PT/OT school launches in Haiti

The Episcopal University of Haiti plans to open a 4 year program for physical therapy and occupational therapy very soon. This work is the culmination of years of planning between Janet O'Flynn, an OT from the US and partners in Haiti including the Episcopal Church. Since the earthquake of 2010, more handicapped persons are struggling to live with missing limbs or other crippling injuries. The need for Haitian trained therapists is obvious. A key sponsor of the school's development is a Nobel prize winning economist. Check out the video!

Happy Easter from Haiti- Rev Kesner Ajax' message

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

I do not want to let this opportunity pass without wishing you and all of our partners and friends a most happy Easter.

During the last few months a number of huge events took place.

Dieumene needs surgery

We have received news from Dr Georges Beauvoir, the orthopedic surgeon who is now on staff at St Vincent's School. Dieumene had surgery on her spine, for scoliosis, when she was about 8 years old. Recently she has developed pain in her upper back and some difficulty breathing at times. According to Dr Beauvoir, the Harrington rod in her spine has separated from the vertebral column and needs to be repaired. He does not think she can get this type of surgery in Haiti.

Please start praying for a way to help Dieumene find someone to do this surgery for her in the United States, or possibly Canada.
Everyone who has visited St Vincent's knows Dieumene Cloristin, she is a vibrant personality and has big plans for her future. I hope somehow our Haiti partnership network can help her. If you have any ideas or connections to recommend, please post a comment on the blog for me to review.

Susan Nelson

Making Nutrition a Sustainable Business in Haiti - NYTimes.com

Paste this address into your browser to read about Abbott pharmaceuticals sponsoring local Haitian workers to sort peanuts and help in manufacturing of Medika Mamba, a nutritious peanut based food supplement that can save lives of severely malnourished children.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/giving/making-nutrition-a-sustainable-business-in-haiti.html

Partnership program- letter from Pere Kesner Ajax

From: Kesner AJAX [mailto:kesnerajax@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 5:31 PM

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings from Haiti from the Partnership Program of the Diocese of Haiti!

I want to begin by thanking all of you for the contributions of time and treasure that you have made to our partner churches, schools, clinics, sanitation programs, reforestation programs, feeding programs, microcredit organizations, and all of our other ministries.

School in Haiti has begun, despite financial difficulties in most districts. School was scheduled to begin in September but was pushed back until October in many places for those financial reasons. It's heartening to see the children en route to school in the mornings now.

We hope that our children will have a happy and blessed year, and thanks to you, we think that will be possible.

I am still using the Agape Flights account address listed below to receive mail, gifts and support for your Haitian partners.

I would like to especially thank Roger Bowen, who does so much from the United States to connect your schools with our schools. I would also like to thank Angela Galbreath for her continued hard work in organizing your visits and experiences inPort-Au-Prince. Mr. Sikhumbuzo Vundla, the Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese of Haiti, has been an integral part of our work as well. These people, and so many others, work tirelessly to serve the people of Haiti. Thank you.

Your gifts are in large part responsible for the successful start of many of our schools. Thanks to you, we've built new classrooms, hired experienced teachers, bought school supplies, and generally equipped these schools to provide the best service possible to their students. Again, thank you for this!

We welcome you as you plan visits with your partners in Haiti. We look forward to greeting you, learning with you, and growing in faith together.

Hoping this finds you well in all the many places where you live, work, and worship.

Please continue to offer your prayers for the strength and faith of the Diocese of Haiti.

In Christ,

The Rev. Kesner Ajax

Executive Director, Bishop Tharp Institute (BTI)
Partnership program coordinator, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti
Priest in Charge, Ascension Church, Beraud.

Mailing address:
c/o Agape Flights acc# 2519
100 Airport Ave
Venice Fl. 34285

Tels. 011-509-3445-3346
011-509-3724-8376

FW: 150th Anniversary Diocese of Haiti

From: Kesner AJAX [mailto:kesnerajax@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 4:01 PM
Subject: 150th Anniversary Diocese of Haiti

Dear Partners and Friends,
I would like to personally thank you for all the support you have provided to
the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti thus far; and furthermore for you continual
support of the Diocese of Haiti.  Without committed and generous partners such
as yourselves we would not be able to touch as many lives as we currently are.
Because of such help, The Diocese will be celebrating its 150th anniversary of
successful operation.  We invite all partners and friends to celebrate with us
in any manner or location you see fitting. 

The 150th anniversary of the diocese will be celebrated in the five
archdeaconries on the following dates:
               May 8th  – Central Plateau Archdeaconry at the church St. Peter
in Mirabalais
               May 22nd – South Archdeaconry at the church St. Savior in Les
Cayes
               May 26th – West Archdeaconry at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in
Port au Prince
               June 12th – North Archdeaconry at the church Holy Spirit in Cap
Haitian
               September 11th – Leogane Region and Southeast Archdeaconry at the
church Holy Cross in Leogane
The staff of the Partnership Program, myself and Angela, along with your partner
priests will be happy to help you arrange a visit to celebrate with us.

In other Diocesan news, before January 2012 there will be a suffragan bishop
elected and consecrated to serve the needs of the growing number of
Episcopalians in Haiti.    
We are also blessed by a new addition to the diocesan staff, Mr. Sikhumbuzo
Vundla, who starting in March serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese
of Haiti.

Schools in Haiti have just completed their second trimester of the year and will
be have a break to celebrate Easter. 

To all of you who are supporting the reconstruction efforts as well as all who
have made plans to do so, I profoundly express my gratitude on behalf of the
Partnership Program and encourage your sustained efforts. The needs are
enormous.

