servehaiti

[servehaiti]

Thursday November 5th, 2015

With the truck and Ambrose gone to fetch more wood for the builders, today’s pace was different than the rest of the week. A group early this morning headed back to a bakery discovered yesterday. When the group of nine of us arrived at the home/bakery we were greeted with extreme hospitality. The woman of the house began to bring plastic lawn chairs for all of us to sit and told us to “make ourselves at home.” The owner of the bakery has been in business for six years and told us he hopes to be able to use gas some day instead of wood for his oven. Gary was able to talk business with him for a bit and explained that ServeHAITI is still learning about the economy here and how we can best use our gifts to help the people of Grand-Bois. It was hopeful for us to hear the long-term goals of this baker.

Our fearless group leaders made sure everything was in line as our trip is nearing an end. Lists were checked and double checked to make sure we have accomplished what we have set out to do on this trip, a great reminder of the hard work and dedication here this week and supporting us at home. It is truly impossible for us to be here this week without the love and support coming from across the pond.

Today was Mamba Thursday. The clinic benches were lined with mamas and their babies up to five years old to get their Mamba. This program is need based to help malnourished children.

The group got to walk to the home of Selio, a 16 year old boy loved by past and present delegates. The delegates were able to witness how he and his family live. They got to experience first hand the small footpaths created by frequent foot traffic up and down hill, a common walk for the many we serve here in Grand- Bois.

Wrapping up the day Jamie, Luanne, Casey and Liz were able to do walk through tours of the overhauls on the pharmacy, lab, dental room, and hospital with the staff nurses. It was reassuring to have conversations with them about their day to day use of the space and supplies.

Our cleft lip baby, Diuenalson, with the help of watchful delegates and his mama continues to hold his weight. He is finally getting the hang of the bottle routine and has gained a pound since being in our care.

Another severely dehydrated baby was admitted today. This little girl has a tight frenulum, aka “tongue tie”, which has made it very difficult for her to breast feed and get enough nutrition. She is 38 days old and had difficulty sucking. This baby will stay at the clinic until she learns how to do so and eat on her own. Currently she is receiving her feedings through a feeding tube in her nose.

The day ended with Ambrose arriving back from PAP with more lumber for the builders, promising that tomorrow would be productive with more desks to be made. The builders strategized before bed, they are so energetic and hardworking.

Laughter echoed the gathering room as cards were played by light of lantern after the power went out. This routine of evening gathering will be greatly missed. Slowly everyone trickled to bed.

Friday November 6,2015 For a large part of our group, today is the last full day on the mountain. Something that is completely bittersweet. The friendships among delegates, workers and the people of Grand Bois is infectious. We have been welcomed with open arms and feel at home despite our short trip.

The builders were quick to begin their projects on the second round of desks. An assembly line of sorts was formed, each person knowing their task. Measuring, cutting, drilling, sanding, and varnish. If someone were to ask, these folks have worked together for years. The reality of it is- it is a newly formed crew working towards the same goal. In a matter of a week, 12 large and 5 small school desks were built, and  5 hospital bedside tables were built.  Not to mention the functional shelving in the dental room and one of the sleeping rooms. Shout outs to Dave, Kevin, Luanne, Jamie, Lynn, Carey, Sophia,  Helen, Anet, Gary, Colin, Leah and Jack. You guys ROCK!

Early today, shifts were lined up so our two admitted babies would be taken care of and fed throughout the day, including the ever so loved night shift feedings. Any parent can agree that it takes an army to raise a kid, thankfully we have so many hands ready to jump in and help.

Today we were blessed with three new lives. Two boys and one girl were born today. Moms and babes are all doing well.

We are thankful today for Bellevue Marquette Catholic School for funding the clinic’s operation. Many patients were seen and treated thanks to your generosity.

A relation of Helen’s friend requested a visit today near Saint Pierre. This relation lives up a narrow footpath and is paralyzed. This man was injured and in pain. In Haiti this means loss of household roll. He is unable to leave his home and provide for his family. He is homebound. Considering the resources available in the states versus here this holds a huge impact on their family. Dr Leo has agreed to send Gift of Water, vitamins, and pain medication to his home tomorrow as well as involve Jean Louis, the clinic’s social worker in his case. Another testament to the reach ServeHAITI has to the community here.

The group that traveled to Saint Pierre was able to see the church which our first medical missions operated out of in the beginning. The priest opened the doors to the church so the group could look around. Veterans explained to the newbie volunteers how the makeshift clinic operated back then, as well as tried to describe the lines of waiting patients which stretched beyond imagination. Seeing the progress that has been made in the last 14 years is humbling.  Our entire group is so excited to see where ServeHAITI goes in the next 14 years.

Final reflections made the evening mood somber yet we were able to celebrate all we have done this week and the bonds we have made.

