Day 3: Callebaise Outreach Clinic and Food for the Poor Caregiver School

It was a fantastic first day truly helping the people of Haiti. We all have great stories and experiences to share from today. The team was split into two groups today, and we headed off in separate directions. I thought it would be a great idea to have a person from each group tell what they personally experienced today. First we will have Hailey tell her experience at the Callebaise Clinic.

Callebaise Clinic:

The Callebaise Clinic is up high in the mountains, up a dirt road that we almost had to push the van up. On the way we passed many homes destroyed by the earthquake in 2010, as well as the old clinic, that was also destroyed. Many of the houses still have families in them, and when we got there, there were about thirty-five people already waiting to be seen. We set up the nurses' stations, the pharmacy, and the "eye doctor's" room as quickly as we could and began filling out intake paperwork on each person. That's what I did at first; with the help of two interpreters, we were able to write down the names, ages, date, and why each person was at the clinic. People didn't like waiting in the line though, and several times a flight almost broke out over people cutting in front of others. For hours we were fought over by the Hatians (and I was sat on more times than not by people trying to get closer to the interpreters). After we had seen 85 people, we announced that our time and supplies were running low, and we would have to stop. We ended up having to turn more than 20 people away. After registration was done I tried helping fill prescriptions in the pharmacy with Jared and Julie, but I kinda sucked because I'm not a pharmacist. I also got to be the eye doctor. We gave away a lot of reading glasses, and I even got someone in a pair of prescription glasses. Pretty much I'm an eye doctor now, but from now on it will have to be in the States because I dont speak French, and being alone with a French-speaking person is hard. Especially when you're finding them glasses...and then especially when you're not really an eye doctor, and everyone just thinks you are because you're wearing scrubs and handing out glasses. 

Hailey is a support team member and everybody loves her and her hard work. Now, we will get to hear from Allison and her experience at the General Hospital and Care Giver School.

General Hospital and Caregiver School:

Today Joyce, Brandon and I went to the general hospital here in Port au Prince. Our mission was to find Dr. Kaffe who ran the TB clinic there. When we arrived we found that the hospital was under construction and that the TB ward and Dr. Kaffe had disappeared. We were disappointed that we would not be able to work with her patients but we were determined to deliver our supplies.  We had newborn kits and several other medical supplies that would be valuable to a TB ward.  

We were sent all over the hospital is search of a director who could accept our supplies.  After waiting for the chief of staff for a few minutes in an air conditioned room we were sent to the maternity ward where we again waited for the director to accept our newborn kits.  After a few minutes and several chairs being brought to us for our comfort, we were directed to another man who led us directly to the maternity ward where we split up our newborn kits and were able to deliver the supplies directly to the mothers and babies. It was very rewarding to be able to see the gratitude on the recipients faces as well as to catch a quick glance and their beautiful babies.  So precious.

Armed with our supplies, our awesome translator/chauffeur, and a determination to deliver our donations to a TB ward we headed up the long hill to the hospital that Dr. Kaffe sent her patients.  This was called the Sanaitorium.  After the slow climb up the hill we arrived at the hospital that was in rubble.  We were a quickly escorted to the director of the hospital where she graciously and excitedly accepted our donations.  We tired to convince here to let us stay and help but she said we were not needed. 

We were now on our way to Food for the Poor, which is where this year's Caregiver School is located.  Our trusty chauffeur, Matt got us there right in time for Joyce to teach her class on choking.  She did an amazing job teaching the staff how to administer care for choking adults and children.  The staff was able to practice on each other and on baby dolls.  They did an excellent.  

Now it was time of Carnival.  Many of us helped make carnival masks while watching the children dance their little hearts out.  They have moves that I have never seen before.  The children enjoyed their masks and the celebration.  Brandon gained a new girlfriend.  She wouldn't let him out of his sight. Hopefully Hailey won't be jealous.  The children there were precious and very well cared for.  The caregivers showed so much love.  One sweet boy name Stevenson was dressed up as a superhero he didn't have any fingers but he was able to write his name on a piece of paper and and draw me a picture.  Another girl named Lynn was confined to a wheelchair/stroller.  She was so happy and as I fed her lunch and  kept repeating the words "I Love You" in English.  What a sweet happy girl.  There were so many children I was able to associate with and with that I could share all my experiences.  What a special place happy place. 

 

Allison was truly great help trying to negotiate with both hospitals on accepting the supplies and providing direction of what the team should do next. It has been both a long and rewarding day! Please comment if you have any questions!

 We will finish with the words of the day:

Lost

Cliff

Greasy

Tall

Carnival

Love

Perception

Off-roading

Lump

Flesh Eating Bacteria 

Spinal Cord

Crown

Energetic Elderly

Busy

Accomplishment

Holding

Cabrit