Day 3

Today our project was helping at a clinic in Carre Fourfaille. We brought a bag of toys and a suitcase of medical supplies. At the clinic we worked with a few nurses and Dr . Robinson. They usually have the clinic there 3 times a week. A lot of money donated goes towards buying supplies and medicine for the clinic. Everyday I learn a little more about the challenges that people face in Haiti and the challenges groups like ours face to help make changes in these communities. However, those on this trip that have been here a dozen or dozens of times before say that they can see the country developing and can see where the communities they are serving are healthier. When they began the clinic they treated many more serious illnesses where now they are able to do more preventive care, more vitamins, and more aches and pains. It is awesome to know that we are part of a group that is having an impact on the community in Haiti.

So here's a funny story. Maybe a couple. We ran out of toys because we were being a little too generous. So the kids were all pointing and asking for toys. So I blew up some gloves, tied em up, and drew some faces on them. I had one of the elderly women come up and ask for one. But the kids were not all that excited. So Tony, really a great guy, starts hitting one of the gloves back and forth with one of the kids. Well Tony is allergic to latex. So all of a sudden his eyes are getting kinda itchy and watery. So he drops the balloon and runs into the pharmacy part of the clinic and grabs some benedryl and I grab my water and throw it at him! And I'm asking him if he can breath, if he is going to live, if he feels any swelling? But he says it should be fine. Well then I walk over to the box of gloves to check it out... they're latex free... he says well maybe it's the powder. I said they're powder free.. well he swore he felt itchy.

So at the clinic our girls would triage people and if necessary the patient would see the doctor. I originally helped out with the Pharmacy but then went to play with kids, read books, and blow up gloves. Then I tried out being security guard at the gate to let patients in as we had space for them. I think security guard may be one of my callings.

Shout out to the translators we worked with today! They were a huge help! There is no way we could do it without them. They helped carry the heavy bags, they kept us safe and they were very helpful with all the patients. We are blessed to have a great group.

By the end we saw a ton of patients between 9am and 3pm. It was a long day at clinic. But the group rolled out at the end of the day safe and happy to have helped. But we all definitely crashed when we got home until dinner time. It's some of the best time of the day when we all get together to share stories about the day at the dinner table. One big happy family.
Love has no borders,
Rachel Martha