Forgot to mention most of the team has arrived. Mackenzie worked in the clinic today, she will do construction tomorrow. The rest of the team arrived 5 hours late so they took a walking tour of Blanchard. Tomorrow we pick up Robin who will stay for a month.
Brooke’ s first official day today. One of my closest friends growing up sponsored a child:-) Thank you

Today we had our first Haiti telephone survey for our eye glass clinic. We found out many of the numbers belong to neighbors or friends so it is harder to reach people than we thought. But it will be nice to know how many people are using their glasses on month later
And if they are helping them.

Wenkenson, our three year old who was starving to death two months ago, now plays with his new toys. He loves to play. For his PT, he pushes a wheelchair around. Maybe he’ll even be walking in a few more months.

I think today was the most tired day of my life. I slept well last night- no
Misquitoes and cool. But we went to pick up the lifestraws, fell asleep in-between each stop. Didn’t wake up at the airport. Was amazed to
Open my eyes and be back at the clinic.

Today I am back in Haiti. I was the first one out of the airport to day. That has never happened to me in the 20 years I have been traveling to Haiti. I think my luggage usually comes out last or is lost.

Leaving at 5 AM for Haiti.

Gordon college donate more furniture for the office! More work space for volunteers. 11/2 pallets iv fluids and meds came in. Hurrah!! Meds are tight these days.

Today I started packing the meds and tutoring books for Sunday. I am loving the cool weather . It seems like we have a meeting to
attend on Monday with the MSPP about filariasis medication. One small step towards eliminated this disease in Haiti. Life straws are in and will be distributed beginning Tuesday. Each straw deliveries 700 liters of clean water.

Following in Grammy’s footsteps by wearing her shoes? Is she cute or what?

Starting to feel like I am running out of time. So much to catch up on in the office, wedding reception this weekend, then off to Haiti on Sunday then Guatemala . Which reminds me have to water the mums for the reception before they die.

So many people are signing up to go to Haiti and Guatemala in 2011. Looks like we will be getting a lot done:-)

Spent most of the afternoon today with my mom, fed the chickens and llama and buffalo at Tendercrop Farm. Her favorite thing is taking care of the animals.

Tonight went to a birthday party for Alexis our oldest granddaughter . She turned13. She has already traveled to Guatemala many times and worked in the village and played with the kids. The first year she came to Guatemala she was 9. I remember her telling me “Grammy , I know these kids need toothbrushes and toothpaste but I really think they need toys.”

Very exciting to be getting Docs who want to be on our medical advisory board. Can’t wait to see what happens with the UNICEF grant. Almost finished.

Exciting to have Martha as our new office manager/ volunteer coordinator.
Looking forward to assembling our new
Medical advisory board for the clinic in Haiti. Waiting for the new clinic plans for Guatemala.

Thirty eight new people graduated from PID business classes and received loans in Haiti last week!! Only 3 business ended up not making it after the earthquake. Ten new people in Zunilto received businesses in August. All current small businesses in Guatemala are at 100
Percent payback.

This week Brooke has been training at the Haiti clinic. See Brooke ( on the left )
with the mom of a very sick infant. Brooke will be a wonderful addition to our clinic as we continue up grade and expand our services.
Went to visit daphne
With 4 staff people and 5 family members all stuffed in the car. Daphne
Looked wonderful. Gained 10 lbs and was beaming. Clearly
She can see much better than before . It was a very nice trip, especially on the way home when 5 of the 9 passengers were car sick.

Our little club foot baby girl was cast today. She seemed so sad. I held her until she fell asleep, but every time I tried to put her down, she woke up. Wekenson our three year old, malnourished boy smiled and played peek-a-boo. We had our first feeding day and fed 126 people. Tomorrow we will serve 160. One of our small business classes graduated this afternoon.

Today was
A good day. Emergencies sent out, a woman in labor made it to the hospital before she delivered. We planned our new feeding program for tomorrow.
I talked to Daphne on the phone and she is doing so well. We will visit tomorrow or the next day. Her blood sugar is now between 100 and 200. Finally she is on insulin. I have never heard her so happy. Our twins, our three year old and our new babies are gaining weight. Our baby with the club feet has an appointment at a clinic tomorrow. Her infections are gone and she is gaining weight. Dr Sem impressed me today with his gentleness with the sick babies.

Today went well. Started the day with Brooke coming to train. She came with Nick and a Haitian friend. He was excited to see that she was working with PID . Seems like we have gained a very good reputation for having a very good clinic. By next month it will be even better. Onward and upward!!

Back to the land of a million mosquitoes. It was raining when I landed and they come out in droves after the rain. But I walk into a kitchen with 500 lbs of rice, 400 lbs of corn, 300 lbs of beans and oil. Hopefully by
The end of this week
The feeding program for kids 5 an under will begin. Tomorrow Brooke begins training. Hurrah!!

Tonight I am getting ready to leave for Haiti in the morning. I am going to train
Brooke.

Today was a very nice day of family celebration: Cherith’s birthday, Tali’s visit from Guatemala, the new pregnancy of Noel and Pete, and the marriage of Isaiah and Jamie.

Sleep tonight news tomorrow