Home from Haiti

I am home safe and the trip was an amazing eye opening experience.   My eyes were open to the complexity of the story in Haiti.  So many of us think only of suffering and devastation when we think of Haiti, but the reality of life there is that and so much more.

 

I went to Haiti to bear witness, to escape my comfortable bubble of an existence and dip my toes back into a part of the world that doesn’t experience all the comforts so many of us have in the U.S.   Well, it is not so surprising, but as it turns out 6 days is not enough to truly bear witness in a country that is recovering from a catastrophe, in the midst of a healthcare crisis, and having major elections during that time.

6 days is nowhere near enough time to do much more than make a tiny scratch on the surface of understanding what the people who live here face every day.  Because of the cholera and the political unrest our movements and activities were somewhat limited.    I did however see clearly that life in Haiti is as complex as anywhere, and was happy for that reminder.

When I talked with the Haitian people about the best way we can help Haitians to get back on their feet, the answers were as varied as the people who gave them.  Talking about short term answers to the crisis, most were appreciative of the 'on the ground' help from foreign countries because they do not trust their government to help at all. Most people also talked about the billions of dollars pledged to Haiti and that they have seen none of it directly.  

 

How to help short term, to respond to the current crisis is one part of the story and from what I saw, I think one of the best ways to help is by donating to the small NGO’s who are filling the gaps that fall between the cracks that larger well funded groups are working on .

 

Here are links to the two groups that was in contact with while in Haiti.    I know for certain they will do very good things with the money you send if you decide to do that at some point during the holiday season.  Both groups work to infuse money into the Haitian economy, and also work with the Haitian communities to provide direct services. http://www.grassrootsunited.org/  and  http://globaltherapygroup1.blogspot.com/ or http://globaltherapygroup.org/Links.html for more info

For long term assistance most often Haitians said they need help with long term business investment and micro-lending.  Most Haitians say some variation of,” Let the Haitians find their way, help them with the means to create their own businesses and create wealth and success within their current practices and culture.”  I also heard helping with education, especially language and trades as a long-term assistance strategy. I have yet find groups doing this kind of work well there, I sure hope to.

 

There are people in Haiti who have the means to live very comfortable lives, there are those who are just able to work hard make ends meet and there are those who struggle to find enough food and clean water.    The numbers are bits overwhelming, so few with privilege and so so many who suffer greatly from inadequate infrastructure.  I think that is probably the biggest obstacle and the game breaking one, the complete lack of infrastructure and basic services for the millions of people who don’t have their basic needs met.    The spread of cholera can be prevented by hand washing, pretty simple.  But how can you wash your hands when there is no running water anywhere?  Just one example, and we all know that creating and maintaining organized infrastructure is no simple task, especially amidst crisis. 

If any of us can have a hand in helping to figure out how to help with any aspect of building up their infrastructure without being a colonial and invasive power – we will have played a role in moving a country full of beautiful people in a direction we can all be happy for.  Haiti is close and easy to get to.  If you are interested in being a part of helping Haiti find a brighter tomorrow, e-mail me and let’s brainstorm J

In all sincerity,

Lizandra

Visiting the Cholera Tent

It is Thanksgiving.  And I am most thankful for the privileges I have that allow me to be here in Haiti in a time like this.   I am thankful for the support of my friends and family behind me as I am here, and also for the wonderful people I have met in Haiti over the past two days.

Today started off a lot like yesterday. Awoke at sunrise to do sun salutations on the patio, then shower, breakfast, internet and off to the hospital.   On our ride into we did all talk a bit about the fact that it is Thanksgiving and shared what our friends and families were probably doing.  There were again 8-10 patients waiting for us, I started off with Pierre just as we had yesterday.  I saw two of the same people I had worked with yesterday, and got to work with a couple of new ones.  All with either hip or low back pain, so again very standard stretches and basic postures. They are so happy and thankful for the poses, and I hope it helps to ease their pain and discomfort some.

At Noon when the patients had dwindled I decided to join the German doctor on a visit to the Cholera tent.   Before we could enter we had to wash our hands in a diluted bleach solution and have the soles of our shoes sprayed.  They do this on entrance and exit and also when moving between sections of the ‘tent;.  The idea is to keep new germs/bacteria from being introduced either direction.

