Memories of Haiti!!!

Karen's memories of Haiti - November 2010

Back home in cold and rainy Ottawa!

Well, we made it home safe and sound...yet another interesting Team Canada Healing Hands trip... but it shows the strength of us Canucks that's for sure - Hurricane Tomas, 2 earthquakes, Cholera and Manifestations...Fortunately for us - the worst part was probably broken ankle and a sickie girl on our last day!  Can't say the same for the thousands of Haitians who have lost their lives to Cholera...

I'm fortunate to be back home, with four walls and a roof...water that I can drink out of the tap and brush my teeth with, warm showers... I AM a lucky person... those living in Haiti are not always as lucky...my thoughts are never too far away from Haiti and a part of my heart remains there... until I can join it again...

I was startled by the quietness when I awoke this morning - I guess I've become somewhat used to the birds and roosters and dogs waking me up...the ladies preparing breakfast in the kitchen... the sound of people trying to be quiet in the next room...If I haven't said it lately I HEART HAITI!!!

I must say though, I'm very happy to see my Nestle Quick! She seems pretty happy to see me too... as she's laying on me as I type this and she slept glued to me last night!

So I think my first time as a Team Leader for TCHH was a relative success - despite all the obstacles and challenges we made it... I made it! I'm very grateful to have been given this opportunity.


I'm going to steal part of a post that Michele created on her blog...

Here are some of the most frequently heard comments on this trip:

-Just for giggles, let's wear our seat belts
-Which is worth more points, a baby or a pig?
-Hurry up and wait
-TIH ( this is Haiti)
-Hey I can get that to fit into my hockey bag

-I can fit at least 2 into my hockey bags...
-What is this in American money?
-It's haiti time
-Do you have a Haitian bellybutton?
-Make sure Todd's looking at you
-Where's the "others"
-Is everyone here, how many of us are there?
-What happens in Haiti stays in Haiti
-Shithead/Asshole
-Whatever you do, don't drink the water! Keep your mouth closed!
-What's the ASL sign for beer?
-I owe you for how many Prestige?
-I should have brought my fishing rod
-Five Haitians and a mule
-When's dinner?
-How is it possible to sweat so much and smell this bad?
-Do you think I could wear this one more time?
-Good morning sirs, I love you.
-I'm fine!
-Sleep when you're dead!
-Expect the unexpected!
-If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down
-The "anchor" or it kind of looks like a dragon
-I don't know, we'll ask Gail
-I forgot to take my Malarone
-Crocs aren't good for hiking
-Who has the bottle of rum sour
-More Pikliz and Acra please!
-a-MULE-lance
-I'll never get used to a cold shower
-I forgot to put on my Haitian perfume
-What's that smell?
-Team Canada: hurricane, earthquake, riots, broken ankle and maybe Cholera

My friend Gail is going to RAM tonight - wishing I was going!!! I'm with her in spirit!

Bon Bagay!!!

 

All my bags are packed - not ready to go...

Last morning in Haiti! I'm already feeling nostalgic! Always hard for me to leave this beautiful country and people that I've come to know and love!

Yesterday we attended a big ceremony between the ICRC and HHHI to sign a MOU committing a significant amount of money to help build our new Rehab Institute! There were a lot of big wigs here from many organizations from around the world! Media coverage too.  It was a great day for Haitians living with disabilities.  I was happy to be a part of it!

We had a Toubadou band come to the Guesthouse last night and play for us. We made some rum sours and danced the Kompa, then we went for a swim!

Manifestations have begun in Cap Haitien and now Port-au-Prince.  I think it's a combination of Political and Cholera related.  MINUSTAH is out in full force in full gear!

We are safe and plan to head to the airport as scheduled!

Sad to be leaving Haiti today...until the next time!!!!

Bon Bagay!

Five Haitians and a Mule

Ok - well that was last year at this time when I tried to make it up to Bassin Bleu... today it was 3 Haitians, 4 Canadians and a mule... As promised, Cyril got me to Bassin Bleu and back in one piece today!  It was a bit weird being where I fell a year ago...I must admit, I was a bit teary eyed...I realized today, that it was a straight drop down and not a slope that I fell down last year...I also understand why I was broken!  Cyril was great - just in case I hadn't said that before...

So we reinacted the fall, I layed on the ground where I had fallen... then when I got up - the guy who was there last year with his mule whcih became my A-MULE-ANCE was there... what are the chances that he would be there at the EXACT time we were there...I still believe that the Vodoo gods had something to do with it.

We made it to Bassin Bleu, despite my heart rate being elevated and my anxiety level being elevated.

But I must say it was worth every moment of stress, anxiety and tears.  Bassin Bleu is this amazing blue lake which is fed by waterfalls - the water was refreshing and it was a peaceful environment.

We then went to La Florita for late afternoon dinner and for a walk through The Iron Market.  Time for a nap now - then dancing Kompa later...

I heart Jacmel!!!

Bon Bagay!

I heart Jacmel!

We arrived in Jacmel around 8:30 on Tuesday night... we ended up driving through the mountains at night to get here!  Our driver was very good! I felt safe at all times!

