New Life!

The newborn outfits are handmade - often by the mother, a family member, or a friend. These are some of the babies born the last 2 weeks.

Of such is the kingdom of God!

Happy New Year!

Mary Ann

Cholera dominates activities this Christmas season

As fast as supplies were received, they were distributed! Here the nurse supervisors begin loading hundreds of buckets and lids into the vehicles outside. It is Christmas eve day, but these men are working- getting the desperately needed supplies to fight cholera into the mountains.

Later that morning our last shipment from UNICEF arrived and included the 126 cases of bar soap, among other supplies. Much of this will go out on Monday. It might normally be the staff's vacation time, but, for this year, many are working to bring help to the people in need. As someone said, "people are still dying, even if it is Christmas!"

Today, the 26th, there is a big meeting here in Jeremie, bringing all parties working on cholera prevention and treatment together to work on continuing logistics and solutions. The meeting is being headed by the World Health Organization and yesterday we met the two men who will head it. They wanted to be sure that HHF was included because we have the best knowledge of what is happening in the hundreds of mountain villages. Casimir Alfred, the man in the white and red shirt, in the picture above, will represent us at the meeting. Hopefully, continued and increased cooperation will result - and everyone will have a better picture of the extent of the problem, including the number of people treated and the number who have died.

The next step in the presidential elections has not yet been announced, so there is a reduction in political protests at the moment. This helped reduce the unrest over Christmas. They haven't announced when the announcements will be made, so we wait!

Early afternoon on the 24th, I had a small party for the 23 women who are presently at the Center and were unable to be home for Christmas. We read the gospel of Luke, telling of the story of Christ's birth, and sang Christmas songs. Then each woman got a small gift of usable items like laundry soap and bar soap as well as a few cookies and something to drink. What it lacked in material things it more than made up for in spirit. The "thank yous" were loud and profuse! I know I had fun!

Our Christmas eve services, which began with an enactment of several bible stories, including the first Christmas, was touching and beautiful. In spite of music blaring from the bar across the street, the Church was permeated with a spirit of prayer and thankfulness. As the pastor said in the homily - in spite of the many afflictions being endured by the people of Haiti, we still thank God for loving us and sending us Jesus to heal us.

Sister Maryann and Marty - the only other Americans who didn't go to the U.S. for Christmas - and I shared a wonderful Christmas dinner. Our guest was a 19 year old German girl who is working in Jeremie for 6 months. With Christmas music for a background, we enjoyed not only the food, but also each others company.

I hope your Christmas was blessed! Merry Christmas. Mary Ann

Video Link

Here is a link to a video that a visitor shot the day we put up the Center of Hope Christmas tree.
Mary Ann

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEi9DMDTVOI

Santa Came!

Today, Santa came aboard 2 airplanes and one huge truck. I didn't actually see him, but I did see - and help unpack - all the things he brought us. Today we got much, much MUCH needed supplies to help us prevent and fight cholera.

WHAT supplies, you ask? Well - hundreds and hundreds of buckets with covers (to carry and store water), hundreds of jugs of chlorox (to add to drinking and cooking water and to use as disinfectant), thousands and thousands of packets of oral rehydration serum (for when one shows the first signs of cholera), hundreds of bags of IV fluids (for those hospitalized with severe diarrhea and vomiting), boxes of doxycycline (to be taken at the very first signs of cholera), 15000 aquatabs (for purifying water), boxes and boxes of soap, boxes of megaphones (for the health agents in the mountains, to spread the message on how to prevent and treat cholera). "Santa" was helped by two agencies - UNICEF and AmeriCares - to whom we are sooooooooooooo grateful! And we were told that one more huge truck is on the way and will arrive later today or tomorrow. As soon as we can, all of this will be sent into the mountains to be picked up at rendevous points by all the health agents. For Haiti, at this time in its history, we couldn't ask for better Christmas presents!

This afternoon, at 4, we are having a Christmas party for the children of our chapel parishoners and the many children from Fr. Gary's orphanage. There will be much laughter and fun. So, I am signing off to begin my walk to HHF and celebrate. Bye for now, and God bless.
Mary Ann

Happenings

Two very different pictures, but a small picture of the life here at the Center.

In the second picture, the women pose in front of the tree we have just finished "redecorating." We had two topless trees, now we have one with a make-shift top. You can almost see it behind the women. But we made paper stockings, each with an individual name, decorated them, and hung them on the tree. I told them there won't be a gift on Christmas morn if the Christ child doesn't find a name! We also festooned it with a paper chain garland they had made. And I had enough photo paper to take a picture of each by the tree. That was a HUGE gift for them!

This morning I went "shopping" for a gift for each for Christmas. From the supplies we had received on the container I found a 1 oz tube of lotion for each as well as a bar of soap and washcloth, and a necklace. Then I went and bought a case of laundry soap - long thin bars of lye soap and will put one with each gift. Lastly, I purchased a case of soda (or "pop" as we call it in the midwest) that we will enjoy Christmas afternoon. I guess by American standards it won't be much - but here the gifts will be greatly appreciated.