The group who set up and run the 'tent' are from France, and they are running a tip top program.  I am calling it a tent -but it is really a tent community, with constructed temporary walls, hallways, and several separate tent rooms. They have a triage space, and then a tiered room system depending on the severity of the case.  We saw about 25 patients in the different rooms, ranging in age from 1 to 50 years of age.  The sicker patients of any age were very hard to see, the pain and discomfort very clear in every aspect of their being.  The worst was some of they eyes.  In some cases blank, and in some pain filled.   There was one small boy who was very alert, but with the saddest eyes I have seen in a long time.  It was heart-breaking. But at least they are being treated, and the German doctor said overall it was a much better environment than he has seen in other places. Most of the people we saw today will live, because they are receiving topnotch treatment.

The French are clearly following a well thought out and planned system and are working hard to get Haitian nurses and orderlies to work with them within their plan and structure.  Each room has a nurse’s station where they take careful notes, and also dispense the basic medication, food and liquids. There are 2 doctors and 8 nurses and at least 15-20 orderly types who are disinfecting and keeping things in order.   Everything is labeled and every room has treatment instructions and plans posted on the walls.

The tents are constructed quite well with some scaffolding and then also clever use of branches, small trees and ropes to help construct the walls.  The German doctor was very impressed with both the operations as well as the care being provided.   They are well staffed and well equipped.  The only issue will be patient load.  As long as the Cholera stays this contained level in the area they will be fine. 

The Haitians are an amazing and resilient people,  I really hope the resources will come together to help create treatment centers like this all over the country.

Au L'Hopital

Just back from the hospital. Wow, what an experience it was.   

Most of the day was spent in the Outpatient Physical Therapy clinic.  When we first got there I was unsure about my role.   My thought was that I would just be like a PT assistant, and help how I could and keep my eyes open for yoga opportunities.  As it turned out,  I got to work with the very first patient we saw.  Leslyn was working with him doing some basic leg stretches, so I joined her and started working with the patients breathing as he did the exercises.  Then Leslyn was needed with another patient and so I finished up with Pierre.

(PICTURES TO COME- hte upload is taking way tooo long. )

From there I started seeing patients on my own. Of course, none of them were acute, they were all people with older injuries or basic back or shoulder pain.   I worked closely with 4 other patients and it was amazing.  We did a lot of a cat; and cow stretches, and child’s pose, and some forward folding seated poses and neck and shoulder rolls.  It was a great experience and the patients were all so thankful. It was a day well spent for sure. 

There were two highlights to the day.  One was when I asked one of the men I had been working with how he felt afterward, and he did a little whole body shake, and said, “Much looser”.  That was perfect, it was just what he needed with some chronic back and hip pain, he needed to loosen.  The other highlight was when one of the PT’s, Madge, came over and asked me to work with a guy who needed to “find” his scapula muscle. He was recovering from a stroke and had not yet strengthened his scapula muscle.  I worked with him very carefully, and it was amazing to find postures that would really engage that muscle and work with him to ‘find’ it and work on strengthening it.  He was a tailor who really wants to get back to work and so motivated to do what he needs to heal.

While I was in the tent doing these basic stretching exercises – the other PT’s experienced some drama.  A patient vomited while one of the PT’s was wrking with her, that patient ended up in the emergency room.  Then that same PT was summoned to help with an acute repertory problem in the ER, and finally someone from a motorcycle accident was rushed into the area right by us, so all the PT’s jumped in to help out.  Meanwhile, I was doing Sun Salutations with a young woman who has a bit of a palsy and some balance issues.  What a day!

By 1pm the patient load had reduced to a only a few people, and so Pascale took me on a tour of the hospital.  It is a community hospital that was built in XXXX, by Haitian standards it is well constructed and also well equipped.  By US standards it is not exactly a sterile environment.  The PT’s who have spent more time in US hospitals than I, were a bit non-plussed by the conditions.  But while not perfect, it is much better than not having a hospital at all.