When we got to the Cyvadier, Christophe had prepared some langouste for us which we ate in the new open air restaurant over looking the ocean! I was so happy to see all the work that had been done since I was last here.

Yesterday, we spent part of the day at Pazapa, one if not the only community based rehab programs in the country - it is also a school. All the kiddos here have disabilities.  They have purcahsed some land by Jacmel airport and our currently working under semi-permanent structures.  The ground is rocky but it is big and it was wonderful to see children playing football (soccer) at recess.

The team was very busy - I only got through half of the kids I needed to see for language assessments, but will be back to do the rest on Friday.

We came home and went for a swim in the ocean, which was probably about 28C.  It felt great!  We then went into Jacmel to support local artisans! Such beautiful things... YES I bought more art!!!!

It was an early night last night - the fatigue is kicking in!!!

Today we're off to do home visits with Pazapa... and then we will go check out a new non-profit rehabilitation program.

Off to take a shower  - hoping this will be my first warm shower since I've been in Haiti!

Bon bagay!

Start of our second week here!

Funny how it truly feels like I've been here for ever - and that's not a bad thing... it just feels that my life in Ottawa seems so far behind me and we've done so many things since we got here!

With all of the preparation for Hurricane Tomas and the alteration to the original schedule - seems like we're finally getting back on track this week!

Yesterday we went to MEH orphanage, where they had lots of great kids - they were well taken care of and seemed very happy.  A small 3 person team went, and it was really wonderful to see the team work - the help and interprofessional model of care at it's best.  Assessing a client together, talking about their needs and making recommendations.  Many things about Haiti are frustrating - but working with a team like Team Canada Healing Hands and our partners is definitely not one of those things.

We learn how to adapt, we learn how to let go of our stuff, we learn to look at things from a totally different perspective than what we are used to doing. 

Today, two more team members arrive.  We'll be dropping Jeff off at the airport as he is heading back to NB.  I must say, that although he said he wasn't here to hold my hand as a first time Team Leader, I'm happy he was here with me to walk me through all the little things that one wouldn't think of!  I'm very grateful that he was here!  Made my initiation in hard times a little easier.  Funny how Team Canada always has things happen when here... the tradition continues!

Off to Jacmel today to work at Pazapa, a community based type rehab center/school for children with disabilities.  We are on a bit of a scouting mission and  I'm looking forward to seeing what their new location is like! The director told me to pack sunscreen as we would be working in the sun.  They are in the process of re-building after having lost their facility in the earthquake!

Long day of airport pick ups and drive through the highest chain of mountains in Haiti... a scenic drive for sure.

I wonder what I will see driving through the downtown core of Port-au-Prince by the Presidential Palace, Carrefour and Leoganne - areas hit hard, both by the earthquake and the hurricane...

Off to start the day!

Bon Bagay!

Wonderful day was had

So the team went for a trip to Central Haiti yesterday - we had the priviledge of going to Sodo Falls  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saut-d'Eau  This was a truly wonderful experience.  Although, I must say that my anxiety level climbing up waterfalls on the anniversary of my fall off a cliff last year was pretty high!  But I'm glad I did it!!!

We then came home, had supper and then off to have rum sours at The Montana.  For those of you who remember, this is the hotel just up the road from our compound where we used to go for drinks and dinner.  The Hotel was completely destroyed in the earthquake, taking the lives of many people - including canadians.  The conference center and patio/pool are still there and were just re-opened. 

It was difficult to be there without the magesty of the hotel in the background.  Tears were shed by many of us who'd been to this place pre-earthquake. 

I spoke to the owner of The Montana - again, hearing her story, as the many other stories that we hear in Haiti - she is lucky to be alive and "by the Grace of God" it was fate that made it so that she wasn't sitting in her office - as she normally would have been at that time... the plumber who was supposed to be there at 9am that day, had to re-schedule twice that day and finally arrived minutes before the earthquake.  She said that many of her long time staff who had become family had died in the earthquake.... she also said that she couldn't dwell on all of the sadness - all she could do was try to move forward.   I thanked her for her courage and her  braveness.  I thanked her for re-opening the patio and told her how much this place meant to us.  She in return thanked us for being such wonderful patrons of the hotel - and knew exactly who we were.  She thanked us for all the work we do in Haiti...

Did I mention tears were shed?

After that heart wrenching visit - we went to Karamel - a dance bar to dance! SO much fun!!!

I HEART Haiti!!!!

(I'm very sleep deprived)

Bon Bagay!

Tail end of Tomas came through last night

The tail end of Tomas came through fast and furious last night.  The rain seemed to fall harder than it had in the previous day.  Had to get up at 3 am and put some buckets to catch the drips coming in through the roof... can only imagine, actually can't even imagine what those living in tents had to go through last night!

It's amazing to me the rath with which that rain falls here...

We are all safe here and I feel fortunate that we have the safety of this compound to live in.

We are hoping that the roads are passable this morning as we plan on going to Sodo falls - a water fall with healing properties.

