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So, after publishing the post last night I came down from the orphanage roof and we headed out for “a walk,” and guess who we ran into…our friends Timizou and Letene. They joined us on our stroll, which just happened to lead to the local watering hole…again…and there we spent some time before dinner catching up on all the news over the past 11mos….good stories and many great laughs!!

We watched the clock carefully so that we would make it back before the dinner bell. Dinner, as always was delicious, and once everyone had a full belly…and thanks to the industriousness of some of the team (shout out to Pam, Deann, Anna and Neal), we made short work of the prep chores. Then it was time again to cool off on the roof, under the moon and stars. What a way to end a long day!!

This morning began with cool temps but very little breeze and I knew we would be in for a hot one! Sure enough, within a few minutes, the sun gained height and the temp easily rose by 10 degrees in minutes…not even 7:30 yet. We knew there would be a definite insistance about clinic today, since we were forced to turn away nearly 100 patients yesterday when the “whistle blew.

We were not disappointed. As I sat on the roof with a cup of coffee this morning, I noticed a couple people who appeared to have arrived very early and were sleeping on the ground. Within minutes, more patients began arriving on foot. Soon there would be a clamoring crowd…they knew this would be our last clinic day on the island and most had no idea we woold be returning in 3 months.

After a quick breakfast we headed down to meet the masses and got an earlier start to what was billed as just a half day clinic. “Big Boss Lady” Nora had informed Paulsaint we would hand out just 70 tickets today, and a definite look was exchanged…in the end, we remained flexible, as one must in Haiti, and by the closing bell at 1:00 we had seen another 107 patients! Regardless of the number though, which now exceeds 500 in less than 4 full clinic days, my only hope is that our patients feel that we have served them well!

Based on the interactions I have heard throughout the week and the general demeanor of the patients when they depart clinic, I believe we are accomplishing our goal. And not to gloat, but I again claimed victory for the cutest baby in clinic – it helps to be the story writer!! (again, permisson was granted to take and publish the above photo)

After lunch, many of the team joined Neal and me for a refreshing dip in the ocean at short beach. Shorter walk, cool water…great payoff!!

After a quick dip and walk back home I spent some time on the rooftop at the orphanage searching for a signal to get the story out before we descended on the tedious end of week chores – final sorting, filing and creating an accurate inventory of the remaining supplies.

Tedious and overwhelming does not begin to describe the required tasks, but I believe we are more organized than ever before. I only hope my May team can maintain the order!

(As you now know, I was unable to obtain a connection, so you are likely reading this a day late.) Despite the earlier end to clinic, it has been a hot and exhausting day. It was nearly 10:00pm before the chores of the day were completed and all are now hoping for fans all night and calm seas for the crossing to Les Cayes tomorrow. We will spend Sunday night at Nora and Leon’s home and may explore a bit of the city with our friends, before departing for Port au Prince Monday morning.

That is all for tonight. Can’t keep my eyes open any longer.

Love to All,

The Team

We began our week having to cancel the half day clinic at Gran Plaine, planned for the 1st full day on the island. We arrived so late the night before and had much to do to prepare, that we were not able to open the doors as planned. We knew that was disappointing to the community and that they would be ready for our services once we returned from the other locations on the island…and ready they were!

After another hearty breakfast, we just headed down the hill to the church with supplies in hand, set up the space and got busy seeing patients by 9am…right on schedule.

The patients semed to be arriving by the busload, but we know better…most arrive on foot, and some after hours of walking. However, if you have access, you might choose to drive yourself!

We passed out 130 tickets for the day and by about 1:00, all had been registered. By 2:30, we had cared for another 140 patients and are told there are another 100 names on a list for our “half day” clinic tomorrow…Today I declare myself and Deann the victors for seeing the most cute babies of the day…and also the cutest of the cute! (disclaimer: I received consent to publish the photo from the mother.)

Once clinic was over, and a favorite lunch consumed – soup joumon, Neal and I hiked to a favorite spot….”short beach”, while much of the team rested from a hot day. (The breeze was strong but in the wrong direction today.) The water was refreshing- just what the doctor ordered – and now I am on the roof of the Orphanage with friends as I complete the daily story – just what the doctor needed!

We missed Timizou at the watering hole yesterday, so will try again now before dinner. I am told we may have our ladder to reach the roof of the guest house tonight after the work is done, and if the breeze holds, we will definitely have a cool night under the stars and moon to relax.

We will need the rest if we plan a repeat of today’s work. That’s all for tonight – more news from the island tomorrow.

Love to All,

The Team

Last night the after dinner prep work went smoothly and we were done by 9. Sadly, the local watering hole was closing so I think we all took that as our cue to wash off the day’s dust and rest from the long day, so lights out came fairly early.

Today we awoke to a very breezy day and I held out hope it would be blowing in the best direction…and lo and behold, upon arrival to the church, the thatched structure was closed off and we were to hold clinic in the adjacent unfinished structure. There was a tarp for shade and wide open doors and windows…the breeze was amazing!!

As is always the case, the team improvised and in no time, the clinic was set up for business! Of course, for the first time in an open air clinic we were impacted by the shifting sun and hit by several rain showers, so as you can see, the clinic took on several different iterations.

