Bethlehem Blog

Orthopedic Mission Trip - Day Four

2012-02-02T11:27:00.001-08:00

It is the 4th day of our orthopedic mission trip and already the team has screened, referred, and/or treated over 300 patients. They have worked at a dizzying pace. The photo you see here is of a 4-year-old Haitian boy who was struck by a motorcycle. Fortunately, our group had not yet left Ft. Liberte hospital for the day, when he arrived. Physician's Assistant, Jeff Chambers, stitched a 2 1/2 inch laceration on the child's forehead and Michael Shuler, MD splinted and set his fractured tibia. He will see our clinic dentist later for his broken front teeth. More stories to come . . .

Orthopedic Mission Trip

2012-01-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

Our orthopedic mission trip is in full swing! Attached is a photo showing Dr. Chip Ogburn repairing a left shoulder that had metal hardware implanted improperly. Prior to the repair, the patient suffered from a chronically dislocated/non-functioning shoulder. Assisting in the surgery is Wendy Wynne, LPN and Carlton Guthrie, CRNA. You can see the hardware on the monitor that was removed. Leland Karas, RT(R) was responsible for the image as she manned the C-arm during surgery. Quite a team effort by employees of Anesthesia Consultants of Athens and Athens Orthopedic Clinic using a donated C-arm from St. Mary's Hospital. More good news to post soon!

Another installment of Ben's time in Haiti

2011-11-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

Se yon bon bagay! My second and third weeks

During the past two weeks, I have been slowly getting used to the swing of things here. I began working regularly at the clinic on the days they need the most help. Working mostly in the reception office for now, I take blood pressure readings, weights, and temperatures of the patients. I also will be helping with vision screening soon, which will require me to have a better grasp of the language. Just being around the clinic and talking with patients and the workers really helps my Creole.

I really enjoy reaching out to the children here by teaching, and it also has been a real challenge. I am trying to establish some clear rules and classroom management, while not speaking too much Creole to help them learn more English. Last week, I administered their first quiz to check the progress of the class, but most were at a loss to come up with answers. I think this will help them realize they need to study outside of class to really learn, but it is hard for some who don't have the best conditions to live with. I am coming up with different ways to get them to invest more in the class. I may also have to move my class time because as of now, it is during one of the busiest days for the clinic. However, I have faith it will all work out! I also have begun planning an adult English class for the staff of the clinic and school, which will probably meet a couple of times per week in the evenings, after everyone's work is through.

The physical presence of the school has a strong, positive effect on the community, and to help out, I have been painting the large front gate. I didn't really realize how big of a job it would be! Sanding, painting, and painting again, all those edges and curves! The heat really slows you down here, and people constantly come in and out of the gate. I really do enjoy painting though, something about it is very satisfying. It has given me a chance to interact more with people. One interesting thing I have noticed is the habit people have of watching others. As first I was taken aback, as people watching you as you work is almost offensive in the U.S., but with no television or giant theaters it is just one source of enjoyment people have. Also, seeing a 'blan' (white person) is something out of the ordinary, and seeing one doing physical labor is definitely not a common occurrence. I was constantly questioned - "Ou travay?"- meaning "You're working??" I think it was an encouraging thing for some people to see someone from a land with so much wealth and comfort coming to their country to help their community. I also got some encouragement of "Se yon bon bagay!"- which literally means 'its a good thing' and is used to show approval or contentment-'that's good!' or 'that's a good thing'.

Life around the school grounds has been nice, and I really enjoy the gardens, which are mostly filled with stuff I end up eating one day or another. Having internet access here is a luxury and a blessing, but it does come with its struggles and challenges! The router, which must be placed outside because of the concrete walls of the living quarters, recently died from having to ruff it in the Haitian outdoors. I am pretty impressed it lasted so long! I replaced it with a new one, for which I am trying to engineer a makeshift weather cover with tupperware, caulk, and a drill. Here, if something breaks, you cant just run to Walmart or Best-Buy. When people come in for any reason, they usually end up bringing a load of needed supplies, and Andy English had to bring the new router over from the states with his luggage.

Richard from the clinic has a little brother Lanaud who has been teaching me a little more Creole and about the daily life of a Haitian. He works during the day, attends a University in the evenings, and spends nights studying here at the school, where we have been able to have some good talks around dinner time. Offering to walk me around town, he showed me his home, his church, and a few other spots. Experiencing the town a little more in the light that every-day people see it helped me to feel more a part of the community, and I look forward to becoming more immersed in the lives of the people here.

There was a special church service led by Pere Bruno this Sunday in light of the new school
building that is being constructed. All the teachers and older students were invited to mass, which included an inspiring talk about the growth of the school over the years, and great musical performances by the school band. After service ended, the congregation made a procession led by the band to the future site of the new building, where they held a breaking-ground ceremony.

It was a very emotional event for those who have been dedicated to the school, and it will be a great positive influence on the community by giving more children the opportunity to have an education.

I feel greatly inspired by the growth and progress being made in many people's lives here.

I pray I can do my best to contribute, gras a Dieu!

taken with permission from Ben Seller's blog, "Alo Haiti"

Ben's First Day in Haiti

2011-10-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have had such an amazing first day; it really broke the ice for me! I arrived in Haiti today, flying into Cap Haitian, which I learned is the oldest city in the country. Getting off the small plane, we were lucky to have all our luggage ride with us on the same aircraft, so we did not need to wait! However, there was a wait to get the bags from our plane, and I learned how resourceful the people here are. A man wearing a lanyard (which was worn by many people to help them look official) grabbed our luggage tags and retrieved our bags for us. We ended up having to pay him a dollar for each bag!

Cap Haitian itself was very intense, especially near the airport, and I took some footage of the drive out of the city. Roads here work a little different, and you might see cactus plants used as fences, which are highly effective due to the harsh sting!

Leaving the city, a beautiful landscape opens revealing Haiti's natural beauty, which sharply contrasts the impoverished conditions of some of its people.

The grounds for the school and living quarters are nestled in a small country town. We arrived pretty early, so I was able to get settled in my living quarters, which is a very nice room by Haitian standards. The people here are so friendly and wonderful, and I can't wait to get to know everyone better. I met Dominique, who seems to watch over things on a daily basis, living in a home on the grounds. She is the daughter of Pere Bruno, who does a great deal of work in Terrier Rouge, the surrounding area, and Haiti in general. He well respected for his work in the community, and he manages the school and coordinates many projects around. I also met Barbara and her husband Rob, who is initiating a jatropha farming project.

From what I have learned jatropha is a native plant which initially was not very popular, aside from its function as a deterrent of grazing animals, due to its toxicity. It is also traditionally used as a laxative for the same reason! However, it was discovered to have excellent potential due to the oil of the seeds it produces. Jatropha oil is good for your skin/hair, all natural, and can be used to make soap. With minimal treatment, it can also be converted into a highly efficient bio-diesel fuel, which is great news for a country where fuel is very expensive and not affordable for many. The plant itself is very resilient, and can take the harsh climate.

My first Haitian meal was an amazing and plentiful lunch, which is the biggest meal of the day here. Red beans and rice, lots of fresh avocado, meat and delish gravy juice, and vegetable mash, mmmmmm. Red beans and rice are the staple food for most, so not too far off from southern Louisiana cookin! There are also lots of peppers around to get that kick if you like! I am very blessed to be able to eat so much food, as many people in Haiti live off one meal a day or less.

View of Jatropha field through cactus like plants

There happened to be a festival that day at a beach nearby, which was also the location of the old hemp rope factory and port. On our way to the beach, we drove along the large jatropha fields Rob is working on.

The beach is being slowly kept up by some local entrepreneurs, and there were clean covered places to sit. Along the waterfront were little shops set up, selling food and drinks (lots of rum). I was told the Haitian people in general don't drink much at all, and cant really afford to, but celebrations like this are an exception.

A jatropha farming family set up shop selling their scented and unscented oils for body and hair. By the end of the day they ended up selling a decent amount and were very pleased. The festival was what you might expect from any such occasion: music, drinks, swimming, and dancing! Having spent a long day in my new, hot environment, I decided to jump in. The water had a beautiful turquoise tint and a soft texture, due to the limestone caked on the floor of the bay. I was able to practice my creole, attempting to make some conversation while playing with the kids.