I wish all of you a wonderful Easter holiday and know that you are in our
thoughts and prayers.
 
 The Rev. Kesner Ajax


Executive Director, Bishop Tharp Institute (BTI)
Partnership program coordinator, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti
Priest in Charge, Ascension Church, Beraud.

Mailing address:
c/o Agape Flights acc# 2519
100 Airport Ave
Venice Fl. 34285
Tels. 011-509-3445-3346
011-509-3724-8376

Sad News from St. Vincent's

Dear all,
It is with my a very sad heart I send this message to you. Cebien
Time, one of the twin pass away this morning. He was sick yesterday and
this morning he went to see Dr Ferdinand who diagnose him and his
sickness is due to a food poison. and he recomand to send him to the
Hospital. As Ronald finish to prepare him for the hospital and in
front of the gate, ready to go in the truck, Cebien pass away.
Cebien is a 25 years old. He always with his brother Alisme. As twin
they never separate from ech other. Cebien will be always in my heart.
while we were in Montrouis I had this change to discover their talent
as singer. They will miss the children and the staff.
Please remember him and his brother in your prayer.
Fr Sadoni

PS: I hope I am clear in my language

sent by Pere Leon Sadoni, priest in charge at St. VIncent's School

Sean Penn and Haiti: Love in time of cholera - Entertainment - Celebrities - TODAYshow.com

Follow this link to read about what Sean Penn is doing in Haiti:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40928936/ns/today-entertainment/from/toolbar

sent in by Sherye Fairbanks

Message from Rev Kesner Ajax

Date:December 20, 2010
Subject: Haiti
Dearest friends and partners of the Diocese of Haiti
2010 has been one of the darkest years in Haiti's history. The earthquake,
Hurricane Tomas, the cholera epidemic and political unrest have shocked the
Haitian people. Their hope for a better tomorrow has been weakened. However,
their determination to fight will allow them to overcome any obstacle presented.

On behalf of the Diocese of Haiti, and the Partnership Program I would like to
Thank you for your immeasurable support. 2010 has also been a year of great
friendship and partnership, and because of this it has been a year of promise
for Haiti.
Haiti, of course is not the only country in the world with problems. And yet,
the passion and investment you all have shown for Haiti reveals that, God has
not forgotten the people of Haiti and that he will indeed support each of us
through his trials.
On behalf of the Diocese of Haiti, and the Partnership Program, I wish a Happy
New Year to all of you – our very special friends and partners! Let this be a
fruitful New Year of peace, love, prosperity, and collaboration!
Love and Thanks during this Holy Holiday season!

Très Chers amis et partenaires du diocèse d'Haïti,
L'année 2010 aura été l'une  des plus sombres pour le pays : tremblement de
terre, cyclone, cholera et troubles politiques ont traumatisé le peuple haïtien
jusqu'à vraiment affaiblir son espoir en des lendemains meilleurs. Cependant,
son acharnement à lutter et à combattre va lui permettre de triompher de tout obstacle.

Au nom du diocèse d'Haïti, la coordination du programme de partenariat vous
remercie de votre support impossible à mesurer. L'année 2010 a été aussi une
année consacrée à l'amitié, au partenariat, donc c'était une année d'ouverture
sur Haïti.

Et pourtant, on n'est pas le seul pays dans le monde qui a des difficultés.
Cela nous montre qu' à  travers vos œuvres de bienfaisance, Dieu n'a pas oublié
le peuple haïtien et qu'il le supporte à travers ses épreuves.

The Rev. Kesner Ajax
Executive Director, Bishop Tharp Institute
Partnership program coordinator, Episcopal Diocese of Haiti

Mailing address:
c/o Agape Flights acc# 2519
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285
Tels. 011-509-3445-3346
011-509-3724-8376

Highlights and Numbers from the April 16, 2010 OCHA Situation Report

For thorough data and situation reports on the most recent situation in Haiti, refer to the OCHA and USAID reports (see previous post) OCHA and USAID stand for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Efforts and the US Agency for International Development.

Highlights from the April 16, 2010 OCHA Situation Report

• Please note that this is the last Situation Report on the 12 January Earthquake response. OCHA Haiti will now produce Humanitarian Bulletins from 22 April 2010.

