Haiti Day 8-9

So yesterday the internet was down . . . again.  (surprise, surprise) So I'm posting for yesterday and today. Yesterday was another work day at the orphanage.  I haven't downloaded my camera's pictures from that day yet, but I hope to get to it before I leave.  It was much the same as our other work days, painting, building, and babysitting.  Building came to a standstill though when the saw battery went dead and we ran out of roofing materials.  We hope to finish building tomorrow.

Today we went to a medical clinic in Port au Prince and did our best to treat the people in the area.  I got another opportunity to speak french but it was a little shaky since I couldn't understand it when they replied in Creole. :P  It was an interesting experience. Just about everyone had infection related to lack of water or bad water and everyone had anemia at some level.  We had very dehydrated little babies come in listless and hyperventilating.  Gladly, we were able to send them all home in recovery.  It's amazing what a little water, food, and cooling down can do.  We also were able to treat all of the common infections and colds and only had a few people that clearly needed to go to the hospital.  We can only hope that they are able to go and will get treated despite the hospital prices.  It's approximately 100 dollars to get treatment at the regular hospital, which is approximately 800 haitiian dollars.  We snuck one very sick lady out with 20 dollars, hoping they would admit her when she went.

We only had one nurse practitioner, who kind of gave us a rundown of how to do vitals, etc, and 2 good translators.  It was pretty hectic, but overall very successful.

On the way back, we sang all the patriotic songs we could think of in honor of July 4.  Those of us who forgot the words did background noises.  It was quite funny.  We were lamenting that we didn't get to set off fireworks . . . It was nice to know though that we were doing a decent job of representing our country here in Haiti for the holiday. 

Some pictures from today, more later, always more later . . .

There were full markets out today.  Here was the banana "aisle".

Another view of the beautiful mountains. 

Leif was tired.

A caved-in building that hasn't had any rubble moved since the earthquake.

The medical clinic sign.

The official name of the clinic.

Setting up.

Justice helped to do temps, Blood Pressure, height and weight.

The "waiting room".

I have had the opportunity to meet several people at this hotel who are involved in mission groups based in Haiti itself.  I was pleased to know that there are so many locals who believe in their country and dedicate their lives to helping.  I met one gentleman who was part of an organization that travels the country to help locals prepare for hurricanes each year during hurricane season (which happens to be now, by the way).  We have also noted that some of the worst roads have been improved in the last few months and some parts of the capital have been cleaned up. 

I must away, they are forcing me to participate in another group photo. :P Till later everyone!