A Teaching and Fix it Day

Wednesday started with an adjustment of Mike’s back by Dr Braam, then we walked to the clinic. 

Mike, does that feel better?

Felipe helping Dr Braam read French

Haitian staff taking it all in.

Marilyn explaining in Creole

Dr Braam led a teaching session including a discussion of yesterdays labor patient. The Haitian staff gradually warmed up to the teaching and by the end were totally enthralled and excited about what they learned.He promised them a test tomorrow.

Meanwhile Martin and Mike were busy doing electrical work in the clinic room. They added a ceiling light and put a plug-in on the wall where they installed a Welch Allyn unit for otoscope, ophthalmoscope and blood pressure.

                  
Then they fixed a microscope that we brought that needed adjustment from the transport. They attached a magnifying light to the bedside stand. The facial expression on the face of the doctor was their reward.

 

Teresa wears many hats. She did administrative work for Marilyn, with our translator Felipe
.

 
She also explained the new newborn cards, made at JB Printing, that will be given to the moms who deliver here when they come back for their first postnatal visit.

Can Elva bring this one home?

Sharon welcomes a ride back to the guest house at the end of the day.

 The clinic gives incentives so the moms will come back after the baby’s birth. Their 3 month incentive is a lovely pack of baby items.

We haven’t mentioned that for whatever reason ……we have no water – except what is brought in by this little lady, carrying it on her head.

She hauls several pails a day for all of our water use except drinking. No one seems to know why we are not getting water from the mountain stream apart from the dryness of the area due to lack of rain. There is also no water at the clinic or in Creole “Klinik” either.

We have use of a Honda generator for about 3 ½ hours a day (6-9:30 pm) during which time every electrical outlet is filled to charge cell phones and laptops.

So thankful for this little generator that gives us. power at the end of the day

Local gas station

 We have a “gas station” just down the very uneven path – all along I thought it was cooking oil in a half gallon jug on a table on the side –here it is gasoline – not sure if it is a Shell or Petro Canada! The cost is approximately 150 goudes ($3.18) per half gallon.

Sharon

Now a word from Lynnise

Our team has a great guesthouse - we have 3 women that cook  three meals a day for us, do our laundry daily, and Grace hauls the water for us – who needs Cross Fit here? We have 2 full bathrooms –thank goodness for our handheld lights to use the facilities and have bucket showers because of the water issue. We have a wonderful table that holds 10 people for great fellowship and awesome Haitian coffee. Our meals have consisted of fresh papaya, sliced mango, tree ripened bananas, pineapple, fried plantain, rice and beans, goat, pasta dishes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, garden grown beets, onions, tomatoes and carrots, needless to say we have not gone hungry. Our treat has been a chilled 500 ml coke at the end of the day – we end up sharing these. Our sleeping accommodations is 3 rooms with open rafters – this makes for some great laughter at the end of the day when the “good night honey and good night Mary Ellen” starts –then just for the record it is interesting to wake during the nite and hear the purring chorus of snoring!
Our team has been together for the past 3 years so we have become very close family – I never had so many brothers and sisters!

This is the guest house where we stayed.

Our yard consists of very large trees, outdoor showers and the very important outhouse! We have patches of grass that would be equal to our putting greens that never needs cutting. Children are doing amazing gymnastics movements across the green lush lawn. Yesterday, I walked back from the clinic yesterday and was met by at least 70 little children in all attires of clothing – mainly NO CLOTHING! Marilyn explained that, the less clothing the children wear, the less Momma has to wash! These little ones have been spoiled by other mission teams that have given “toys”, they only have to make the motions and I know they are asking for skipping ropes. As we sit inside packing maternity kits, visiting, writing the blog, motorcycle horns, Elma knitting- you can hear the multitudes of children playing in the dark, singing, yelling, playing games with each other. Once it is lights out in the village then the dogs start barking for many reasons and this continues thru out the nite until the many roosters start choir practice in the early morning! We love our orange earplugs.

Lynnise