After getting back to the school and a quick shower, we ate dinner which is usually leftovers from lunch and maybe one other dish, which was a sort of spaghetti bake, and bread from a local bakery. They also make a delicious tea from a mix of herbs in the garden.

Filled up on dinner, we took a walk into town to a small shop where we sat out and enjoyed the starlight with some refreshing Haitian beer. We visited and sang songs with a local pastor's wife, and learned a couple of simple Creole worship songs. The stars are magnificient here, since there's not much lights around aside from the occasional lightning flash in the distance.

It was a beautiful end to a long and eventful day which set my journey off to a wonderful start.

Paying it Forward

2011-10-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ben Sellers, a 24 year old graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will be spending the school year in Terrier Rouge. He is applying to attend medical school in the Fall, 2012 but this year he wanted to spend time in a health care situation giving his time to others. Clinique Esperance et Vie will be a good place for him to volunteer as well as for Bethlehem Ministry to have him there. He has previous service work with Americore.

Ben's second love is music, especially voice. He is a choir member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Lafayette and interested in opera. Not only will St. Barnabas School in Terrier Rouge be able to have a good band; now, they can begin a choir!

Ben will be sponsored by St. Barnabas Church. We are so happy to welcome Ben to Terrier Rouge. Look for his blogs in the weeks and months ahead.

Beautiful Music

2011-10-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

I came to Terrier Rouge, Haiti eagerly anticipating my time at this school that I had heard so much about and seen so many pictures of. I had studied Haitian History, taught about Haitian music, and read the documents about Gage Averrill, Paul Farmer, Alan Lomax and other scholars who had visited Haiti in the past. I was eager to meet the people of Terrier Rouge. The purpose of my trip was largely focused on a research project to study the music of this culture and the beliefs of its residents about music and why music should be present in the schools. Because Ecole St. Barthelemy has just recently introduced a band program, it was a perfect time and opportunity to learn more about the beliefs of key stakeholders when more formalized music instruction is beginning to be introduced to a school.

Upon arrival I found that I had come upon a rich example of how music can be integrated in every part of daily life and the power of music when it is integrated into a school setting. As I had been told prior to my arrival, music is everywhere in Terrier Rouge. Music is in the devotions of students as they prepare for the school year; the classroom every 15-30 minutes as a transitional, reinforcing, and awakening tool; the drum circle of a house at 5am in the morning; the beautiful songs of men and women who go about daily work; and finally, music is in the energetic blasts of a school band that is the pride of the school and the community.

It is difficult to encounter a different culture without making comparisons to one's own culture. During my time here I have been wondering what would happen to the richness of music education if schools in the United States also integrated music so thoroughly into classroom instruction and the school day? What would happen if every teacher believed that he or she was capable of integrating music into his or her classroom? Finally, what would happen in our culture if the music taught in our schools was so highly valued that school music was seen as a treasured and irreplaceable aspect of school instruction?

I have found what I expected: that there is great cultural richness here in Terrier Rouge. The beauty of the singing and playing of students and teachers will replay through my head as I leave. The beautiful people and the warm welcomes of teachers, community, and students leaves a permanent impression upon my soul. I have experienced TR and I am all the richer for my time here.

In the coming months I will sift through collected interviews and experiences to research and better understand the beliefs among stakeholders about formalized music instruction at the Ecole St. Barthelemy. I will be happy to share what I have learned as the research becomes available.

Dr. Kevin Shorner-Johnson
Assistant Professor of Music Education
Elizabethtown College

Graduation Ceremony at Saint Barthélémy

2011-07-21T09:19:00.001-07:00

Graduation of children in Terrier Rouge is a big event involving the whole community. Every household who has a child in a graduating class starts early in the year preparing for that moment by saving every penny for this precious occasion. For the middle class person or the poor, it is an opportunity to celebrate with friends and neighbors the success of their children who are no longer illiterate for they now know how to read and write. In the mind of those people their children are University graduates.

Parents will make any sacrifice, such as selling their hogs, cows or other agricultural products, to find the means to buy nice clothing for their children, have their pictures taken, and throw a big party after the graduation ceremony. It is difficult to understand what is going on if you do not understand the depth of meaning that graduation holds to the people of Haiti.

On the morning of Sunday, July 3^rd, a crowd of parents, friends and members of the Terrier Rouge community gathered at Saint Barthélémy to celebrate the graduation of 79 kindergarten children and 27 students from the sixth grade class. The crowd of roughly 450 participants filled the large auditorium which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The sound of trumpets and trombones announced the beginning of the Graduation ceremony. The Chamber Orchestra followed with Pachelbel's Canon in D major while the candidates, well-dressed in their elegant outfits, entered with grace and proceeded down the aisle to the platform.

The graduation exercise began with the praising of God for the all the blessings poured on the children, their families, the teachers and the staff of the School. At the invitation of the celebrant, the multitude stood up and sung with joy and in harmony the popular song, “To God be the glory,” accompanied by the organ and the trumpets. A student of the kindergarten graduating class read the lesson of the Old Testament followed by a sixth grader in the reading of the New Testament. Father Jean Monique Bruno's sermon focused on Jesus's love for children and the necessity of education in the struggle to end poverty in Haiti.

A representative of the kindergarten class - a six year old girl - delivered a speech in impeccable French with perfect pronunciation, surprising everyone but the teachers and the staff of the school. Her speech was interrupted three times by much applause from the audience. Her final words were a thank you in French, Spanish and English.

The highlight of the ceremony was the distribution of the diplomas and presents to each child. This was the moment when they could finally enjoy the fruits of their labor. The parents were beaming with pride and joy to see that their sacrifices were well worth it. It was a moment of excitement for the teachers as well who felt great satisfaction for a successful school year. The staff of the school is very proud of the work accomplished and the support of the community. One parent expressed her happiness this way, “Saint Barthélémy is a gift to Terrier Rouge and is producing changes in the community. It sets an example that the other schools will have to imitate if they want to do a good job.”

The ceremony ended with a march played by the Chamber Orchestra and the taking of pictures around the campus.

Making a difference...one life at a time

2011-06-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

It seems that every time I travel to Terrier Rouge with a medical team there are stories that will stick with me for life. The most recent visit in June was no exception. Jeff Chambers, Physician's Assistant, was examining a patient's knee when he asked me to take an x-ray and then bring him the results. Twenty minutes go by (we develop them the old-fashioned way) and I showed Jeff the x-ray. This gentlemen had a rod in his thigh bone from a previous surgery that had started to migrate into his knee joint. Needless to say, it was very debilitating. His knee was locked in a semi-flexed position making it very painful to walk and he was unable to squat. Using our cell phone (thanks Digicel) we were able to take a photo of the x-ray and consult with some orthopedic surgeons back in the states. You have to remember that Clinique Espérance et Vie is not equipped with an operating room (ie. anesthesia machine, adjustable operating table, large autoclave, etc) so our best options and worst case scenarios were carefully analyzed. These options were also discussed in much detail with the patient. Our biggest fear was that this rod would puncture his skin and he would develop an infection before he had enough money to pay a Haitian surgeon to remove the rod, and he would risk losing his leg, or worse, death.

What happened next was a team effort. Richard (Clinic Operations Officer) gathered a pair of vice grips and hammer to sterilize in the autoclave. We did not know what we might need and had to be prepared. The clinic nurse, Antionette Toussant, started a IV on the patient while Jeff and I scrubbed the patient's knee with betadine to prepare a sterile field. Melissa Martin, MD began to administer a drug via IV to help relax our patient while our translator reassured him and explained all the steps in Creole. Jeff administered a nerve block on the patient's left leg and numbed up his knee, and then asked for a scalpel. I headed for the autoclave to get out tools, and upon returning found a 14 inch rod lying in the sink and a lot of smiling faces. Dr. Gustave stepped in to help Jeff close up the wound, and 2 hours later our patient rode away on the back of a motorcycle (only in Haiti!). Our team - Haitians, Americans, and the Holy Spirit - had been successful, and we all had a story to tell. I hope you share this one, and continue to support the work of Bethlehem Ministry.

Thanks be to God,

Trey Scott, Physical Therapist

Twice the Love!

