Today was definitely a busy day. We began the day with med clinics starting around 7 am. We had some people returning from yesterday who we either didn't get a chance to see or didn't have the medication they needed readily available. We brain-stormed every way that we could make the med clinics as efficient as possible because there were so many needs, so many people, and such little time. A major obstacle was the supply closet. Several people brought down so many medications that hadn't been sorted through or categorized and it needed to be done. Although I love being out either in triage or with Dr. Franco diagnosing- I felt that getting the med closet organized would definitely make a huge difference and move patients through the clinic faster. It was quite the project. 40 barrels had also shipped from the states, many filled with supplies that needed to be sorted through. I began around 730 working with Amy, and finished around 11am. Here's what the end product looks like:
Don't mind the hot pink pool raft...it's what I slept on last night because it was torrential downpouring and my hamock was soaked. I'd always anticipated having a well-stocked med closet, but never did I think it would happen this fast. We have such an awesome variety of antibiotics, and tons of infant formula and vitamins. These supplies will have such a major impact on the people who live in this community. They have no access to any type of healthcare at all, and its definitely a great start. As more teams come down, we can add to it and make a list of other items that are still needed. Jon and Ted worked hard to make more shelves for us to use in the clinic, and hopefully by the end of the week we'll have two more in there.
Amy has been giving the children at Go-Haiti anti-fungal topical head treatment for ringworm- many of the children have it, and if they don't- they're still being treated prophylactically anyways because it is so contagious. Here is Michael getting his head scrubbed:
At the clinic today and yesterday we saw a variety of patients. Yesterday, a teenage boy came in with burns from a motorcycle. Here's what it looked like...
Joannie, a nurse from California, had worked in a burn unit for years and was able to dress his wound multiple times throughout the day. He also came back today to get his dressing changed.
An older man in his seventies came into the clinic today, and originally they thought he suffered just from a stroke. His gait was very uneven, he seemed hypoglycemic, and needed help to walk. When they lifted up his pant leg, he had a serious leg wound that he had sustained over a year ago with a pick-axe. He had poor medical treatment for the past year, and the wound desperately needed to be cleaned. While Joannie cleaned it out and wrapped it, Amy helped clean his fingernails and soaked his toenails. I was able to get him food and a drink, while Ted spoke to him in French to assess how much pain he was in and what we could do to lessen his suffering. Sitting back watching this in action was just awesome. Everyone on this team is incredibly compassionate.
Here is what the man's leg looked like before we treated it....
We went to PAP General Hospital today to drop off some supplies. The hospital was on strike and there were no physicians or nurses there at all to treat the patients. We were told they have been on strike for nearly 2 months. We visited patients who had been there for almost 9 months, and are just waiting for someone....anyone to come and assess their condition. It is incredibly sad. This is the main hospital that people are supposed to go to to get treatment...& now there is no staff at all.
After leaving the General Hospital, again- you feel so helpless. What can you do to change all of this? And that oh so famous question...where'd all the donated money go? One can ponder these questions forever.
But in the midst of all of this, it is vital to just take a step back and truly appreciate everything we have in our lives. We are so quick to always want more and be unsatisfied with what we have. We are always comparing ourselves to what others have, and strive to get the next best thing in life. It is always incorporated in my prayers to truly be thankful and satisfied with what I have in life- regardless of what I may or may not have. Our culture breeds greed and doing whatever it takes to get to wherever you want to be and that is definitely not what life is intended to be. A part of why I truly appreciate going to Haiti is just the opportunity to serve others. So cliche, but it is so much more fulfilling to be totally selfless, and put all your worries, wants, and needs aside- and just help others.
Matthew 25:35 " For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..."
Tomorrow after med clinic, VBS, and construction projects we will be feeding people in the tent city and in the local community. It's always one of my favorite parts of the trips because you get to spend time and bring a smile to these people's faces.
Here are some more pictures....
Hard-core soccer tournament
Dance party in the rain...
The babies eating breakfast....
My little lovebug Olry eating breakfast posing for the camera....
My good friend Debbie arrived here nearly a week after I did, and since some of us are sleeping outside I asked her to bring lights so we could see if we had to get up during the night...it looks so pretty out here tonight...
Tomorrow should be another awesome day in Haiti :)
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