Evacuees begin to arrive at the Justinian hospital.
We deliver drugs at the hospital
and we buy food
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Trying to Catch Up
A young child suffers a wound and reset broken bone w/o pain killer
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Yesterday Was a Long Day
After we found our hardware and tin we loaded up and hit the road. I will add pictures after this post. Pictures are on my phone, which I must add separately. Temperatures remain in the 90s with high humidity. Once the sun lifts above the horizon, you can feel it like a physical thing pressing on your skin. Road infrastructure limitations make every trip like an Outback excursion. Just riding and being thrown from side to side beats your spine and twists yor backk
Monday Saga Continues
Yesterday was a long day. After getting our hardware, tin, and associated components, we began the trip outward. Yesterday was the first business day we experienced in Cap Hatien. It amazes me how much is done my folks with so little. I watched a small framed Haitian load 10 bags of cement mix onto his wheelbarrow. I am told that they weigh either 50 or 75 pounds each! This gentleman squared his shoulders, squatted and lifted the bars and moved down the road. My last realization was to note he had on an old pair of cowboy boots!
We began out “outward bound” trek with a stop at the Bon Air orphanage. We dropped off some folks there and then continued our trek to the clinic, another orphanage, and then our ultimate destination, an old folks home – an almost unheard of concept here.
The road, already a patchwork of pavers, concrete and mud, began to deteriorate the further we got out of the city. We were taking the same road that leads to and from Port au Prince. Ruts two to three feet deep, pot holes five feet wide and filled with water represented unknown dangers. Horns continue to announce “Here I am!” Every intersection requires the same announcement, as there are neither signals nor any apparent “rules of the road”. The road is full of traffic – but most reflect the day-to-day activities of the Haitians. Ad hoc “cabby trucks” load a press of humanity and then move on. Shops seem to congregate by specialty. Electronics, tire repair (a very buzzing business), motor repair, sun dried nuts – each turn opens new experiences.
We continue to move away from the city and into a rural venue. Fields open up, “farmettes” begin to sprout around us. Banana trees, sugar cane, and pig farms begin to dominate; less concrete block structures and more woven bat huts sometimes covered with mud. We ford two streams as our “road” has been washed out. We continue following what appears initially to be a dry stream bed and arrive at the old folk’s home. We have arrived at an oasis! Well constructed concrete structures, painted bright colors, an outside latrine and some farming patches help provide a safe venue to older people, visited and cared for by their family or other families. We deliver our supplies, take our greetings and begin the return trip.
We began out “outward bound” trek with a stop at the Bon Air orphanage. We dropped off some folks there and then continued our trek to the clinic, another orphanage, and then our ultimate destination, an old folks home – an almost unheard of concept here.
The road, already a patchwork of pavers, concrete and mud, began to deteriorate the further we got out of the city. We were taking the same road that leads to and from Port au Prince. Ruts two to three feet deep, pot holes five feet wide and filled with water represented unknown dangers. Horns continue to announce “Here I am!” Every intersection requires the same announcement, as there are neither signals nor any apparent “rules of the road”. The road is full of traffic – but most reflect the day-to-day activities of the Haitians. Ad hoc “cabby trucks” load a press of humanity and then move on. Shops seem to congregate by specialty. Electronics, tire repair (a very buzzing business), motor repair, sun dried nuts – each turn opens new experiences.
We continue to move away from the city and into a rural venue. Fields open up, “farmettes” begin to sprout around us. Banana trees, sugar cane, and pig farms begin to dominate; less concrete block structures and more woven bat huts sometimes covered with mud. We ford two streams as our “road” has been washed out. We continue following what appears initially to be a dry stream bed and arrive at the old folk’s home. We have arrived at an oasis! Well constructed concrete structures, painted bright colors, an outside latrine and some farming patches help provide a safe venue to older people, visited and cared for by their family or other families. We deliver our supplies, take our greetings and begin the return trip.
Monday, January 18, 2010
As Monday Comes to a Close
While my group was on safari, anther began to tackle repairs on a Cap Haitiene house far up the hill. Our “young members” had to carry bag after bag up the ill to the house. You may remember, gentle reader, that these bags are HEAVY. At the end of yesterday, the team looked as I would imagine the pyramid construction team looked.
Pastor Satter spent the day with Doctor Benjamin Maklin at the hospital. Intake has spiked with overflow from Port au Prince. While people can be diagnosed, and have prescriptions, if they don’t have money for the raw materials, there is no treatment. Pastor Satter took a significant port of the Lynehaven UMC donations to pay for essentials – drugs, plaster for breaks, burn cream. Another need that was being ignored was feeding the medical staff. Many have worked non-stop with little or no food or rest. Our little hotel is working overtime to make sandwiches that we take to the sites.