2011-06-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce that we have received a matching grant from S.G. Foundation for our Regional Eye Health Assessment. This initiative is aimed at diagnosing and treating cataracts for Haitians living in rural northeast Haiti. Although cataracts are not a serious ailment in the United States, cataracts in Haiti can mean loss of vision and thus loss of income. Those are dire consequences in a country as impossibly poor as Haiti. Additionally, cataracts can be symptomatic of more threatening illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. S.G. Foundation believes in our mission to treat cataracts before they become debilitating. They will match dollar for dollar all funds raised for this campaign up to $10,027.00. Please help us reach our goal. Please visit www.BethlehemMinistry.com to make a secure donation via PayPal and be sure to earmark the donation for "Ophthalmology" in the memo line. And just like that your donation is doubled! Thank you so much and God bless!

Flag Day!

2011-05-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

In Haiti, May 18^th is Flag Day, a national holiday celebrated in villages and cities across the country. Flag Day celebrates Haiti's independence from France in 1803, following a slave rebellion that lasted more than a decade. The Haitian flag, created on May 18^th, 1803, is a symbol of pride, unity, and individual freedom. Ecole St. Barthélémy celebrated in the streets of Terrier Rouge with a parade of music and dance by the students of St. Bart's. The celebration grows bigger and better each year as our school music program expands. We are so proud of these kids!

The Simple Things in Life . . .

2011-04-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

Today we christened a new bike rack for Ecole St. Bartelemy. The rack is a generous gift from one of our supporters and the students are thrilled. Once installed, the kids hurried to be the first ones to hang their bikes. Many of our students ride their bikes to school and this much-needed gift will be a little reminder each day that they are cared for and loved.

A Student's View - VI

2011-03-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I awoke to the sounds of rooster’s crowing and the calm wind. I rose from bed, got dressed in five minutes, and walked to the front gate. Just like every Haitian morning, it was very bright, enough to walk without worrying about a pot hole or one of the many animals that roam the streets. The group and I walked to a small Catholic Church next to a dirt park, with one lonely police officer who carries a revolver. We weren’t the first ones there, the choir was already sitting down, with some people scattered around the church. Mass was very nice, and very similar to mass in Georgia except the homily was at the end of mass. After mass, we returned to the school and ate breakfast, which consisted of pancakes, papaya juice, coconut milk, and some flat coke.

Soon after breakfast we hopped in a large white truck and traveled about two hours to two isolated villages were we distributed hundreds of bags of rice, beans, fish, and cooking oil. We spent much of the morning and midday in these two separate villages, feeding hundreds of Haitians. We left and returned to the school, ate a lunch consisting of a noodle-dumpling soup and a mix of rice and beans, then left to the nearby high school. Michael, Henry, Austin, and I tried to teach some of the students to play baseball, but we ended up teaching them how to throw and bat the ball. By the end of the hour and a half we spend there, they were very successful in both endeavors. From my point of view, they were having lots of fun. At every missed catch, and missed swing, the mass of hundreds of school children would roar in laughter. We walked home to the school, and played some soccer with a few of the residents of the village. It was a four on four games, and of course, we lost, five to seven.

The days here are great. The mornings consist of high visibility, but with low heat. Between 10 am and 4 pm, the day is at its hottest. If we are lucky, a cloud will pass over us, and give us some shade for a few minutes. Everyday and all day, there is at least a light breeze that can make the midday bearable. The afternoons are cool and lively, there is a soccer game around every corner. I love the culture and its people, because if you treat them well, they will treat you just the same.

Jeremy Ruiz, student at Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens, GA on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

A Student's View - V

2011-03-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today we started the last day helping the people of Haiti. We enjoyed a nice morning mass at about 6. It was pretty interesting seeing the lack of differences between their mass and ours. They thanked us during the mass for being there and helping the Haitians. After mass ended we walked back to enjoy the last breakfast the cooks at the school would give us. As a farewell gift they gave us delicious pancakes. They served them with honey and peanut butter. Then we drove to some villages near the coast to deliver rice, beans, and spaghetti. They we really happy to see us and I was happy to serve them. After that we enjoyed the beautiful sight of the Haitian coast. We came back to rice, beans, and soup for lunch which was nice. Then we got to relax for a little bit and play some soccer with kids until we went to go teach Haitians baseball at a local high school. It was pretty hard with the language barrier but we managed to do okay with the Father from the church since he translated for us. It was pretty fun until one of the bigger kids hit a ball on the ground which went directly to my shin. After that we walked back to the compound where got to relax some more and play a little more soccer and basketball. That was the day so far but we are hosting a party for the school and clinic this afternoon.

Austin, student from Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens, GA on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

Spring Break in Terrier Rouge - IV

2011-03-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

While the group got to go to an ancient palace and the market, Jed and I stayed here at the school because we were both sick. While I am better today, Jed is still a little queasy. However I feel like we are both cared for with joy instead of caution. Yesterday I remember while I was laying down, Madam Bruno came in to check on me and she was whispering something that sounded like a song. That made my day that this woman whom I just met like 3 days ago would come in and check on me. I feel like all of the people here are just as caring and friendly as Madam Bruno; they all say Bonjour (hello) to you and smile or wave, which brightens my day knowing that we are welcome and appreciated here. All of the Haitians seem very compassionate and humble at the same time; I feel like they love it when we say hello to them or just smile at them, which makes me feel good because even though there is that language barrier, it’s the universal smile or wave that lets them know we care about them and that we are here to help. Being here in Haiti has really shown me that everything we take for granted, such as ice or warm water, is truly a luxury. It has also shown me that even while we can’t solve their problems, it feels great to know that we helped Haiti, specifically Terrier Rouge, with some of their difficulties. It just feels great to help those who are less fortunate than us, by a long shot, and to see the joy that they get from us being here.

Brooke, high school student at Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens, GA on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

Spring Break in Terrier Rouge - III

2011-03-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an exhausting day; while my mother’s watch blinked 10:30 pm as we settled into bed, we all agreed it felt like 3 am. Our day began with a wonderful breakfast and then we climbed into the back of a truck-trailer and were off to go explore the towns and the market. After a beautiful tour of various towns, we arrived at the second largest city in Haiti. Imagine Mumbai with lines of street venders and hundreds of cars back to back and you will have a perfect image of what we saw. While driving through this city, we got to see the wide blue coast. As we turned down one street, we came to the “tourist” market. The tourist market had a long row of pod-like rooms that each held a store. The air smelled of the salty sea and was filled with various callings of “Blue light special! Come! Come!” from all the vendors. The day was exhausting but we were able to pull enough energy to end the day with a huge food packing. We packed over 120 bags of food to be delivered today to less fortunate towns. However, our spirits are raised as the boys provide music for us from the flutes and drums they purchased at the market.

Lannon, student at Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens, GA on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

A Student's View - II

2011-03-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

We were woken this morning by a rather ornery rooster who called out with the rising of the shining sun. We went out at eight o’clock and saw the flag raising ceremony in which all of the children sang in their native tongue. Following the ceremony, the school band played as the rest of the kids went into their classrooms. We ate breakfast with Father Bruno, and afterwards headed to the clinic to fix the crack-plagued walls. Father Bruno had the guys work on a gate for his farm, and once we thought that we had finished, we were informed only half the work was done. After completing another door for the gate, we went off to retrieve some lost items of the high school and to visit a general store. On the way back, Michael, Thomas, and I played some intense basketball against some Haitians and suffered a heartbreaking one point loss. In the middle of the game, I fell and cut my hand, but once we got back to the school, Thomas helped me patch it up. Tonight we are going to see a band play at the school, and by the looks of their set up, it is going to be very loud.

“`En-ri” - a student from Monsignor Donovan's High School, Athens, GA on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

A Student's View - I

2011-03-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today was a nice day. This morning after breakfast we all either went to help in the clinic or to help with arts and crafts, then a little later some built a gate and others went to see Father Bruno’s farm. I went to the clinic and to the farm. There were many people at the clinic waiting to be seen. The clinic is not open every day, and when it is open the average number of patients the medical doctor sees is about 40. At the clinic there is a normal medical doctor, an OB/GYN, dentist, and an eye doctor. We helped with some patients and we repaired the walls. At the farm we saw the HUGE farm that Father Bruno has, with 80 cattle and horse, which is all taken care of when he isn’t there by only 3 people. We did some other little things, walked around in the village and to a small market.

