The chilly Boulder night helps me to realize that I’m home from Haiti. My three weeks (28 Oct - 18 Nov) in Deshapelles at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in the Artibonite River Valley linger; I find this “re-entry” challenging. Trying to relax, my dreams are pummeled with Haiti and cholera.
As you have surely noticed by now, I was really lame about communicating during this trip. My computer was a TOTAL brat, so I couldn't compose emails at the guest house. And my only access to email was in the hospital library and quite limited. I was usually so exhausted by the time I could get on-line, I could barely read through my emails before I trudged home to get a blessed “bucket bath,” beer and dinner. I have posted more pictures on Facebook.
I’m here to tell you that the Haitian roosters started their cock-a-doodling at 2:30 AM - not even my ear plugs helped me sleep through them. True confessions: I actually got up and threw ROCKS at them, perched up in the tree ri Jason has twin boys. What kind of coincidence is that??
Dr. Ian Rawson, director of the hospital oriented us to the layout and sent us by car to nearby Petit Trou de Artibonite, where the Doctors without Borders Cholera Treatment Center was receiving more than 100 patients per day. I was thrilled, also, to meet the CDC team, who worked so hard to scope out how this horrible bacteria had come back to haunt Haiti. Now this is a good way for my tax dollars to be at work!
Cholera is a bacteria that essentially sucks all the body’s fluids and eliminates them first, through diarrhea and then through vomiting. If the fluids are not replaced immediately, death will happen – and can happen in hours to days. Treatment is simple: oral rehydration solution. We triaged patients: If they were “only” having diarrhea, we assigned them to an area where we encouraged them to “bwe bwe bwe!” that is, drink! If they had already started vomiting, we started at least one IV line of Lactated Ringers and put them in a bed where we could keep tabs on them. The protocol is to get 6 liters into a person in a couple of hours, so it takes incredible diligence. And when there are half a dozen patients like that, it is almost impossible to keep up.
The extreme need, the intensity of caring for patients who are beyond oral rehydration, the frustration of not being able to communicate with my Haitian co-nurses when we needed to move quickly, the satisfaction of seeing someone on the brink of death come back to life…I am yet again humbled and grateful for being a nurse, for being able to help, for all the teachers I have had, for the support from friends and family to allow me to do this work.
Almost all patients arrived with family member (who provided sheets, food, personal assistance, etc.). But the ones who didn’t were on their own. Haitian nurses don’t touch patients or provide any direct physical care. I carried hundreds of bedpans to the toilets and did my best to clean patients who were alone. One young fellow had been lying in 4 inches of diarrhea on a cot for hours. The Nursing Director got him into a real bed, we stripped him and got paper sheets over and under him. He couldn’t get out of bed for a day – it was heartbreaking. BUT, he got better and I was thrilled to see him, dressed and smiling as he left 4 days after he was all but dead. This is the joy of cholera – people get better quickly.
A team of 4 nurses from Project Hope had arrived 2 days prior to my arrival, during a time when there were only about 5-10 admissions per day. They didn’t speak any Creole or French and were frustrated by the Haitian way of delivering care. I think they were a bit disappointed. So, by the luck of the draw, their 2 weeks ended 2 days before we got slammed with triple that number of patients in one day and I was the only non-Haitian nurse available. But it was fine.
I found great connection with many of the people with whom I worked. The medical director is an energetic Swiss doctor, Silvia, who quietly works to improve the delivery of health care in a situation beyond our imagination. Of course, the nurses and I bonded in ways that transcend the language barrier; sharing the struggle to save a life, seeing the bright outcome of a patient waking up and then walking out of the hospital when he had been so close to death...I felt so grateful for being part of that effort. The guys who kept our unit free from body fluids - they were heroes in my book! And the patients, of course. I don't even know their names or how far they had to walk or be carried to the hospital. When a patient reached the point where we could remove his IVs, I would say "Bon travay! Orevwa cholera!" "Good work! Good-by, cholera!" And we would all beam in gratitude.
A new group of 6 Project Hope nurses arrived 2 days before my departure. The medical director asked me to orient them. I feel really good aThey didn’t speak any Creole or French and were frustrated by the Haitian way of delivering care. I think they were a bit disappointed. So, by the luck of the draw, their 2 weeks ended 2 days before we got slammed with triple that number of patients in one day and I was the only non-Haitian nurse available. But it was fine.