Tomorrow Cindy, Dave, Luanne, Jamie, Kevin, Carey, Lynn, Helen, Dr Matt, Sophia, Jack, Casey, and Liz will leave the clinic for Matthew 25 which meant last minute packing and rearranging. Until next time, Haiti!

[servehaiti]

Diary of a Volunteer

  October 29-November 5,  2015  by Leah Hoppe

Thursday, October 29th: The group unites for the first time in the Atlanta airport.  Individuals from all walks of life, various backgrounds and life experiences, gather to share a unique experience as a newly formed family.  Multiple cities are represented in the group from Iowa, including Dave, Cindy, and Liz from Bellevue, Colin and Casey from Dyersville, LuAnn, Carrie, Lynn, Kevin and Jamie from DeWitt, Leah from Des Moines.  Cousins from Minnesota, Jack and Sophia also joined us. We also had a nurse from Alaska, Helen!  A few more would join our group over the upcoming days.   The trip to Atlanta was pleasant and uneventful.  Just the way we like it!  Anticipation and excitement built for our first timers as well as our seasoned veterans.  The experience in Haiti can never predicted or foretold, it all must be received as it comes.   Quickly after landing in Port-Au-Prince, our journey began.  The group quickly passed through immigration and customs and found all our bags carry our precious cargo.  1 van, 23 suitcases, 13 personal bags, 1 driver and 13 passengers ☺  Enough said.  Thankfully all bags and passengers arrived safely at Matthew 25 with dinner waiting for us.  It was a long travel day with a long day in front of us and we all settled in.  The group stayed up to enjoy the sounds and sights from our rooftop rooms and the veterans shared stories of what was to come.  Everyone got their last internet fix, switching chairs to pick up the wireless connection, checking all our favorite socials websites, texting our families and posting our last pictures for a while.  We also got to a see HUGE cockroach and enjoy a beautiful rain, the first of our many cold showers and were lulled to sleep by the singing and chanting of the beautiful Haitian people.  

Friday, October 30th: HURRY UP and wait…The theme for our day ☺.  An early morning rise, in anticipation for our drivers and translators to arrive to pick up the rest of the vehicles for our trip up the mountain.  We had an exciting day planned; car rental, Deli-Mart, MSC, visit the orphanage and then the long trip up the mountain.  As our motto continued to remind us, expect the unexpected.  Cindy, our fearless trip leader, and Leah went to the car rental to pick up the 3 additional vehicles needed for trip.  They certainly had our reservation, but unfortunately, did not have the trucks…as Jerry Seinfeld said, anyone can take the reservations, but the important part is holding the reservations.  After a few hours of wait, Leah the inexperienced Haitian traveler, told Cindy in front of the Avis staff, “Let’s just cancel this reservation and go to one of the other rentals.”  While this wasn’t possible, it sure did put a spark in their step and we quickly had our 3 cars and were off!  We picked up the group at Matthew 25 and traveled to MSC (like a Menards in the US) to pick up our supplies to make desks and tables in Grand Bois.  While seemingly an easy task, in Haiti, very little is easy.   It included, finding the wood, gathering the wood, paying for the wood, cutting the wood (by handsaw in the scorching heat) and strapping all that wood on our trucks for the trip up the mountain.  Unfortunately, everything took much longer than anticipated and we were unable to visit the orphanage but would save that for the trip down the mountain.   Up the mountain we shall go…and go…and go…and go… The trip up the mountain cannot be adequately described but can only be experienced.  The 45-mile journey, which lasted approximately 4 hours, is a brutal, uphill battle against the mountainside.  The mountain is not forgiving; not to the trucks and passengers that ride and not to the Haitian people that travel up and down the mountain by foot, many without shoes.  We are fortunate.  One of the many, many times throughout our journey we are so kindly reminded.  
Finally we arrive at the majestic clinic, a kingdom for the people and home of the honorary mayor of Grand-Bois, Dr. Leopold.   It has been a very long day, the volunteers along with our two wonderful interpretors, David and Mariot, we picked up along the way, eat dinner and quickly head to bed.  We all are in need of a good rest.  It has been a very long day.    

