Shelby is preparing to return to the US after serving more than 6 months total in Guatemala. She has done an amazing job and will be missed.
Daniella remains in Guatemala and has been preparing to take over some of Shelby's duties as well as helping with the English class while Monica, our English teacher, has a break . She had a baby boy last Friday.
Patrick is working hard in Haiti. He has
Worked on computer entry, landscaping and now is putting up a fence in Canaan.
As always, we are exciting to have this
Great group to work with us.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A happy switch
Yesterday , Michele held up a picture of a Haitian child and said, " This child just got sponsored." This is always a joyous occasion for us. Then said , "Oh, Abby (the field director in Guatemala) sponsored
this child. That's strange. "
Within in seconds , Kincaid emailed to tell us a Guatemalan child had been sponsored. This time Lizzy( our field director in Haiti ) was the sponsor.
The field directors made an agreement to
Sponsor a child in the counties they were not directors in. We are blessed to have
Such committed directors !! Thanks Lizzy and Abby for all you do.
this child. That's strange. "
Within in seconds , Kincaid emailed to tell us a Guatemalan child had been sponsored. This time Lizzy( our field director in Haiti ) was the sponsor.
The field directors made an agreement to
Sponsor a child in the counties they were not directors in. We are blessed to have
Such committed directors !! Thanks Lizzy and Abby for all you do.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Last day for the team
The team enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach after a great week full of hard work sifting, painting, bagging meds, and running crafts for the kids program. Mr. Genois came to tonight's final meeting to talk about PID's programs and thank everyone for coming and for all their work. "I look at this with so much respect," he said, "when someone leaves their home, pays their money, to travel to Haiti and serve people they don't even know for no pay. I can't ever pay you for the work you've done. All I have to give you is my thanks."
Patrick, the new intern, was officially introduced to all PID's staff on Friday. He has lots of projects he will be working on during his stay here including establishing a system for the new recycling program, equipment management, construction, and marking our land in Canaan. He is ready and eager to work.
Patrick, the new intern, was officially introduced to all PID's staff on Friday. He has lots of projects he will be working on during his stay here including establishing a system for the new recycling program, equipment management, construction, and marking our land in Canaan. He is ready and eager to work.
Stress and its effect
Yesterday I received a text from my son Isaiah . He told me that Boston was under lock down. He and his wife Jamie couldn't
Leave their apartment. As we periodically got updates during the day, there was a background stress that hung over my day. I couldn't focus, I was worried, what if more people were hurt or killed.
What if they closed the airport , how would the we get back. It felt a lot like
Haiti during the Coup. No sense of peace or security. No moving around, sometime a lock down. But I could always go back home and leave it behind.
I remember many times the Haitians
Talk about the lack of security. Here I was
So distracted by day when
I felt like there was no security. I struggled to stay focused.
Later in the evening, Pouchon and I talked about Boston . I told him I understood more about Haiti because of what was happening in Boston. As we talked about it, it became more apparent that stress in a country like Haiti , over a long period of time , Takes away the normal ability to work, or focus or promote permanent change.
The future loses importance and safety and security for yourself and family become your focus.
Security is a wonderful thing when you have it. It gives you the ability to hope and dream.
When you don't have it you have only time to focus on staying safe.
Leave their apartment. As we periodically got updates during the day, there was a background stress that hung over my day. I couldn't focus, I was worried, what if more people were hurt or killed.
What if they closed the airport , how would the we get back. It felt a lot like
Haiti during the Coup. No sense of peace or security. No moving around, sometime a lock down. But I could always go back home and leave it behind.
I remember many times the Haitians
Talk about the lack of security. Here I was
So distracted by day when
I felt like there was no security. I struggled to stay focused.
Later in the evening, Pouchon and I talked about Boston . I told him I understood more about Haiti because of what was happening in Boston. As we talked about it, it became more apparent that stress in a country like Haiti , over a long period of time , Takes away the normal ability to work, or focus or promote permanent change.
The future loses importance and safety and security for yourself and family become your focus.
Security is a wonderful thing when you have it. It gives you the ability to hope and dream.
When you don't have it you have only time to focus on staying safe.
New intern, new paint and a place for new thinking
Patrick, the new intern in Haiti , had his first full day at work and has his formal
Introduction. Two kids in the neighborhood came and worked with him.
The team painted the education building
Which will be used for our diabetic and hypertension , midwife, family planning , prenatal and kids program.
Samuel 2 came to show me all his organized diabetic and hypertension notes. I was very impressed and happy as he smiled and told me how well everything was going. He said the sickle cell program was also going well.
Jimmy , from the pharmacy, said I have been recording what meds we give to patients for a long time. When is someone
Going to enter it in the computer so we will no how much we are using every month, them I can do a better order.
It was great to see the clinic still flourishing with our new doctor in charge.