I found great connection with many of the people with whom I worked. The medical director is an energetic Swiss doctor, Silvia, who quietly works to improve the delivery of health care in a situation beyond our imagination. Of course, the nurses and I bonded in ways that transcend the language barrier; sharing the struggle to save a life, seeing the bright outcome of a patient waking up and then walking out of the hospital when he had been so close to death...I felt so grateful for being part of that effort. The guys who kept our unit free from body fluids - they were heroes in my book! And the patients, of course. I don't even know their names or how far they had to walk or be carried to the hospital. When a patient reached the point where we could remove his IVs, I would say "Bon travay! Orevwa cholera!" "Good work! Good-by, cholera!" And we would all beam in gratitude.
A new group of 6 Project Hope nurses arrived 2 days before my departure. The medical director asked me to orient them. I feel really good about their willingness to work hard for the cholera patients and to ease the load on the Haitian nurses. I specifically counselled them about this not being their turf and to be respectful of the nursing culture here. Not to compromise their professionalism, but to respect the Haitian nurses for where they are professionally. And I reminded them that "we" will leave; the Haitian staff will remain with the fullness of challenges on a daily basis.
If I could have a magic wand, my wish for Haiti would be instant healing of all the suffering; and for me - instant fluency in Creole…oh! And finding work that would allow me to be in Haiti full time.
Thanks for making it all the way to the end of this tome!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
How to support my cholera work
October 28 - November 18 found me working at the Hopital Albert Schweitzer in the heart of the cholera epidemic. Many people have asked about supporting that work.
The Mountain Forum for Peace, a Colorado 501(c)3 organization that has helped to fund several of my international aid trips, again has offered to receive donations, so that any contribution will be tax-deductible.
If you are moved to make a donation, please make your check to "MFP" and mail it to:
Beverly Lyne
3370 34th Street
Boulder, CO 80301
I will be deeply grateful for your help in supporting my efforts to ease the suffering.
"Mesi anpil" - Thank you so much!
The Mountain Forum for Peace, a Colorado 501(c)3 organization that has helped to fund several of my international aid trips, again has offered to receive donations, so that any contribution will be tax-deductible.
If you are moved to make a donation, please make your check to "MFP" and mail it to:
Beverly Lyne
3370 34th Street
Boulder, CO 80301
I will be deeply grateful for your help in supporting my efforts to ease the suffering.
"Mesi anpil" - Thank you so much!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Back in Boulder 5 July 201
Flying back home, the cacophony of sensations from a month in the poorest country in the western hemisphere began to bubble up as I anticipated the luxury of home -- hot water flows every time I turn on the faucet, lights turn on when I flip the switch, the air I breathe and the environment are protected and monitored, roads are smooth, traffic obeys stop lights and usually wait for pedestrians, roads are smooth, the timer on my coffee maker has strong, hot coffee ready for me as I wake in the mornings, my first language is spoken everywhere I go, I can drink water from the faucet and I only have to open my computer almost anywhere and can connect on the internet. If I want to drive to Moab, I know the road will be smooth and I will find good friends, the high desert slick rock and peace.
The juxtaposition of children taking bucket baths (with water they've carried quite a ways) right on the streets, a mom sitting on the sidewalk, nursing her cachectic baby, a man pulling broken metal from the rubble - bare-handed, bare-footed, a toothless woman tugging at my arm begging for some small help to get food, a child sleeping alone on a sidewalk, men, women and children somehow making do in a world that betrayed them.
I’ll write more, but for now, I am very happy to be safely home (not sweating). AND I am very much aware of the people who I left behind in Haiti. My landing brought a surprise of tears - relief to be home and finally allowing myself to begin feeling some of what I’ve been seeing and hearing for the past month.
The juxtaposition of children taking bucket baths (with water they've carried quite a ways) right on the streets, a mom sitting on the sidewalk, nursing her cachectic baby, a man pulling broken metal from the rubble - bare-handed, bare-footed, a toothless woman tugging at my arm begging for some small help to get food, a child sleeping alone on a sidewalk, men, women and children somehow making do in a world that betrayed them.
I’ll write more, but for now, I am very happy to be safely home (not sweating). AND I am very much aware of the people who I left behind in Haiti. My landing brought a surprise of tears - relief to be home and finally allowing myself to begin feeling some of what I’ve been seeing and hearing for the past month.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
There Will Be Other Concerts / 29 June Tuesday
Thought I was to give at least 3 coaching sessions today and help with 2 beginning primary groups. After I worked in the Music Library from 7:30 til 10 and took a shower to get ride of the dust and bugs, I learned that a big ordination ceremony was to take place in the space where we rehearse, so all the students got bumped. Bummer. But Bernadette and I played duets – Dotzauer and Kummer. It was such a blast. How lucky can one person be?