Saturday, October 31st: Happy Halloween in the US!  The crew all wakes up after a restful night sleep and are very excited to tour the clinic and see the people we have come here to see!  There is much work to be done and the team quickly assembles a game plan.  There are 23 bags, which need to be emptied, sorted and put away in the clinic.  It is absolutely amazing to see all that has been collected and will be so gratefully distributed here in Grand-Bois, including; Ibuprofen, medical supplies, new baby kits, blankets, prescription medications, clothes, shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, gifts for the kids and the list goes on and on.  We are so grateful to each and every person who donated supplies for our trip.  It is through those donations that all this happens.  As my Aunt Liz says, each of you are the silent soldiers that make all of this possible.  The empty shelves of the pharmacy quickly filled up with medicines, which were so direly needed.  The clinic rooms and labs were sorted, emptied and organized for the amazing doctors and nurses who serve the people of Grand-Bois.  After many hours of unpacking, the group decided to travel to market day while Liz and Casey stayed back to deliver the first, of hopefully many, babies we would be able to welcome into the world during our trip.  Casey, who studied midwifery and is an OB nurse and Liz, who is also a nurse, spent the day caring for the mothers to be.  Both of our mothers were first time moms and the volunteers were amazed by the courage of these woman.  They were quiet, almost stoic and would break into song to manage through the pain.  They each welcomed a beautiful baby boy and the experience was wonderful for them both.   The rest enjoyed visiting market day, which is held every Saturday and Tuesday and is a mix between the grocery store, the mall, Target and the Dollar Store.  This is where the people gather to buy items they will need for the upcoming days for their family.  It is packed full of people selling and buying goods.  They have everything from corn and salt to shoes and clothes.  They also sell live chickens that they carry home for dinner.  It is quite the site.  As we traveled back home, we visited with people, which is always the best part of the trip; we handed out candy, bread and Slim Jims (which they absolutely loved!) and took pictures of the beautiful children along the way.  We are so appreciative of their openness and acceptance of our group.  They are welcoming and appreciative people and we are all so blessed to be in their presence.   The night finished with a beautiful Haitian dinner provided by local cooks as the rain pounded our tin ceiling.  The rain was relentless and continued for most of the evening.  We  couldn’t help but think of all the people we met throughout the day and how their night would be vastly different from ours.  As we spent the night protected from the rain, how would they stay dry and warm?  Our world is so vastly different; we can enjoy the beauty in the sights and sounds of rain in the comfort of our home while rain for them is just another struggle they learn to endure.  

Sunday, November 1st: The Rain Won.  We woke with plans for our journey down the mountain to attend church service, but the rain had won. We were ill-prepared to travel the journey to church services so decided to use our time to be productive at the clinic.  Builders began to build, organizers began to organize and painters began to paint.  Work began on the first of 12 desks to be built for the school, building tables for the clinic rooms, organizing in the pharmacy and lab continued; stocking shelves and rearranging supplies, and clean-up and painting began in the maternity room which needed a refresh for all the new mothers.  We assessed our accomplishments due to missing mass and realized maybe it was in God’s will for us to work for the people today while we were here! Following a busy morning, a group decided to travel up the mountain while the desk builders stayed back to work on building more desks.  The walk would be an opportunity to visit with families in the mountain; to assess their health and nutrition,  to ask if they know and visit the clinic, and to ask about Gift of Water - if they have it and use it, and lastly to travel to the DR border and see the breathtaking views.  It’s a long journey through the mountainside, but was absolutely wonderful to talk with people and visit their homes.  We would share candy with the kids and we quickly had a small following up the mountain.  It is not an easy trip, but we clearly were much slower than them even in our sturdy shoes while many of them had none.  The people knew of the clinic and also had Gift of Water so it was very encouraging  to see first- hand the impact that ServeHaiti is making!  The views were breathtaking and the people were very open with sharing their homes.  As we neared the DR border, the poverty (even by Haitian standards), seemed to increase and the malnutrition in many of the children we encountered was obvious.  Many were not attending school as well due to a lack of money.  Many of these children could have been helped significantly by the Medika Mamba program, which many in Grand-Bois are thriving from. Progress and opportunity, a theme often realized in Haiti, while progress is being made, opportunity continues to exist.   After the trip, the desk makers decided to also take a walk and visit with people.  Lynn encountered for a second time on this visit, an individual who professed their appreciation for the work we are all here doing and the difference it is making in their community…it is all worth it!  Cindy shared with us her favorite Bible saying in reflections that evening:  “Much is expected of those to whom much has been given; much more is expected of those to whom much more has been given.”   For those of us who won the lottery they day we were born in the great United States, we will all be obliged with ensuring we are giving much more.  

Monday, November 2nd: All work and no play made today a very productive day!  The morning started early, earlier than usual as the Day Light Savings debate ended in a loss for our fearless leader Cindy.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 6:45 pm– no make that 5:45 pm- that the great debate finally ended!     The group started their day with breakfast in the adirondack chairs on the front patio of the clinic.  It is precious time as we all gather to enjoy the Haitian sun and the beautiful scenery.  It’s definitely God’s country here.   LuAnn, Lynn, Carrie and Jamie were excited to get started on their school desks while the others picked up their work building tables, working in the hospital and helping patients.  Once the first desk and table were completed, the others took to sanding and staining.  The results from the day were 3 new tables for the clinic, 1 table for Dr. Leo’s room and 6 amazing desks for the school, There will be more to make tomorrow, but we know they will love them at the new school. We received a new patient today, a one-month-old baby boy with a cleft lip and palate.  The baby was small and weak, but was able to quickly capture the hearts of all the volunteers.  He had been having trouble eating and the mom was clearly frightened. He would stay overnight in the clinic in hopes that we would be able to help him gain weight and we could also provide some feeding technique education for his momma.     Our newest family members including veterans Kim, Gary, and Dr. Matt as well as Anet, a first time volunteer, also joined us today.  We are  so excited to have them with us! Today was a holiday in Haiti celebrating All Saints/Souls day.  This translated to a slower than anticipated clinic day but a lot more kiddos hanging out at the clinic.  They sure love to be here.  It’s not just the clinic and hospital, it acts as the community center for all the people in Grand-Bois.  We always have an audience, as they love to watch us build and paint, they seem especially impressed by the woman builders.  Quietly watching from the stairs of the clinic, a teenage boy stayed for the majority of the day, watching the building, sanding and painting process.  He didn’t say a word, but would smile as you made eye contact. Those are the moments that you cherish in your time here.   Did I say no play…I spoke too soon.  Recall my earlier note about Daylight Savings time and this meant an early shutdown of work before nightfall.  It gave the newly formed group time to socialize and play games of spoons (batteries if you don’t have spoons ☺), euchre, magic tricks and just good fun.  We work hard and we play hard during our time here in Grand-Bois.