• Situation Overview – Three months after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, killing over 200,000 people, humanitarian partners have reached the following milestones in the response:
• Over 3.5 million people have received food assistance
• 1.3 million people have access to potable water through the installation of water points
• Over 1 million people have received emergency shelter material
• Some 510,000 people have benefited from hygiene kits
• More than 500,000 people (adults and children), have been vaccinated against common diseases
• The main priorities for humanitarian assistance in Haiti remain: Emergency Shelter, Site Management and Sanitation.
• First lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden visited Haiti on 13 April to see first-hand the progress of relief efforts. They met with President René Préval to reiterate the support of the United States in assisting Haiti to build back better. Both ladies visited a camp for displaced people in Champs de Mars and a school which offers children a sense of normalcy during this relief and recovery phase. They recognized the effort of humanitarian actors and the global commitment to assist Haiti.
• Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) - Figures from the latest camp management mobile monitoring (Displacement Tracking Matrix or DTM) identifies 1,325 sites (excluding sub-sites) in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, Petit and Grande Goave. This makes a total displaced population of 401,688 households and 2,088,107 individuals. Of these identified sites, only 273 have Camp Management agencies registering an overall coverage rate of 21%.
• Shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI) - The cluster is on target for delivering 2 tarpaulins per family by 01 May. Cluster members have reached 96% of the known caseload (of 1.3 million instead of 1.5 million people as mentioned in earlier reports) with emergency shelter materials. However, constant rain over the past weekend has revealed that some tents are not waterproof, requiring additional plastic sheeting.
• Agriculture - WFP and FAO are planning to carry out a “Food and Crop Assessment Mission (CFSAM)” in Haiti. The primary purpose of a CFSAM is to provide an accurate picture of the extent and severity of crisis-induced food insecurity. The CFSAM also examines existing or expected food crisis in the country (or in specific areas) so that timely and appropriate actions can be taken by the Government and the international community to mitigate the impact of the crisis on affected populations. A CFSAM is a focused exercise to prepare and present clear estimates for crop production, the overall food supply situation, and the food security situation at household level.
• Food - WFP started distributing meals to school age children during the last week of February and is now using the already established school feeding network as an emergency safety net for children affected by the earthquake. WFP is currently working with the national school feeding programme (Programme National des Cantines Scolaire) and NGOs to extend coverage to children of school age progressively, incorporating schools that will re-start educational activities in April, and in some sites children who are not enrolled in school. WFP has currently reached approximately 550,000 school children nation wide and plans to reach 800,000 by the end of June.
• Nutrition –
• About 494,600 children under five and 197,840 pregnant and lactating women were affected by the earthquake. They are all considered to be at risk of malnutrition and are being targeted for blanket supplementary feeding.
• About 28 stabilization centres for in-patient management of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications are currently functioning throughout the country. While 126 out-patient therapeutic feeding centres (OTPs) for the out-patient management of severe acute malnutrition without medical complications are also functional.

• Health –
• A general study on neonatal care in various health facilities is underway. The objective is to develop a national strategy for care of newborn babies at risks of acute health threats such as malnutrition and disease. The study will take into consideration the health needs of pregnant women.
• A mapping of referral centres for pregnant women, including those in settlements is underway to identify needs and gaps.
• Maternal health facilities need qualified health professionals and appropriate equipment. Meanwhile, care for amputees and individuals with other disabilities needs to be increased. There is a lack of specialized facilities outside Port-au-Prince.
• Sites without health care coverage are still being identified. This week Isole and Terre Noir were added to the list of areas in need of health care coverage by partner agencies. Health gaps also exist in mental health, psychosocial support, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and rehabilitation.
• Protection - Reports have been received of displaced population in the Provinces making their return to Port-au-Prince. In Grand Anse, the Jeremie municipality indicates that an average of three buses leave the town everyday towards Port-au-Prince. Population interviewed explained that their return is justified by the lack of humanitarian aid, the poor quality of education in the region and for better economic opportunities. Displaced population in other Provinces express similar concerns. In Plateau Central, for example, the MINUSTAH Human Rights section identified displaced population in spontaneous settlements which have never been reached with humanitarian assistance since their arrival.
• Education –
• According to the Ministry of Education, there are 4,700 damaged or destroyed schools in the affected areas.
• The Ministry of Education has officially reopened schools in the regions most affected by the 12 January earthquake. UNICEF has supported the reopening of 40 priority schools benefiting 34,000 children; Save the Children supported a further 50 schools. A survey of 70 schools revealed that approximately 75% of children enrolled prior to the earthquake have now returned to school.
• Gaps & Constraints:  Inspection and certification of school buildings safe for re-occupation has been slow, and the Ministry of Education has stated that children should not return to unsafe structures. Therefore, there is likely to be a great need for temporary and transitional learning spaces until the certification process is completed.
• Logistics - Road Status Monitoring (RSM) has begun and is intended to inform the humanitarian community about the accessibility of all major supply routes in Haiti. The first publication of an updated RSM map is expected on 13 April.

Highlights and Statistics from USAID Earthquake Fact Sheet (April 16, 2010)

Highlights from the USAID Earthquake Fact Sheet (April 16, 2010)

Please see the USAID Earthquake Fact Sheet #50 for the full update on developments on the ground. 

• Since January 13, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has contributed more than $574 million in earthquake response funding, including nearly $373 million from USAID/OFDA (Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance), $110 million from USAID/FFP (Food For Peace), $35 million from USAID/OTI (Office of Transition Initiatives), more than $53 million from USAID/Haiti, and $3 million from USAID/DR (Dominican Republic).  In total, the United States Government (USG) has contributed more than $1 billion in earthquake response funding for Haiti to date.
• Figures from the latest Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) survey identified more than 2.1 million displaced individuals residing in more than 1,300 spontaneous settlements throughout Haiti.  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) notes that the significant increase over previous displacement estimates could result from returns to Port-au-Prince for the reopening of schools and relocation to settlements to receive assistance.  IOM has attempted to cross-check settlement population figures where possible; however, estimates retain a significant margin of error.
• According to USAID/FFP officer discussions with WFP staff, approximately 110,000 earthquake-affected individuals have sought shelter in South Department, the majority of whom reside with host families.  According to informal discussions with beneficiaries and project staff, many locations in South Department are experiencing unusually dry conditions, potentially affecting beans, maize, peanut, and other crop production.
• In Grand Anse and Nippes Departments, WFP highlighted school feeding as the top priority.  WFP is currently conducting an assessment of public schools in the two departments and plans to implement school feeding in schools with adequate water and sanitation facilities, as well as a high concentration of children displaced from earthquake-affected areas.