My disappointing news is that next Sunday’s concert is cancelled because the venue decided to charge $2,000 US for the space. There is not money here for that. I told Pere David Cesar, the director of the school and the orchestra conductor (and plays viola), that I could put out a plea to folks and probably come up with at least a thousand dollars. BUT he has a bigger perspective. The school desperately needs a temporary structure – one that has practice facilities and an adaptable performance hall that will protect the students, instruments and music from the weather. IT is so frustrating for one’s music to be blown off the stand right in the middle of a practice session. Sometimes the dust to pelt my eyes so hard I can’t stand to open them, not to mention the NOISE. My 3 private students yesterday were having a hard time with their intonation and I think that a part of it is that they actually can’t hear what’s being played. Fundraising efforts need to be focused on the REAL needs. The music school and the performance hall and Holy Trinity Cathedral were demolished in the quake. Two students died, several instruments, music, stands, etc., were salvaged. Some of the cellos have cracks. The bows are hideous – there isn’t enough rosin in the world to get any kind of tone with them. One is missing a C string. The endpin is inside another. The instrument repair man, Williams (a base player!) said that he can take care of both.
Today I worked in the music library from 7:30 to 10 and finished organizing one whole section of music. It’s really satisfying to work a couple of hours in the morning - I’m up before 5 anyhow. There is time to bathe afterwards, to get ride of the bugs and dust and who knows what all…I’ve gotten more bug bites since I started working in there!! Now I use bug spray in the morning instead of just in the evening. This morning I woke with 3 little bites on my face, so I washed the pillow case and pounded the pillow and left it out in the sun for a couple of hours. Cross your fingers for me tonight, eh?
Saturday, among other things, I got to rehearse with the orchestra. The 25 voice boys choir sang with us on “We are the World” and it just gave me tingles. The Haitian composer’s “After the Earthquake” just pounds away, with a soaring, beautiful melody threading its way through…ends with Taps. I’m really sad to not be getting to perform with these guys. But, that’s just the way it is and I have to defer to the broader perspective of Pere David. There will be other concerts.
Last Friday changed from what I had expected. I got to coach a string trio in the morning. It was their first read of the piece and was really fun to participate with them in that creative time. The flute teacher and I did do a little shopping. Mostly just fun. I got a bag of 6 mangos for 20 goudes (about 50 cents!). I’ve had some in my oatmeal: talk about over the top delicious!
Sunday I went to church here at St. Jacques, as they have an English service at 8 am. The priest asked me to play for church next Sunday…I was going to ditch, but guess I better not. Three of the teachers from here took me up to Fort St. Jacques, about a 45 minute drive up the mountainous roads out of Port au Prince. We got rained out, but still got to see the fort – cannons are still there from when they were trying to roust the French (my hostesses didn’t have a lot of details!) The road had turned into a raging torrent during our drive down. When we passed this little hole in the wall store that was called “Everything You Want” I asked the gals if they thought they would have a single guy over 50 and, luckily, they howled with laughter.
My attention bounces around. Music, the students, frustration not having the language I need to talk directly with the students…seeing a skinny mom sitting on the sidewalk outside the crumbled National Palace, holding an infant with straw-like reddish hair, scrawny legs, both needing water, food, love, security…a man, sitting on a step, holding his head in his hand, apparently sleeping…a well-dressed man striking the “pose” and peeing against a wall.
I realized this morning that, as much as I enjoy quiet, alone time, I miss having an English speaking friend to process some of these things with.
Bernadette and I played cello duets today – some Dotzauer and Kummer. Really beautiful music. The Music Librarian, Thara, has been chosen to play in a Colorado Bicentennial Youth Orchestra in Denver on July 9. I’m thrilled! Put it on your calendars! There will be musicians from 18 countries.
An update on the water situation. Both water and power seem to be present now. However, there seem to be green things that flow out of the faucet with the water. I keep reminding myself that I bathed in a river in Nicaragua with pesticides flowing from Honduras, grazing cows, trucks being washed. Somehow, here where there are NO water treatment facilities (at least that’s the rumor I heard) and there are heavy rains every day, water flowing through garbage, human waste, probably still unfound bodies…it’s no wonder I itch after I bathe! Oh, well. Just what are you going to do? I got some eye shadow during my “shopping spree” so I’ve started putting a little on each morning – I think it counterbalances whatever is in the water, don’t you? (I hate to confess that I was drinking this water, using a SteriPen. No more...ick).
OK, over and out for now!
