On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 6:15 PM,
Bonswa from Haiti!
Our team landed safely in Port Au Prince this afternoon and had a very
smooth exit from the airport. Everything was very well organized and all of our
bags made it with us! The ride out of the capital was invigorating and we had
to opportunity to see the sun set over the mountains of Haiti. We arrived at
Mountain Top Ministries and were greeted with a fantastic meal. Everyone is
just now getting settled in for the evening and preparing for our first day of
clinic tomorrow. As the internet can be a bit unpredictable here, we'll try to
send out an email update at the end of every day, but don't worry if you don't
hear from us right away. Also, as mentioned, these emails are sent to one
designated person for each volunteer as it takes quite a bit of time for the
emails to go through (Just getting online now took about 15 minutes....ah, 90's
dial-up nostalgia). Please forward these emails to any other family members or
loved ones who also want to keep up with our adventures in Haiti (you were
chosen as the responsible family member, who would be up for the task, you got
this). For now, I think we're all looking forward to a restful night's sleep
after today's travels, and likely already looking forward to our first Hatian
bucket showers...
Until tomorrow,
The Little By Little Team (written
by Tracey Lynn)
On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 5:36 PM,
Bonswa!
Our team successfully finished our first day of clinic! We saw quite a
bit of patients (the tallies are still being totaled) and encountered a variety
of interesting cases. Lots of us braved the walk to and from clinic, and
encountered many friendly locals, who we were able to "Bonjou" and
"Bonswa" along the way (we also encountered some goats, chickens, and
a cow). We have just finished dinner, and many of us are experiencing our first
Haitian bucket showers, which means that many of us are likely looking forward
to our first shower upon arriving home. Everyone is settling into their roles
in the clinic so well, and adapted to how the clinic is run very quickly. We'll
spend this evening prepping for clinic tomorrow, reviewing interesting cases
that we saw at clinic, and unwinding from the busy day. Hopefully the roosters
will wait to start crowing until the morning.
Until tomorrow,
The Little By Little Team (written
by Tracey Lynn)
On Wednesday, Jan 4, 2017 at 6:02
PM,
Bonswa Friends and Family!
Today was a very busy second day of clinic! We tallied up yesterday's
patients and found that we saw 237 patients, and while we're still counting, we
know that we saw over 230 patients today! That's almost 500 Haitian patients
that we have impacted in just the last two days, and we still have three more
clinic days to go! Another huge moment today was that Willem got a generator,
and with the help of Brian Walsh and Alex Ogdon, we now have electricity in the
clinic, and the providers are able to see their patients under the lights! It
makes such a huge impact, especially for those who are not near windows and
have been utilizing flashlights for exams and procedures. There's also a light
in the pharmacy, which means that by the end of the day, the team in the
pharmacy doesn't have to squint in the light to count pills. It's amazing the
things you take for granted back home that become such a huge hurdle to obtain
out here. Everyone here is doing so well. Many of us felt that the walk up the
mountain to clinic was a little less taxing today, and hopefully will continue
to get better every day. Quite a few of us have also continued to brave a
"goat path" on our route home. It's always interesting to see us
struggle a bit walking up, while Haitian women walk up and down the goat path
with large buckets on their heads like they were simply walking down the
street. We're also an amusing spectacle for the local children, who like to
watch us from their windows and proudly say "hello" or
"bonswa" as we pass by. We all just finished a fantastic dinner and
will be sitting down shortly to go over the events of the day and plan for
tomorrow.
Good night!
The Little By Little Team (written
by Tracey Lynn)
On Thursday, Jan 5, 2017 at 6:22
PM,
Bonswa!
Phew! Another busy day in clinic today! We have now seen over 700
hundred patients in our time here in Haiti. We encountered many patients today
with complex and unique issues and this team works amazingly together! There
are so many levels of expertise among everyone here that we all seem to work
like a well-oiled machine. For those who are on their first adventure in Haiti,
they have learned their roles so quickly an are adapting so well to the way
things work in the clinic. Our team members consist of providers, scribes, a
very busy occupational therapist, a pharmacist (a two "on the fly"
learning pharmacy techs), a nurse educator, a wound care team, a supply team
and runners, scribes, and our two electricians (Brian and Al brought light to
the church today). When the lights were reset today and we briefly went without
overhead lights, I think all the providers were reminded how impactful having
lights can be. We also met a few children from Gramothe today, who tried to
learn all our names on the walk up to clinic, and were calling some of us by
name on the way down (they mostly just remembered the name of the 6'5" man
since he stands out in the crowd...). All of the locals are so friendly and
great us with smiles every day. Those we wait hours (and in many cases, days)
to see us in the clinic, are just happy to get even five minutes of our time
and have their concerns heard. I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say
this week has been very rewarding, and we still have two more clinic days left.