• USAID/OFDA bulletins appear on the USAID web site at http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/

You can contact USAID's Haiti office at RebuildHaiti@usaid.gov. When emailing, please choose one of the following seven subject lines in order for us to process your email most efficiently:

• Operations (logistics and technical)
• Feedback (eyes and ears on the ground)
• Good News (share your success stories, metrics, anecdotes)
• Strategy (ideas for improved NGO coordination)
• Innovation (ideas for rebuilding Haiti – We are especially interested in innovative and sustainable solutions to build a better Haiti.  From mobile banking to LPG stoves, USAID knows that the long-term development of Haiti will depend upon your creative ideas.)
• Medical (If you are in need of Creole-speaking health professionals, please email with “Medical” in the subject field and we will share additional information.)
• Add Me (to be added to the list)

Other Noteworthy Documents and Websites for the International Rebuild Haiti Efforts include:

• Action Plan for the Reconstruction and National Development of Haiti (Government of Haiti)
• Donor Pledges of Assistance
• Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
• International Donors' Conference Website
• UN Office of the Special Envoy for Haiti
• Add your NGO’s profile to the Online Directory of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in Haiti - http://csohaiti.org/ 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Tour Port-au-Prince

On April 13, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden toured Port-au-Prince to reinforce the United State’s commitment to help Haiti recover and rebuild and to send a message of thanks to all of the men and women that have contributed to the global relief effort.  To see pictures and read more about their trip on the White House Blog, click here and here.

(2010) Link to Haitian Government's Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Report

The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report was prepared by a joint team composed of representatives of the Government and members of the International Community, under the direction of the Government of the Republic of Haiti.

"In order to respond to a catastrophe of this scale, this assessment has been designed to go further than traditional post-disaster assessments. The objective has been to lay the foundations for a fresh start in the country’s development efforts, as well as to reconstruct the damaged areas and contribute to a longterm national strategic development plan, in order to begin rebuilding Haiti."

"The work accomplished by the teams of experts now enables us to present (i) a multi-sector review of damage and losses incurred following the earthquake on January 12, 2010 and an estimation of the impact of the earthquake on each themed sector; (ii) an action plan for the identification of needs for recovery and rebuilding the country in the very short term (6 months), short term (18 months),  medium term (3 years) and long term (10 years)."

Jean Max Bellerive
Prime Minister
Port-au-Prince
March 2010

Haiti Earthquake PDNA: Assessment of damage, losses, general and sectoral needs

This report should provide in depth information about the situation in various sectors of the relief efforts in Haiti.  Furthermore, it displays the amount of work that the International Community and the Haitian Government have accomplished thus far. Several hundred experts collaborated on collecting and analyzing the data within. The major contributors include the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations system, the European Commission
and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.  This also shows the large degree of international coordination and cooperation that has gone into assessing the damage and planning for recovery. We applaud the efforts that went into this project and hope to see aggressive, coordinated efforts continue to address the multi-layered troubles of Haiti's post-disaster situation.

Stephen Nelson 

Amanda's Tremendous Haiti Experience, pt. 3

Editor's Note: This is a continuation of Amanda's story from inside Haiti.  Amanda is a young nurse from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis.  We are presenting here messages as received, except in a few cases where typing errors were corrected for the sake of clear meaning. The messages are divided into three parts.  Although these messages are from two months, ago, I know that they communicate a lot about the situation on the ground in the aftermath of the earthquake. They also speak about the overwhelming feeling of attempting to make an impact in that place and the feeling of being changed more yourself. Please read and enjoy Amanda's letters and leave your own thoughts as comments. We will attempt to pass on any comments on these posts to Amanda in Memphis. We applaud her for her work in Haiti and are proud to present her memories here.

Stephen Nelson

Last one!

Yesterday was a busy busy day. The next team behind us arrived on Friday night so Saturday morning we oriented them to the hospital and all of the surroundings.  It seemed like I have been here for 6 months when I was teaching them about the hospital and where to find the things that they needed.  I officially won the award got most hours worked on the team.. They added it up and I worked 108 hours in 7 days exactly. WOW!! I won the "Haitian SuperNurse Award" award for the group. Ha. One thing is for sure... I am absolutely pooped. I'm going to need a knee replacement from bending down to change dressings on peoples legs for sure.

We then got to leave and drive in towards the epicenter... I cannot describe in words how the destruction was so much greater even than that that we had already seen. I thought that the other was bad. The best way that I can describe it is to imagine the twin towers collapsing and the mess from that and multiply times 200... It went on for miles and miles. Roads were blocked still, people fighting in the streets, digging for bodies in the rubble, etc. It was unimaginable!!

I honestly do not see this city rebuilding for decades to come... They should just pick up and move out to the country side and move the city on the map... The destruction is just too much.

One interesting thing that we have been seeing more and more of is post traumatic stress type situations.  Also, the government (or someone) is telling the people that there is going to be another quake on feb 12 that is even bigger than the 1st. They are so stressed out trying to pick up and move, run away, etc. They are also all hungry and thirsty and things are getting worse. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an uprising of the people against the government within the next month or so... Of course.. This is my little prediction with all of my non-news watching, naïve self. If you know me very well, you know that I know nothing about everything such as world/ current events.  The only reason that I even knew that there was an earthquake in the 1st place was almost 48 hours post quake and one of my patients in the ICU told me! I don't know much about governmental things especially..

We also have felt 3 aftershocks over the last couple of days.... Definitely something that I will never forget. Its not like they make it look on the movies at all. (But what is really???) Almost like standing on a boat and feeling the ground unsteady under your feet.

