It was good to have a night off last night. Some played cards, some went to the roof, some caught up on reading and even studying. It was a good night after an exhausting day.
We awoke with anticipation of another first for the Team…graduation of the first Matwon Class. We are so proud of Kitty and Tom for their tireless efforts shepherding this project through to its completion. They were named as the godparents for this graduation which is a long standing custom in Haiti at such events. They looked like the proud parents they are.
The graduation ceremony was really a celebration, filled with music and passion. The entire community showed their pride – it was standing room only with over 400 people in attendance to see 33 new graduate birth attendants receive their diplomas. There were speeches, presentations and even a professional musical artist performing 2 original songs with inspirational and motivational messages, not only for the graduates but for the community as a whole….and despite the language barrier, I believe we are beginning to feel like part of the community as well. One more step!
After 2 1/2 hours in the heat of the church, the ceremony ended with photos and gifts like any other graduation. The graduates and their guests were treated to a reception of food and drink across the road in the orphanage and other celebrants gathered in the yard to continue the celebration.
The team returned to our “home” up the hill to change into cooler attire, catch the breeze that eluded us inside the packed church and eat lunch. As luck would have it, not to mention some hard prep work, we did in fact have adequate medications for our afternoon clinic today, so everyone was able to cool down a bit more after lunch, before the trek back down the hill to ready the church for patients. Léon was sure to remind all in attendance at the graduation that there would indeed be a clinic this afternoon…and boy was there!
We started at 2 and it became quickly obvious this would not be an abbreviated clinic. We again endured the heat and another crush of patients and when it was all said and done, we had treated another 140 souls. We have only held 2 half day clinics and a full day edition and have now treated nearly 400 patients. It helps to be surrounded by providers with such a good work ethic matched with a desire to serve.
Unfortunately, with the volume from yesterday and today, we will not get another night off from our chores. Many meds to bag and records to create and file. We may be up late tonight, but if possible, some may muster the effort to catch a cool breeze on the roof again. We don’t have clinic again until tomorrow afternoon, after church service. We will need every minute to prepare.
That is all I can muster today. More tomorrow.
Love to All,
The Team
Strong work, team! And congratulations to Godparents Kitty and Tom!
As ever, I am wishing I was there with you!
Enjoy the ocean breezes as they come as you deserve them, and give hugs and love to all the children, I miss them!