Monday, February 24, 2014
Goodbye to one team, hello to the next
This week there is a new team, some of who arrived on Friday and others who arrived on Sunday. Alison and Barbara, a midwife, are teaching a midwife class to a group of 21 students, mostly from Blanchard. The nurses, Andrew and Nicole, worked in the clinic with Claudia in the emergency room, triage, and seeing patients. We look forward to a fun and productive week together.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Last day in the village
Yesterday the dental team packed up and spent the day at Lake Atitlan. They were a great group of people who are reallly passionate, caring and did a lot of hard work this week. They left the clinic at least an hour after the Maine team everyday. So many patients to be seen and they really didn't want to turn anyone away. I really hope to see some of them again here in Guatemala.
On Saturday we headed to the construction site and the school in Saquiy for a VBS party. The kids watched a movie, had some cake and broke some piñatas. It was a little crazy, but a lot if fun.
Today we are heading to Antigua for some sightseeing.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Update from Haiti
Last night the team went to a small movie theater up the street for movie night. They watched a popular Haitian movie with English subtitles. This evening, Mme Pavelus came to our meeting to give her version of the history of Haiti.
Today Guetchine and I went to two different public health offices, trying to get the vaccinations that they are requiring us to get. They continue to give us the run-around.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
A refreshing end to a busy day
I am here at the hotel waiting for dinner. Most of the dental team are taking a dip in the pool. The Cape Porpoise team has already been in and out and are now freshly showered.
The clinic saw around 55 dental patients today.
Construction mixed more cement and moved some dirt. VBS crew had another full day.
First two days of work
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
More patients going home with less teeth
Today the dental crew saw about 55 patients!! The word has spread that we have dentists and they are in high demand.
The team from Maine arrived late last night and had a full day of work today. They are continuing the construction of a house in Saquiy. We also did a VBS for kids in the morning and in the afternoon.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Pulling Teeth
Sunday, February 16, 2014
A visit from Gale and team arrives
Today we are thankful that despite the storms, the group arrived safely in Haiti with no flight cancellations. We welcome a few familiar faces and many new faces as well as we look forward to a great week together, working in the clinic and out at the construction site. We also welcome Claudia, an EMT who will spend a month here helping out in the clinic.
After the team's arrival, we had an unpacking party in which we unpacked all the PID suitcases they brought. It was like Christmas! The team worked together to unpack with record time and efficiency. The team then enjoyed a delicious dinner, then an introductory meeting before they settled down for the night.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Atitlan and a day of adventures
Today it was back to work in the clinic and it was quite the adventurous day. The morning went quite well and the kids enjoyed the craft. In the afternoon as we were driving into Saquiy another truck was coming out and had to back up so we could pass. But he backed up and one of his tires slipped off the bridge and he got stuck.
Brad and Josh went off and came back with a long beam (who knows where they got it from. Rumor has it that Brad cut down a tree and formed it into a beam, but I guess we'll never know)that was used as a lever to lift the truck up. After about 15 minutes of working and pushing and pulling and lifting, the truck was finally released!!
On the way out we got stuck behind another truck that wouldn't start and we had to help push it into someone's front yard so we could get by. Never a dull moment working in Guatemala.
Tonight after the team meeting I went out with my mom and niece Cadyn to the supermarket to buy some piñatas for tomorrow's VBS party.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
VBS and digging!
The construction team started the next house for a family in Saqui. They spent the day digging out the foundation. I'm sure they will sleep well tonight.
Friday, February 7, 2014
First day with a new team
Today was their first day of work in the village and they had a full day! The VBS team did 2 sessions - in the morning behind the clinic and in the afternoon at the school in Saqui.
The construction team poured the floor for the house and bathroom in Desierto.
The nurses saw many patients today in the clinic.
Tomorrow will be another busy day.