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The requests for updates and another “I’m OK” letter are pretty consistent so here I go again!
As things seem to be quieting down, and large teams of surgeons and nurses arrive to help, life is starting to resume in a more normal way. I don’t think we will ever be able to say “normal” again in the same way, as the long and far reaching consequences of the disaster on Jan 12th will mark this country forever.
I have actually lost my job as pharmacienne, and chief everything else, and am now the patient advocate, which is a much more suitable job for me as I was actually terrified by all those long words and that I would give out the wrong medication or size needle or syringe!
The new nurses have divided the church into areas with each one responsible for an area, so things are really looking organized and patients being treated efficiently. PIH have done an incredible job in coordinating the passage of so many volunteers.
Breck has been running the water distribution program, and it is wonderful to be able to fill up everyone’s jugs and bottles 2-3 times a day, (he is very happy that the patients –you know what is now clear) Charles has been wearing his Chief of Sanitation hat and it is not a job to be envied but of course he is doing it with grace and patience!! Jackie still picking up all the overflow from all the bins, and as she also has been relieved from most of her church duties is doing a roaring trade in the Art Center, with all the visitors most enthusiastic about her goods.
While the healing goes on, the talk now is of re construction and how it is going to be done, it is very interesting to talk to all the various different sectors of the community, from teachers to farmers, they are all for de-centralization and building a new Haiti.
We are facing the huge challenge of what to do with all the thousands of people moving out from Port-au-Prince to rejoin their families and friends. Tents are arriving, to be installed either beside the tiny houses of the host families or on parts of land belonging to either schools or churches. Working out sanitary and water systems to be installed in strategic places goes hand in hand with how to get food supplies to them.
The church is starting to empty out a little and it is wonderful to see the joy and excitement on the faces of these people who are going home to --- who knows what?? PIH and Zanmi Lasante are doing a great job of making sure patients go home to something, and with someone, as there have been some dreadful stories of people taking advantage of the situation to ‘kidnap’ young people.
Jackie went down to PauP during the week and was impressed to see the street markets were up and running again and she was actually able to find a supermarket open --- yes, she did get the all important cat food and they are now one great big happy family again!
This week the school is preparing to open again, starting with meetings for all parents and teachers, and a great deal of trauma counseling. Fr. Lafontant is as strong as always, and leading his flock with a positive approach and a great deal of compassion.
I have to go and say “Goodbye” to one of my special little boys, and take him a couple of shirts etc. He has never had any shoes, and the soles of his feet are like hard leather, so will ask Je Je if she can spare a pair! He will go back to Port-au-Prince with his mother, but to a depleted family as they lost several members plus their house so will have to move in with relatives, ---- still there is excitement and a strong desire to return to what is left. Once again the resilience of these people never ceases to amaze me.
Sorry for the interruption ---- but here I am again!
Charles and Breck have returned home, of course not without more adventures, have been sent off to Porto Rico, then Chicago, spending the night in the Red Cross shelter and eventually arriving in Charlotte to be picked up by one of Breck’s friends and driven home to Greenville midst much snow and ice.
Of course everyone is asking for them and very sad to see them go. I think it was equally hard for them to leave and Breck may well have found a new vocation!
I’m off to the farm to get our new project underway – it will be good to get down there again and get on with real living things, and the hope and promise of a new tomorrow.
Our farmers are trying to cope with the influx of mouths and so we are trying to do what we can to relieve the situation with tents and emergency food rations.
The messages of love and support have been wonderful and you should know that we couldn’t do without those prayers. Please keep them coming so that we can continue to find the strength and courage that gets us through each day.
Thank you all for you help in this way,
Gillaine |