CAMILLE, student from Monsignor Donovan High School, Athens, GA, on Spring break in Terrier Rouge

Circle of Hope

2011-03-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Our good friends at Warrenton Presbyterian in Virginia have just returned from Haiti where they created a labyrinth for the patients of Clinique Espérance et Vie. Many Haitians suffer from hypertension and meditative walking is a great way to naturally lower the heart rate. Our labyrinth design is a St. Paul's labyrinth, a simple shape that has been used since the 13^th century when it was first installed at Chartes Cathedral in France. The Terrier Rouge locals have named the labyrinth, “The Circle of Hope.” We think that's just perfect.

We Love our Volunteers!

2011-01-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

Today is Sunday and we are awaiting a group from Warrenton, VA to arrive. The last group left on Friday and I miss them already. Each person in that group added something very special to the upkeep and operation of the clinic. The vision testing was beyond belief. Now, Dr. Carmelle wants us to offer this service to every elementary school in our area!!! We found 5 children with severe vision impairment who will need glasses. As you know, glasses are very expensive so the KidKare program is essential to our being able to help children from St. Barthelemy's. Sarah's family was really special. The boys, ages 8 and 10, participated in everything that went on. Her husband, Richard, spent his entire 3 weeks getting the 30 Kw generator hooked up. Finally, last Thursday night at 9:00 it started for the first time. It is so quiet; the neighbors are well pleased. We are being good neighbors in every respect. Meredith and Peter Merritt are here for awhile and Meredith will work again in the clinic. There is no doubt at all that what we are doing is changing lives and making a difference in Terrier Rouge.

All I can say is that the staff wants to open 5 days/week which means an added burden on our salaries and our medicines we have to prescribe. I will need at least $1,000/month for meds. The lab is working well but Meredith will work with our lab tech to teach her how to accelerate some of the testing she is doing. All in all I am very thankful for the prayer support that is wholeheartedly felt here. The cholera campaign is going really well. Cholera is lessening so we are making a difference.

Love to all, Berry+

A Volunteer's Journey - Day 8

2011-01-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

One year ago, the capital of Haiti was essentially leveled in a massive earthquake. Over 300,000 people died, with many more suffering injuries. Disease was an after-effect of the quake, killing many more people.

Today, the nation of Haiti took the day to mourn. We had a moving two hour worship service with the community in the morning. Even though most of the service was in Creole, we felt the emotions of the congregation and mourned with them. As Pere Bruno said, everyone in the room knew someone, had a family member, or were friends with someone who was injured or killed in the quake. But the service did not end with mourning. A passage from the Gospel of John was read and we were reminded that Jesus is indeed the Resurrection and Life! The service ended with a very joyous song and much dancing and clapping.

The capital took a moment of silence in the early afternoon to reflect on the loss they have experienced as a nation. The country is rebuilding. Lives are being put back together. Homes are being built. Hope is returning. And we their hope is in Jesus Christ!

Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

A Volunteer's Journey - Days 5-7

2011-01-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

I am sorry that I was not able to post recently. Since my computer has not been working, it has been difficult to get online.

The past several days have been eventful, to be sure! Sunday, I worked with a massive cholera awareness campaign, where more than 150 volunteers traveled to Fort Libertie to pass out small bottles of Clorox and to educate people on the dangers of cholera. Each volunteer visited 25 homes each, so many, many people were informed.

While I was working with a group of people presenting information (we had a Haitian who did the speaking for us), we came to the home of an elderly lady. She was sitting outside of her wood and mud home, and before we could get too far into what we were doing, she stopped us so she coudl retrieve a chair for each of the Americans at her house! She found three chairs and insisted that we sit while we explained what we were doing. The guests were offered seating (the Haitian with us, Kismel, had family in that neighborhood, so he was from there, even though he does not live there). To me, her act showed the generosity of the hatian people.

We spent most of the day walking through the neighborhoods meeting people and explaining the dangers of cholera. We did not have much energy after that!

On Monday, we painted the main office of the clinic. A fresh coat of paint brightened the place up quite a bit. Many people commented on how much of a difference it made when they cam in on Tuesday to see the doctors and nurses.

On Tuesday, we began eye tests for the children of the school. With so many children, we are spreading the tests over several days, but we have already identified a couple of children who might benefit from glasses. Tomorrow, we will see more children and are ready with two eye charts and enough volunteers to help make things flow smoothly.

The Haiti trip is almost finished. While Athens is covered in several inches of snow, we are enjoying sunny and 90 degrees! This experience has been amazing, and I look forward to sharing it with you!

Peace,
Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

A Volunteer's Journey - Day 4

2011-01-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

It is a small miracle from God that I am able to continue to post on this blog with my computer out of commission. One of the people staying with us is allowing me to use her computer tonight. Yeah!

Today, we went to visit the Citadel that rests on top of a large mountain. Now, when I saw large mountain, think something coming straight out of the ground and going up about 3,000 feet. We drove up most of the way, but then it got too steep for the 4 wheel drive vehicles, so we walked. We were so high when we got there, we were literally in the clouds. A cloud rolled in on us while we were walking in the Citadel and cooled things off a bit. Visibility was reduced a lot, which was good since we could not see the straight drop off one side of the building...

In this blog, however, I don't want to focus on how awesome the Citadel was, but the state of the Haitian people around it. When we arrived at the base to purchase our tickets to get into it, there were several people there trying to sell us little items: hats, pictures, boxes, carvings, etc. These people were determined to sell to us, no matter how many times we said no. They kept lowering the price. One vendor selling paintings kept calling it a "Blue Light Special," getting some chuckles from us Blancs (whites). When we reached the parking lot where we left the cars and continued up on foot (or horse if you chose to pay), there were many more people with the same items ready to sell to us. When our group headed out, we had ten people walking up to the Citadel. However, about 30 people walked with us. Even though we had procured the services of a guide through Father Bruno of Bethlehem Ministry, we had several unofficial guides along for the walk. They told us the same things we learned from our official leader. Arriving at the top, we went into the Citadel, where tickets were required for entrance. Our legion of unofficial guides waited outside for us to return. When we finally emerged a couple hours later, they were waiting for us to accompany us on our walk down, pointing out good picture opportunities, coffee trees, small cannon balls in the bush. Each of our new guides expected to be paid for his service (no women walked up the mountain). Most tipped their respective person a dollar. I had two very polite gentlemen, so I tipped them each a dollar.

But then the "vultures" came. The women with the goods surrounded us and kept asking us to buy, no matter how many times we said no. When one person purchased, more came to that person, hoping to sell him or her their stuff, too. The prices were always negotiable, but it was relentless. The only way to make it stop was to get in the cars and drive away.

Speaking to a couple of the regular folks from Haiti, it appears this is their profession. In one day, we only saw two groups go up: our group of ten and another group of three. There are not many people who make the walk to the top, which means there are not a lot of people who are willing to buy their wares. What does this do to their economy? That area was completely tourist driven. What happens when no tourists come for a day? A week? A month?

These people have learned to prey on tourists. It is how they receive their income. There is no easy fix for this problem. I certainly do not have the answers to it. I don't know what would happen to these people if folks did not come their way. I do not know what would happen if those that did come refused to pay for a service they did not ask for.

Today was difficult, not because of the walk to the Citadel or the staggering heights we were standing next to (I can't wait to get home and upload pictures of it for you!), but to see these people in that state of desperate need for me to buy a box or a flute or a small statue. A dollar might not seem like much, but as I have already learned, when one person gives a dollar, many more are there with hands out. That is why people like the men I am rooming with are so important: they want to gainfully employ Haitians. Move them from asking for tips for services unwanted to being able to provide for their families.

The work Bethlehem Ministry does helps support this thinking. It is important and needed. It is slow, but important work!

Since I am not sure how often I will be able to post on the blog, if you have a question about a youth ministry international mission trip to Haiti, please ask in the comments section. I will do my best to answer them. It will be easier for you to ask while I am here and can find answers if I do not know them than to wait until I am back in the states.

Please continue to pray for this trip. And pray for my family, who is without Daddy!

Peace,

Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

A new clinic generator!