We did have some interesting patients that will require additional care after our departure…a young child with intractable seizures and a young man with a large scalp tumor. Sorry for Neal though – no surgeries today. The most shocking patient of the day…a 45yr old woman with a verified Blood Pressure of 296/172…I checked it 3 times!! How did she even walk in the building? She will need more medicines and closer follow-up than we can provide, so we gave her stern instructions. I hope to see her in May with a much better BP.

After dodging the direct sun and the intermittent raindrops, we managed to see our last patient by 2:30. We had treated 112 souls and the clinic went very well. As usual, the space was packed, loaded and we were headed for home and an earlier lunch today.

You probably guessed it…some headed toward the clinic on the way to the beach below to cool off, but on our way back up the hill we made a stop…you guessed it…the roof! Of course, we had to take a nostalgic picture on the knoll in front of the site where we took one of our first photos upon choosing this site nearly 4yrs ago! Time flies and look how far we have come!

It is now nearing 5:00 and if we hope to get refreshed before dinner we will reluctantly leave the breezy rooftop and hopefully meet up with our friends Timizou and Chavane for a beverage and an appetizer before the 6:30 dinner bell back home. Then of course, prep work for our Friday clinic at Grace Church. We have served over 250 patients so far, and will likely see many more before our departure from this paradise in just 3 days. I only hope we are continuing to make positive strides, connecting with this community.

That is all for now. We hope all are well back home and as much as we love this place, we look forward to seeing our loved ones again soon. More news from Ile a Vache tomorrow!

Love to All,

The Team

The team again had generator and fans all night and temperatures remain very tolerable so far! We awoke to a hearty breakfast of Haitian oatmeal and boiled eggs…and we would need it, as we were headed back to Bwa Bouton today…The Deep End!

We were as ready as we would ever be and loaded the truck and a motorcycle to speed across the island to our waiting clients. We were not surprised or disappointed…the church was full when we arrived. We quickly set about arranging clinic stations, a registration station, medical records and a nurse vitals station and before we knew it, clinic had begun.

With only 3 stations and the team efficiently divided, we distributed 130 tickets, and after an uninterrupted 6 hours, we had served 140 patients. The team acquitted itself very nicely for the first day! Unfortunately some were turned away to return later in the week, which is never our intent, but I think we gave it all we had and most left very satisfied.

I think Kitty may have some competition for minor surgical procedures…Neal, the pediatric surgeon was in his element! In addition to treating dozens of all-comers with grace, he had an infant with a scalp laceration to suture, a young man with an embedded fish hook to remove and a child with a smashed thumb and an avulsed nail. Anna tackled many a diagnostic dilemma before the clinic day ended. Jason and Seth doggedly handled the crush at check-in and Deann, Megan and Pam were tireless in their support of the providers. This is an A Team and Chelsea and I are so priveleged to be along for their first ride together!!

Once the last patient was treated, the clinic was packed, the church restored to it’s original state and the team set off for “home”. Lunch was served at 4 and some of us quickly headed back to the clinic to enjoy the cool breeze and a beautiful sunset. I absolutely love this place!! I believe I have found my new happy place on the planet…that’s right…This Roof!!

As the sun sets and darkness approaches, we have been told dinner will be served in just a half hour, so we will need to return. After dinner we will have our after dinner work to prep for tomorrow’s clinic in Madame Bernard, which will certainly prove to be rather busy as well. Today’s clinic had great breeze and despite the volume, did not seem oppressive. Considering the location, we will not be so lucky tomorrow…but we can hope for the best.

Will let you know how it goes with tommorrow evening’s post…again from the roof! Gotta run now…stay tuned.

Love to All,

The Team

Sleep came easily last night as you might expect and the generator lasted all night with good fan coverage…SO nice. The day started with some cloud cover and a great breeze. We ate a delicious breakfast but I was chomping at the bit to get to the clinic site, so we all went for a morning stroll. I had goose bumps as we rounded the corner of the road and the building came in site…what a payoff it was!!!

It is such a blessing to be a part of this journey and part of a group of dedicated individuals all working towards the same goal. It is also such a pleasure to join this new group and welcome them into the Project Starfish-Haiti family. They have varying life experiences and some are walking on this island for the first time, but it is clear in the 24hrs I have known them that they have all embraced the dream and the work, and will most definitely be an integral part in this clinic’s success.

Lingering on the roof and in the halls of the building, I feel the presence of my friend all around. I know that the care given, the friendships made, the laughter shared…the sense of community that will be experienced within these walls will honor his memory daily.

The time came and we reluctantly headed back to the guest house to begin the work of preparing for the week of clinics to come. And there was much work to be done – organizing clinic supplies, unpacking new items, cataloging and then counting and bagging meds for our patients to come. The group jumped in quickly and within minutes we were like a well-oiled machine. That said, it was 5-6hrs later when we were able to close the final lid and rest.

As the sun was setting we sat down to yet another delicious dinner and shared time together as we heard singing from the church below. As the table cleared, a new game of cards began, some took time to read, others just stepped out to enjoy the cooling night breeze.

Soon all thoughts will be on the busy day ahead at Bwa Bouton. This is generally a busy clinic and we have been gone nearly 1 year, but once again we hope to strengthen our connection to this community and truly earn their trust. That is when we will be able to claim success in our efforts.

For now, please wish us a cool evening and nice prevailing breezes for clinic tomorrow…and stay tuned for more from this special place.

Love to All,

The Team