Tuesday, November 3rd: Who needs to sleep?  It was an eventful night for Casey, Cindy, Liz and Dr. Matt over the night; continued work on the baby from yesterday who was staying at the clinic to keep progress on his eating/weight and a delivery of our 3rd baby, a beautiful baby girl arrived around 1:00 am.  I believe her lungs were very strong as most of us were awoken by her first breaths…very loud breaths ☺ The clinic was already starting to fill up after a long holiday weekend.  We were so fortunate to have Dr. Leo, Dr. Matt and Dr. Ulysse on staff today to ensure all the patients were able to be seen.  In the crowd of the patients, we saw the momma and baby from our trip to the Dominic Republic.  We had asked her if we could see her home and she had welcomed us in, but with the caveat that we understood that she was unable to properly clean her home because both she and her baby have been ill.  We asked her if she had visited the clinic for medicine.  She said she did not have the means to pay the small fee at the clinic for both her and her baby.  We assured her if she came down to the clinic we would cover her expense.  We were all so excited to see her today; she had said she would come and she did.  In Iowa, the saying goes, ‘if you build it, they will come’, I think this clinic is the true meaning of this phrase.  Another grateful moment, they are endless here.   Today’s agenda was to visit the schools sponsored by Bellevue and Bellevue Marquette Schools as well as visit the school being built in the mountains.  It was funded through a Go Fund Me page and will be dedicated to Cortlyn Authement.

Wednesday,November 4th

Work and play.  While the builders stayed back so as to not delay their continued progress on desks and tables, the other delegates traveled by foot back to Ecole le Pepiniére, which  Bellevue and Bellevue Marquette Catholic schools funded construction of last year. When the group visited yesterday, the students were not in session due to weeklong testing. While at the school, Cindy with the help of Mariot, our interpreter, presented the administrator, teachers, and students with a plaque honoring the generous contributions of those back home. With all of the children gathered attentively and on their best behavior in an empty classroom, they paid close attention because they knew it was a special day. Small gifts of tooth brushes and toothpaste donated by Leah’s son and classmates in Waukee, IA were eagerly received following a lesson on dental hygiene from Cindy. A mix of headbands/hair ties for the girls and hats by the boys added to the joy in the room. The children shared their gift of song several times for the delegates showing pride for their accomplishments in school.

A quick walk back to the clinic and the productivity continued. Dr Matt continued to see patients and the builders revealed progress in the form of additional desks and tables ready to be stained. The cohesiveness of the group  and  those around the clinic can be felt in moments like this.  Everyone jumps  in to complete tasks and work towards finished products. And by everyone we mean EVERYONE. Selio, a familiar face with open arms to past and present delegates has been helping with sanding and staining the benches all week. An admitted patient’s family members helped hold boards and tidy the building area. A true testament to the solidarity here, showing that many hands do  make light work.

Sophia, Liz, and Casey walked with guidance of a 14 year old boy named Watson to visit Norvia, Syntia, and Octavia at their home. These girls are sisters to Kenia and Berlande who were adopted in 2010 by a volunteer in Atlanta. The delegates were welcomed into their home and able to chat via David the translator and witness living arrangements. The walk was quick and included the usual parade of curious onlookers and followers.  They were also able to stop at the home of Profete, a guard at the clinics. His wife and children showed much pride in their home and were very clearly grateful for the opportunities the clinic provides in their lives.

Universally, kids love human interaction and playtime- evident with games of Ring Around the Rosie and Limbo at the entrance of the clinic this afternoon. Smiles were abundant in all who participated and watched. The kiddos were content to sit on laps, share high fives and fist bumps, take selfies, and be snuggled. We continue to be amazed by the silent conversations we can have in the way we share our time.