2011-01-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

After a lot of hard planning and work, we witnessed the arrival of our new generator for the clinic today. It was a long time coming! It arrived in port on the Dec 30th, but then it sat while everything was closed for holidays, then it sat while everyone took care of customs (2 days of meetings, paperwork, phone calls and conversations). Finally, we heard that it would be here at 10 am the next day.

The container arrived in Terrier Rouge at 10 am on Wednesday, January 7th. The forklift to get the generator out of the container arrived at 11am. The inspector to review all contents and sign off that everything is in order arrived at 1 pm. After a close inspection of generator, tractor and paperwork, the forklift carried the generator from the main highway of Terrier Rouge (the only paved road sturdy enough to support a tractor-trailor and a container), through downtown Terrier Rouge to the clinic. Everyone cheered when the generator was set down on the clinic property, and our maintenance man insisted on the first picture of him, alone, with his new best friend!

The container that shipped the generator also shipped a tractor for Jatropha Pepinye, our biofuel farming initiative. The container was driven to Jatropha for final unloading. We asked for help from area UN troops, since they own a forklift and other machines that can help us move heavy machinery. The UN forces here right now are from Jordan. They are tasked with keeping the peace, but we've enlisted them to help us in our humanitarian efforts by unloading the tractor from the container. We learned that the Jordanians have been here for 2 weeks are are just learning about the area. We share with them what we know and are happy to make more friends.

We are grateful to everyone who has made the generator and the tractor a reality. The generator will help provide continuous power for local surgeries. The tractor will enable the Jatropha project to grow larger, cultivate more land and provide more sustainable work to Haitians.

-Sarah Rice, Bethlehem Ministry Board Member on a 3-week working visit to Haiti

A Volunteer's Journey - Day 3

2011-01-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today was an intense day of work. It began by cleaning out a 40' storage shed behind the school. Normally, that is not too bad, but the Haitian heat (even in January!) made it difficult. There were all kinds of tools and supplies and builiding materials in it. Long, tough, hard work. Then we made the packets and bags for the next cholera campaign. We must have packed close to 1,000 bags and 10,000 flyers. We will bring that information into rural Haiti on Sunday, educating people on how to use Clorox to keep the water clean and not get sick. Then we have soap for them to use to wash their hands. It will be interesting seeing this in action, since I don't speak Creole and my French is very bad! (It has been a LONG time since my last French class in my second year of college!)

The living arrangements here have been fantastic! We have little "pods" that each have three rooms that house up to four people each. Each room has its own private shower and toilet. The showers are COLD, but it feel really good after a long, hard day of working! The food is awesome, and the people that come through here are fantastic to meet and greet.

Today, we also walked around Terrier Rouge, the town near where we are staying. The people are very friendly and willing to smile and wave to us. The language barrier is a problem for real conversation, but we can manage small phrases in French. The area is not wealthy by any stretch, but the people live in better homes than other parts of the country. They have concrete walls where some areas have only wood and mud huts. Dr. Gary Fleming played soccer with a couple of little boys in the street, and they loved it! He also saw a little a little girl he has seen since she was 4 weeks old. She is around 2 or so now. Her mom sought him out to thank him for all the care he has shown to her daughter over the years. He invited her to come by the clinic to have her girl checked up by him.

Unfortunately, today, I also broke my computer, and now it will not turn on. I popped a small wire on the power button, but I cannot fix it right now. I do not know how often (or if at all!) I will be able to continue to update the blog. And I apologize for no pictures, but the internet connection here is slow, so I was asked not to upload pictures.

I hope this is not my last blog entry for this trip, but if it is, I have had a wonderful time so far on this trip! Coming to experience a different culture and different way of life is amazing. Please continue to leave comments and I will do my best to be able to respond to them.

And thank you for your support of this trip and and of the idea of a youth international mission trip in 2012! May God continue to bless you in all you do!

Peace,

Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

A Volunteer's Journey - Day 2

2011-01-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Today I learned quite a bit about why people come to stay in this little slice of paradise. It is not just to serve others, but to help people develop a sustainable economy. At present, I have three roommates whom I have never met before. One is working with a tree that produces a bean that will be used to generate fuel and a couple of other needed things. He is teaching farmers how to properly grow and care for the tree and how to harvest the bean correctly. Another gentleman is setting up sustainable businesses all around Haiti, run by Haitians, using Haitian goods, serving Haitians. The last man staying with me works for the government of Haiti in the agriculture department.

Bethlehem Ministry is intent on Haitians creating and running jobs for and with Haitians. At times, outside help is needed to get started. And outside expertise.

Today, our group of six broke into three different work groups: our two doctors went to the clinic to see patients, two people went on a Cholera prevention campaign to a rural village, and two people stayed behind to work on some of the storage issues around the camp. It is interesting to listen and share stories from each of the three groups. There is plenty to do here in Haiti, that is for sure!

Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

A Volunteer's Journey - Day 1

2011-01-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

I've been spending a lot of time with Eli, my youngest son (2 1/2 years old), watching his favorite show with him. Today, I felt like an episode of Dora the Explorer! We checked the map, had to get from Atlanta to Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Cap Haitian and finally on to Terrier Rouge. After setting out at 2 a.m., we finally arrived in Terrier Rouge around 4 p.m.. The traveling was not an issue, but arriving in Haiti was a somber sight. The airport had a large section of it shut down due to damage from the earthquake last year. They were still trying to repair it. Rubble and trash lined the street as repairs were slow to be made. People all over were looking for simple work, even as much as carrying our bags from the airport to our cars. And there was a lot of poverty. Everywhere we looked on our drive through Port-au-Prince to the small airport for our short flight to Cap Haitian was filled with people trying their best just to get by.

When we arrived in Terrier Rouge, we were greeted by a different sight: instead of trash-lined streets with people who seem to have lost a sense of purpose, the city was trash-free, and people all walked around with their heads held high and smiling. They had hope. Talking with people from the area quickly showed why: the school and the health clinic. Both have drastically increased the quality of life in the area, as children now get a fantastic education and are treated for their illnesses and diseases.

Our church's outreach through this area has been incredible. Giving hope to people is a powerful thing. It changes their entire outlook on life.

I look forward to spending this time in Terrier Rouge seeing the impact of the ministries of churches like ours: churches that work globally to spread the love of Christ!

Adrian M.
First Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

Shoebox Ministry in Action

2011-01-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

We were privileged to see shoeboxes given out today. I was amazed to see after breakfast that a swarm of children appeared in the courtyard of the school. They were all well dressed, standing around in small groups. I took advantage of this moment to show them the bag of lollipops I had with me. I instantly had 40 friends.

They were here to receive shoeboxes. I learned that boxes had already been given out for grades 1 and 2, as well as the older grades. These kids were here from grades 2, 3 and 4 to receive their gift for the year. If you don't know already, Bethlehem Ministry gathers up shoeboxes with a variety of contents that are given, one to each child in the school, as a Christmas gift. The shoeboxes can have fun things, like toys, educational items like books and calculators, and personal items like undergarments, clothes, toothbrush and soap. I've seen musical instruments, dolls, toy cars, crayons, pencils, notebooks, and more. Many people in the States have been generous in gathering gifts for these Haitian kids. For many, it's the only Christmas presents they receive.

My 10-year-old son helps to organize all the boxes, so he gets the privilege of handing them out to kids. They all line up, one at a time, the teacher tells my son the student's name, and he says Happy New Year while giving each kid their box. They learn enough to say "Happy New Year", "thank you" and my son's name in English. As a mom, my heart melted. I was so proud of him for doing this service, and so happy to meet each child and learn their name.

What a privilege to be here and meet all these wonderful people and be part of their lives in a small way.

Sarah Rice, Bethlehem Ministry Board Member

Still Peaceful in Terrier Rouge

2010-11-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

We are all okay here in Terrier Rouge. Our IBC plane landed last Monday just in time to see all the excitement in and near the airport in Cap Haitien. Our chauffeur drove us over the runway and out on the other side of the airport where we reached Terrier Rouge shortly thereafter. It was a different experience, one that I have not had in all of my 27 years here. Pere Bruno was on his way from the Dominican Republic to meet us in Terrier Rouge. Rob and Ann have ridden their motorcycles to Grand Basin without any problems. As far as Terrier Rouge is concerned, there is not anything happening in Haiti at all. Some of the election folks have been to Cap and this is part of the problem.