My disappointing news is that next Sunday’s concert is cancelled because the venue decided to charge $2,000 US for the space. There is not money here for that. I told Pere David Cesar, the director of the school and the orchestra conductor (and plays viola), that I could put out a plea to folks and probably come up with at least a thousand dollars. BUT he has a bigger perspective. The school desperately needs a temporary structure – one that has practice facilities and an adaptable performance hall that will protect the students, instruments and music from the weather. IT is so frustrating for one’s music to be blown off the stand right in the middle of a practice session. Sometimes the dust to pelt my eyes so hard I can’t stand to open them, not to mention the NOISE. My 3 private students yesterday were having a hard time with their intonation and I think that a part of it is that they actually can’t hear what’s being played. Fundraising efforts need to be focused on the REAL needs. The music school and the performance hall and Holy Trinity Cathedral were demolished in the quake. Two students died, several instruments, music, stands, etc., were salvaged. Some of the cellos have cracks. The bows are hideous – there isn’t enough rosin in the world to get any kind of tone with them. One is missing a C string. The endpin is inside another. The instrument repair man, Williams (a base player!) said that he can take care of both.
Today I worked in the music library from 7:30 to 10 and finished organizing one whole section of music. It’s really satisfying to work a couple of hours in the morning - I’m up before 5 anyhow. There is time to bathe afterwards, to get ride of the bugs and dust and who knows what all…I’ve gotten more bug bites since I started working in there!! Now I use bug spray in the morning instead of just in the evening. This morning I woke with 3 little bites on my face, so I washed the pillow case and pounded the pillow and left it out in the sun for a couple of hours. Cross your fingers for me tonight, eh?
Saturday, among other things, I got to rehearse with the orchestra. The 25 voice boys choir sang with us on “We are the World” and it just gave me tingles. The Haitian composer’s “After the Earthquake” just pounds away, with a soaring, beautiful melody threading its way through…ends with Taps. I’m really sad to not be getting to perform with these guys. But, that’s just the way it is and I have to defer to the broader perspective of Pere David. There will be other concerts.
Last Friday changed from what I had expected. I got to coach a string trio in the morning. It was their first read of the piece and was really fun to participate with them in that creative time. The flute teacher and I did do a little shopping. Mostly just fun. I got a bag of 6 mangos for 20 goudes (about 50 cents!). I’ve had some in my oatmeal: talk about over the top delicious!
Sunday I went to church here at St. Jacques, as they have an English service at 8 am. The priest asked me to play for church next Sunday…I was going to ditch, but guess I better not. Three of the teachers from here took me up to Fort St. Jacques, about a 45 minute drive up the mountainous roads out of Port au Prince. We got rained out, but still got to see the fort – cannons are still there from when they were trying to roust the French (my hostesses didn’t have a lot of details!) The road had turned into a raging torrent during our drive down. When we passed this little hole in the wall store that was called “Everything You Want” I asked the gals if they thought they would have a single guy over 50 and, luckily, they howled with laughter.
My attention bounces around. Music, the students, frustration not having the language I need to talk directly with the students…seeing a skinny mom sitting on the sidewalk outside the crumbled National Palace, holding an infant with straw-like reddish hair, scrawny legs, both needing water, food, love, security…a man, sitting on a step, holding his head in his hand, apparently sleeping…a well-dressed man striking the “pose” and peeing against a wall.
I realized this morning that, as much as I enjoy quiet, alone time, I miss having an English speaking friend to process some of these things with.
Bernadette and I played cello duets today – some Dotzauer and Kummer. Really beautiful music. The Music Librarian, Thara, has been chosen to play in a Colorado Bicentennial Youth Orchestra in Denver on July 9. I’m thrilled! Put it on your calendars! There will be musicians from 18 countries.
An update on the water situation. Both water and power seem to be present now. However, there seem to be green things that flow out of the faucet with the water. I keep reminding myself that I bathed in a river in Nicaragua with pesticides flowing from Honduras, grazing cows, trucks being washed. Somehow, here where there are NO water treatment facilities (at least that’s the rumor I heard) and there are heavy rains every day, water flowing through garbage, human waste, probably still unfound bodies…it’s no wonder I itch after I bathe! Oh, well. Just what are you going to do? I got some eye shadow during my “shopping spree” so I’ve started putting a little on each morning – I think it counterbalances whatever is in the water, don’t you? (I hate to confess that I was drinking this water, using a SteriPen. No more...ick).
OK, over and out for now!
Friday, June 25, 2010
24 June 2010 Thursday No water or too much
24 June 2010 Thursday No water or too much
OK, my hope is that someone will be laughing by the time they finish reading this. When I got home Tuesday, I did my little dinner and went to the hotel next door to try to get on the internet. After over an hour, no luck. Started to leave, tried to ask the guard to watch me walk “home” (about 50 yards max) and a street vender started hitting on me. I just turned around, went back inside and approached 3 people speaking English in the bar (ok, they were drinking, too.) (OK the 2 guys were cute, too.) I apologized and gave them the Cliff Notes version of why I was interrupting them – I just wanted someone to watch me until I got the door open at my place, as it's quite dark. I did have on my evening jewelry – my head lamp around my neck. One of the guys jumped up and said absolutely, no problem. You shouldn't go out there alone. He walked me back AND the guard accompanied us, too! Did I ever feel safe. Turns out this guy is here on contract from the US Government looking at building BRIDGES!! I gotta find him and talk more about getting a couple of bridges out to Petit Trou! (that wasn't the funny story, just tragic, in my lack of success in getting connnected.)