Following the discovery of a broken stove  yesterday during a visit to a bakery run by a woman in the entrepreneurship program, Gary and a group went back with tools to troubleshoot a broken handle and hinge. Kevin, Anet, Kim, and Dave used their MacGyver skills in their repairs. The owner is pleased to have the repairs in place and eager to fill the order for meat filled pastries for the group on Friday.

The lights of a lantern provide a newly cozy feeling as delegates shoot the poop at night, playing card games and wrapping their heads around the work being done here. It is not uncommon to step out onto the porch at any given time and be struck speechless by the beauty surrounding us including sunrise, sunset and an open sky uninterrupted by light pollution. The stars here are AWESOME!

Tonight the delegates fall asleep to newly familiar sounds of distant singing as well abundant wildlife including insects, dogs, donkeys, cows, and goats. It’s basically like Noah’s ark up here. These sounds beginning to lull us to sleep. Just another thing we will have to adjust to when we return to our homes in a few short days.

[servehaiti]

Week Three is On Their Way!

By Jane Schmidt

Waking up at 3 A.M. we scrambled to throw our carryons into two cars along with 8 bursting at the seams suitcases containing a wide variety of items - bandages, medicine, sealant, tools, photo frames, pillowcase dresses, and endless array of items designated for one destination - a medical clinic in Grand-Bois.  Our drive to Chicago was fast and furious but we caught the flight along with Shalini, a newly graduated Muscatine High School student interested in pursuing a degree in International Health.  What a great way to get experience - spending time in a medical clinic open to providing opportunities for all interested in assisting with medical needs of Haitians from the mountainous area.  

In Florida we added to our group - Michelle, Lindsay, and Amanda.  We gave hugs to those who were also in the airport returning to the states from their week in Grand-Bois.  Filled with excitement, we landed in the raucous Haitian airport who now charges a "tourist fee" of $10 to those entering the country.  We paid our fee, made our way through customs, and located our luggage.  So many men came forward to make a few extra dollars as they hovered around.  In our confusion, we were not sure who was meeting us and who was there only to make a few dollars.  A gentleman came forward and put a bracelet on my wrist stating his daughter had made it.  I thanked him only to have him track me down and request $5.  We still are "newbees" to this international travel and being Iowa nice, we smile and acquiesce.  

We found our rides and amid the chaos loaded our luggage into trucks and took the wild ride through the streets of Port-au-Prince.  Once at Matthew 25, our home for the night, we settled in and began developing new friendships with our Grand-Bois group.  We dined on beans and rice, chicken, salad, and bread.  We spent time on the rooftop watching soccer and basketball, wondering what they thought of their American audience dining and watching their games.

Haiti welcomed us with both the sameness we remembered and differences we appreciate.  We noticed some changes in Port-au-Prince, a few more curbs and sidewalks.  Some areas that had been neglected now appear to be remodeled.  But much remains the same - crazy driving, tap taps filled with people, vendors along the sidewalks, dogs barking, people carrying their heavy loads on their heads, and the absolute poverty of a lovely people.  

We look forward to our trip up the mountains tomorrow to delight in both the differences and sameness of our beloved Grand-Bois.  Our hearts have once again returned to Haiti.

[servehaiti]

Strangers in Their Own Land

Sonel and Gina Emile, and Simone Meoville

 From the broad political point of view, it may seem valid for DR to want all Haitians documented and engaged in their infrastructure. However, interviews with recently deported Haitians shows this is not the reality of the situation.  Besides being torn from their home, family, and friends, the Haitians who were forced out of the DR were stripped of all personal economic and material development – and were given no clear explanation of why. Simone Meoville, Sonel Emile, and his sister Gina Emile all stated they were simply walking down the road with their children, when the government stopped them and herded them into a bus and told them they had to return to Haiti. The rationale communicated to the Haitians was not due to government organization but climate. Apparently, DR is now “too hot” for them, and absolutely no explanation was given as to why they could not return to their home to collect their goods, access their money, or say goodbye to their families.  The government simply gathers people walking in the streets and drops them off just over the border to Haiti.

 Sonel Emile was the first of the three to be sent back to Haiti after living in DR for 12 years.  In DR he worked as a farmer, tending to both livestock and agriculture.  His three children (5 yr., 2 ½ yr., and 2 mo.) and girlfriend were with him, walking down the street, when a government bus stopped and picked them up.  Sonel was not allowed to return to his home, but he did see what happened to it.  As soon as they were forced onto the government bus, Dominicans stripped his house of valuables and tore it down.  His land, home, money – all gone.  Now, he lives with his father and family in Grand Bois and is trying to find work.  After our short talk he expressed his desire to work for ServeHAITI and get back to the farm work he loves so much.  Sonel’s life has changed completely, but he still has hope and hard work for tomorrow.