Everyone is still safe, happy, and well.
Orewva,
The Little by Little Team (written
by Tracey Lynn)
On Friday, Jan 6, 2017 at 6:45
PM,
A Big Haitian Bonswa to you all!
This team is cranking! At the beginning of every clinic day the team
gathers with all of the interpreters as a group and we sing a song and say a
prayer, led by one of our amazing interpreters (also a dear friend aka Mouse
for those of you who have been here before). Sue mentioned that we should get
cranking today, and our dear friend finished the devotional by telling us, "Let's get cranky!" It was an
amusing way to start the day. The interpreters have been so amazing this week.
They help us to understand the culture here and connect us to our patients in a
way we would never be able to do without them. They are kind, patient, and
incredibly smart. They have been such a joy to work with this week. Today we
saw over 300 patients in the clinic. That means that in 4 days, our team has
helped over 1000 Haitians, touching (and in many cases, saving) so many lives
means the world to this team. Brian, Al, and Tim have also been hard at work
prepping the trade school that is in the process of being built. There is a
school near the clinic that educates children through high school, but many
don't have plans after school. This will allow for further education for so
many Haitians, creating skills and jobs. Tim, our architect, has been able to
use his expertise to help create the plans for the trade school. Ultimately,
education is what will have the greatest impact on the future of Haiti. It's
pretty amazing to be witness to the opportunities being created. Everyone has
just finished dinner and is gathering for discussions about the day (and
sharing of snacks and treats).
Last day of clinic tomorrow!
The Little by Little Team (written
by Tracey Lynn)
On Saturday, Jan 2, 2017 at 6:15
PM,
Good Evening From a Very Productive Team,
We have officially completed our last day of clinic. During this week
we have seen over 1,200 patients. Many of these patients had critical wounds
and were seen earlier in the week. Their wounds were cleaned and they were
given medication and brought back today to see how they are healing. Our wound
team, Nancy and MaryAnne were incredibly busy today, caring for people with
often limb and life-threatening wounds. Seeing over 1,200 patients also means
that our pharmacy team, led by Lea and Julie, filled over 1,200 prescriptions
this week! That wouldn't have been without the help of the stock room team, who
were counting out pills as fast as they were being prescribed. There has been
so much healing happening this week, and it's thanks to every single person on
this team. This clinic is now quiet, the pharmacy is stocked, and it will wait
for the next team of medical volunteers to open it's doors again. Tomorrow our
group will join the local members of Gramothe at Sunday church and have a
chance to see the school and trade school. In the meantime, we will continue to
enjoy a relaxing evening of games and conversation. Tomorrow is our last day in
Haiti!
Goodnight, The Little by Little
Team (written by Tracey Lynn)
On Sunday, Jan 8, 2017 at 5:57
PM,
Bonswaaaaa!
Today is our last day in Haiti! We joined the locals of Gramothe today
for Sunday church, and it was such a great and energetic experience. Afterward,
we were led through the mountain town and received a little tour, of the
neighborhood up close. This allowed many of us to get a glimmer of what our
patients experience on a daily basis (Tiny stone homes with 1-2 rooms, outdoor
bathrooms and kitchens, and if you're lucky-a cistern). We also met the village
midwife today, who has delivered more children than he can count, and walked us
through his steps to delivering a baby on the mountain (or a cow). The Charles
family, Willem, Beth, and David (Stephan is in the states this week) has made
sure that we were safe and well fed throughout the week, and have been such
gracious hosts. We have had a lot to celebrate this week, including the amount
of people's lives we were able to impact, AND two birthdays! This afternoon has
been about relaxing and enjoying each other's company before we all depart for
home tomorrow. Beth is currently gearing us up to play the annual game,
Garbage, and eat some birthday cupcakes. This week seems to have gone by so
quickly, and there are many things we will all miss about Haiti and our
experiences here, but I'm sure everyone is also eagerly looking forward to a
real shower, and more importantly, talking to you all. Thank you all so much
for lending your loved ones to this wonderful cause. I'm sure you'll be
receiving calls and texts from them once we hit U.S. soil. Everyone sends their
love!
Orevwa, The Little by Little Team
(written by Tracey Lynn)