Last night, I came home to no water. Luckily I had filled a large basin when I first arrived and was able to take a modified bucket bath. Then I realized I didn't have my phone. Not tragic, but I am here in this building pretty much alone – my worrying mind goes into action – what if there's another earthquake or if I get sick or??? Then I was silly and tried the internet at the hotel again. Not only did I not get on, I ran my battery down and my computer totally went to sleep. I was afraid that I had lost it, but I'm typing on it now.
Tonight, I came home wondering if the water was back (they had to buy diesel for the generator so the water could be pumped up to the holding tanks on top of the building). No water in the faucets, but the floor was flooded. I'm still not sure what happened, but I can tell you the floor is really clean now. I swept and swept the water out the door – thank goodness there's no threshold, so it just gushed out and down the spiral staircase outside my door. It kinda reminded me of last summer when we were sucking water out of my dad's basement in KC, in preparation for selling it. Gives some perspective. Anyhow, as I finished sweeping and set the fans blowing on the floor, I heard water GUSHING out of the bathroom shower. I couldn't believe it. Even when the water had been present, it had never come out of the shower head – and it was powerful! I jumped right in and am now quite clean as I write to you all!
Today, my sister got to talk with my friend, Priscilla's daughter, Ginny. Priscilla has been a friend for 33 years. Many of you know her. She'll turn 91 the end of this month. She is the energizer bunny with at least nine lives. Anyhow, her health tanked just before I left for Haiti and I was thinking about her so much this morning. My sister called Ginny for me and found that Priscilla is hanging in there, now with Hospice, but enjoying reading and such. I hope, Ginny, that you will be able to read this to her and tell her I'll come with my cello Tuesday morning the 6th of July to play music for her, ok? I think one of the hardest things for me about doing international work is being so far from the people I love.
Just one more thought about my water situation. Kitty-cornered from where I'm staying and directly across the street from that hotel I mentioned is one of the camps set up after the earthquake. It's in what they tell me was a beautiful park, probably like Washington Park in Denver. Now, it's wall to wall tents, tarps, little coal cookers, people vending trinkets, candies, some fruits, vegetables. Any little thing to try to make some money. How would I even dare to whimper about my water challenges? At least the roof is over my head, the fan is blowing cool air, I have screens in my windows, a clean tiled floor and a comfy bed. Oh, and coffee in the morning. I saw a guy sitting on the curb today, wiping his bare foot, looking at what I suppose was a wound...another guy was sound asleep on a long step. A bilateral amputee in a wheelchair at an intersection, I suppose trying to get money from passers-by. Oh, me.
Tomorrow, I have half a day off and may do a little fun shopping with the flute teacher who speaks great English. The other half of the day I'm going to edit an application to begin rebuilding the Holy Trinity church and the school. Bernadette is drafting it and I can polish her English. That will be great – makes me feel useful.
Bernadette and I shared some of the Malbec finally this evening. She told me that a week after the earthquake they went out and played in the camps. First half was quiet, solemn music and in second half they played fun, lively ones – even Michael Jackson! She said it was the first time that people smiled and danced. And she talked about working with the students, that she helps them feel the music, the joy, the fun, the fullness of it. She said “We need music to help heal Haiti.” I think I've found someone who cries as much as I do.
OK, my hope is that someone will be laughing by the time they finish reading this. When I got home Tuesday, I did my little dinner and went to the hotel next door to try to get on the internet. After over an hour, no luck. Started to leave, tried to ask the guard to watch me walk “home” (about 50 yards max) and a street vender started hitting on me. I just turned around, went back inside and approached 3 people speaking English in the bar (ok, they were drinking, too.) (OK the 2 guys were cute, too.) I apologized and gave them the Cliff Notes version of why I was interrupting them – I just wanted someone to watch me until I got the door open at my place, as it's quite dark. I did have on my evening jewelry – my head lamp around my neck. One of the guys jumped up and said absolutely, no problem. You shouldn't go out there alone. He walked me back AND the guard accompanied us, too! Did I ever feel safe. Turns out this guy is here on contract from the US Government looking at building BRIDGES!! I gotta find him and talk more about getting a couple of bridges out to Petit Trou! (that wasn't the funny story, just tragic, in my lack of success in getting connnected.)