The clinic day ended a little early with Dr
Paul doing staff training for the triage
Nurses. When I went to the class almost of the staff including non medical was there instead of only the 3 triage nurses. Everyone was taking notes and learning about muscles and joints.
I was proud of how hard the staff has worked , what they have learned and how far they have come to provide medical
Care for the people in their country.
Introduction. Two kids in the neighborhood came and worked with him.
The team painted the education building
Which will be used for our diabetic and hypertension , midwife, family planning , prenatal and kids program.
Samuel 2 came to show me all his organized diabetic and hypertension notes. I was very impressed and happy as he smiled and told me how well everything was going. He said the sickle cell program was also going well.
Jimmy , from the pharmacy, said I have been recording what meds we give to patients for a long time. When is someone
Going to enter it in the computer so we will no how much we are using every month, them I can do a better order.
It was great to see the clinic still flourishing with our new doctor in charge.
The clinic day ended a little early with Dr
Paul doing staff training for the triage
Nurses. When I went to the class almost of the staff including non medical was there instead of only the 3 triage nurses. Everyone was taking notes and learning about muscles and joints.
I was proud of how hard the staff has worked , what they have learned and how far they have come to provide medical
Care for the people in their country.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Off to Haiti
Right now I am at the airport waiting to leave for Haiti. On the way to the airport Tali and I talked about the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. We talked about how much sadness and hurt surrounded that event. As Tali dropped me off I felt a twinge of fear . What if something happens at the airport or on the plane? We do not know when our last day will be or how much our life could change in an instant. During a time like this I want to think or say something profound to make the hurt for all those affected go away. But no thoughts or words can do that.
With all of the sadness and tragedy I have seen over the years with PID, I still cry and am puzzled at the why, but I know that in the midst of all the tragedy, the sadness and the confusion that happens in life we are called to make each day count.
The importance of our lives are not in what we accumulate or achieve but in the love we show and the joy we share with those around us. We don't know how much time any of us will be given . So we need to make each moment count. As I leave for Haiti I have a peace knowing that I am where I am suppose to be.
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all of those affected by the tragedy on Monday.
With all of the sadness and tragedy I have seen over the years with PID, I still cry and am puzzled at the why, but I know that in the midst of all the tragedy, the sadness and the confusion that happens in life we are called to make each day count.
The importance of our lives are not in what we accumulate or achieve but in the love we show and the joy we share with those around us. We don't know how much time any of us will be given . So we need to make each moment count. As I leave for Haiti I have a peace knowing that I am where I am suppose to be.
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all of those affected by the tragedy on Monday.
Going home barefoot
On Tuesday the team continued their work in the village. The children's program made the cutest pom-pom bunnies. The construction crew kept working really hard in the hot sun. And the water filter bunch installed two filters and built quite a few more.
We had a special visit from a group of Rotary Club members from Maine. They were on a tour of Guatemala visiting different projects that Rotary has sponsored over the years. I gave them a tour of the clinic and a presentation about PID and what we do in the village. We all ate lunch together and afterwards I took them around the village to see some things that Rotary was directly involved in. In the evening we had a large crew for dinner - the PID team, the Rotary members from Maine and some local Rotarians from Mazatenango. It was a fun evening of fellowship and we got some business done as well in terms of a water filter grant we are working on.
Wednesday was the team's last day working in the village. There were some sad goodbyes and many team members made the walk out to catch the bus barefoot because they left their shoes as donations with the kids and adults of the village. It is truly touching to me as the director to see such selflessness in the team members - especially the younger ones. After an early dinner they loaded into the vans and headed to Guatemala City where they will spend the night at a hostel near the airport to be ready for their early flight home tomorrow morning.
We had a special visit from a group of Rotary Club members from Maine. They were on a tour of Guatemala visiting different projects that Rotary has sponsored over the years. I gave them a tour of the clinic and a presentation about PID and what we do in the village. We all ate lunch together and afterwards I took them around the village to see some things that Rotary was directly involved in. In the evening we had a large crew for dinner - the PID team, the Rotary members from Maine and some local Rotarians from Mazatenango. It was a fun evening of fellowship and we got some business done as well in terms of a water filter grant we are working on.
Wednesday was the team's last day working in the village. There were some sad goodbyes and many team members made the walk out to catch the bus barefoot because they left their shoes as donations with the kids and adults of the village. It is truly touching to me as the director to see such selflessness in the team members - especially the younger ones. After an early dinner they loaded into the vans and headed to Guatemala City where they will spend the night at a hostel near the airport to be ready for their early flight home tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Team's first two days of work
The team in Haiti had a great first two days of work. They began sanding the education center to prepare it for painting and sifting sand for construction. Other team members worked on organizing the medical supplies depot and stocking supplies. They are doing a great job and the depot looks awesome. In the afternoon, some of the team has been working with Showty with the children's program. Yesterday, the kids made paper bag frogs and today paper airplanes. The team also helped out a lot in the pharmacy, bagging meds and ORS.
