What's next?

For the first time in three weeks, I have some downtime. The last group from the University of Philadelphia finished up their classes and work in the hospital. The group leader had brought some head scarfs for all of the women as a thank you gift. We were able to find some nice shirts to give to the men. Though I had a great couple of weeks, I am thankful to have things slow down for a few days. A high school group arrives on Tuesday. I know I am going to need some energy for that group!

Genette instructing the Matrone Class.

In review, I had my first meeting with the hospital midwives on Friday. I acted on behalf of our Director, Nadene Brunk, in order to address her concerns and hear those of the staff. It wasn't your normal, "let's meet in the conference room" sort of deal. We met in the L&D room, with the women sitting on the counters and the occasional noises of a woman in labor in the background. 


Though I didn't think my first meeting was all that constructive, I hope to hear more of the midwives' wishes in the coming weeks. That is one thing I am realizing about these people. The women aren't accustomed to having their voices heard. 

After the weekly Matrone training. 

In addition to creating more supply lists, restocking hospital emergency kits, and running errands in town, I went goat shopping yesterday. I had a generous donation from a friend who wanted the money to go towards Haitian children. If you remember from my previous post, I talked about Flower of Hope Outreach School. Well, the goats are not only a teaching tool for the children, but they are also a means of food and income.

Compared to the rest, this guy is huge!

So, my friends Manno and Elficase took me to what appeared to be the goat and pig market. With the animals on leashes, people were bartering back and forth over sales. We were fortunate to get a great deal on the largest male there, as well as two females. Thank you for the donation! We were all very excited to have made the purchases. What's next?

Building Steam

               Another whirlwind week has gone by! When the second group of University of Philadelphia midwife students arrived last weekend, I could no longer look like a deer in headlights. I was all of a sudden the "experienced one" with all of the answers. The events of the week, however, went smoothly.

While the midwives were busy teaching or working in St. Therese's L&D room (St. Therese is the government hospital in Hinche), I paid a visit to the brand new hospital in Trianon. MFH is opening a new birth center there staffed with two of their trained Haitian midwives. My task for the day was to deliver supplies and make a list of what was needed. I wondered, How the heck am I to know what goes into a labor and delivery room? I tried to picture the room from the hospital in Hinche in my mind, but I am afraid that my lack of clinical experience only got me a few additional items on the list.

More organizing, making lists, and throwing out expired items was also in dire need this week. A volunteer found an item from 1980! That was tossed, of course. As a gift, I gave two 1990 glass syringes to some very happy volunteers.

One last thing I would like to mention is the Flower of Hope Outreach School. I had visited this during my first week but had failed to mention it in my last post!

Manno, MFH Manager, and his friend, Elficase, have a nonprofit and fully functional K- 4th elementary school in the countryside. The school gives access to the children who would otherwise have no education. Manno took me out for a ride to see the place. A very lovely setting, as you can see!

The school oversees the uniforms, food, and supplies for 300+ children. It is undergoing some construction right now, but it will be back in session in October.

I had a wonderful visit and told Manno that I would help in anyway that I could. This past week I helped he and Elficase with updating their Facebook page and with using Twitter

Find and Like Flower of Hope Outreach School and on Twitter now! We will see where that goes.

Orientation Week

I have survived my first week here in Hinche better than I expected! Between answering questions I don't have answers to and fumbling over the Creole, I am quickly becoming acquainted with the routine here. Sundays in Haiti are basically no work days, and so the volunteers and I made our way to a Catholic service at an orphanage nearby. Sunday is also a day for the Americans to prep for the week. We tour the hospital, maybe walk through town, and get settled in at the house. For most on their first visit, Haiti is a lot to take in!

The week consists of class for the Haitian students, shifts at the hospital, and outings with the mobile clinic. My job as a host/manager, is to play the middleman. I help coordinate the agenda, transportation, and house items. Not a dull moment though! At least so far. I went with the mobile clinic to a rural location for the monthly visit. We saw women at all stages of pregnancy. On the way back, our jeep shut off going up a hill. Luckily for us, a truck was traveling the same way and pushed our jeep up the hill! I told the volunteer that I was with that I should have brought my AAA card.

 (Our AAA service)

Despite the issues that arise throughout the week, I am so happy to be working with such hospitable and caring people. They definitely know how to welcome foreigners and adapt when needed!

(The MFH House)

But I have an ongoing list of supplies needed, improvements to be made, and Creole to learn! I may just call myself a midwife by the end of this year because all I listen to are birth stories!

 

(A few of the first group at Bassim Zim cave)

The next group arrives today. I celebrate my 23rd birthday as well. I may be the youngest employee here, but I certainly don't feel like it! I am treated as an equal. 

(Welcome to Haiti: view from a waterfall in Bassim Zim)

First Day

I have made it safely to the Midwives headquarters in Hinche, Haiti. After a safe landing in Port-au-Prince at the Toussaint Louverture airport, there was a the usual scramble for bags, as multiple church and mission groups swarmed the baggage claim. I finally found mine and made my way to the signature pink jeep, which ended up being momentarily out of service. The replacement could hardly compare, but I did enjoy standing up in the back with the luggage. It was a wonderful way to see the countryside!

The midwives' home is gorgeous. We had a wonderful (and I say we because I met up with a University of Philadelphia CNM group) welcome by the MFH Haitian staff. They were all smiling when I said "I am the one who will be living here for a year." I am relieved! After a quick orientation, we all sat down for dinner. I think everyone was thankful to finally sit and take a deep breathe. For some of the women, this is their first visit. But for me, I am very excited and happy to be here. I think I am at home.

I am planning on blogging on a weekly basis. I hope you will be able to follow me throughout my stay and work here. I am already beginning a list of improvements, so there will be some exciting things coming up. Stay tuned!