Last night, I came home to no water. Luckily I had filled a large basin when I first arrived and was able to take a modified bucket bath. Then I realized I didn't have my phone. Not tragic, but I am here in this building pretty much alone – my worrying mind goes into action – what if there's another earthquake or if I get sick or??? Then I was silly and tried the internet at the hotel again. Not only did I not get on, I ran my battery down and my computer totally went to sleep. I was afraid that I had lost it, but I'm typing on it now.
Tonight, I came home wondering if the water was back (they had to buy diesel for the generator so the water could be pumped up to the holding tanks on top of the building). No water in the faucets, but the floor was flooded. I'm still not sure what happened, but I can tell you the floor is really clean now. I swept and swept the water out the door – thank goodness there's no threshold, so it just gushed out and down the spiral staircase outside my door. It kinda reminded me of last summer when we were sucking water out of my dad's basement in KC, in preparation for selling it. Gives some perspective. Anyhow, as I finished sweeping and set the fans blowing on the floor, I heard water GUSHING out of the bathroom shower. I couldn't believe it. Even when the water had been present, it had never come out of the shower head – and it was powerful! I jumped right in and am now quite clean as I write to you all!
Today, my sister got to talk with my friend, Priscilla's daughter, Ginny. Priscilla has been a friend for 33 years. Many of you know her. She'll turn 91 the end of this month. She is the energizer bunny with at least nine lives. Anyhow, her health tanked just before I left for Haiti and I was thinking about her so much this morning. My sister called Ginny for me and found that Priscilla is hanging in there, now with Hospice, but enjoying reading and such. I hope, Ginny, that you will be able to read this to her and tell her I'll come with my cello Tuesday morning the 6th of July to play music for her, ok? I think one of the hardest things for me about doing international work is being so far from the people I love.
Just one more thought about my water situation. Kitty-cornered from where I'm staying and directly across the street from that hotel I mentioned is one of the camps set up after the earthquake. It's in what they tell me was a beautiful park, probably like Washington Park in Denver. Now, it's wall to wall tents, tarps, little coal cookers, people vending trinkets, candies, some fruits, vegetables. Any little thing to try to make some money. How would I even dare to whimper about my water challenges? At least the roof is over my head, the fan is blowing cool air, I have screens in my windows, a clean tiled floor and a comfy bed. Oh, and coffee in the morning. I saw a guy sitting on the curb today, wiping his bare foot, looking at what I suppose was a wound...another guy was sound asleep on a long step. A bilateral amputee in a wheelchair at an intersection, I suppose trying to get money from passers-by. Oh, me.
Tomorrow, I have half a day off and may do a little fun shopping with the flute teacher who speaks great English. The other half of the day I'm going to edit an application to begin rebuilding the Holy Trinity church and the school. Bernadette is drafting it and I can polish her English. That will be great – makes me feel useful.
Bernadette and I shared some of the Malbec finally this evening. She told me that a week after the earthquake they went out and played in the camps. First half was quiet, solemn music and in second half they played fun, lively ones – even Michael Jackson! She said it was the first time that people smiled and danced. And she talked about working with the students, that she helps them feel the music, the joy, the fun, the fullness of it. She said “We need music to help heal Haiti.” I think I've found someone who cries as much as I do.
St. Jacques without coffee 22 June 2010 Port au Prince
St. Jacques without coffee 22 June 2010 Port au Prince
Am sitting in the guest room at St. Jacques in Petion Ville, up on the hill above downtown Port au Prince. Looking forward to my hostess's arrival with her promise of a coffee maker. This might be a record – 9:45 and no coffee. Breakfast has been granola bars, turkey jerky and the little box of raisins from the airplane (wow, was that really over 2 weeks ago now?)
I've been in Haiti with 2 Colorado Haiti Project teams. (The blog is chpmission.blogspot.com.) I supported each team in different ways. It was such a gift to be able to go out into 2 of the surrounding communities to arrange sites for the women's health clinics. Pat Laudisio, many times in Haiti and the leader of the Mental Health/Trauma team, drove over unbelievably rutted and rugged roads up into a community we had planned to hold clinic for 2 days. A couple of the Women Volunteers from those communities as well as Patrick Desir, a local school teacher and interpreter went with us. I loved being out in the beauty of the Haitian mountains. Especially because I am told there are no poisonous snakes here...
For the women's health team, I managed budget details in Petit Trou and fielded a lot constant bombardment of logistical issues. I am here to tell you that I am not sorry to be done with those responsibilities! I also took blood pressures and did most of the initial intake interviews with the patients. My thumb is recovering from some 250 times of pumping up the BP cuff!
