Good Byes

The year is over!! I arrived in Haiti on March 3, 2010 and left on March 10, 2011. It was hard leaving - and I can't say I won't return....... The staff at the Center had a "good-bye" party for me. We had sandwiches, cake, and cola. The top picture includes some of the key people with whom I worked: starting on the left, in the back - Dr. Bourdeau, the Medical Director of HHF; Ms. Nadege, our Nurse Midwife; and Mr. Arno Joseph, the Center Director. Next to me is Ms Calais (Elsie), the nurse in charge of our HIV program and the day to day supervisor of all the pre and post natal activities. In the next picture, Sr. Maryann looks on as I "cut the cake". Other staff sit around the sides of the room. And last, but certainly not least, I am holding one of the many babies that have been born to the women staying at the Center. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I did this past year. Not that I am saying it was easy -- no, at times the additional problems from the earthquake, typhoon, cholera epidemic, and political unrest, seemed almost overwhelming -- but always there were the people themselves and their optimism and trust in God that got us over the "humps". Now I am back in East Grand Forks. I think I am going through "reverse culture shock.' Of course, a winter snow storm and 27 degree temperatures when I stepped off the plane added to it! Now, what I need is time to process it all. Already I have been asked, "Are you going back?" We will just have to see what the Lord has in mind. To all of you who have followed this year - I hope it has made you a little more aware of those less fortunate than ourselves and a little more thankful for what you have. I would love hearing from you. My e-mail address is: mlaxen@haitianhealthfoundation.org Signing off - God bless. Mary Ann Laxen

Sunset

This was a daily occurrence - each night the sunset was beautiful at the place we were staying this past week.
The natural beauty of this country never ceases to amaze me!
Take care. Mary Ann

Port Au Prince

This past week I spent 4 days in and north of Port Au Prince. In PAP we took many back roads and we saw the continued devastation from the earth quake of January 2010. The roads are often uneven from the cracks in the ground. The roads, in many places, still have rubble lying in them. In other places, especially near the "tent cities", the refuse is piled high on the side and onto the road itself. Sometimes the road is barely wide enough for one car to get through.

The "tent cities" are numerous and crowded. North of the city, people have been moved on land that looks like desert. The small plot is now their own, but it appears in the middle of nowhere. And there are no signs of water or of latrines.

The hotel where we stayed last night has only half the building usable. Extra supports hold up the ceiling at the check in area, and as one walks toward the usable rooms, you see the ruined rooms with the roof completely collapsed. Are our rooms safe? We hope so, though we had to sign a waiver that we understand the building was damaged by the earthquake and won't sue if it should collapse and we are hurt!! Ah, well, it is in the hands of the Lord! There were again 2 aftershocks this past week.

Most of the week we were at a "resort" north of PAP and on the water. It was a 4 day workshop on grant writing. Though we were kept busy all day, we did end at about 4:30 and then could spend some time sitting by the water. It was very peaceful and very different from either Jeremie or PAP. And the food was wonderful with a great variety of fruits available at all meals.

I have just been called to check a baby, so I will end for now. Take care. Till next time. Mary Ann