Now - for the other picture. Late Monday afternoon a call came from a health agent who lives about a 2 hours walk and another hour driving from Jeremie. He was sending a women who was hemorrhaging post partum. She had delivered about 9:30 that morning and was still bleeding quite heavily. Members of her family and of the village were carrying her on a stretcher down the mountain paths - which were very slippery from the rain - to a rendevous point at a village about an hour's drive from Jeremie. We left immediately and when we got there, found out that they had arrived shortly before we did.

Since our ambulance was under repair (a problem we encounter a lot these days as it is 8 years old!), we had another vehicle which didn't have some of the "niceties" - such as an ambulance stretcher. So we made a place for the woman to lay on the floor and the nurse started examining her. She was still hemorrhaging. Right on the floor of the vehicle the nurse did a manual removal of parts of the placenta that were still in the uterus - the cause of the excessive bleeding. We got an IV going and gave all the necessary medications to contract the uterus, stop the bleeding, and prevent infection. After about an hour's work the woman was responding well and the excessive bleeding had stopped. Since this problem was now resolved, we even considered having the men carry her back home where she could rest for a few days and get all the nourishment she needed.

However, a recheck of her blood pressure as well as a thorough history of her pregnancy told us she probably had preeclampsia and was now suffering from post-partal eclampsia. She needed to be taken to the hospital to get her blood pressure under control. So, with two members of her family coming along, the nurse in the back to monitor the patient, and myself in the front seat holding the hours old infant, we made the one hour trip back to Jeremie and safely delivered the woman to the hospital where a Cuban obstetrician is working over the holidays. I also found out that this was the woman's 14th child! She had 3 die, but now has 4 daughters (the baby was a girl), and 7 sons.

Starting about five-six years ago, health agents, mother's clubs, father's clubs, traditional midwives, and civic leaders in villages under the health care of the Haitian Health Foundation, were trained on what to do in just such an emergency. Each health agent was given a stretcher like the one in the picture. As was the case Monday night, this woman would not be alive today if this training had not occurred. Everyone from the traditional midwife, to the woman's family, to neighbors who helped carry the stretcher, and, of course, the health agent, did what they were trained to do and contributed to the saving of this woman's life. And the availability of the ambulance 24/7 helps make the picture complete.

The cholera epidemic continues. They have now added tents on TOP of the hospital buildings to house the many patients. Hundreds have died - but they have nowhere to bury them. People from surrounding areas continue to resist (in mobs with machetes) the workers who need to dig the mass graves. I am not sure how this will be resolved since the last thing needed are men with guns to keep the scared people under control. Say a special prayer that this gets resolved quickly.If only a crematorium existed in this part of the country!

Well, enough for today. I hope your preparations for the holidays are not so frantic that you fail to have time to ponder the true meaning of Christmas. May you and yours be blessed. Mary Ann

Decorating time!

Mackendsy poses in front of the Christmas tree he put together. So what if the top 1/3 is missing! So what if we don't have a hearth on which to put our one stocking! And why not have a modern barn next to the stable! Everyone thought it was "belle" (pretty!) And since this picture we have added a string of lights.

Plus, I cut construction paper and the women at the Center created chains of circles. Last night we hung some of them down the hall and this weekend we will hang the rest. I let them choose the colors and the sites for hanging with me climbing up and down on a stool to tape them in place. (A picture of the hanging decorations will follow later!) It is the enjoyment and the spirit with which we do it that makes the holidays, isn't it? And if that is the case - ours will be a great holiday!

I hope each of you will have as much fun and enjoyment in your holiday preparations.

Rejoice, the birth of the Christ is near! Till next time, God bless. Mary Ann

Anpil lapli!

"Anpil lapli" - that is what everyone is saying these days. Translated, "Much Rain!". It has rained daily for the last 5 days - and not just for an hour, but on and off, sometimes very heavy, throughout the day. With the temperature at about 72 degrees and very wet and humid, it is very cold for the people inside cement homes and, of course, more so for those whose homes are made of tin, or cardboard.

Days are filled with a whole lot of very different things. For instance, today I was involved in: problems of some of the women at the Center - one had to be taken to our dentist; one had to be treated by our nurse midwife for heavy bleeding due to retained placenta pieces; two returned from the hospital with their newborns - so I put together the small gift they receive (soap, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, cloth diaper, knitted hat for the baby, and a piece of clothing for the baby) and took their pictures. As long as I have 4x6 photo paper, each mother receives a picture of her with the baby.

Then there was the discussion about what to do since body bags still haven't arrived to be given to the health agents who come for their monthly rendezvous in the next 2 days.

More packets had to be made of the ingredients for "serum cholera".