Yesterday afternoon, the Women's team dropped me off at Holy Trinity Church (or the remains thereof) where I was to meet Bernadette. She was a couple of hours late, so the conductor of the youth string group let me help tune cellos. This is a group that is funded by the OEA and the students just began in December. They are about middle school to high school aged and are really doing remarkably well. They rehearse in what was the courtyard of the church, under a newly constructed roof that also serves as the church on Sundays. I think that they just resumed playing in March.
I got to work with 2 “advanced beginner” students, remember that I'm doing this in English and they're doing it in Creole! Both girls made headway. As I said before, I wish my sister, Jennifer, and my cello “coach”, Andras could be here instead of or with me. At least 2 of the string teachers left after the earthquake, and are looking for work – any kind of work – to bring in more income.
Bernadette drew up a schedule that keeps me occupied most every day. I am hoping that the language barrier becomes less of an issue as the kids and I become acquainted with each other. And I hope that I actually get to play some chamber music and not just teach every day! Sorry if I've mentioned this already, but there is a Philharmonic concert on July 4th and Bernadette has asked me to play in it! They have a rehearsal on Saturday and I'm looking forward to finding out what is on the program...oh, and PRACTICING, too!
My guest room is on the third floor of this church compound. It's spacious and airy, plus I have 2 fans and a small refrigerator, gas burners and “kitchen” sink. It's a little odd, after being with so many people 24/7 to now be alone. The cacophony from the streets only kept me awake for about 45 seconds last night. And I was able to sleep in til 5:30! Bernadette wants me to coach her first thing this morning (but she's already 45 min. late!) and then will take me to a market to buy some little groceries (maybe some beer, too, but we'll see about that!) Then we'll be off to Holy Trinity to get to work.
Evening addendum: Got a triple espresso in a plastic to-go cup from a ritzy hotel that turns out to be just across the street from me. That's where I'm sitting as I write my evening piece. Got to help with a beginning primary string orchestra, and coached 3 cello students (coached one 2 times!) I got to play with them, too, a real treat. Miraculously, I got my sister on the phone on my way to teach and she gave me a couple of hints that really came in handy: watch the left hand/arm position and the bow arm. And play with them. That's what I did. The kids are so danged polite, it would be hard to know if they were annoyed.
The music school is being held in the courtyard of what had been the Holy Trinity Church...rubble is still all around as the children play music. I helped with a primary school beginner string orchestra. Helped the cellists with their hand positions. Coached 4 or 5 students of varying abilities...and they adapt and change, EVEN with the language barrier coupled with my marginal abilities, they are improving. I almost cried with one student's improvement. But I have managed to hold back. Haitians don't show a lot of emotion and it would be disturbing to them if I cried. I just put on my sunglasses.
On the way home, I got my driver to stop at a really awesome market to buy a corkscrew (I forgot my Swiss Army knife.) This morning I had bought a bottle of Chilean Malbec - Bernadette said she likes wine, so I chose that over beer. NO LUCK finding a corkscrew. BUT, they had cold Prestige (the Haitian beer) club soda so I was really happy! I got a beer for my driver, too – AFTER he gets home! He's really great and somehow manages to keep his cool through the hellacious traffic. Dinner was tuna, dijon mustard and sliced beets...capped with a few fig newtons. Wow, it's nice to have something that's not drenched in fat. AND tomorrow I get to make oatmeal – with bananas! (oh, and did I mention anything about my coffee...tomorrow I will be able to make my own!)
I'm doing OK, but pretty danged tired...driving through the streets, seeing what people are doing day to day...it is so danged hard to live here. Guys digging through rubble piles, pulling out metal to sell or use – a little hack saw used to cut pieces apart. A woman carrying a live turkey, holding onto the feet. Children bouyantly flooding out of school and on their way home...A man, walking his daughter to school because he has no work. The streets are still filled with rubble, really bad smells and pollution, trash, noise, air pollution...at least I'm seeing latrines along side of some of the camps.
Gotta stop and go for the horizontal mode. g'night!
Am sitting in the guest room at St. Jacques in Petion Ville, up on the hill above downtown Port au Prince. Looking forward to my hostess's arrival with her promise of a coffee maker. This might be a record – 9:45 and no coffee. Breakfast has been granola bars, turkey jerky and the little box of raisins from the airplane (wow, was that really over 2 weeks ago now?)
