Leoganne Clinic Day One (Mon)

I am the guest blogger for the day, Brian, from Greensboro. Today we started bright and early, we started walking to the clinic at 7:00 am. The walk is about 2 miles through Leoganne, down a dirt road or two, full of pot-holes and ruts, mudpuddles from last night's rain. One part of the road is a major highway that we have to walk along, being careful to not step into the road due to trucks, tap-taps, Moto's, etc whizzing by. You will definately get run over is you're not careful. We arrived at the clinic to find perhaps 30 people waiting on our arrival. We had to finish setting up and organizing but that went smoothly considering we're a mass of various occupations and experience levels. No electricity, therefore the heat was overwhelming; the Haitians were so patient. Through Triage, into see the MD's, the orders for medications came through the window to the pharmacy where I was working. I've always been a Pharmacist want-to-be so this was my opportunity. Worm pills, anti-biotics for various infections, a few IM injections........we filled about 50 prescriptions. Beanie Babies for all the kids; everything excites them. I didn't see one person loose their temper or become frustrated despite the incredible heat and humidity. Somewhere along the way a generator appeared and we had a ceiling fan going.........probably one of the highlights of the day. The day ended early due to fewer patients showing up after lunch (Peanut butter, Squirt Cheese, Bananna). Missy, our team leader, suggested that we walk "250 yards" to the Johannatier Project which is a German Compound for people suffering PTSD. One of the biggest things they do is to manufacture prosthetic legs for those that lost a leg during the earthquake. They do this on-site, free of charge. Quite impressive to see. It was located on the back lot of a cement manufacturing plant. Who would have thought???? Oh, the walk wasn't 250 yards, it was more like 2 miles. This is of course in the heat of the day, blazing sun, after having walked perhaps 2 miles earlier to the clinic. Gosh it was hot. On the way back to the Guest House (it's really a closed-down hospital in Leoganne) we stopped at a little cafe and had cokes, beer, or passion fruit juice to drink, and fried plantain to snack on. We sat there long enough for the heat to die down, then walked the remainder of the way to St. Croix Hospital Guest House. Both going and coming, everyone was dripping with sweat, scrubs totally drenched. Along the way in the morning, the throngs of people sitting on the side of the road almost always say "Bon Jour". They are very kind. In the afternoon the greeting becomes "Bon Soir". You probably say this 100 times along the walk. When I say people sitting on the road, I mean SITTING BY THE ROAD. HUNDREDS of people. Unemployment approaches 70%; the poverty is absolutely overwhelming. Once you get used to seeing such hopelessness you start noticing that Haiti is absolutely paved with plastic and trash. It's EVERYWHERE. Why? Because there is no trash removal anywhere. When the Haitians are finished with a drink bottle, down it goes, where ever they may be standing. It's the norm. Every now and then, along the road, someone sets fire to the trash, therefore the air quality is horrid. It's a combination of burning trash, charcoal, and sooty exhaust from big trucks and buses. So all in all, Day One was a success. We treated fewer than the number we planned on but everyone left with a smile. Memories are being made, from both sides; we the volunteers, are probably making more. Who gains the most? That's everyone's own perspective; the patients aer just as happy as the staff. Everyone wins. Will there be memories made tomorrow? No Doubt! Stay Tuned for more.

Brian from Greensboro, NC