the orphanage and were immediately greeted with the smiles of children and adults alike, and there were hugs and kisses all around.
After a wonderful dinner prepared by Nerlande our house mother, we set up for clinic for tomorrow in the church on the compound. The tables were set up and medications and supplies laid out. I even got to see my first few patients as a favor to the Pastor.
I would love to type more but I am exhausted and have a long day tomorrow. I will try to upload a few pictures, if it doesnt get too $$$$...
Eric
Wow...what a day.
We woke up at 3:00 am and one flight and six hours in a school bus later, we arrived at our destination- the Mt. Carmel Orpahanage in LeGene, just north of Pignon. I would love to describe every last detail of the journey but as it turns out my international data rates are FAR more expensive than I had imagined. Pastor Joe has graciously allowed me to use his laptop but it is not a fast connection, and I don't want to dominate it.
Port-au-Prince was as smooth as one can hope for in a third-world country. We basically flew in on time, went thru immigrations, customs, got our bags and were met by the good Pastor and his helpers in their US-purchased renovated schoolbus (purchased in Virginia for $2200, with $2500 in shipping costs and over $3000 in customs fees for Haiti administrators, but I digress...)
After a quick stop for water, we made our way...slowly...out of the city proper and into the rugged mountainous countryside. Lots to see...but it was Haiti as I remember it from 2010- full of beautiful people in a bad situation. (I invite any of the OWS spoiled crybabies to stop texting and put down their Red Bulls for just a moment and come see what REAL poverty looks like).
Anyway, the last miles of the trip were on unpaved, poorly maintained roads but we arrived tired but in one piece....having avoided the bands of UN convoys so famous for confiscating anything of value and either keeping it or redistributing it in "the name of the UN." We turned into the orphanage and were immediately greeted with the smiles of children and adults alike, and there were hugs and kisses all around.
After a wonderful dinner prepared by Nerlande our house mother, we set up for clinic for tomorrow in the church on the compound. The tables were set up and medications and supplies laid out. I even got to see my first few patients as a favor to the Pastor.
I would love to type more but I am exhausted and have a long day tomorrow. I will try to upload a few pictures, if it doesnt get too $$$$...
Eric
Monday, January 23, 2012
Roll call: Shenandoah Valley to Miami
Our Haiti adventure began at o-dark:30 this morning when the nine of us gathered at the Pastor Henry's church. We loaded up the van and were on our way to the airport , a relatively uneventful drive. I sat in the back row and had an opportunity to dialogue with Janet, the pastor's wife. Now here's a woman who takes things in stride....Conversation centered around what one would expect with a pastor's wife-the assault rifle parts she purchased for her daughter for Christmas, the merits of concealed carry versus open carry, and how many rounds of .22 LR would be appropriate for home storage.
The trip through the airport was remarkably smooth, except for my turn at security. Screeners had to inspect every last piece of my medical equipment; a supervisor was called over when they discovered the MRE rations. My water packets were confiscated but they allowed me to keep my beans and rice. Apparently peanut butter does not count as a liquid so that got to stay too. Beyond the delay at the screening checkpoint, there is not much airport stuff really to mention (other than my quiet amusement at seeing a women's softball team camped at the Aer Lingus counter).
After our arrival to Miami international Airport, we picked up our ample checked baggage (but not before I pointed out to my Shenandoah Valley colleagues that the Hasidic Jew we crossed paths with was NOT, in fact, an Old Order Mennonite), and high-tailed it to the local Holiday Inn Express.
Right now it's a waiting game at the hotel until we depart for Port-au-Prince very early tomorrow morning, when we will once again hit the airport at o-dark 30 for some more TSA fun. It will give me a chance to eat, rest, and take one last inventory of meds & supplies.
