It's Haiti!

Post comes a tad late this week. Tropical Storm Isaac knocked out the internet for sometime. Luckily for Hinche, that was about all the damage there was.

Last Tuesday, I joined the Bridges to Prosperity VA team to celebrate the inauguration of the completed footbridge. Check out an earlier post to see pictures! But there was certainly a crowd to be seen at the all-day event. There were many people from both communities that were now joined by this new structure. The mayor also came along with some UN Security (some of the Indian soldiers wanted pictures with the Americans) and MINUSTAH staff. There certainly wasn't enough room to sit nonetheless stand underneath the tent, and so after the 10th person said his thank you's, I had to squeeze my way out to give my feet a rest. A great thing to celebrate, and so I was happy to join the festivities.

The next day I paid another visit to Trianon, the new birth center. I am finding that the travel will always take longer than the actual visit, so it didn't surprise me that the car broke down and we found ourselves walking for almost an hour to tour the nearby hospital. What first began as a joke turned into our mantra - "It's Haiti."

The most memorable event of the week, however, didn't happen until Thursday night. I joined the visiting SF midwives for a nightshift, at least that's what it turned into. I had planned to try and see some hospital action and still make it home to sleep in a bed, but by the time midnight rolled around, no taxis were to be found. I did get to see a couple births up close and personal, as well as a neonatal resuscitation. MFH has a Haitian translator that communicates between the Americans and the Haitian students. If you can, picture a woman in labor with the constant babble of translations and directions tossed between midwives crowding around her. Unfortunately and luckily for her, she is too preoccupied to notice the commotion.

So far, I know how to hold the IV bag and maybe put a suture in a vaginal wall - but I would much rather do the former!

And the list continues

"Sometimes, there are not enough sutures in the operating room," explains Dr. Celestin, one of the few obstetricians at St. Therese Hospital. I visited with him to get an update on how our midwives were delivering care and to hear his concerns. He reported that all were doing a fine job. His only issue at the time was with a lack of supplies. 

Magdala showing a student how to take a blood sample.

The maternity ward, along with the rest of the hospital, relies on supplies sent in by the government and  the nonprofit Partners in Health. All too often, supplies from the warehouse behind the hospital do not make it to the pharmacy inside the hospital. It's a simple matter of transporting vital materials from A to B. Yet, it doesn't happen all of the time or very well. 

Magdala gives a patient some instruction on medication.

So, this week I met with the head pharmacist and one of our midwives to talk about the issue. Both were very willing and receptive to some changes, and I thought our meeting was very constructive, but I was surprised that communication like that hadn't happened before. This issue will definitely be on my list to follow. 

Magdala showing the students a hemoglobin test.

Now, to our mobile clinic. I am posting some pictures, so you can get an idea of what it is all about. The mobile clinic is a crucial part of the MFH program. A group of three midwives travel to 16 rural locations around Haiti to provide pre- and post-natal care to women. They visit these sites each month, so that women can be educated in maternal care, receive important vitamins and medications, and receive the health care they deserve. I have gone to several clinics already and am happy to see so many women line up for their check-ups. I also get to help out too by preparing the pills. I sat for a good three hours on Tuesday counting out tylenol, prenatal vitamins, and iron pills into little bags. Even the simplest job can help!

Philemon listens for a fetal heart rate. 

Though more of a slower week, my To Do list never ends, and I am thankful for that. I am continuing my Creole lessons with my good friend Kenel, who lives at Maison Fortune Orphanage (Maison Fortune Site). Through our lessons, I have learned that he has dreams of becoming an agronomist and helping Haiti turn green again. Only one problem: he needs financial aid. Another item to go on the list. 

Bridges and Kittens

I went on two little road trips this past week. The first was to check out my friend's bridge in LaChambre, about an hour's ride north of Hinche. A recent VaTech grad, Tyler Welsh has spent the past five months building a footbridge for a rural community. I've posted some pictures along with this post, but I was very impressed with his work and the mission of Bridges to Prosperity, the nonprofit organization that has built over 100 bridges around the world.

My next traveling adventure was to Lascahobas to visit one of MFH's translators, Emmanuel Occidor and his family. The city is about a two and a half hour drive Southwest of Hinche. On the way, I met Emmanuel in Domond to see the end of the vacation Bible school program. I chimed into the Creole version of "Deep and Wide" before the big lunch meal was prepared for all who attended. For most, that would be the one meal they had for the day.

Emmanuel helps run a nonprofit for a primary school in the same area. Over 200 children come who would otherwise not have any formal education. I am having some crayons and coloring books delivered that were left behind by the last group. I am excited for the mission that has started there.

When we finally made it to Lascahobas, I was surprised to find a fairly clean and developed town. Emmanuel was telling me that they recently had electricity put all throughout the city. He was happy to have a refrigerator in his home, in addition to lighting in the evenings. Though he lives in better housing than most Haitians, Emmanuel and his family still use a community shower/hose and toilet. I was well taken care of and did enjoy an afternoon football (soccer) game during my visit. I don't know what was more exciting for the fans - watching the teams tie or the white girl sitting on the sidelines. I have been in Haiti for five weeks now and never had I felt like such a minority until then. 

And then the biggest news of the week, at least for me, was seeing my first birth! I didn't even have to leave the house. Our house kitty, Ina May, had four kittens in my closet yesterday morning. I called down my housemates who started to cheer her on with "Pousse! Pousse!" From what I could catch from the Creole as we were waiting for the kittens, I learned far more about contractions then I think I wanted to know. Congratulations Ina! Anyone want a Haitian kitten?

Take it while you can!

We had a full house this past week with rising 9th graders and our mechanic Dan Zeigler with his team adding up to 13. It was great meeting everyone, but the logistics of the groups were constantly changing or causing problems. One night we didn't have enough food for everybody. I had to tell some of the visitors to lay off on seconds!

Rising 9th graders from Norfolk Academy, VA

Before the influx of guests, I sat on an English class for a group of students of all ages at the Mayor's administrative building. It was my second visit (the first I actually met the Mayor), and so I was already acquainted with some of the students. At the end of the lesson, I was to read aloud the vocabulary list written on the board, so that the class could perfect their pronunciation. Words ranged from sin, to scholarship, to accompany. Let's just say there were some interesting talking points!

How to use a Jerry Can to filter water 

After the class, the students asked me questions in English. I am not sure if it is a cultural custom, but I have been asked "Are you married?" more times than I can remember. To no surprise, that was one of the questions. I, of course, said no, but then added in Creole that in America, no one asks that question when first meeting someone. Everyone laughed.



Once the house cleared out on Saturday, I was dropped off at Trianon, the new birth center, about an hour and a half from Hinche. The hospital, which literally just opened, was a ways off from the main road. I wondered how any ambulance would make it back there, but one of the locals told me that paving the road was in the plans. I finished what I came for and then waited for almost two hours for a ride back. I took one of the TapTaps, the Haitian taxis. Crammed as usual, I was lucky to get in the front seat yet still squished to the door by a man three times my size. Nevertheless, I made it home safely and still had energy to go out to one of the local discos that night.

Sunrise from behind the house

Just about one month down! Thank you for keeping up with me! I crave chocolate everyday, sometimes a meal other than rice, and always to say hello to family and friends in person. But, other than that, I am really enjoying myself.

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)