We are on the bus now and back in the DR [Dominican Republic]. We are going to dinner tonight and then flying out tomorrow. I arrive back in Memphis I think around 9ish tomorrow night.

I can't believe that I have already been here as long as I have and that it is all over... I'm definitely planning a return trip... As soon as I can save up some more PTO [Paid Time Off]... I'm on it.

Thank you all so much for all of the love, support, and most importantly prayers!! I am finding more and more that I don't know a lot of the people getting my emails. Many of you have emailed, texted or facebooked me and I apologize for not getting back in touch, but as you can see, I've been very busy.

If anyone is interested in a trip down, let me know!

Thank you all!!

Love,
Amanda

Amanda is from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis

*Hibiscus is the national flower of Haiti; 
photo used under FREE USE License from FreeFoto.com  

Amanda's Tremendous Haiti Experience, pt. 2

Editor's Note: This is a continuation of Amanda's story from inside Haiti.  Amanda is a young nurse from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis.  We are presenting here messages as received, except in a few cases where typing errors were corrected for the sake of clear meaning. The messages are divided into three parts.  Although these messages are from two months, ago, I know that they communicate a lot about the situation on the ground in the aftermath of the earthquake. They also speak about the overwhelming feeling of attempting to make an impact in that place and the feeling of being changed more yourself. Please read and enjoy Amanda's letters and leave your own thoughts as comments. We will attempt to pass on any comments on these posts to Amanda in Memphis. We applaud her for her work in Haiti and are proud to present her memories here.

Stephen Nelson

Greetings!!!

So I'm 2/3rds of the way through of my 36 hours... I'm pushing through.. I did lay down for maybe 30ish minutes on a patient care area in the emergency area... I woke up to a child being carried into the area in which I am the "doctor" for the night. WAY OUT OF MY SCOPE OF PRACTICE to say the least. Here recently, we are starting to see a lot of nausea/vomiting and mass dehydration... Combined with fever and such- we are thinking that it is virus-like but not sure. It could be something infectious starting to make its way in the door.

Last night, we delivered 3 babies so that was always fun. The babies that keep coming through the door are making it all so much more bearable. Life is so precious.

Yesterday during the day, we delivered a baby to a woman who had had both of her arms amputated... To think that just days and weeks before your child is born, you lose all ability to hold it.

We have seen I think 7 cases of tetanus- crazy!! The symptoms are definitely interesting. I'm interested to go home and read more about tetanus and see how what I have seen fits into clinical practice.

I'm feeling like today is going to be a crazy day... I'm emailing because I'm scared of falling asleep between patients but they are starting to roll into the door.

Because of the area of town that we are working in, we are seeing a lot of destruction but we are not near the epicenter. Part of your group made a wrong turn and ended at ground zero if you will. Their report was: they were driving and the streets were packed with people and cars and then all of a sudden they were the only car around at all. They entered into a point that was so dead. There wasn't even military presence at all... There were dead bodies in the street and random few and far between people searching through the rubble... Tomorrow afternoon we are going to travel in closer to the epicenter. They said that it takes what we have seen to a whole new level... And at this point in time, I can't even imagine that.

This is my plea: if you are a doctor, there are way too many of you hanging out down here, if you are a nurse, you are in desperate need!! (Hence the 36 hour shifts) if you are physical or occupational therapy, you are needed even more that the nurses. There are only 2 here at the hospital and they are working nonstop! Security guards for the hospital are needed. Also, good organizers and sorters (that is anyone!!) Are needed to sort through and inventory all of the medical supplies that we have been receiving.. Please consider coming and helping this country. Talk to me... I know where you can plug in!!

If you want to donate a helicopter to the cause or know someone who would, I know where to plug you in... Medical supplies? I have lists of things in great need at the hospital. Email me if you are interested. The list of supplies needed is updated daily as the needs of the patients are constantly changing.

I'm so sad that my time here is coming to an end, but I am really feeling the effects of the hours and strenuous work on my body...

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Amanda

To be continued.

Amanda is from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis

*Hibiscus is the national flower of Haiti;
photo used under FREE USE License from FreeFoto.com

Amanda's Tremendous Haiti Experience, pt. 1

Editor's Note: We have received a journal-like collection of emails from Amanda, who traveled to Haiti at the end of January, now more than two months ago! I can hardly believe it's been that long, and I can only imagine how that time feels to the people in Haiti.  Amanda is a young nurse from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis.  We are presenting here messages as received, in journal format, except in a few cases where typing errors were corrected for the sake of clear meaning. We will be posting the messages in three parts. Part 1 is sent with time and date stamps, either from her email client or BlackBerry. Part 2 and 3 are single, longer messages.  Although these messages are from two months, ago, I know that they communicate a lot about the situation on the ground in the aftermath of the earthquake. They also speak about the overwhelming feeling of attempting to make an impact in that place and the feeling of being changed more yourself. Please read and enjoy Amanda's letters and leave your own thoughts as comments. We will attempt to pass on any comments on these posts to Amanda in Memphis. We applaud her for her work in Haiti and are proud to present her memories here.

Stephen Nelson

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:50:50

I'm with the drivers  and we are the way to meet the rest of the people... Safe. 

Hot Hot Hot... But safe.. I went from 19 to 95 degrees in just a few hours! 

It was so crazy being on a a huge flight where every single person on it was going down to do relief work... Such a cool feeling. I still haven't slept at all... Of course you know me, I was chatting with all of the passengers on the flight and making new friends!! 

We are getting food together and packng up tonight to head over early tomorrow morning for our 14ish hour drive into Haiti. I will be in touch later. 

