Up again to the rooster yelling at an ungodly hour. We packed our vitamins last night into four groups for distributions. Today's plan a little different then previously arranged. New orders. Go to Shada. HHA asked us to distribute vitamins and take health surveys of the local area. Shada is a slum in Cap, the hardest one in the city. I've been here before and I wonder how the team will react to it, baptism by fire eh? We were suppose to meet up with Madame Boise, a local community leader at the clinic on the roof tops. We arrived at the drop off point, looked up at the team to see their initial impressions. Deep breathe and we jumped out of the ambulance and began our short walk through the tight corridors and immediate turns. We arrived on top of the roof in front of the clinic, a few kids started to gather round. There were a few people on other roofs, washing clothes, brushing teeth, and simply watching us. After a few minutes of trying to reach madame Boise Carwyn, Donni, and I changed the plan. Open the clinic, invite local mothers, and investigate the water source. I suspected there may have been a miscommunication with coordinating and meeting madame since she was not there on arrival, oh well no problem. Haiti is a special place. Things are always fluctuating and plans may fall out. I instructed one of the translators to tell the kids and a girl who was responsible for the clinic upkeep to inform local moms of our intentions. Within the half hour we had a room full of women and children wanting to be seen. Lori was set up with Donni asking the questions. Logan, Michael, and Kortni a few feet away doing the same. I bounced around to make sure everyone was getting a feel of surveying, readying vitamins, and checking the crowd. Questions ranged from water, number of kids, and where they gave birth. About an hour later I realized we could open up another table. So I took Michael and another translator outside and we rigged a table, a sheet for a curtain, and a broken bench to ask questions and speed up the process. In total we gave vitamins out to and surveyed ~30 mothers. After I made the decision to finally to see there water source, been here more than three times and it's been bugging me. So we were lead to the water source, again walking through the slum. I hope the team was taking it all well, throw them right in the fire and they'll be trained quick! The well had tires lining it and it was self service. Some people reported it tasting salty. We took pictures of the area to see if a future project could be addressing the water,(note) pictures and report published later.
We headed back to HHA clinic, day was still not done. Carwyn took the team to tour the clinic. We met Dr. Toussant, pediatrician and the lab techs. It was a good opportunity for the team to shadow, so we arranged that after lunch a few members could shadow the techs and Dr. Toussant. Logan and I decided to let them have it and we'd settle to help paint the walls. From what they told me they thoroughly enjoyed sitting in with Dr. Toussant and the techs. Lots of experience for them.
After their fill of medical education we headed back to the shower outside. The water was cool and very refreshing. I wonder how the ladies will take it when bugs show up. We head back to HHA to hang out with the kids. Wydlan is a lot chubbier and much better off than when I last saw him. He's walking!
Afterword. an excerpt from Dec 16th. ... This arrangement was different from last. We got to stay at Living Water International about quarter mile from HHA. Electricity 24/7, what a blessing! The team was lucky. We still have to battle mosquitoes though...
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