At present the hospital is not at capacity. I saw a lot of empty beds and unused equipment.  I guess that it is a good thing in a way, not too many sick people in the area. But of course  one wonders about access and are enough people connected, and also cost I am not sure about the hospital charging practices,  There is also a transportation issue, so many sick people in places that they can’t get to this hospital.  I guess in the aftermath of the earthquake, the place was overflowing with people and also plenty of foreign help; it was a major center of relief work.

The Cholera has only just gotten to this area.  Though it turns out that maybe it is a bit more ‘catching’ than I originally thought.  I thought the only way to get it was by drinking water, but today I was told you can actually get it  from other contact.  I am still unsure. But they say frequent, hand washing is the best defense, so I am on that, washing my hands whenever I can. 

The main hospital does not treat cholera, there is a separate Cholera tent run by a French group   Today there were 14 new cases, yesterday there were 25, we’ll see how many more there are tomorrow.  I haven’t gone there at all, it is a bit intimidating to go “sight-see’ in such a critical environment.

We met a lovely German doctor who is here on a three-month rotation.  He is working out in the remote villages and comes to stay at the Port Au Prince hospital for a bit of a ‘break’, while he is here he helps where he can.  He is here with the German Red Cross, but he says that he really manages his own work load, going where he thinks he is needed and doing what needs to be done.  So amazing and inspiring to meet him.  So great to see people like him doing this kind of work.

OK I am being summoned to the ping-pong table.  The house we are staying in is nothing short of amazing.   Today with the patients I stepped out of my comfortable bubble and felt like I was able to share directly with an important aspect of humanity I don’t always get to engage.   All day long I interacted with Haitians where they were, in a fun and connected way. I am very thankful for that,  In the evenings, I am back in a privileged and comfortable world, and I am also thankful for that.

Haiti Arrival

Arrival in Haiti

The plane from Miami to Port Au Prince was only about one third full, so I had my row to myself.  I had really hoped to sit next to a Haitian who could answer questions and teach me some Creole, but no such luck on this flight.  So I slept.  I woke up in time to get a view of the southern tip of the island.  

PICTURE COMING

Since I knew we were getting close,  I worked up the courage to go a couple of seats behind me.  “Excuse Moi, Madame, est-ce que vous parlez Francias?”  She nodded her head.  “et Creole?” Another nod and a smile.  So I asked if I could sit down and ask her some basic Creole phrases.   I was learning Creole when the pilot announced that we were landing.

Deplaning and customs went without a hitch. Walking out of the airport also went without a hitch as it were – and I was introduced to the helpful Haitian demeanor.  On my way out to where the driver would meet me, no less than 30 people offered to help me with my bags.  Finally, I just said yes. Because I figured if someone was helping me then, others would quit asking, and I was right.  The man named Steven sheparded me to the area where the driver would meet me. 

It was probably 45 minutes until the driver Otis came and found me.  IN the meanwhile I made a number of  new Haitian friends, who were thrilled I could speak some French, and we shared some English and Creole phrases.  When Otis came- there was a bit of a hugabaloo as all of my new friends wanted to escort me to the car, but Otis kept them at bay for the most part. I gave out some money, it felt OK, if not a little hectic for 32 seconds.  Overall the exoierence was a good one and a fine introduction to Haiti.

As Otis and I became acquainted in the car and moved into the streets of Haiti – I immediately thought of Ghana.  There are a lot of similarities, because of the timing there were a lot of kids on school uniforms on the streets, and the ubiquitous vendors.   There were also a  lot of people working on construction tasks.  All in a ll the area outside of the airport looked like the streets of a typical developing country.  Oh and let me say that the driving style is not for the faint of heart. I just had to put my faith in Otis and know that we was a skilled driver that handle it.

PICTURE COMING

At one point we turned a corner and there was a military vehicle in front of us, Otis guessed they were French.  I waved and we exchanged some very genuine smiles.  It was funny, lit was like we knew each other. And I guess in some ways we do.

To be continued…for now it is time to get to the hospital for my first day there…

Preparing for 6 Days in Haiti

Preparing for 6 days in Haiti....What?!

I know, it's kind of crazy right? Even I find it hard to believe.

