Remember Geliste?

This is Geliste 2 days ago. Much of the swelling is disappearing.
However, I still can't get her to smile! She is content to just sit in her mother's lap or lay on the bed. She has no energy to play or even to just "move around". She did receive blood when in the hospital - though it took 1 week before that happened! The fact that she survived during that week told us that she was a "fighter" and would make it. She is still without food, only the special "formula" of milk, vegetable oil, sugar and vitamins that she gets every 4 hours.

Twins, M&M's

It is Saturday evening and almost dark. Though there were no patient activities today, I spent the morning (4 hours) with Sr. Maryann and Save A Family recipients and then 3 hours helping with distribution of food to families that have additional children in their homes since the earthquake. All in all, a busy "day off"!

Meet Yolande. She is 45 and this was her 10th pregnancy. She has 7 living children - now 9!

The twins, a boy and a girl, are the cutest things! Because of her age, her multiple pregnancies, including two miscarriages, and expecting twins, she came from her mountain village to stay at the Center until she was ready to deliver. Her village is quite far from Jeremie. She is one of the many "successes" --a safe delivery with a healthy baby (in this case, 2!)

When I came to Haiti, I brought a 19 oz bag of M&M's. (The need for chocolate never leaves one! ) Do you know how long a bag of plain M&M's can last if you know that is the last one for a long while?? 7 weeks if you only eat 3-5 a day! None of this mindless eating for me -- I savored each and every one of those M&Ms, believe me!

This next week we have a group coming. They include Dr. Lowney, his wife and daughter. If you have checked the Haitian Health Foundation website you know that he is the founder of this organization. (website is: www.haitianhealthfoundation.org) It will be great to see him again. Also coming with him is an optometrist, so we will be doing a lot of eye checks during the coming week.

Well, I started this awhile ago but was called out to see one of our children with kwash who suddenly took a turn for the worse. However, after about an hour he seems stable and Devon, the nurse in charge of the center returned, so I turned him over to her and am calling it a day! Take care. Stay well. And don't forget to say a prayer for us and for each other. Till next time. God bless. Mary Ann

Musings

I saw these during other trips to Haiti, but now we have a tree in our own yard, so I am watching them grow. They are gourds that grow right off the trunk of the tree. Some grow to the size of basketballs. The gourds insides are not used for anything much, but the shells are often cut in half and used as containers. Some are decorated with etchings and sold as handicrafts - sort of how we have some gourds that are made into objects like bird houses. But the unusual thing about these is the way they grow. And they are connected to the tree by such a tiny stem!

It is 6 PM and almost dark. It is windy, so I expect some rain tonight. From my window I can see one of the women from the laying-in center sitting on a stone wall below me. She patiently sits, waiting for the wind to blow the trees enough that one of the ripe mangos will fall. Then she walks over and enjoys the fruit of her patience!

It is sort of like the pace of life here - there is no hurry - it will come about if it is meant to be. And that is what I am learning better each day. You accomplish what you can, and let the rest go. Yes, today is coming to an end -- but there is always tomorrow, God willing.

Take care. Peace. Mary Ann

P.S. I just realized I haven't heard a news report or seen a paper in almost 8 weeks. Maybe that helps in keeping ones stress level down and in living for the moment. God bless.

Hygiene Kits

Except for the woman holding the box of candles, each of the others represents one family displaced by the Port Au Prince earthquake and now living with relatives in the area called Moron. These people were identified when a new census was taken of the HHF villages after the earthquake.
With money from various sources, "hygiene kits" were put together and given, one to a family.
Now they have items that you and I take for granted. Tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, shampoo, towels and washcloths, matches, laundry soap,a nighttime chamber pot, a bag to carry things from the market, a basin to wash clothes, etc.
We had planned on giving each a candle, but, to a person, they said that the candles should go to the church and be lit in thanksgiving and to ask God's blessings on those who had been so generous to them.
The woman holding the candles is the village health agent who helped identify the families.
That day alone, 300 families from villages in the area surrounding Moron, were helped.
The need is great!

Curtains

I have become a seamstress! In my free moments I have been making curtains for the windows in my bedroom. Right now, when I have the light on, I can be easily seen from outside... so, I am just about done. Then all that is left is to hang a pipe and put them up. I have made button holes and we will use the plastic shower curtain rings. It will be so nice and very "homey".

I have written little because of internet problems - the same for e-mail. So, sorry but no pictures this round.

Earlier I posted a picture of the twins, one of whom had kwash. Well, on Tuesday they are going home. Tonight, Berlind, the boy who had been sick, got dressed in the "new duds" we gave him. Usually he runs around barefoot, with only a t-shirt. I am always reminding him to put on his shorts! Tonight he came out with a long pants and black "dress shoes", with his shirt tucked in. Did he ever look handsome, even if he did walk a little awkwardly in the stiffer shoes. He came up to me and said, "dansay?" I had taught them a little "dance", saying 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3. One step to the right, one to the left (repeat about 3 times), then turned them around and we ended bowing to each other. Well, his "bow" was the most profound a little boy of 2 could do. We were out on the porch of the Center and 6 of the pregnant women were sitting there. They were VERY IMPRESSED and applauded him when we finished. He stood there so straight and proud.

His twin sister, Berlinda, stood there and watched. Berlind has regained the "leadership" role for the twosome! And Berlinda sort of looked in awe of him. It is wonderful to see such progress in one who would just sit and cry most of the day. I will miss them, but am so happy they are ready to return to a more normal way of life.

This week I will be getting equipment out of storage and ready for the optometrist who will be coming with a group on the 25th. It will also give me time to relearn how to use a slit-lamp as well as some of the other equipment!

I want to get this posted before my window of time for sending through the internet is gone.
Take care. God bless. Mary Ann

Musings

A month ago today I left East Grand Forks. In one way it seems like a long time ago and in another, just yesterday. But here is surely a world away!

It is 7 PM Good Friday evening. I went to services at the HHF chapel and it was packed with people sitting on benches beyond the front door. As with any service in Haiti, the people participate fully and the singing is soul stirring. The priest also runs an orphanage and the front tiny chairs are always filled with the little ones. For the past 2 days of Holy Week, men from 2 different orders of brothers (most in formation), also lend their voices, often in harmony, to the singing. The Gloria of Holy Thursday - the last to be heard for a few days - raised the roof with people singing and clapping their hands! Today, during the reading of the passion, the man reading the part of Pilot appeared in a Golden Robe and a white paper crown. He fairly shouted out the words, "Take him out yourselves and crucify Him. I find no fault in him." And again, "What I have written, I have written!" One didn't need to understand Creole to know what he was saying!
And now, as we quietly prepare for the Good News of Easter, I pray that all of you find a renewal of your faith during these holiest of days.

On the way home from services, I stopped to see Geliste, our baby with kwash. She remembered me because when I saw her and put my arms out to her she came to me. The good news is that she is taking the special kwash formula by mouth and does not need the feeding tube. The bad news is that she still hasn't received blood! There has been no doctor at the hospital and won't be until Monday. It is so frustrating.. But there is nothing one can do. What is, is! But Geliste is a little fighter and she is hanging on in spite of everything. I will keep you posted.
Take care. Happy Easter.
From your one month old transplant......Mary Ann