April 4, 2011

Up at 6:15 AM to finish putting together medications for breakfast and an 8:00 AM start but one thing you quickly learn in Haiti is to be flexible. For reasons that none of us ever understood our trip to Orangie was not going to happen. The brand new director David Paige and marvelous Mario (more on him later) sprang into action and found us a new village. Maybe caution because of the anticipated announcement of the new president? Who knows? Anyway, they found us a new village, and in spite of a bit of a late start we were there in short order.

So let me tell you about our Mario. In spite of the fact that he goes back down stairs to the hospital to sleep because he has still not checked out because of a significant surgery last Thursday he has spent a great deal of the last two days helping David on his first day to get us going. He does it all telling stories and laughing all the time. An example of the Haitian gentle but indomitable spirit.

Spilling out of the trucks with our extraordinary interpreters and our Haitian dentist, doctor and nurse we were set up in no time. Our interpreters really know how to set up the space and manage our visitors. We were in a sort of town hall, without walls (they had fallen down, presumably in the earthquake) and benches mostly for holding everything we needed. We mentioned needing a table and low and behold soon one of our interpreters came in carrying the top of a table, still covered with a table cloth, with a village woman trailing behind with the base.

We quickly got to work and I’m trying to remember if I ever sat down. I must have, to eat my lunch our incredible cooks sent with us. (More about that later too.) Back to our day; In spite of a late start and a need quite on time so our wonderful help can get back to their families we did see 110 people today. .
We had to do some quick thinking to have enough medication formulated for infants as there were more than we had expected, but it all worked out, and we didn’t have to send any one away. The people, from infant to seniors all were patient and so beautiful. Our interpreters assure us, we will get faster

I’m not sure I should tell you how wonderful the food is here at L’ Hopital Ste. Croix. But then, we do want you all to think that this is something we might want to do again with more of you so I will plunge in. I believe our head cook Jeanine could start her own restaurant. Sautéed water crest surrounded with tomatoes is one her specialties. Last night she and her crew prepared a banquet for the Slones’ going away that made me wish I could import them for my daughter’s (hoped for) wedding. Robin Slone tells us that they take care of the quest house like it is their family. Remarkably, it’s one of the staples here.

Well, we are now sorting pills, thinking through the day and doing a bit of praying so I will sign off to do my share.

Susan (here, Susi)