The trip through the airport was remarkably smooth, except for my turn at security. Screeners had to inspect every last piece of my medical equipment; a supervisor was called over when they discovered the MRE rations. My water packets were confiscated but they allowed me to keep my beans and rice. Apparently peanut butter does not count as a liquid so that got to stay too. Beyond the delay at the screening checkpoint, there is not much airport stuff really to mention (other than my quiet amusement at seeing a women's softball team camped at the Aer Lingus counter).
After our arrival to Miami international Airport, we picked up our ample checked baggage (but not before I pointed out to my Shenandoah Valley colleagues that the Hasidic Jew we crossed paths with was NOT, in fact, an Old Order Mennonite), and high-tailed it to the local Holiday Inn Express.
Right now it's a waiting game at the hotel until we depart for Port-au-Prince very early tomorrow morning, when we will once again hit the airport at o-dark 30 for some more TSA fun. It will give me a chance to eat, rest, and take one last inventory of meds & supplies.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Little Bird (Haitian Childrens Song)
Ti Zwazo kote ou prale
Mwenn prale kay fiyét lalo
Fiyét lalo kon manje ti moun
Si ou ale lap mange ou tou
Brik kolon brik Brik kolon brik
Wosiyol mange korosol
woulo woulo Mwen soti lavil o kay
Tout bet tonbe nan dlo
Madmwazel leve pou danse
Mesye mwen trò fatige
Little bird where are you going?
I am going to Lalo's house
Lalo's eat little kids
If you go she'll eat you too
Brik kolon brik Brik kolon brik
Nightingale eats breadfruit
Rolling rolling I come from the village
All birds fall in water
Lady, please dance with me
Sir, I am too tired.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Prologue: Haiti Mission 1012
Dear Friends,
Departure time for Haiti grows near and excitement is building.
The mission group has really kicked preparations into high gear these last several weeks. Through the financial contributions (thank you, you know who you are!) as well as some personal resources I have been able to order, organize, secure, and pack up a host of much-needed pharmaceuticals for our little traveling clinic. Antibiotics, dewormers, skin creams, injectables, antihypertensives, female products, multivitamins, analgesics, steroids...etc....Having learned the Hatians' medical needs from my last trip over, I have been able to tailor my inventory to better treat them. In addition, we come prepared with donated surgical instruments, wraps, bandages of all sizes, water purifying equipment...and plenty of hand sanitizer. The volumes of these items have turned out to be a bit more than I had originally anticipated; fortunately, we are a team of eight this year.
There have been some last-minute personnel changes. The nurses originally expressing interest in the trip had to cancel, so jumping in as my primary assistant in their stead will be one of our own emergency department clinical techs. Clint will serve as medical assistant: part nurse, part pharmacist, part clinic supervisor...and part security. A big, self-assured guy with experience in the Red Cross and FEMA, he brings an added level of OPSEC to our group. Not that I am overly concerned about our safety during our time in-coutry, given the relative stability (for Haiti) lately, but it's nice to have a guy along like that who can watch your six. Third world traveling is never risk-free, and safe return to CONUS in one piece is never assured, regardelss of preps.
Our other fellow do-gooders will be a group from a local church- Pastor Henry and his wife Janet, and parishoners Crystal, Kim, Scott and Diane. All are seasoned Haiti volunteers, having been to "Pastor Joe's" orphanage before. Each brings his/her own area of expertise, which will be used to improve the lot of the orphanage and local townspeople- electricity enhanced, vehicles upgraded, health improved...and spirits lifted.
Once I get past my last regular shift in the emergency room this weekend, I will gather up the last of needed supplies, make a Wally World run, reorganize my survival pack, and load-to-go. After that it will be some much-needed quality time with my family before the Haiti gang rendezvous at first light Monday for the bus ride to the airport.
My intention over the next 10 days or so is to "blog on the fly," uploading journal entries and pictures as we travel. Pastor Joe has graciously agreed to let me use his laptop once we arrive, so I am hoping to post updates nightly, or as interesting occurrances present themselves. Of course, if I happen to be deeply involved in a soccer match or Creole sing-a-long with the children one evening, please bear with me....
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