I've been in Haiti with 2 Colorado Haiti Project teams. (The blog is chpmission.blogspot.com.) I supported each team in different ways. It was such a gift to be able to go out into 2 of the surrounding communities to arrange sites for the women's health clinics. Pat Laudisio, many times in Haiti and the leader of the Mental Health/Trauma team, drove over unbelievably rutted and rugged roads up into a community we had planned to hold clinic for 2 days. A couple of the Women Volunteers from those communities as well as Patrick Desir, a local school teacher and interpreter went with us. I loved being out in the beauty of the Haitian mountains. Especially because I am told there are no poisonous snakes here...
For the women's health team, I managed budget details in Petit Trou and fielded a lot constant bombardment of logistical issues. I am here to tell you that I am not sorry to be done with those responsibilities! I also took blood pressures and did most of the initial intake interviews with the patients. My thumb is recovering from some 250 times of pumping up the BP cuff!
Yesterday afternoon, the Women's team dropped me off at Holy Trinity Church (or the remains thereof) where I was to meet Bernadette. She was a couple of hours late, so the conductor of the youth string group let me help tune cellos. This is a group that is funded by the OEA and the students just began in December. They are about middle school to high school aged and are really doing remarkably well. They rehearse in what was the courtyard of the church, under a newly constructed roof that also serves as the church on Sundays. I think that they just resumed playing in March.
I got to work with 2 “advanced beginner” students, remember that I'm doing this in English and they're doing it in Creole! Both girls made headway. As I said before, I wish my sister, Jennifer, and my cello “coach”, Andras could be here instead of or with me. At least 2 of the string teachers left after the earthquake, and are looking for work – any kind of work – to bring in more income.
Bernadette drew up a schedule that keeps me occupied most every day. I am hoping that the language barrier becomes less of an issue as the kids and I become acquainted with each other. And I hope that I actually get to play some chamber music and not just teach every day! Sorry if I've mentioned this already, but there is a Philharmonic concert on July 4th and Bernadette has asked me to play in it! They have a rehearsal on Saturday and I'm looking forward to finding out what is on the program...oh, and PRACTICING, too!
My guest room is on the third floor of this church compound. It's spacious and airy, plus I have 2 fans and a small refrigerator, gas burners and “kitchen” sink. It's a little odd, after being with so many people 24/7 to now be alone. The cacophony from the streets only kept me awake for about 45 seconds last night. And I was able to sleep in til 5:30! Bernadette wants me to coach her first thing this morning (but she's already 45 min. late!) and then will take me to a market to buy some little groceries (maybe some beer, too, but we'll see about that!) Then we'll be off to Holy Trinity to get to work.
Evening addendum: Got a triple espresso in a plastic to-go cup from a ritzy hotel that turns out to be just across the street from me. That's where I'm sitting as I write my evening piece. Got to help with a beginning primary string orchestra, and coached 3 cello students (coached one 2 times!) I got to play with them, too, a real treat. Miraculously, I got my sister on the phone on my way to teach and she gave me a couple of hints that really came in handy: watch the left hand/arm position and the bow arm. And play with them. That's what I did. The kids are so danged polite, it would be hard to know if they were annoyed.
The music school is being held in the courtyard of what had been the Holy Trinity Church...rubble is still all around as the children play music. I helped with a primary school beginner string orchestra. Helped the cellists with their hand positions. Coached 4 or 5 students of varying abilities...and they adapt and change, EVEN with the language barrier coupled with my marginal abilities, they are improving. I almost cried with one student's improvement. But I have managed to hold back. Haitians don't show a lot of emotion and it would be disturbing to them if I cried. I just put on my sunglasses.
On the way home, I got my driver to stop at a really awesome market to buy a corkscrew (I forgot my Swiss Army knife.) This morning I had bought a bottle of Chilean Malbec - Bernadette said she likes wine, so I chose that over beer. NO LUCK finding a corkscrew. BUT, they had cold Prestige (the Haitian beer) club soda so I was really happy! I got a beer for my driver, too – AFTER he gets home! He's really great and somehow manages to keep his cool through the hellacious traffic. Dinner was tuna, dijon mustard and sliced beets...capped with a few fig newtons. Wow, it's nice to have something that's not drenched in fat. AND tomorrow I get to make oatmeal – with bananas! (oh, and did I mention anything about my coffee...tomorrow I will be able to make my own!)
I'm doing OK, but pretty danged tired...driving through the streets, seeing what people are doing day to day...it is so danged hard to live here. Guys digging through rubble piles, pulling out metal to sell or use – a little hack saw used to cut pieces apart. A woman carrying a live turkey, holding onto the feet. Children bouyantly flooding out of school and on their way home...A man, walking his daughter to school because he has no work. The streets are still filled with rubble, really bad smells and pollution, trash, noise, air pollution...at least I'm seeing latrines along side of some of the camps.
Gotta stop and go for the horizontal mode. g'night!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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