With less than 24 hours until I get on a plane from Washington DC to Miami for a connecting flight to Port Au Prince Haiti, I am still a bit dumbfounded by my plan. Why on earth am I going? Why don't I just donate the $850 to an organization doing good and important work in Haiti?

The answer is neither simple nor clear.

When most of us think of Haiti, we think of devastation and suffering. Sheer, unadulterated, no bones about it, devastation and suffering. And for some reason I am compelled to go see it, to be with it, to look it in the face, to bear witness.

My life here in Washington DC is easy and comfortable. I wake up everyday in a cozy bed, with clean water, too much food, plenty of money and every imaginable convenience at my very fingertips. Meanwhile there are millions of people living without access to the very basic necessities of life like housing, clean water and food. I need to step outside of the bubble of my privileged comfortable existence, if only for 6 days. And so, I am going to Haiti.

My destination is an outpatient physical therapy clinic at a community hospital on the outskirts of Port Au Prince. I am traveling to the capitol of poorest country in the western hemisphere to teach yoga and do whatever I can to be helpful during my short 6 day stay.

The group hosting me is the Global Therapy Group, and I'll be working with the volunteer physical therapists to see if we can incorporate basic yoga into some of the patients rehabilitation. I will also be creative about offering yoga in the community around the hospital, including the doctors and nurses who work there. My original plan was to volunteer with Grassroots United at their resource center, and to offer yoga to their staff and volunteers. I am still excited about that prospect, but it didn't come together this time.

I am incredibly thankful to the team at Global Therapy Group to being open to taking me in at the last minute. There were long difficult hours over this weekend, as I debated whether I would go or not. I meditated, I prayed, I cried, I talked to friends, and I read.

I poured over news stories about the current situation in Haiti. Civil and political unrest, cholera death toll climbing everyday, protests over the cholera outbreak, tires burning in the streets and an election next week. It is dangerous in Haiti. But still, I want to go, I need to get out of my bubble. It was dangerous in Haiti last month, last week, and it will be dangerous a month from now - so with precautions and smart planning in place, I decided I would not cancel my Haiti plans. No Mom, I'm not going to the Dominican Republic after all.

The Global Therapy group has connections with the Hudicourt family that started the Community Hospital. The family also offers guest space for volunteers in their home in a gated community, this is where I will stay. They have a driver who will get me from the airport, and the house is only a mile from the hospital. It isn't my usual style of travel, the Grassroots United plan was much closer to my usual method of operation. But the situation is a bit unwieldy, and I am very glad to have safe transport and safe housing for this experience.

Practical preparation for 6 days in Haiti:

This is the order that I did things to get this trip together, not sure everyone would go this route but it worked for me.

Step 1: Buy Airplane Ticket. $400 RT and taxes American Airlines

Step 1.5: Check Visa requirements for Haiti - none, just needed my valid US passport.

Step 2: Find group on the ground doing good work. http://www.grassrootsunited.org/projectsmain.html

Step 2.5: Communicate and sort out details with group on the ground.

We e-mailed a few times and they sent a complete set of volunteer instructions and FAQ sheet that was very helpful in getting everything together.

Step 3: Get shots and prescriptions. http://www.farragutmedical.com/

Step 4: Start collecting donations of yoga mats and medical supplies.

Yoga Mats:

I'll take 5 yoga mats for relief workers/volunteers who stay at the GRU Resource Center in Port Au Prince. The folks at http://www.yogaactivist.com/ have donated three and http://www.thestudiodc.com/ provided the other two. During my 6 days, I'll offer classes in the compound and also offer guidance on self-led or group practice.

Medical Supplies:

I am filling a suitcase with as many of these supplies as I can gather. There just wasn't enough time to get a real donation set together. But a few friends offered to chip in on some of the cost, people at work donated some items, and I found a pharmacy who would sell me items just over cost. I also got a few good leads on some options for donations when I go again.

Here is are the items I am taking, based on a wishlist provided by GRU:

--adult and childrens vitamins

--Acetaminophen, ibuprofen

--yeast infection treatment.

Step 5: Find a second group on the ground doing good work. The Global Therapy Group (yay!) They also sent a set of volunteer instructions, very detailed and amazingly helpful.

Step 6: Pack my bags. (Packing List to come soon.)