Evenings are a time of fellowship and storytelling. Everyone has a story, and every story speaks to the Haitian character. We are fortunate for the Hertz outreach because they already have well developed relationships with locals here who can make things happen and who appear to be honest. Poverty is pervasive, and of course this leads some to poor choices. But the most prevalent characteristic remains the projection of pride, gentleness, and even a type of nobleness.
Pastor Satter spent the day with Doctor Benjamin Maklin at the hospital. Intake has spiked with overflow from Port au Prince. While people can be diagnosed, and have prescriptions, if they don’t have money for the raw materials, there is no treatment. Pastor Satter took a significant port of the Lynehaven UMC donations to pay for essentials – drugs, plaster for breaks, burn cream. Another need that was being ignored was feeding the medical staff. Many have worked non-stop with little or no food or rest. Our little hotel is working overtime to make sandwiches that we take to the sites.
Evenings are a time of fellowship and storytelling. Everyone has a story, and every story speaks to the Haitian character. We are fortunate for the Hertz outreach because they already have well developed relationships with locals here who can make things happen and who appear to be honest. Poverty is pervasive, and of course this leads some to poor choices. But the most prevalent characteristic remains the projection of pride, gentleness, and even a type of nobleness.
Monday: On the Search
Just a little thing like missing 12 inch bolts sets us on a hunt that
can last for hours! We are also in search of tin for roofing. The
streets remain busy here in Cap Hatien. Issue like gas shortages are
one of the most observables of Port au Prince distruction. PaP was a
major gateway for resources that will likely never return to it's
prior glory.
Our little hotel is an island of safe haven and the nexus of many
independent (uncoordinated) missions. Last night u spoke to a
leabonese imegree and we talked about Haiti. He feels that the major
national aide groups are providing, besides substantive humaniterian
aide, a stabilizing influence that is keeping mass turmoil from
occuring.
Today is my first "business day". In Cap Haytien. A lot of the traffic
is motorcycle. Most telecomunication is via cell. Traffic self-
discipline is good, but horns provide an enduring cacaphony of
strident tones. "Look out for me!". Very few of the streets are paved
well, and those with paving usually have pot-holes. Streets that are
not paved are badly rutted dirt roads that tolerate thecrains poorly.
I told there is a 100% duty on imported vehicles, so when u see a new
SUV I know that represents a significant investment. Haiti is a
"labour rich" country. One sees many vendors streetside and many
"loungers" socializing. There is a sense of positive, calm about
laiced with camaraderie covering quiet grieving. Teenagers seem more
greatly affected. Even though we are far from PaP, many have strong
ties of family and friendship there.
We have split into two search groups with me remaining with the van.
Ithas now been overan hour and the search continues.
Sent from my iPhone
can last for hours! We are also in search of tin for roofing. The
streets remain busy here in Cap Hatien. Issue like gas shortages are
one of the most observables of Port au Prince distruction. PaP was a
major gateway for resources that will likely never return to it's
prior glory.
Our little hotel is an island of safe haven and the nexus of many
independent (uncoordinated) missions. Last night u spoke to a
leabonese imegree and we talked about Haiti. He feels that the major
national aide groups are providing, besides substantive humaniterian
aide, a stabilizing influence that is keeping mass turmoil from
occuring.
Today is my first "business day". In Cap Haytien. A lot of the traffic
is motorcycle. Most telecomunication is via cell. Traffic self-
discipline is good, but horns provide an enduring cacaphony of
strident tones. "Look out for me!". Very few of the streets are paved
well, and those with paving usually have pot-holes. Streets that are
not paved are badly rutted dirt roads that tolerate thecrains poorly.
I told there is a 100% duty on imported vehicles, so when u see a new
SUV I know that represents a significant investment. Haiti is a
"labour rich" country. One sees many vendors streetside and many
"loungers" socializing. There is a sense of positive, calm about
laiced with camaraderie covering quiet grieving. Teenagers seem more
greatly affected. Even though we are far from PaP, many have strong
ties of family and friendship there.
We have split into two search groups with me remaining with the van.
Ithas now been overan hour and the search continues.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday AM 7:30 the doctors deploy
clinic supporting the locals with more routine medical issues. Pastor
Ralph will go with a Haitian doctor to the hospital. I am told they
are dealing with some horrendous injuries. Pray for them all.
Others of us will go to various building projects or on a scavanger
hut to buy needed parts and supplies.
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