After work yesterday, I took the team for a walk around Blanchard to see the PID houses in the area. Today we went to an evening church service.
After work yesterday, I took the team for a walk around Blanchard to see the PID houses in the area. Today we went to an evening church service.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Team arrives in Haiti
The team arrived safely in Haiti today. They will be doing a children's program and painting the education center this week, as well as helping out in other areas including bagging meds for the pharmacy and helping out with our inventory. We are all looking forward to a great week.
Today they were able to go on a tour of downtown Port-au-Prince, to the museum, and out to eat at Epidor. They settled in early for the night after a long day of travel.
Today they were able to go on a tour of downtown Port-au-Prince, to the museum, and out to eat at Epidor. They settled in early for the night after a long day of travel.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Just getting started
Martha and some of the high school students lead a children's program out back in the morning and afternoon. It was a fun time of crafts, games and silly songs.
The construction crew started working on a house for a PID family. And the water filter team worked with Norm and Miguel building filters and installing one in the afternoon.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
They are in Guatemala
The team has all arrived in Guatemala City. They are with Sergio loading up the vans with all their luggage.
Here at the clinic we are doing some last minute prep and the leaders group is out back making cakes in homemade ovens.
Here at the clinic we are doing some last minute prep and the leaders group is out back making cakes in homemade ovens.
Waiting for the next team
A new team will arrive today in Guatemala. Here in the clinic we are preparing things and getting ready. Doctors John and Kate have been here since Monday and are a great addition to our clinic team. I am glad that they will be here for two more weeks.
This team will be working on water filters, building a house for a family in our program, painting some finished houses, doing a craft program with kids and working in the clinic. It is going to be a busy week but I am excited for all that will get accomplished.
Shelby is back and the kids are happy to see her. She continues work on our database and after school tutoring for kids in our program. Daniela is working hard planning her lessons for English classes and helping Marcelina and her family take care of their new puppy- which she affectionately calls Beans.
Our most recent team in March worked on building a house for Vanessa and Jackson's family (two sponsored kids). Here are some pictures that Shelby took yesterday.
This team will be working on water filters, building a house for a family in our program, painting some finished houses, doing a craft program with kids and working in the clinic. It is going to be a busy week but I am excited for all that will get accomplished.
Shelby is back and the kids are happy to see her. She continues work on our database and after school tutoring for kids in our program. Daniela is working hard planning her lessons for English classes and helping Marcelina and her family take care of their new puppy- which she affectionately calls Beans.
Our most recent team in March worked on building a house for Vanessa and Jackson's family (two sponsored kids). Here are some pictures that Shelby took yesterday.
 |
| old and new side by side |
 |
| one of the daughters - Amabilia |
 |
| a drastic difference in living conditions |
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Ready , set, go
This has been an exciting week at PID. Sue and her sister Cindy held a fundraiser for the Annual fund drive.
They served delicious Haitian and Guatemalan food . We had a great time and they raised over $1500 for PID's medical programs.
Lizzy, our field director in Haiti, prepares to return to Haiti after a short break . She has also signed on for another year. THANKS Lizzy. She prepare for team arriving on Sunday.
Martha gets ready to leave for Guatemala with a huge team and the Guatemalan staff gets ready to receive them. They will paint the emergency houses, build water filters, work in the clinic, and do a children's craft program.
Alison and I are getting ready to go to the Global Health Conference this weekend. PID will present for the first time, it's midwive training program in Haiti. Thanks to Alison for all the work she has done on this.
They served delicious Haitian and Guatemalan food . We had a great time and they raised over $1500 for PID's medical programs.
Lizzy, our field director in Haiti, prepares to return to Haiti after a short break . She has also signed on for another year. THANKS Lizzy. She prepare for team arriving on Sunday.
Martha gets ready to leave for Guatemala with a huge team and the Guatemalan staff gets ready to receive them. They will paint the emergency houses, build water filters, work in the clinic, and do a children's craft program.
Alison and I are getting ready to go to the Global Health Conference this weekend. PID will present for the first time, it's midwive training program in Haiti. Thanks to Alison for all the work she has done on this.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
My most favorably memory in Guatemala
Today we received a trip feed back form from a returning team member.I had to share their favorite memory of the trip. Ruth had been working with the leaders group and was acting out the story of David and Goliath. She pick one of the tallest boys to play Goliath and was coaching him on to act really angry. He finally looked at her and replied, " I can't, I don't have any anger inside of me. " That will be one of my most memorable stories from Guatemala too, now that I have heard it. It is also what is so special about Guatemala- the people and what is inside of them!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)