Our clinic has not yet seen cases of cholera. In fact, I just took some of my IV fluids to another clinic in case they needed them. So far all is okay. Cholera is endemic to Nepal and there are UN peacekeepers from Nepal in the Artibonite Valley and in Cap Haitien. In the valley, a sewage pipe broke with the sewage flowing from the Nepalese camp and into the Artibonite River. As far as I know, there is no cholera upstream from this camp but downstream there is, so the Nepalese troops in Cap caught of lot of this anger. I also think much of the unrest is due to the pre-election strife. It is true that a Haitian was shot in Cap and also a UN guard. Food for the Poor had some difficulties as well but believe me, if you could hear our school band playing and see the people coming to the clinic even though our doctors couldn't get here today, you would all be very proud of what is happening in Terrier Rouge. We will have to continue to pray for the situation here, especially that all of the school children will have their food. Each of us standing on the shoulders of so many prayer warriors. It is a great project dedicated to the helping of so many people and prayerfully conceived and blessed. It continues to help me understand more and more that the world is truly our neighborhood, full of all sorts and conditions of human kind and no matter where we go, we are loved and trying to love.

Please continue to pray for our well being.

Berry Rice, Director, Clinique Esperance et Vie

School Marching Band Wows the Crowd at Opening Flag Ceremony

2010-10-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

What was a dream now becomes a reality. Last year, Marise, Dominique and I came back from Houston carrying some instruments that the parishioners of St Andrew's Presbyterian had gathered for our marching band project. People at the airport seeing each one of us carrying a specific instrument inquired about our group. They thought that we were musicians traveling aboard to present concerts. I laughed about that because I do not play any instrument.

Our marching band performed Monday, October 4th, the first day of school. At 8:00 am sharp, the drums announced the music and the flag was sent up at the sound of the national anthem. You can imagine the scene: The children of the different grades in their new uniforms aligned in front of their classrooms, listening silently to the band. The quiet atmosphere was only disturbed by the cry of a new 3-year-old student on her first day of school. This added a wonderful and original note to the ceremony. The band played our national anthem with majesty and pride. Parents and family members attended, filling the entire football field. They were very happy to hear the progress that the children had made in such a short time. So many people were moved by the music and the magnitude of the ceremony.

October 4th was a day of success for the school and the whole community. We give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings poured over the school, the parents, the teachers and all our friends who are helping us to provide an education of quality to our children. The marching band is not complete. We lack some basic instruments. But I believe that the Lord will fill the gap.

Pere Jean Monique Bruno

Clinic's First Aid Seminar Already Making an Impact

2010-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening while Pere Bruno and I were having dinner, he received a call. I could tell from his voice that something was terribly wrong. He got off the phone and said that a little boy of 6 had broken his arm and the father had not one cent to pay for a hospital visit. Pere Bruno just shook his head. After a few seconds, looking down at my plate and saying very softly, maybe we could help him, Pere Bruno exclaimed, “oh yes, we can do this,” and immediately called the father and told him to meet him at the clinic. We both got our flashlights and I took a white cloth and scissors I had, not knowing what was at the clinic. Pere Bruno said the clinic would have everything we needed.

On the way Pere Bruno also called Lunia, the clinic caretaker, who happily agreed to meet us at the clinic, which to my mind was a great relief.

As Pere Bruno and I ventured over to the clinic, flashlights in hand, I was silently praying that the bone hadn't broken the skin and that we could figure out where the break was.

Once we got to the clinic, my mind was quickly put to ease as I saw Lunia through the waiting room window. Lunia and three men were circling our little patient. A piece of cardboard had been placed under his elbow and his father was holding his arm straight out. The little guy's eyes were as wide as could be but there were not tears. I don't think he was quite sure what to think of this old woman blanc that was saying, “I am so sorry this happened to you. You are soooooooo brave.” Even though his eyes were big, the three men's eyes were even bigger, obviously very caring family members.

I went to the pharmacy and was able to find a thumb/wrist/arm band that worked perfectly for his tiny little arm, but we had to use the white cloth I brought for the strips around the band to close it around his tiny arm because it was too big. While I went back to get some Tylenol, Lunia made a perfect sling to fit his special circumstances and Pere Bruno was our caring interpreter. All the while, this tiny little guy is just starring at us. He was absolutely adorable.

He was carefully placed in the front seat of a pickup between the two older men. All of them, including our special patient, kept smiling and waving with very wide and enthusiastic motions.

How relieved Lunia and I felt that we had recently gone through your First Aid Training and we kept hugging and saying thank you to one another. Neither one of us had any idea we would be doing this so soon and with such a little one.

THANK YOU for all you are doing for the people of Terrier Rouge and people throughout the world. You are setting the world on fire.

Blessings and have a wonderful fall.

Robin McNutt, Bethlehem Ministry volunteer currently staying in Terrier Rouge

American Doctors Host Three-Day Seminar in Emergency First Aid for Haitian Community

2010-08-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have just spent a wonderful week in Terrier Rouge with doctors from King's County Hospital, NY and SUNY Downstate Medical School. On Tuesday, the medical team taught Basic Life Support and First Aid to approximately 175 people, ranging from health care providers to teachers to taxi drivers. On Wednesday, what began as a scheduled training of 10 people to be certified as American Heart Association instructors, exploded into a class of 80 as people arrived, excited to learn what all the buzz was about. After we managed a few quick adjustments in terms of feeding and teaching, the class was a huge success. On Thursday, we pulled a large truck and a couple of SUV's onto the school yard and made all of the participants role play an accident. It was a marvelous site to see them really use what they had learned in the course. Dr. Louima Bendson, one of our ob/gyns, was so excited to be certified as an official instructor that he has already taught the First Aid course to 25 young adults from Caracol. Our seminars have clearly generated a great deal of interest in emergency health care and first aid.

Clinique Ésperance et Vie is something Bethlehem Ministry can be very proud of. Our staff is first class and extremely proud to be working professionally. Bob Gore, an American photographer, was with us the entire week taking 70 gigabytes of photos. I think we are well documented now. The pressure is on to build our birthing center. We will be the only such center east of Cap Haitien. Combine this with an Emergency Service and we will be a top flight clinic, thanks be to God. We are moving along, loving our fellow human beings, smiling with joyful hearts and it is reciprocated in the smiles of the Haitian staff.

Berry Rice, Director, Clinique Ésperance et Vie

Knitting Communities Together

2010-08-06T10:50:00.001-07:00

These adorable comfort dolls, called Duduza dolls, were made by two knitting groups - one from First Baptist Church in Peachtree City, GA and another from St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Morrow, GA. Each doll was prayed over as it was created lovingly by hand and then sent to us to bring to Haitian children in need of a little extra love. These dolls will be used to provide comfort to an earthquake refugee child just arriving in Terrier Rouge, to a sick child in our Clinic, or perhaps to a scared child on her first day at school. There are so many ways that people give to our ministry, each one an offering of the heart.

Concerning Haiti's Reconstruction

2010-07-22T13:19:00.001-07:00

As you know, the problems surrounding Haiti's reconstruction efforts have been the subject of many news stories over the past couple of weeks. Six months have passed since the earthquake and many of you wonder what became of the homeless and frightened refugees you saw on your televisions in January. Because we understand this concern, our August newsletter will be devoted entirely to our efforts to aid the refugees who have arrived in Terrier Rouge as well as those who have remained in Port au Prince. We have experienced stories of heartbreak these past six months but we have also been blessed to share in the joy of new life reborn in Terrier Rouge . We look forward to sharing our full report with you in the next couple of weeks.

Ecole St. Barthelemy Hosts First Ever Inter School Soccer Tournament

2010-05-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Ecole St. Barthelemy hosted the first ever inter school soccer tournament among Terrier Rouge schools. Townspeople crowded the edge of the playing field to watch these young boys play. Playing with equipment, and in uniforms, donated from friends in the U.S., these kids proudly represented their schools. It was so exciting to witness these boys playing organized sports, not just kicking a ball in the street, but as a team, working with, and for, each other. We understand that a good education isn't solely about academics. Participating in team sports builds confidence and teaches selflessness, team building, and working for the greater good. We continue to search for new ways to address the whole person at our school and find new avenues for a bright future for our students.