Love, 
Amanda

*

January 31, 2010 12:33 PM

We have just made it through the border between Dominican Republic and Haiti. Passports stamped, bus and supplies approved. Discussions of shifts and work to be done have been in place. We are still finding out about the hospital and such. They are going to be needing us for all shifts. So who knows when I will be working... I'm the youngest of the team so I'm guessing that I will probably get nights?  For now, the roads are bearable and cell phone service is available.  We are already seeing tents all over the place. A lot of people here have shelter but they are afraid to go back into their homes for fear of more aftershocks... Apparently, they are still feeling them daily. 

There are military helicopters all over the skies that appear to be bringing in supplies and such... 

More to come, 

Amanda

January 31, 2010 10:01 PM

So we made it here in supposedly record time!! As soon as we got here, they called and needed nurses for the night at the hospital.. Me and 3 other ladies left immediately going in knowing that it will be a 24-36 hour shift!! They have been working 36 on and then 12 off... So I'm here in the icu for the night. The patients are all so critical... Lots and lots of crushed bodies and limbs. All for now. More later. Its almost like I'm a doctor... We are just giving the meds that we can to control their pain and making due with what we have.. I've already had two patients die and I've been here for only a couple of hours.. Its an absolute madhouse... 

All around, there are military helicopters delivering supplies and US and UN soldiers.

There is a definite nursing shortage!!! More importantly a definite warm and willing body shortage...

The buildings are all crumpled down-- I didn't imagine the amount of devastation. I mean I planned on it in my head but just really couldn't prepare myself. There are tent cities all over this city. They almost look like concentration camps from the movies with tent after tent lines up and all running into the next.  I have not seen any violence since we have been here... The compound that we are staying at belongs to global missions and we are sharing it with some American soldiers and Sameritan's Purse! They have moved in and taken over-- its amazing the great things that you can do when you have money... Their equipment is impeccable! 

I need to go check on the patients... 

More later! 

Love, 
Amanda

February 2, 2010 1:54 AM

So I'm still at the hospital... Heading up towards hour 36 of work... I've been awake for 68 hours straight... Wow. Heading home tonight shortly for some sleep and then back tomorrow!! 

Amazing day! 

Miss yall, 

Amanda

February 2, 2010 12:01 PM

So we are now headed to the hospital again... We had a huge delay!!! But it was a nice naptime for me... I got a whole extra hour in!  Just wanted to mention a few things:  We are staying out in the country a little north of port-au-prince.  On the road on the way to the house, we pass by several mass graves. They are all covered over now, but you can sure smell it... Smells even at where we are staying. This morning they started burning bodies- 8 at a time.  I want to clarify that some may believe that this is in-humane but at this point in time it is a matter of survival and keeping others safe around.  The blunt of the devastation has passed but many are still dying and bodies are being uncovered. There are still many aftershocks... We felt one yesterday.   

There are piles of rubble all over the place...   

The people are so sweet. They are grateful.   

US military is all over, unicef, united nations, actually haven't seen a ton of red cross though.  Need to get off of the phone so that I can take pictures... Please excuse any typose... On the phone on a bumpy bus ride.   

Love,   
Amanda

February 2, 2010 5:38 PM

We drive pass the US embassy to and from the hospital. It is very nice but also very heavily protected by soldiers.  The line of Haitians packing into this place daily is unnerving.  Lots and lots of people waiting in line to get in.   

I'm trying to take lots of pictures but each time my eye is moved to another spot, it is a photo opportunity. I simply can't capture anything to relay the state of this county. I wish that my brain was a video camera.  

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

February 3, 2010 7:29 PM

Hello family and friends,

Haiti sends her love.. She is beautiful and hopeful and healing.

Today was a good day at the hospital. Lost some and gained even more! There were 7 beautiful births today at the hospital.  It is so refreshing to see new life amongst such devastation and destruction.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I delivered a baby today... The baby delivered itself while I surprisingly witnessed its entrance into the world... And yelled even louder for the only American OB/GYN in the hospital who was in surgery.

I've worked a good bit in the hospital ICU which has been exciting yet eventful. The people are sick sick sick and there is NO technology. No iv pumps, no ventilators, no monitors. I'm learning just how dumb I am...

I have been working mostly in the emergency area. We are still seeing so many injuries from the original quake.. People are just waiting to come in or it is taking them a while to get out of ground zero out to get help.  Fractures, dislocations, more fractures, infected wounds, rotting limbs, you name it.. Its coming in by the handfuls all day long. One thing for sure is that my dressing changing skills are going to be jam up when I get home... I've also gotten pretty decent at looking at my patients x-rays while waiting on the orthopods to leave surgery and come see what I've got going..  I've also developed a new IV skill of chasing extremely dehydrated veins. For those of you who know what this means, I had a pt yesterday who had a hemoglobin of 3.3 and a hct of 10.. Yes. She actually walked into the clinic... Wow! These people are so strong...

Emotional, sad moment of the day: a man brought a baby in today and handed the child to me in the ED. I honestly thought that the baby was dead.  She was the smallest little premie... Then I saw her take a breath.. I ran back to the laboring room/ nicu area with this precious child. She was a baby whose mother died in the earthquake which means that this baby was weeks old instead of simply days or hours as I had thought. After we got back, we realized that she had a heartbeat and was breathing.. Another nurse started an IV but it didn't look good. Next thing that I know, a Haitian nurse is singing Hosana Hosana Hosana in the highest... Things come to a halt in the room. We all started singing together- even some harmony going on.. Next thing I know we are singing and a man prayed over this baby. At this point, there wasn't much to do besides pray. We sang and prayed and without a dry eye in the room the baby passed away so peacefully. The baby's mother was a Christian!! They are now both together in God's house. This might be one of the most powerful moments that I've experienced.  I don't mean to be depressing, but it was a peaceful, beautiful and impactful death that I wanted to share with ya'll. 

