Thursday, January 17, 2013

Haiti Block tent city

Hello everyone! Today we set off for a tent city called Haiti block, it is named this because it is next to a a place that they make block for building buildings. We left the house around 8:15. The place we set up our clinic at this camp was in a building tucked into the city. It was one big mostly enclosed room. We set up the triage in the middle and three examiners along the wall. Pharmacy was set up in the back. We saw between 50-60 people today, much less than the previous days. I was in the inferno also known as the pharmacy, the sun was directly on the tarp behind us and there was no breeze. Everything went well despite. After clinic we stopped at REDUILD again because not everyone brought money to buy sandals yesterday. Then we came to the house and changed clothes and headed to downtown Port-au-Prince to the Haitian National Museum. It was really nice to see. We also bought some paintings and necklaces near the museum, which is right next to the palace. They have recently torn down the palace and are starting to rebuild it. It was a great day. Johanna***************************************** Everyday I continue to be amazed by the things we see while out driving through the streets of Haiti. There was a bull walking down the side of the road in the ditch and another bull tied to a wall in another. We also saw a sign that read "no trespassing at risk of molestation and going to jail."~Cindy (USA)*************************** Dogs are howling and "calls of prayer" are being made as we sit outside and reflect upon our day. As the girls stated, we hit up another tent camp today. We walked through tightly packed homes-made out of tin, cloth, wood and scrap metal, as we made our way to a larger community tent from which we treated people today. My youngest patient was 7 days old, she had infections to both eyes-I was happy to be able to send her home with all of the correct antibiotics! The mother looked well for delivering the newborn in her "tent home" without any medications or medical attention just a week before. After we were finished everyone had a chance to purchase more sandles from Rebuild Globally before heading to the museum. We thought we needed to learn a thing or two about Haiti's history! ;) Tomorrow we are heading to a different orphanage than which we went to the other day. I'm excited to see and play with more children! ~Kayla *************************** Today was a good day. It was nice to have a short work day so that we could truly experience Port Au Prince. I have been wanting a taste of history since we arrived, so the National Museum was pretty refreshing. We got to see an anchor recovered from the Santa Maria! I am currently sitting back, enjoying some wine from a carton (this brings new meaning to the words "boxed wine" :)). Good friends, good company. Looking forward to tomorrow. - Elise******************************** Always learning something new in Haiti - import lessons of the day. Lesson 1: Ivory cure STIs. Lesson 2: If it's oral, need to eat it. Overall, a great day! Enjoyed learning about Haiti and visiting Port-au-Prince. -Fatima************************************ We are sitting around, outside in the yard reflecting on our visit. (yes beer may be involved) I would describe the tent city more like a shanty city. The dwellings are very close with narrow walkways snaking around the village. The village leader was very nice and helpful. We covered more buns today. Funny though, mothers were upset that we were out of boys undies. I guess a pink shirt with flowers but no Dora undies! I was surprised that the patient group was so small today. But we are a well oiled machine at this point. Johanna and I ran the pharmacy today. It was a circus at times, but we sang, handed out stickers and undies and had fun with it. Funny moment of the day... I had my arm hanging out of the truck window as we drove. At an intersection a boy grabbed my arm, then through me an American dime. So I made 10 cents today. Very interesting experience. Evie and Johanna are about to entertain us with LMFAO, yet again. Who need reality TV. Having a great time and sad that we only have two working days left! Already mentally planning my next trip. The smoke is thick in the air today. My throat and eyes are starting to burn. I guess I would not make it long term here. Patty, Judy and Suzie, the pregnancy tests have been awesome. We have already used 35. So very helpful. A super big thanks to everyone that gave me things to bring. Everything is so well received and needed. If anyone has an urge to donate money, please give to Global DIRT. They are one of the few NGO's actually doing real work and taking no money. Missing my family but looking forward to the day when I can volunteer side by side with my daughters. - Kerry.

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