Right next to our volunteer center base camp is a "clinic in a can": cargo container fitted with three 7 x 10 rooms that function as two fully equipped doctor's office and pharmacy. This is normally staffed by a Haitian doctor employed by Heart to Heart. He was off today, so I filled in for him as Aaron and Sue (our good friend and nurse who was in Haiti with us this time last year) took the mobile out to a community church in Petite Riviere.There are three bleacher sized benches under a wide white tarp in the front yard. Patients begin lining up at 7:30 am. Today the seats filled with many mothers and children. My youngest patient was 29 days old. Fortunately, she was not very sick. Unfortunately, I did see a 20 year old patient, brought in by her mother, who was in fulminant liver failure: her abdomen was as large as a term pregnant uterus, her limbs skeletal, her breaths short and fast. I sent her to the closest MSF hospital (doctors without borders). What she needs is a full ICU admit. Even with that, I'm not sure she will survive.
In between these patients I saw ailments ranging from common cold, fungal skin infection, miscarriage, and ulcerations from scabies.
Later in the afternoon, our Haitian born, US-bred Field Director took us to visit a local orphanage 1/2 mile down the street. It is home to 45 children ranging in age from 2 weeks to 12 years. One of the two-weekers arrived only last night, dropped off by a mother unable to care for her. I was immediately approached by a 3-year old, with out-stretched hands who wanted to be held. According to staff, he is quick to ask all visitors to hold him. I held him for most of the time we toured the facility.The tour was given by Donna Tente who works with CityTeam ministries. She secures donations and grants for the orphanage needs and spends a few weeks every couple months at the orphanage helping out.
The orphanage used to be housed in a building. Since the earthquake it is a series of tents and recently-constructed wooden buildings. The plan is to have the orphanage rebuilt in a year. The children are schooled in French and English, have a playroom of games and toys, and keep the company of puppies, cats, and goats. The goats, like the turkeys, will become dinner. Each child has a small box of items of their own--clothes, toys, etc. The rest is shared, including Sunday dresses.
It is a well-run organization with happy children.
If you would like to volunteer or help fund items of need, or even sponsor a child, please go here:
Tomorrow, we head out to the mountain village of Fondwa, and return at days end to Port-au-Prince to continue work at the Bel-Aire clinic Saturday morning. Once back in the capital city, we will have access to internet, where we will post these blogs.
~Mc
Please note: we will post more pictures when stateside. The process of posting here is extremely protracted given the internet connection and PC program. [Update- photos now added.]
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