Pre-Christmas in Haiti

Hello family and friends,
It is hard to imagine snow, warm fires, hot chocolate and packages under the tree. Itś nice to be here and the only justification to pick this particular time is that the hospitalś director and his wife are now able to spend Christmas with their family in Switzerland. This man deserves it! But not being home is tough today.

Carl was on call last night and had a strange experience. A woman went in labor and they had to do a c-section because things were not progressing. When they opened her up, they found a tumor almost the size (and shape) of a football! It was obstructing the baby and it had to be cut out first. The baby is ok, but it was close! Later that night a mother went into labor at 30 weeks. The baby died and everyone was upset and sad. Had the baby been born in the USA it would have been flown to the neonatal unit in Scranton and been fine. Here we just don´t have even the simplest equipment (ventilator, for example) and thatś it.
On the other hand healthy twins were born after that.
Many of these women come from the mountains when or slose to the time that they are in labor. They are strapped to a chair which is attached to two long poles and they are, on the shoulders of the father and another family member, carried down the mountains. These trips can take hours. Their offspring is their social security (not much more secure than what we have) and they have to protect it with all possible.

Sander went on a tough trip today. He is going out in a jeep with a driver, a pistoled guard, a doctor and an assistant, to the mountainous village Bastien. A bastion indeed it is. Almost impossible to get to, including for horses and donkeys, the men climb up the steep slope for about 2 hours. Everything is hand-carried since indeed no beasts can make it either up or down. It will be another great experience for him.
Last night he went to a ¨club"with one of his buddies here. When Carl and I go to the beach resort for our last 2 days, he is going to a friend in Port au Prince. He certainly spent his time well.

I am waiting for Gladys, her 3 brothers and my Jean to arrive. They are spending 2 days with us and we enjoyed getting some presents organised and meals planned. The house ladies are frowning a bit over it all...
Carl has carved two spoons for her as Christmas gifts. She is crazy about Sander, but especially about her ¨Papie¨. So good to add something to someoneś life...so many have to mine!

Ie been overly tired the last 2 days and ended up sleeping quite a lot. I really am missing home this time. Hearoing that Leonardo has run off, and not found back, is something I don´t even want to think about.

All our love to everyone and, if I don´t get to write: a marvelous Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Much love, Marianne