 His sister, Gina Emile, lived in DR for 12 years as well, but only arrived in Haiti on June 20th.  She now lives in the same home as Sonel, with their father and his family, in Grand Bois.  In those 12 years, Gina never left the DR.  She worked hard as a housekeeper and speaks three languages (Spanish, Creole, and French). Gina and the father of her four children (11 yr., 8 yr., 3 yr., and 1 yr.) all moved together.  Although she has some family in Haiti, unlike some deportees, they have very little to share with her. Gina expressed a fear for her current condition and was unsure how she will find a way to support her family.

 Simone Moeville arrived in Haiti on the same bus as Gina did on June 20th.  Although Simone visited Haiti many times during her 10 yrs. in DR, she sat in nervous anticipation as we discussed her current situation.  She ran a successful cosmetics business and kept a beautiful garden in the DR, but was only allowed to bring the clothes on her back and her three children (7 yr., 4 yr., 3 yr.). Now she lives with her parents in a three room house with ten other people, which does not include her boyfriend.  When asked about him, Simone’s expression changed and she explained that he decided to hide in the DR in hopes that the situation will pass or he will find a new way to survive.  Without any money or current way to make money, it is hard to say when she will be able to see him again, or even contact him.

 All three stories are examples of exactly how destructive hasty, inhumane deportation can be.  Even though these three were relatively lucky enough to have a place to stay when they returned to Haiti, they must start their lives over completely.  Any capital, relationships, or security they had worked for is gone, but there is little time to dwell.  Their main focus is trying to find a legitimate way to support their children and regain their autonomy.

Gina Emile and three of her four children.

[servehaiti]

Haitian -Dominican deportee Roseline Massé with her 3 month old son, Sanalson.

[servehaiti]

Life Can Change in a Heartbeat

June 23            Today the teachers’ focus was math and the Haitian teachers enjoyed playing math games and using the math manipulatives ServHAITI provided. Abby also conducted an art visualization lesson using Aesop’s Fables that the teachers had fun with. The other volunteers were out and about on various interviews.  Abby and Ellie visited with Gabriel, a prominent community member, and discussed the social issues of Haiti and learned some interesting history of Grand Bois (Sometime during the day they also bought a donkey they are going to donate to a needy family in Grand Bois and we all had fun taking turns riding him!). Dave, Corbin, and Gary spent their morning interviewing the owner of another bakery SHecon has provided loans for. Paige and Kate interviewed several Haitians who had been recently forced out of the Dominican Republic. It was an educational day for all and it is hard to believe tomorrow is our last day in Grand Bois.

As the world is becoming more aware of the unfortunate situation in the Dominican Republic and the unfair deportation of Haitians, those of us currently in Grand-Bois are listening to personal accounts of the tragic circumstances. Grand-Bois is one of five communities that border the Dominican Republic in the Ouest Department of Haiti.

Roseline Massé (pictured with her son) is one of the individuals we were able to speak with. As she held and comforted her 3 month  baby, Sanalson, Roseline spoke about her experience in DR with contempt and sorrow. The DR had been Roseline’s home for the past 10 years, and had moved there with her family when she was just 9 years old. She is originally from Les Palmes (about a 30 min walk from the clinic), where she is now staying with extended family.

While many Haitians that go to the DR find employment as a farm-hand or are employed as a construction worker, Roseline’s husband worked hard to rent his own plot of land and farm it himself with crops of beans and coffee beans. He had paid 5 years rent upfront and was only in the second year of this agreement, with no way now of being reimbursed for the next 3 years that he is now barred from. To add insult to injury, he never had the opportunity to harvest his crops before deportation. Roseline explained to us that the police told they needed to leave, otherwise there would be a war and they would be killed. We are learning just how complicated this situation is, and perceptions from deportees and Haitians vary with each person we meet. The clinic has begun recording names of those who have been displaced and are now in the area. As this number grows, we will continue to listen to their stories and work towards a solution to help those in need.

[servehaiti]

The Days are Flying By!

June 22

This morning, after a quick breakfast, volunteers hit the ground running.  Some of those with medical background and interests, including Francesca and Corbin (along with Kate who didn't want to pass up a unique opportunity) shadowed the clinic's Haitian doctors, who normally see about 6 patients an hour. Many of the patients were expectant mothers coming in for their check-ups, but the doctors saw patients of all ages and a wide variety of ailments. Francesca was able to communicate with Dr. Ulysse in Spanish, but Corbin was left with a medical translation book, which didn't dampen his enthusiasm. The experience of seeing firsthand the services the clinic provides was eye- opening for all.

Meanwhile, Janet, Mary and Kathy along with their translator, Alfred, were upstairs busy with Teacher Training, the main focus of the next three weeks of the trips. The focus this year is on non-fiction reading and Day 1 was a model Science lesson plan for the elementary grades. Of the 17 teachers present today, 9 of them were returning for their third year. Janet and Mary were pleased to see how much knowledge they had retained from the previous trainings. All three of the volunteer teachers were impressed with how engaged the Haitian teachers were and how seriously they took the training. One teacher told us he woke at 3:00 am to be on time for the training. It was a humbling moment.