Speaking of cholera, the Cholera Center has been overflowing with patients. Actual numbers are hard to get since not all patients go to the Cholera Center and patients die in their homes. I did hear that 45 people who died at the CC were buried in a mass grave on Saturday. I do know that a number of patients have been treated by our health agents in the mountains and they, too, have informed us of deaths.

But, back to today. I spent time sorting and organizing supplies for the public health program so packs could be made for the 80+ health agents coming.

Then when I returned to the Center at 4:30 the Women had finished making paper chains - out of red, white, yellow, and blue construction paper I had cut for them and we all had great fun putting them up in the halls at the Center in preparation for Christmas.

And how was YOUR day? Take care. Please pray for everyone here that the cholera epidemic loses its virulence, that the demonstrations against the government become less violent, that the rains subside, and that the love of the Christ Child grows in each of our hearts. Till next time, Peace. Mary Ann

The election results

Last night the results of the elections were announced. The top 2 candidates will have a run-off election. Only one of the people who were thought to be the top 2 was named. In place of the other, a candidate supported by the present government was named. Today there are demonstrations throughout Haiti. Fires are being set in the streets and, in one town, government buildings were destroyed. Schools are closed as are many shops. American airlines is not flying into the country today and tomorrow.

One crowd marched past the Center with banners supporting the candidate who did not get named. Numerous small tire fires are burning on roads in town, including the ones leading to the Center and the Clinic. So far, the demonstrations have not been violent here in Jeremie. Sr. Maryann has pulled HHF cars off the road for the rest of the day. So - this seemed like a good time to "stay inside" and catch up on the blog.

Cholera -- it is spreading like a wild-fire. Many of the villages that are a part of the HHF health system now have victims. Supplies are constantly being gotten together to distribute to these mountain areas. At both the clinic and the Center, staff that can put off their regular duties for a time are preparing packets of salt and sugar (1 tsp and 8 tsp respectively) for adding to a liter of clean boiled water for rehydration. We have also made small bottles of chlorox with an added dropper so that 5 drops can be added to one gallon of water for drinking, cleaning vegetables, dishes, etc.

Thus far, one employee here at the Center has gotten sick, but she is doing better.

The organization responsible for the Cholera Treatment Center is overwhelmed, with not enough tents, beds, IV's, personnel, but is making every effort to get on top of the situation. And we continue to educate on what and how much rehydration fluid is needed to prevent the person from getting so sick that he/she must go to the treatment center. As with many illnesses, the very young and the very old are the most vulnerable.

Though numbers of patients are down a little, pregnant woman and breastfeeding mothers with babies continue to come for their appointments on a daily basis. Life goes on. You still see smiles, but you also see more worry lines on peoples' faces. The people of Haiti, especially the poor, have had to bear so much hardship! So do remember them in your prayers - especially those times you feel you are overwhelmed.

Take care. Till next time. Peace Mary Ann

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Ugly: This is the foot of a 24 year old boy who had been in days and days of rain, got a fungal infection, and went untreated for 2 months. The other foot was worse. The nurse had already scrubbed for 1/2 hour to remove some of the hardened skin. His parents brought him on a donkey to our mountain post. He couldn't walk. So we cleaned and soaked and cleaned some more. We then gave him medication and bandages and told them to come to our clinic if he didn't improve. They left, the boy astride the donkey, grateful for our help. During the cleaning, which was painful for him, he was also embarrassed because he said, "I have never had a woman clean my feet. And certainly not a white woman!"

The Bad
Cholera cases are increasing every day. Large tents are being erected outside the hospital for all the cases. They went from 8 to 38 to 78 in 2 days! They can't put up the tents fast enough and they are now running out of room. The area is roped off with high walls of plastic and bobbed-wire and family members are not allowed inside. Every day we hear of people we know affected. So far, all staff have been safe. Every day we continue to EDUCATE, educate, educate on how to prevent the spread of this dreaded killer.

With the cholera is FEAR - and a fear fueled by rumors of some people causing the spread by various practices. One day the fear grew into a mob in one part of Jeremie and 2 men, who came from an area with much cholera, and were said to be "spreading it", were attacked, set on fire, and killed. In another area of Jeremie a man was killed by machete, again because the mob believed they were "spreading cholera dust from those who had died of cholera." Since that outburst, things have been quiet.

The GOOD
This year I had the most "universal" Thanksgiving dinner. There were about 18 of us from U.S., Denmark, Columbia, Uruguay, Sweden, Haiti, and other places, all speaking English and helping us celebrate an "American Thanksgiving." We thanked God together, ate together, and shared laughs together. It was a welcome respite for all of us. We had pumpkin pie (via Libby's!), mock apple pie (made with breadfruit), turkey (so what if it was the "pressed" variety!), sweet potatoes (Haitian style) and other Haitian dishes. As we ate our fill we were very conscious of those not far from the house who were not as blessed as us. But, as I said, we were all refreshed at the end of the evening and ready to face another day.

Take care. Don't forget to help those less fortunate than you - and do say a prayer for the people of Haiti. Mary Ann