Clinic Responds to Growing Community Need

2010-05-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

Clinique Esperance et Vie is really clicking right along. So much so that we are going to open now on Wednesdays. Ed Risler and Larry Nackerud, from the UGA School of Social Work, have just finished a 2-day seminar on dealing with trauma. Excellent. From this class I was able to interview 2 RN's, who were earthquake victims. We will probably employ one of them after further interviews. On Wednesday, we got the bad news that a student had died, were able to do grief counseling with the girls class. Very successful.

Our little boy, Roudely, came to see us at the clinic with an outbreak of eczema. I quickly sent an email to Coe, the Physician's Assistant who had seen him before. He had not had a bath in a month. Rob gave me some wonderful Jatropha glycerin soap. Roudely got a bath and we gave him a pair of sunglasses as his eyes were allergic to the sunshine. The lab is really picking up very well. The QBC blood analyzer is very busy. Diseases are being diagnosed and treated. I had the good fortune to see an Ascaris worm under the microscope. We are in need for gifts to the lab. The Wingo pharmacy, with our new pharmacist, is top rate. People are very happy with our supplies. Our volunteer nurse from Vermont returned to the States. I am so grateful to her for helping the clinic become very good. We can be very proud of what is happening there.

-Berry Rice
Founder and Director, Clinique Esperance et Vie

A Tour of Port au Prince

2010-05-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Larry and I toured Port au Prince with Molier on Sunday. The devastation is beyond comprehension, I cannot think where one would begin to rebuild. We interviewed around 30 people living in tent cities all over PAP. The resiliency of the human spirit is amazing. In Terrier Rouge have interviewed more people; mostly displaced from PAP. On the up side, went swimming in Phaeton.
-Ed Risler

Lack of Trauma Care in Haiti Hits Home

2010-03-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

The lack of trauma care in Haiti hit home today as we encountered a motorcycle accident in Terrier Rouge. Early in the afternoon, Coe and Emily were enjoying a rare treat (a Sprite) in the town square. As they sat they saw a group of Haitian men carrying an unconscious woman through the street along with another injured woman. The party headed into the Haiti State Clinic which is staffed by Cuban physicians. Coe and Emily followed the group into the clinic where they found both women to have severe facial trauma as well as one patient to have a severe elbow injury. The Cuban physicians had gone to lunch and Coe and Emily instructed the nurse that they would go for supplies and return shortly seeing that the State Clinic was poorly equipped. Jeff and Jerry were on their way to the town square when they met Coe and Emily in a jog down the street. All four returned with supplies to find the Cuban physicians had returned and were at work suturing the patient's face. We offered our assistance but were (in the spirit of the Cold War) rebuffed. Coe was able to charm the lead Cuban physician, in Spanish, and the Cuban medical team warmed to our presence especially after we offered personal gifts and supplies. Fortunately, both patients were alert and had good neurological exams. I was able to evaluate the elbow and found it to be fractured and dislocated. After initiating a nerve block on the arm, the fracture dislocation was reduced and the arm splinted. We were also able to provide some hands on teaching for the Cuban physicians in orthopedic traumatology for which they were grateful. The real issue is the lack of follow-up trauma care and definitive surgical management, which is sorely lacking in Haiti. This patient will need surgery, but chances are it will not happen. Inability to pay upfront for care at Haitian hospitals along with a lack of orthopedic surgeons in Haiti will, more that likely, assure that this patient will end up with a very stiff elbow for the rest of her life. Fortunately, there were no life threatening injuries in this situation, but the odds of most Haitians surviving a serious injury is exponentially less than that of a patient in America or Europe. We are amazed at the resilience and toughness of the Haitians. Even without the earthquake, the need for First World medical professionals and expertise is constantly in demand.

-Jeff Chambers
American Physician's Assistant visiting and volunteering in Terrier Rouge

Stories of Hope and Life

2010-03-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

Today we awoke to a very sunny morning, giving the first signs of a soon to be very hot day. After breakfast we all split up our separate ways. Charlotte and Anna spent their morning at the school. Anne Lanier and Bethany assembled bags of rice for a feeding. Dr. Anna Scott and Trey Scott teamed up to teach the seventh grade sex ed, which Dr.Scott said ended with some very interesting questions and lots of giggles. Over at the clinic today was especially busy as Dr. Gustav, Nadia, and Carmel, doctors visiting from Cap Haitien, were there. These doctors are regulars at the clinic, and the collaboration between them and their American counterparts was special. The clinic was truly packed. There were 100 patients seen in the clinic today---word has spread that we are staffed with top notch doctors-Haitian and American. To follow up on Emilie's story of the young boy Roudely, he returned today and looked like a new child. It was amazing to see what just two days of medicine can do for a child. His skin was clear, his breathing almost perfect. Since his uncle Lou Lou was working at the clinic that day Coe and Emilie let him stay for the morning and he played soccer in the back with Kena. In another story of success in the clinic a man of about 75 arrived who had a catheter installed at the government clinic. It had become infected and he was also suffering from congestive heart failure on the left side of his heart and his lungs were filled with water. After a round of treatment with antibiotics and diuretics Jeff and Emily got his oxygen to go from about 82% to 92% in just three hours, which was a great turn around. At his arrival he had barely been able to get a word out due to all the fluid in his lungs and by the end he was rattling on, happy to be better.
Back at the school Andy Simmonds and Peter Rice taught Algebra One to a class of about 30 kids and got to use chalk like from their earlier days. In the afternoon Andy was able to finish the installation of a shelf in the clinic which was made from salvaged materials from a packing crate. In the afternoon, while the doctors were finishing at the clinic, we walked into town to get a coke and rest in the park. The students played basketball and soccer with the kids. After dinner we all came together to form an assembly line, packing up food for Port au Prince, filling bags with beans, spaghetti noodles, and vegetable oil. Then we all came together for a debriefing where we shared our thoughts from this experience. There was a wonderful spirit of service uniting all of us--and we have grown so close on this trip. In our debriefing tonight, everyone commented on this and on the lessons learned from the Haitians. Chip said it best--"In America people have so much and are not really happy, but in Haiti they have so little and are happy." We are praying for a safe and productive rest of our trip! Bon noui......

-Andy S., Anne G., Christine S.
American students and teachers visiting and volunteering in Terrier Rouge

The Happiest People

2010-03-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Well, after breakfast I told the medical professionals that this would be a laid back day. I thought we might walk around town and dream about future projects. I was so wrong. After stopping by the clinic when we finished breakfast, we found a flurry of activity. At least 15 people were lined up for consults around 9:30 a.m. Jeff Chambers, Coe, Brigid and their assistants (Emilie, RN and Trey, PT) began seeing patients. We knocked off around 1 p.m. and had seen, collectively, around 40 patients. With the assistants of translators, we had seen numerous dermatological problems, various orthopedic and physical limitations, along with some urinary and diabetic complications. In addition, some small procedures, castings, and donning of a walking boot were carried out. We saw at least 3 or more patients that were directly affected by the Port-au-Prince Earthquake. Some were still shaken and demonstrating symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome. We saw a 6 week old tibia fracture and a below the knee amputee who had been operated on in an Army field hospital, just to name a couple. The lab was functioning today enabling us to administer blood glucose testing, complete blood counts, and urinary testing. Andy and Jerry helped build a platform for the shoe of patient with a severe discrepancy in leg length, worked on building shelves for the new library, and helped finish the desks for the classroom. The refugees have inundated the school and the preschool classrooms have become overcrowded, so we are outfitting a new class.
Later in the afternoon, Coe and Emily made a house call with Father Bruno to a gentleman who lived close by the school. He had lots of esophageal distress and was easily remedied with some Prilosec and Pepto-Bismal. In addition, he had lower extremity weakness and was in need of some ambulation assistance. We were able to provide the appropriate meds and a walker to make this man much happier. He asked, "How soon can you come back? You have given me hope". He was so grateful for some symptomatic relief.
Meanwhile, at the school, Kena and Christine were performing eye exams on the fifth grade students and their teachers (they insisted). Bethany and Anne Lanier helped organize the pharmacy, and Charlotte and Anna J. worked on sanding tables for a new classroom and creating video footage of a regular school day. Later in the afternoon, cargo was brought back from Cap-Haitian and unloaded at the school and clinic. It had been shipped from the U.S. Dr. Anna Scott (I put Dr. because I helped pay for her education) taught an adult education class about menstruation and pregnancy along with earth science focused on natural disasters. Anna was floored by how much the women craved knowledge. They kept her for more than 2 hours asking questions that 6th graders in our country would be able to answer. They were so grateful to be able to take the information home to their children and grandchildren.
After dinner, we were delighted with musical sounds of Leno and his guitar and his best friend on vocals. We captured video footage and it is absolutely amazing. You Tube links will surely follow in the future. What a show we experienced! As days pass, I am continually amazed at the amount of good in the world, and the triumphant human experience that is life. In the midst of what could be ultimate despair, I find the happiest people in the western hemisphere. It is ironic that they are also the poorest.