A third group, Gary, David and Paige, visited a local bakery started with ServeHAITI Economics Committee ( SHECON) funds. They interviewed Chantale, the owner of the business. David was impressed with how hard Chantale was working to make the business successful, despite many recent family losses. He was reminded of SHECON's main goal- to help residents of Grand- Bois create and implement successful, sustainable business plans, not just a one-time handout.

Gary, David, Paige and Scott also had a very important meeting today with Dr. Leo and two local community leaders. The recent deportation of thousands of Haitians from the Dominican Republic has already shown to have an effect in Grand- Bois. While we are learning how complicated the situation is, we have been able to hear some personal accounts of those who are being affected by the crisis.

The clinic has begun recording the names of those who have been displaced and have relocated to the area. It seems that the community is pulling together to find ways to help these individuals. From Pere Reginald's homily on Sunday to many meetings at the clinic and throughout the community, people are discussing a way to unite.

Finally, later in the afternoon, all available hands were on deck to work on making the 37 chalkboards that ServeHAITI plans to distribute to the participating  Teacher Training schools. They have been building chalkboards each year and this final distribution will ensure that every class in each of the schools has their own chalkboard. It was great to see ServeHAITI volunteers and local Haitian volunteers come together for such a simple but important project that will impact so many students and teachers. Another full day. Another great day. We wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

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David Grove and Gary Froeschle enjoy Father’s Day at the St. Vincent DePaul Health Center, Grand- Bois/Cornillon, Haiti.

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Father’s Day in Grand- Bois

June 21            Our first full day in Grand Bois. After a breakfast of strong, delicious Haitian coffee, fresh pineapple, and bread from a bakery owned by Madame Cecile, who was trained and financed with a microloan from the ServHAITI Economic Committee (SHecon) that helps finance small Haitian businesses, we headed down the mountain to church at St. Pierre’s. The walk was breathtaking – thick vegetation lined the path, and the early morning sun shimmered over the lush mountain valley.  After twenty-five minutes, we arrived at the church and even though many of us couldn’t understand the church service, the Creole choir and musicians filled our hearts with joy and love.            After Mass, we walked through the Sunday market in the town of St. Pierre, where we bought mangos, avocados, and coca-colas.  Back at the clinic, the maternity ward was busy and in honor of Father’s Day, David, first time volunteer and father of two, got to hold a healthy baby boy, hours after he was born. Later that afternoon, some of the other volunteers got to experience the birth of a baby girl, and Francesca, a first time volunteer from Little Rock and future doctor, got to “catch” the beautiful baby, who came a little sooner than expected.              The rest of the afternoon, while the teacher volunteers worked on lesson plans and prepared for the arrival of twenty Haitian teachers bright and early tomorrow morning, other volunteers unpacked all the medicine and medical supplies for the clinic pharmacy and lab.  It has been a productive and joyful day.  We are all feeling blessed.

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DAY ONE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Greetings!  Day one in the mountains of Haiti.  Our plan for the day consisted of a 3-5 hour drive from Port au Prince to the area of Grand Bois, where the clinic is located. Initially, we (especially the first timers) knew it was going to be something “different,” but few of us were sure what that different meant.  Of course, the experienced members of the ServeHAITI crew had explained the bumping roads and long journey, but the main goal for the day was reaching the top of the mountain and seeing what type of work the program was doing.  Less than an hour in the trip however, we realized our initial idea of driving and then experiencing was misguided.   The drive was more than rocks, holes, and mud puddles; it was full of memories.  We stopped to see people the program was working with in a beautiful orphanage, a few villages, a market full of mangoes and avocadoes, and one of the oldest schools in the Grand Bois area.  These stops helped us realize ServeHAITI reaches far beyond the clinic.  The school, for example, had been completely renovated by ServeHAITI funds and was serving 250 students now.  The work we are doing is more than just a clinic in the mountains - it is a network of support and love.  Arriving at the clinic, we were welcomed with delicious beans and rice, a gorgeous view of mountains covered in palm trees, a small rainstorm, and a birthday cake for Nick, the youngest member of our group. As the sun set we all sang Happy Birthday and reflected on everything we had experienced our first day in the mountains.   On to church tomorrow and a little more unpacking and organizing before the clinic returns to regular hours on Monday.  After all the unexpected wonderfulness we experienced today, there is no way to foretell what the rest of the trip will bring, but we are so excited!