On a different note, I got a lesson from a optomologist today and got to look at some cool eyeballs that had been injured by falling objects...

Probably my favorite thing about this entire experience is the global feel. There are medical teams at my hospital from Italy, Korea, Sweden, etc... I am always meeting new people.. However, I did realize quickly that just because they are white, doesn't mean that they speak English!! Swedish people are the trickiest of all-- (in scrubs, you can't see the fashtion differences between the cultures)  For example, I was in the pharmacy today looking for some meds that I needed and I saw the drug metoprolol (a common blood pressure medicine) I found metoprolol in probably 10 different written languages... It was amazing to see how countries all over the world had donated so much-- people with such different backgrounds are all coming together for a common cause-- maybe the coolest feeling ever. I feel so privileged and honored to be here. It is such a huge humbling and learning experience. Thank you all for your prayers and support!!!

Tomorrow morning starts the start of my next 36 hour shift... Pray!! I did it once before, but I was fresh then... I'm starting to get tired, worn out. Ill go in early tomorrow (Thursday) morning and be there through Friday night straight through... No sleep.. Its busy, hot, tiring, and stressful. But it's so much fun at the exact same time!! I'm pumped and super excited about it!!

Ok-- more updates later and I apologize about the length of this email!! Hope that all is well in Georgia and Memphis... I hear that Duke is doing well and making good friends at the doggie resort so he is well taken care of!!

Love ya'll and see you soon!!   
Amanda

To be continued.
Amanda is from the Baptist College of Nursing in Memphis 

*Hibiscus is the national flower of Haiti; 
photo used under FREE USE License from FreeFoto.com

Letter from Bill Squire After Recent Trip to Haiti

Haiti Trip Report

February 24 – March 1, 2010

I know that we are all being inundated with information about Haiti. Yet, I feel compelled to communicate to the members of the Board of Directors of CMMH (and a few others) information gleaned from my recent trip to the Diocese of Haiti. Margaret joined me on this venture and again we had to go through the Dominican Republic. I won’t bore you with the details of our trip; suffice it to say that we were successful in getting in and out of Haiti through the DR without incident (Margaret might not totally agree with that last statement!).

The children who remain under the care of Father Sadoni are being well cared for on the old seminary campus in Montrouis. We visited with them (that is where we slept for our time in Haiti) and found them in good spirits; they have a prayer meeting every night under the stars, and a service of Holy Eucharist each Sunday afternoon. They of course want to be “home,” but are doing fine. There are ten members of the staff with the children, and Father Sadoni is planning on transporting a few teachers there each day to begin some school activities. I don’t know when he will begin to do that; but I am hopeful that it can be soon.

I met with Bishop Duracin and discussed St. Vincent’s at length. The Bishop asked that I coordinate the relief effort for St. Vincent’s working toward reconstruction of the facility. He has decided that in his global plan for reconstruction of the institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti that he will appoint a person (or a group of persons) to coordinate all those persons or entities interested in or involved with a particular institution. I will be that person for St. Vincent’s. St. Vincent’s will be reconstructed on its present sites (main campus, boy’s foyer). Some institutions of the Diocese may be relocated out of Port-au-Prince, but St. Vincent’s will not be one of them. The primary reason for this is that the majority of the children who attend school at St. Vincent’s are handicapped children who live at home and commute to the present location. To move the institution out of the capitol city would preclude those children from attending school. Also, the medical clinic treats children from Port-au-Prince, and the same principle applies. So, the buildings will be reconstructed on site. Bishop Duracin plans to have a group of engineers, both Haitian and American, assist in the effort of reconstruction of the facilities of the Diocese. Engineer assessments have already begun.

The debris in front of the main campus has been cleared and there is now access to the facility. Since the earthquake, looting has occurred and at St. Vincent’s everything left behind has been lost to thieves. Not only have those things not “tied down” been taken, but things such as window air conditioners, toilets, and yes, even the kitchen sink were stolen! Also gone are four new computers, the refrigerator in the guest area, all the musical instruments (except four guitars and the bells) as well as all mattresses and beds. You get the picture!

At this time, the initial engineer assessment indicates the following. The building housing the medical clinic has been totally destroyed. The building housing the brace shop, dental office, eye clinic, the director’s office, several classrooms, and the guest area will remain (with some work to be done on it). Already put in place are braces (floor to ceiling) in the brace shop because the outside wall will have to be repaired and the braces will keep the second floor in place. The top two floors of the building housing three floors of classrooms and the guest/staff eating area with kitchen will be taken down. It is felt that the ground floor will remain (how they take the top two floors off and keep the bottom floor in tact is beyond me!); yet that is the plan at this time, knowing that an additional assessment will be made after the top two floors are destroyed. The building that has depots and offices are the ground floor and the girl’s dormitory on the second floor will have to come down. The building behind that one (surgical suite, old music room, etc.) was damaged but survived and will stay.

At the Boy’s Foyer the building fronting the street is almost totally destroyed and the rest will have to come down. The main dormitory building is considered salvageable. The plan is to build a temporary structure at this location to begin school and a medical clinic. The offices adjacent to the Foyer belong to the Episcopal Church but have been leased to another organization for some time. Those offices have been reclaimed and are about to become temporary offices for Father Sadoni and his staff. I purchased a new laptop to be used by his secretary, and a new printer to be used by him and the staff.

