Bonjour on this beautiful morning in Haiti As we always say, it
is not about numbers, but we were able to care for almost 900 people. On our
last day, the Good Lord brought us a smaller number, allowing us to calmly
finish patient procedures, gather our thoughts regarding needs in the clinic
for our next team trip, and even get our group photos...CHEESE!!!!
I want to turn this over to Team 22 to share with you thoughts,
feelings or experiences from our week together...
Sharon Feehan, Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP)
This is my 6th trip with Little by Little. We all come here
hoping to give a little bit of comfort and hope to the wonderful people of
Gramothe. I am forever amazed that I come away feeling like I received SO much
more than I gave. All of our hearts our very full as we conclude an amazing
week!
Jessica Ittner, FNP
student at UIC
It's been an incredible week. I'll miss waking up to
roosters crowing and walking through town on the way to clinic, seeing smiling
faces. I'll miss our patients in clinic, hopefully we brought them
comfort and healing this week. I've learned so much, thank you to Little
by Little for organizing this life changing trip. Go Team 22, such a
compassionate talented group of people!
Maggie Schumm, FNP
Student at CUW
This was my first trip with LBL. I am so grateful for this
opportunity to learn from such compassionate providers. The patients seemed
very thankful. It was a nice end to the clinic that no patients were turned
away. I hope to return some day as a provider.
Jeanna Carlson, FNP
Student at UIC
I feel so lucky to have come on this trip for the first time
with LBL! It has been an incredible experience. The Haitian people
have captured my heart with their smiles. I am grateful to have been working
alongside a great team to bring much needed care to them. I will miss my time
here and can't wait to return!
Jacqueline Rincon, FNP
Student at UIC
This was my first trip to Haiti. The week has been an emotional
roller coaster, but I am grateful for every minute of it. Not only have I
learned so much clinically, I have also learned so much about myself as well as
the Haitian culture. I cannot wait to go home and share my experiences with my
family and friends. We have touched so many lives. The Haitian people have
however, touched us in a way that will change our lives forever. Thank you to
our wonderful team!
Heather Overmyer, ER RN
What an amazing experience!! I am so thankful I got to travel
with team 22 to Haiti and work with such a great team! I will never forget this
experience as it and the Haitian people have changed my heart forever! I
look forward to returning to Haiti in the future. Thank you Haiti and team
22!
Renee Landa, FNP Student
at UIC
This is a trip I will never forget. Just seeing how appreciative,
lively, and kind the Haitian people are gives a new perspective on life. My
favorite was seeing the elderly patients give a huge smile, usually exposing a
toothless, gummy smile, but still beautiful nonetheless. I am also so grateful
for making new friends who are so compassionate, kind, and FUN!
Debbie Barnes, Pediatric
RN
Another amazing trip with a fabulous group of people!! My
sixth trip has been nothing short of incredible - love, laughter, healing,
sharing, compassion, and beauty. We were blessed as a group by the unique
talents each team member brought to the table. As I prepare to go home, I
find it interesting that I come to help "heal", but going home
feeling "healed" myself. Love you all and will never foget
you.
Joanne McCluskey
Team 22 has been a great experience! This is my fourth trip to
Haiti and the gracious people that participate on these trips never ceases to
amaze me! There has been so much laughter, love and compassion this week, it
has been incredible. As for the people of Haiti and the country itself I
continue to see great improvements! I have seen much healthier people this
year, and signs of rebuilding everywhere! It is so exciting to see what a
difference we can make in one short week!
Kim Hogan, APN
This is my sixth trip to Gramothe with Little By Little. I fell
in love with Haiti on my first trip, and it only grows each time I’m here. I
never cease to be impressed by the dignity and grace of the Haitian people, and
I’m happy to have an opportunity to serve them. I’m also pleased to see
improvements in the health of the local people, and the signs of rebuilding in
Port au Prince. Team 22 is a great group, flexible, hard working, smart and
fun! I’ve loved meeting up with my old friends and making new ones.
Bernie, RN
This has been the best experience of my life. I loved the people
and the place. I have learned so much and I will be forever grateful for this
opportunity. I am really impressed about how well coordinated the clinic was
and how every person on the team helped out. I hope to come back! J
Robin Afeld, FNP student
This was my first trip to Haiti and wow what a week! As an FNP
student, I went into clinic every day with energy, inquisitiveness, and
motivation to do as much as I could in just one short week. My experiences
with the patients will stick with me the rest of my life. I learned many
things, not only about caring for people of all ages, but I learned things
about myself and my capabilities as a future provider. Although, I may have
returned home each night exhausted, it was a rewarding and fulfilling
exhausted. I truly felt like Team 22 touched the lives of many Haitian
people and in the process, the Haitian people have left an everlasting
impression on ours.
Pat Kalensky
This is my fourth trip to Haiti with the Little by Little team.
Each team has been a unique group of individuals but our strengths have blended
beautifully to enrich each other as we serve the people of the Gramothe clinic
under Mountain Top Ministries. I am grateful for the support and aid we have
been able to provide to the people who walk from near and far to trust this
team with their health; 900 in all this week. The improvements and
changes I have seen here in Haiti over the past 3 years have been remarkable. I
am very encouraged by these people’s resiliency. God bless.
Charlie Yingling, FNP
It is a joy to return to Gramothe and see the changes that have
occurred in the community since my last trip here. New crop fields
are planted. New, permanent structures are erected and there is far
less malnutrition than on previous trips. I am so appreciative that
the people of this community continue to invite us back to work with them to
improve their health. The team of professionals with whom I have
shared this week are selfless, humble and truly a pleasure to work with. Good
humor and flexibility have made joyful a week of hard work.
And thus we end this week of care to our Haitian friends.
As always we leave with mixed feelings of excitement to reunite with our
families but with a heavy heart to leave this hardworking village of Gramothe.
We finished our day today with a very loud crazy game of "garbage",
sang Happy Birthday to Team 22 members Taylor and Joanne and enjoyed a pizza
party. We are now packing to come home to you.
Thank
you for being with us in spirit this week and for your thoughts and prayers.
God
bless, Vanda Marsh and Team 22