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EDUCATION IS THE KEY

Last February, ServeHAITI volunteers traveled to Le Palmes, a small town on a mountain top in Grand Bois, to meet with local community leaders and the administrator of the school there. They asked for help, because the government has now mandated that starting next year, all National Exams will be given at 9th grade, instead of current 6th grade. It's hard to comprehend the burden this puts on all rural schools that are currently only built to house 6 grades. Le Palmes is especially vulnerable because of it's remote location and the inability for many of their students to travel to La Twazon to attend the closest "high school". Volunteer Cherisse Authement was especially troubled. She lost her son suddenly two years previously and all she could think about was how sad the whole situation would have made him. She and volunteers Kim Snyder and Julie Gandara- Miller decided then and there that they would personally take on the challenge to raise the funds necessary to construct the school needed. They hope to travel back to Le Palmes in February 2016 to dedicate the finished school in Cortlyn Authement's memory. Please click on the link and watch the video and then decide if this is a cause you would like to contribute to.

http://www.gofundme.com/rfp8w4c

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Lyon College in Grand -Bois

The day began when all were awoken by the cat, Mimi's, howling. Everybody got out of bed and enjoyed a breakfast of eggs and fresh bread that fueled us through the long day. We left the clinic around 10:00 a.m. and headed to Ecole Communautaire Coer de Jesus, a nearby school, where we were greeted by around 60 children. The school was supported with wood and sheltered by a tin roof. There were no walls, which became more apparent as we began our first project of handing our paper for the students to draw on and it was blown to the dirt floors by the wind. Ernst instructed each child to first write their name on their paper and then to draw any picture they wanted using the colored pencils we provided. When some children sat idle we thought maybe they did not understand the directions, but we realized that they simply did not know how to write their names. Some of these children were five or six years old and had been in school for a couple of years, but needed the assistance of a volunteer to record their name. As the students worked on their drawings, each volunteer had their hands full. Ernst ran around translating for each of us and Scott took photos of children with their drawings and interviewed them about their aspirations. Our other translator, Mario, showed off his communication skills after we passed out tooth brushes and toothpaste to each child as he taught the children how to properly brush their teeth using demonstrations and rhymes. His spunk had all the children smiling enough to make applying fluoride treatments easy. It was shocking to some of the volunteers to see the lack of dental health. Many children had decaying teeth. Some had just a small cavity while others had mouths that were decaying throughout. When we asked some children to smile there was a gap because their front teeth had rotted hallway to their gums. Despite this, there was a lot of humor in the treatment and we didn't want to upset the procedure. When we finally told them "crashe" (spit), they smiled and ran to the nearest tree to get the foreign substance out. When we finished the fluoride treatments and decided we had collected enough pictures we headed out in our trucks and were followed out the road by the smiling children.

We headed through the busy streets of Courette and arrived at the next school. Scott and a few others interviewed teachers and the rest of the volunteers taught approximately 200 children how to brush their teeth and then they applied the fluoride treatments, similar to before. Scott asked the teachers what they implemented into the classroom that they learned from teacher training last summer and found that number charts were the most useful. Ms. Marseille also reported that the students know that she has been through teacher training and are more attentive because they are confident that she is qualified. Meanwhile, Mario gave an inspirational speech to a sixth grade class. He opened with the quote, "nobody can steal the money you put in your brain" and described the importance of education. Mario explained that he grew up in a similar circumstance to the students and is now a successful translator and that those children can do whatever they put their mind to. The sky is not the limit for Mario and should not be for anybody in the Grand-Bois region.

After we completed our business in Courette we drove back to the clinic and checked off a few tasks on our to-do list, which included organizing over 200 pairs of glasses that we brought  that had been prescribed by Dr. Korpi in February and made in the States. We needed to be sure that they could be efficiently distributed to patients. It was rewarding to see people try on their glasses and see their surroundings clearly. We enjoyed the sunset over the beautiful mountains from the porch but we were slightly disturbed by the endless fighting we heard coming from the well. It is the dry season and traffic at the well is a daily occurrence but to Americans who are used to water fountains around every corner, seeing an entire community bicker over a basic resource is difficult to deal with. We played soccer with some children and tied the night up on the porch by talking about our thoughts and adventures. Overall, everybody found the day of work to be not only fun but rewarding.

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Lyon College in Grand- Bois

Day 2 Since circumstances allowed us to come up the mountain half a day earlier than expected, our group was able to settle in this morning and get some much needed rest after our long day of travel. Our first views of Grand Bois were from the clinic balcony as it was dark for our drive up the night before. We took advantage of our extra time by getting straight to work and visiting our first school. We visited the restored school of La Pepiniére and got to see some of the teachers that attended the summer training in action while others from our group taught students how to brush their teeth and applied fluoride treatments. Still others had the opportunity to shadow in the clinic during the busiest day of the week. After a tour of the clinic groups our group was able to get a more holistic view of a day in the life of a resident of Grand Bois. After our first packed day we were finally able to regroup and reflect on our initial impressions. As Mariot, our translator states, “the sky is not the limit, you can do anything you set your mind to with a little ambition.” As the night closed everyone voiced their appreciation for essential everyday tasks we are able to accomplish with such ease back home- we were reminded of this because we witnessed people walking from all over to get water from the ServeHaiti well. We have high ambitions for more school assessments and getting to know the people of Grand Bois.

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ServeHAITI-LIfe At the Clinic

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serveHAITI - School Days