Now, briefly, let me turn to Hospital St. Croix. We visited there and found temporary clinics at several locations on the campus. Doctors without Borders seemed to be in charge, although it was difficult to determine if any coordination was being done between them and Haitian medical personnel. The Church is still standing, but will be destroyed. Father Delicat told me that they are having services on the basketball court, with 450 in attendance. The school and the outdoor bandstand were both destroyed. The Director’s house and the hospital itself were severely damaged. The guest houses (one small house and a two story building) are totally gone. That is to say, they have been removed from the grounds – standing in front of them looking where they had been you are now looking right out to the street. The reconstruction of these facilities will be the responsibility of the Rev. John Talbird and the Hospital Board of Governor’s. I do not know the specific plans for reconstruction of this area.

That concludes my report. I am glad to talk to anyone about this in more detail if you want to call me (although I am unsure if I know anymore than what I have written here). The above information is based on initial assessments and obviously may change. In any case, we have a large task ahead of us. We have had considerable activity in fund raising and Ken has been very busy with receiving and acknowledging donations, answering inquiries, and communicating with people interested in St. Vincent’s. That list has grown considerably! I pray this finds you all in good health and I look forward to our continued ministry on behalf of the children of St. Vincent’s. May God continue to bless your lives and your ministry.

Bill Squire, director, Children's Medical Mission of Haiti

Letter from Bishop Duracin of Haiti

ÉGLISE ÉPISCOPALE D’HAITI 

COMMUNION ANGLICANE 

86, Rue Rigaud Pétion-Ville, Haïti

Boite Postale 1309

epihaiti@hotmail.com

MGR JEAN ZACHE DURACIN                                                                   BUREAU DIOCESAIN

            Evêque d’Haïti                                                                                      Pétion-ville

        Tél. : 257-8116

  

‘The earthquake has not destroyed our hope in the future’

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Seven weeks after we were hit by the 7.0 earthquake on the Richter scale, the situation is still very serious in Haiti.

As you know, many people were killed, perhaps as many as 300,000. Thousands and thousands of others have been injured. In the Church, we have lost many people. Millions of Haitians have no place to live; many are sleeping in the streets in tents, and some of them still have not found any shelter at all. All the infrastructure of the country, as well as all the key institutions of the Diocese, have been destroyed, especially in the capital of Port au Prince. The situation is very difficult.

Many of our famous churches are gone, especially Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was not only a place of worship, but a place of culture. The Cathedral was a very important institution for the whole country. Yes, it has been physically destroyed, but our faith is still here and our communities are still alive. The earthquake has not destroyed our hope in the future. Despite the difficulties we face, many of our parishes have grown larger since the earthquake, because more and more people trust our Church and are turning to us for help spiritually, socially and morally.

We are still a strong Church and we will continue to work with you in partnership to be able to build up the Kingdom of God on earth through evangelism, education, health care and our development programs. We will work together to preach a holistic Gospel so that human beings may become more fully human in the face of God.

We will have to rebuild all of our communities. We in the Diocese are working very hard to have a Master Plan to replace the physical structures of the Church, so that we may continue to serve Haitian people with the same love, the same care, and the same support that we have always shown. Our mission will not change. We pray that God will continue to give us strength to do all this work despite so many difficulties. We ask you to please be patient and wait for our guidance as we put together this plan so that we can determine how our resources can be used most effectively. Once we have made our decisions, we will announce the plan. To assist us in using all of our resources in the best possible way, and to provide the best accounting of donations, I ask all of our partners in traditional programs to resume sending donations through the Partnership Program. The fastest and safest way to do this is by wiring the money into the Partnership Program account; the Rev. Kesner Ajax, Partnership Program Coordinator, can provide that information to any who require it.

I am grateful for all of the support and assistance of The Church Center and especially of the Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Her visit to us in February, even though it was short, gave us great strength here in Haiti, and I am deeply thankful for our time together. We appreciate very much the willingness of The Church Center to continue to work with us in the Master Plan to rebuild the Diocese.

In addition, I give thanks for the visit of The Rt. Rev. Pierre Whalon, Bishop Suffragan of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, who is visiting right now on the Presiding Bishop’s behalf.  I also give thanks to all of the bishops  and dioceses of The Episcopal Church for their prayers and support, and for telling our story. Some of them have been directly involved in supporting me and my wife, Edithe, during our difficult time; all of our family is especially thankful for this.

Special thanks must be given to Episcopal Relief and Development; all of us are grateful for its assistance and work in providing us food, shelter, water, medicines and all other forms of support to help us survive these difficult times.

In addition, it was very good to receive The Most Rev. Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Primate of Cape Town, and The Rt. Rev. Laish Boyd, Bishop of Nassau and The Bahamas, who are visiting at this moment. I also give thanks to all other bishops and archbishops of the Anglican Communion who have expressed their support to us.

The earthquake of Jan. 12 was our baptism; now is our new creation. In this new creation, we pray to all work together, and we ask that you give us the time we need, first to care for our people, then to rebuild the Kingdom.

In this Lenten season, the season of repentance, conversion and intense prayers, we ask you to remember our Diocese and all the people of Haiti in this difficult moment. We also ask you to continue to support us by your prayers and your gifts, so that by Eastertide, we will be able to sing together with great joy, “Alleluia! He is Risen!”

I bid you my blessings for this holy season.

The Right Jean Zaché Duracin

                                     Bishop of Haiti