"It was such an inconvenience!"

How often do we say those words - "it was such an inconvenience!" We might have been referring to the fact that the store where we usually buy something was out and we had to go down the street. Or, because of road construction we had to go a few miles out of our way, or,... or...

Now let me talk about what happened today. I went on a prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric immunization "post" to one of the villages in the mountains serviced by HHF. My purpose for going was to familiarize a new translator with how a post is operated and what would be expected of him when he translates for medical visitors in the coming weeks/months.
Before we left, one of the Haitians told me "this road is bad". And if they say it is "bad", believe me, IT IS BAD! So it was. For over 1 hour we rocked, bounced, slid, and did almost anything else one can do in 4 wheel drive. But we made it and the scenery was, as usual, breathtaking.
Many had walked for hours to get there. 3 women had newborns; 20 were pregnant; and young and old came with children needing their immunizations - I would estimate about 100.

Since my job this trip was not as a provider of care, but one of observing and educating, I had time to mentally review what was happening. Here are some of the things I realized:
1. The "waiting room" for the prenatal women is pictured above. Their chairs? The roots of a very old mango tree! And, as time passed and the sun moved in the sky, they would have to find a new spot in which to sit.
2. The room for injections was PACKED with people holding children from 3 weeks to 4 years, awaiting their turn. No electricity, roaming dogs, and noise as only a room full of hot, fussy children can be; and the onlookers (children of school age), blocking the door wanting to "see" what was happening. Since the door was the only source of light for the workers to see what they were doing, there were frequent reminders to "move away from the door!"
3. A grandmother sitting patiently waiting for her grandchild's name to be called. About 18 months of age, she had just fallen asleep when it was her turn. Needless to say, the "shot" woke her up fast! And grandmother left with a squirming, crying child.
4. Not all the immunizations were completed when it started to rain. STOP EVERYTHING, pack up, get in the vehicle, and start down the mountain -- or we will have to spend the night as the road is too dangerous if it is raining.
5. But, don't worry. The health agent is staying - and we left enough vaccine for her to complete the immunizations.
6. About 1/2 hour into the return trip we passed the grandmother with the child I mentioned above. Laying upside down on her head were her shoes - she had better traction walking on the now slippery road in bare feet, especially since she carried not only the sleeping 18 month old, but also some food she had gotten on her trip. I have no idea how long she still had to go before arriving home.
I could go on - but I won't. However, I do know that the next time I feel "inconvenienced", I will try to remember how hard everyday life is for many people in this world, and, instead of feeling sorry for myself, or complaining, I will send a prayer heavenward in thanksgiving for what I have.
Till next time. God bless! Mary Ann
P.S. Remember me telling you about the little kwash boy who had the convulsions? Well, we finally got a trip arranged for him to go to Port Au Prince to see a pediatric specialist. Devan, the nurse in charge of the kwash program was going with the mother and child and we secured a place on a chartered flight for them. The little boy died 11 hours before he was to leave. In a way, the timing was a blessing as the mother's mother and family were here to support her. She had lost her husband in the earthquake and this was her only child. Sometimes it is so hard!