A basketball game at Maison Fortune orphanage in Hinche

[posted by Theresa Kitts]

Maison Fortune is an orphanage in Hinche.   It houses approximately 250 boys and girls until the age of 18.  Since the girls have moved to newer quarters we only visited the boy’s campus.   The older boys are taught to be more independent by doing their own cooking, cleaning and laundry in preparation to leaving the orphanage and living on their own.  Overall the boys appeared well fed and happy.

Outside the boys were engaged in soccer and basketball.  Didn’t take Max (13 years old) long to join  in playing basketball with 2 other boys.  Next Troy joined the game.  Troy and Max didn’t want to stand out playing in tennis shoes and the Haitian boys with bare feet, so they removed their shoes and continued to play but later paid with sore feet.  It was a pleasure to watch them play and the Haitian boys seemed to enjoy the competition.   

 

A visit to the Whitney Clinic in Hinche

[posted by Theresa Kitts]

After visiting the Co-op, we continued to The Whitney Clinic which is much larger than the clinic in Cerca Carvajal but then Hinche is a much larger city.  Outside the clinic as well as inside, there was a line of people waiting to be seen.  It is nothing for these people to wait for hours to see the doctor.  This particular week a group of American dentists and physicians sponsored by Saint Monica’s Church in Georgia were there delivering care.  Along with their arrival, they bring supplies not always available in the clinic such as dental instruments for cleanings and extractions and medications to treat a variety of illnesses. Only the most basic of care is available. 

As a nurse I can see that working here would be both frustrating and rewarding at the same time.  The frustration coming from limited availability of treatment options and the reward comes from their gratitude in even relieving some of their discomfort.   I was so moved by the work being done and the need that I hope to return to Haiti in the future but will investigate going with a group of medical personnel where I can use my skills as a nurse to administer to God’s people.

A visit to the women's co-op in Hinche

[posted by Theresa Kitts]

Friday 2/21/14 Hinche, Haiti

Today started with a visit to the Women’s Co-op where Haitian women gather to embroider motifs on napkins, pillow cases, tablecloths, towels and other items to sell to sell.  Their embroider y is intricate and beautifully done.  The stitching is masterly done and outdoes anything done by machine.  The Co-op gives these women a chance to learn a trade and teaches them business skills so that they can earn a living. 

These women were very proud of their work and enthusiastically shared with us their handiwork.  The pieces were so beautiful, I couldn’t leave without purchasing a set of napkins to adorn my table at home and remind me of these industrious women.

Left: Lydia, Vicki and Linda with women from co-op

Our final entry for this blog

[posted by Kathy]

We thought you might enjoy and group shot, from the porch of the rectory in Cerca Carvajal.  From the left: Troy, Linda, Theresa, Lydia, Vicki, Max, Kathy (Fr. KeKe in the front).

It was a really wonderful trip with many great experiences.  When we met after we returned to the US, several commented that they thought it would be sad going to Haiti, and instead they found the opposite, a joyful, happy people who have so much to teach us about livng in community.  If you have considered going to Haiti, any of us would be happy to talk with you about it.  And if you have thought about bringing children, we know have quite a number of families who have gone on our pilgrimage to Haiti and could talk about their experiences.

I also shouldn't forget to mention the beautifully plated food and tasty Haitian beer!

Scrambled eggs with spam garnished with tomatoes

yummy pineapple

Haitian beer

God's presence always seems closer when we are in Haiti; maybe it is the deep faith we witness in the people, the way their conversations are punctuated with "grasadye" meaning by the grace of God or "si Dye vle" meaning if God wills, or their joyful trust in God's providence.  

Interviewing the scholarship students at St. Martin's

[posted by Linda Manz]

We visited St Martin de Porres Secondary School in Hinche headed by Monsignor Jethro Noel.  The Richmond diocesan Haitian Education Fund is providing scholarships to about a dozen students chosen by Monsignor Jethro.  He called them to his office so we could meet them and Kathy spoke with each one briefly.  They come from Hinche and rural areas, several with only one parent.  One was even from Cerca Carvajal.  They are all from impoverished families but understand the importance of education in their desire to rise up out of poverty.  Monsignor Jethro is a kind and jovial man who obviously is dedicated to provide learning and hope to all his students.  

With Msgr. Jethro

Bassin Zim - Another perspective

[posted by Linda Manz]

My visit to Bassim Zim was similar to Kathy’s, a beautiful waterfall amidst the dusty and arid landscape of Haiti.  However, after leaving our car, we were surrounded by a group of very friendly boys.  Two of them introduced themselves to me and latched on to my arms, pushing away the others who were also trying to hold my hand. After viewing the falls, we climbed rocky stairs up to a cave where, the boys said, voodoo was practiced.  By now, I realized that my “boy scouts” were hoping for money for their services.   The climb was not difficult, but they assisted me over unstable areas and streams, still swatting away other boys.  However, they were always very polite to me. Returning to the car, I was happy to tip them for their help, mostly because of their resourcefulness in the face of poverty.  I have a feeling they had done this a few times!

My helpers

Dr. Chartelin

[posted by Linda Manz]

Dr. Chartelin with Nurse Elvita

I had the opportunity to have a longer talk with Dr. Chartelin.  He is 27 years old and is the physician at the clinic at Holy Family Parish in Cerca Carvajal. Becoming a doctor fulfilled a dream he had had since childhood;  he wanted to help his people.  

He attended primary and secondary school, after which he had to take exams to qualify for university.  He applied to a private university where about 120 applicants out of about 800 are chosen. Fortunately, I was one of the 120.  It is even more difficult to get into the state university.  It is a 5 year program, followed by one year of internship, which is owed to the state. His father paid for his first two years and several parishioners of St Edward Parish paid for the remainder.

His profession is very satisfying for him because he is able to care for patients and dispense medicines to help them.  He really doesn’t become frustrated because of the lack of equipment and supplies, he just does the best that he can with what he has.

The most common health problems that he sees are malnutrition, pelvic infections, pneumonia, and gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcers.  He sees an average of thirty malaria cases per month. Infants and children are not vaccinated in Haiti, but this is something that hopefully is being worked on with the health officials.  Juvenile diabetes is not something he has come across here.  For adult cases of diabetes, he provides oral medication and education for the patient.  The patient is asked to follow up in a week for lab work and then they are followed monthly with lab tests and medication adjustment as needed.  One of the biggest concerns for these and all the patients is the lack of keeping return appointments.

He would like to enlarge the clinic to provide better emergency care with the capability of the physician to stay overnight with the patient. At the present time, a patient in an emergency situation would be brought to his house.  From there they would go to the clinic.  If he is unable to help the patient, he/she would have to be transported to the hospital at Hinche by motorcycle or whatever means available.

He plans to become an orthopedic surgeon or maybe pursue a master’s degree in public health. Coming from a private university education, it is difficult to get into a residency program.  There are less than 70 places in the program for all private university graduates.

His hope for the people of Haiti is the provision of basic things such as education, food, good health care, jobs, utilities and a stable, effective government. 

He asked me to express his sincere and deep gratitude to the people of St Edward the Confessor Parish. He would not be a physician without their help.