Let's hope we can get there - I think another day cooped up inside the Guesthouse would be a little too much - but if we must, we must.

The Rain is coming down hard now...

The rains started to come down hard this morning around 3:30 - about an hour after we went to bed... yes... in Haiti we work hard and we play hard.

Having a tin roof on the Guesthouse amplifies the sound of the rain...

I sit here this morning worried about those poor Haitians living in those now very run down tent cities.  They will not be able to escape these rains and the floods and mudslides that will ensue.  Digicel - one of the Haitian cell phone companies sent a mass text message out last night telling people to head for higher grounds and in more "secure" areas with their families...

I can't even begin to imagine!

The plan is for us to stay at the Guesthouse today and try to do some organizing and fixing of donated equipment!

Hoping for the "hurricane" to pass quickly!!!

The Rain has Started

So the rain has started in Haiti... so far it's not too bad. Although it was interesting to see the amount of people at the Giant Market tonight.  We were there to stock up on ice and supplies to make rum sours to help us get through the long weekend of rain! 

But seriously we stopped off and did some shopping for Haitian Coffee, Vanilla, Ketchup and other Haitian delish food items!

We had a great day at Wings of Hope today, worked on getting some chairs a little more functional for the kids! Lazar who is a young 14-ish year old boy was the boss man... he would tell us who the chairs belonged to and what needed to be fixed on them!

I got to help out Jean Bastile with his class that he teaches to high functioning athetoid CP kiddos.  We did some speech therapy and also gave him some ideas to help with language acquisition. He did a great job!

Took a few pics - will try to upload if I think of it!

The plan so far is stll to put the sparklie shoes on and head out to the Oloffson for a night of dancing!  Must must must take a nap before going out!!!

So happy to be here!!!

Bon bagay!

Good first day!

After breaking in the sparklie dance shoes last night, we awoke early this morning, enjoyed fresh fruit and yummy Haitian coffee for breakfast.

We headed up to Wings of Hope and worked with the children fixing wheelchairs, doing some therapy and education with the staff.  We were there for 6 hours and flew by.  I did a Feed the Feeder workshop with the staff and I think the staff were shocked and uncomfortable by being fed by their peers.

We finished off our afternoon by shopping at Kay Atizan and Menou... I did my little part for promoting Haitian economy!!! Bought some GREAT pieces - not sure I'll be able to give any of these pieces up either!!! NEED an art gallery!

Once we came home I was VERY happy that I got to have Pikliz, Acras and Banan peze... I was a happy camper that's for sure... dinner was followed by a swim in the pool which really hit the spot!

Tomorrow - we do it all over again... hopefully we'll be able to take the sparklie dancing shoes out and do some more dancing at the Oloffson and RAM... Looks like the storm is going to be wind and rain - not enough to stop Team Canada!

We have arrived in Haiti!

Well, after many long hours of being awake - we have arrived in Haiti without any problems.
It's still about 30C  out at 9pm.  Have enjoyed a few Prestige and already went shopping at Port-au-Prince's new Giant Market! Quite impressive - you can get anything that you would by back home!

We stocked up on food - just in case we're stuck inside the Guesthouse for a couple of days while we wait out the storm so we'll be ok.  And of course we purchased all the fixens to make some rum sours.

Despite operating on 2 hours of sleep - we are going out to experience Haitian nightlife - Zenglen is playing here for Gede's Birthday so ... guess we'll sleep when we're dead!

So very happy to be here!!!! It was so good to see all of my friends again and I have a great team with me!

Stay tuned!!!  Bon Bagay!

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

What a long long crazy day!!!

All of my bags are packed and I'm ready to go!  We should be arriving in Port-au-Prince tomorrow at 1345. 

We've lost a few team members on this trip because of the wheelchairs being held hostage at the airport and because of the anticipated floods in Les Cayes/Ile-à-Vache.

A small team will arrive tomorrow, 2 more people are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday then 2 more will arrive next Tuesday.

The well thought out and planned schedule has been thrown out the window and we are going with the flow.  I have some thoughts and plans, but nothing is cast in stone.

As Loyal said - the motto for this trip is "expect the unexpected".

Looking forward to being in 35C weather and seeing my friends again!

Bon bagay!

Heading to Haiti tomorrow - as planned!

What a crazy 3 days this has been!!! So after a great deal of thinking and discussion and becoming more familiar with hurricane lingo than I've ever wanted to be... we've decided to leave for Haiti tomorrow morning as planned.

Our schedule while in Haiti is totally changed and many last minute decisions will be made - but we will have some work to do before the rain hits on Friday/Saturday!  Haiti is excpecting about 8 cms of rain on Saturday - so there will be some weather and flooding to deal with.  But I'm hoping that this will be as little as possible, both for my team and for Haitians.

The guesthouse is ready for us and I'm very much looking forward to being in Haiti and seeing all of those I've come to hold dear to my heart!

Stay tuned...

Bon Bagay!

Maybe still on....

May still be going to Haiti tomorrow - decision will be made in the next hour!

Bon Bagay!