-Trey Scott
American Physical Therapist volunteering in Terrier Rouge

Counting Our Blessings - Part 1

2010-03-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

We woke up and had a great breakfast, during the kids’ morning ritual. They sang hymns, their national anthem, and raised the flag. There is a lot of singing here. Yesterday just after school dismissed, the teachers gathered for their faculty meeting--and yep--they were singing hymns of praise and gratitude. They love their work and their students and are thankful to be a part of such a special school. Dr. Scott assures us singing in faculty meetings in not normal in the states-and if they did sing, they would probably not sing thanksgiving hymns. There are so many lessons like this every day--being grateful and counting one's blessings.

One team went over to the clinic - Brigid, Jeff Chambers, Coe, Emilie, Berry, and Trey. Kena and Christine, two students from Athens Academy, went to help out at in the pharmacy. Andy and Jerry worked on completing the construction of exam tables for the clinic. The rest of us, Bethany, Anne Lanier, Anna, Charlotte, Chip, and Dr. Scott, unpacked the school supplies and clothes for the earthquake victims. Then we set out to capture as much candid video and pictures as possible. We want to be able to share our experience and the story of St. Bart's. Walking into the classrooms we were treated like celebrities, especially Chip. We played a pick up game of basketball with the older girls. We blew bubbles to the little kids who went crazy trying to catch the bubbles with their hands. Charlotte was buried under a pile of adoring children. We got footage of the children eating their lunch. For many of the children it is their only meal of the day. We watched in amazement as they waited to take their first bite until they had sung their joyful blessing. What a lesson in humility to see children with so little so happy and so thankful. Already we see that we are being taught more than we are teaching. We will try to blog more about clinic goings on later tonight....

-Bethany, Anna, and Dr. Scott
American students and teachers volunteering in Terrier Rouge

Counting Our Blessings - Part 2

2010-03-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

On the evening of March 7th, Berry, Meredith (young staff nurse at the clinic) and Jeff Chambers made a house call to a home in Terrier Rouge which housed 17 members. Most of the family had been displaced by the earthquake and had moved in with family. One of the young women was, at this point, 1 week overdue with her third child. Meredith and been checking on her on a daily basis and up until today the baby had been moving. On our visit she stated the baby had not moved in a while. On exam, we could not stimulate the baby to move and were concerned for fetal distress. Not having a fetascope available to assess fetal heart tones and no other way to monitor the baby we resorted to gut feel and the history. Berry contacted an obstetrician in Cap Haitien who agreed to see the patient and off we went in the dark on a harrowing ride on Haitian roads with the three of us, the patient and two family members as well as Meredith’s husband in tow. On arrival, the patient entered the maternity ward at a hospital built 50 or 60 years ago and has had little update since that time. After the patient was assessed, the patient's father returned to us waiting outside and said the hospital had given him a list of medical supplies they needed and we must buy prior to inducing labor. We pooled out money and bought the supplies (IV fluids, catheters, etc.) from a local pharmacy. A practice that would be unheard of in the United States is common practice in Haiti. Americans would be aghast if they arrived at their local hospital and had to bring their own supplies and food prior to having the baby. The patient's labor was induced, but unfortunately she delivered a stillborn infant. Mom, at last check, was doing fine. It was a quiet ride home. A needless death that could have been avoided by regular pre-natal care and equipping the clinic in Terrier Rouge with fetal heart monitoring equipment.

-Anna Scott
American teacher volunteering in Terrier Rouge

Counting Our Blessings - Part 3

2010-03-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

Today Coe, Jerry, Jeff Chambers, Christine, Kena, Trey, Andy, and I began working in the clinic. The morning was fairly busy, however, one of our patients captured each of us with his precious smile and heartbreaking story. He is six, yet looks about three. He was abandoned by his parents in the Dominican Republic and lives with his grandmother. Having no resources to support him, she puts him out on the street. He is malnourished and has a rash all over his body. His eyes were infected, and his little belly poked out over his skinny legs. He smiled at everyone who spoke to him, and sat quietly while waiting to be examined. Coe and I took him in an exam room and began our assessment. Coe quickly realized he had bronchiolitis. He got a bath and we put lotion over his entire body to help with the rash and eczema. He did everything we asked, smiling often. His lung infection was treated and we tried to hydrate him. When he was given a protein bar for nourishment, he looked up at me in disbelief for receiving it. He scarfed it down. His uncle Lou Lou was very concerned about him, and having no obligation to take care of him, brings him to the clinic often. He is bringing him back on Thursday for follow-up and additional treatment. We hope he can heal, in order to have a chance to go to school where he can have structure, interaction, and a meal a day. He looked up at us before he left and with a smile said "Mersi.(thank you)." Praise be to God for Lou Lou bringing him into the clinic to help him have access to the care he desperately needs.
I am grateful to be here and for this opportunity to see God's love in a whole new way.

-Emilie M.
American Registered Nurse volunteering in Terrier Rouge

Market Day

2010-03-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

We have arrived safely in Terrier Rouge, Haiti. We flew from Miami into Santiago yesterday and spent the night in Hodelpa Centro Plaza, which was lovely. This morning, we took a 3 hour bus ride to the border. Market Day in Dajabon is a major ordeal! We were the only white people, and we were the star of the parade. Small children ran in front of our bus to make way for us in the mob. The children were keen to make a dollar or two, and it was evident they waited for buses like ours. The streets were packed with vendors and shoppers selling everything from bras to diapers. One savvy vendor told Dr. Scott in Spanish that she was stinky and needed to buy one of her washcloths to address this right away. Dr. Scott was tempted, but didn't bite. After several attempts our fabulous driver made it through the crowd where we met Father Bruno, Gary, and Nelson. They arranged our passage across, and even fixed so we didn't have to carry the heaviest bags as they were in the truck. While crossing on market day is hectic, it provides a marvelous introduction to the contrast between the DR and Haiti. We were all shocked at the level of poverty even in the rural parts of the DR--when we crossed the border, we found conditions much worse. Chip, our 7 year old traveler, commented "I can't believe this is real. I mean that people live like this." It was as eye opening for all of us. Kena, our Indian traveler commanded lots of attention, as not many Indians make it to these parts. Our 6 students, Mr. Simmonds, Trey Scott and Jeff Chambers enjoyed a ride in the back of the truck to Terrier Rouge. School was dismissing as we arrived--the students swarmed us, especially Chip. They greeted us in perfect French. We had a great meal and then unloaded pounds of supplies for the clinic. Pere Bruno toured us all around the school--Dr. Scott says there have a been so many changes in the school since she was hear last. It looks fabulous! Before dinner we went out to stroll in town. The children ran after us in the streets--grabbing our hands and asking to be picked up. By the end of our walk, everyone was holding the hand of at least one Haitian child, and their parents were coming out to visit with us. We visited so long that it got dark and we realized we did not remember which road to take. It was no matter as a lovely gentlemen served as our guide and took us back to St. Barts where we enjoyed a lovely meal. Berry and Jeff couldn't join us, as they had to head to Cap to take a post date pregnant lady to the hospital, maybe for a Section. We are prayerful that it goes well-they were concerned b/c the baby wasn't moving. We miss all and send love to our families. Will try to post more tomorrow.

-Kena, Charlotte, Bethany, Anna, Christine, Anne, Trey
Students and chaperons volunteering in Terrier Rouge