Namaste! ("Greeting the godliness in you")
Our trip to Nepal is taking shape. Beth and I are ready to leave tomorrow, if we could. The plans are many and my journal will be too small! I will be able to get to internet cafes and I intend to send blogs whenever I can.
We're leaving the 28th of December for Kennedy airport in NY and stay overnight at the hotel there. We have to be at the airport by 6am, so that makes more sense.
We expected to take empty suitcases with us, bring them back filled with the crafts we intend to buy to support our new OneBigBoost program to provide special equipment to various places. But now it is going to be filled, after all. About that later.
We will travel, via Hong Kong and Bangladesh, (daytime landings :-) ) to Kathmandu. K consists of a series of old and much older villages. The center is Thamel and we'll see that later. Our "home" will be at Pagoda House in Bhaktapur, from where we can reach the various craft workshops easily. (we hope). Also: Bhaktapur itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire town. Pictures will follow. You bet! From Kathmandu, eventually, to a little place in the mountains named Begnas Tal (lake). It is very quiet and peaceful. A place to walk, write, visit people and a school. The school needs books and that's where the no longer empty suitcases go! I'm also looking for word and language games. I found out that Shoots and Ladders is a Nepali game! Isn't that cool?
From a few days of quiet by the lake, and a daytrip to nearby Pokhara, we will move south to Butwal, which is the main purpose for our trip. Lots and lots of pictures, and lots and lots to talk about! From Butwal back to 2 days in Kathmandu, then home on the 14th, arrival the 15th.
Beth and are having a blast planning and learning. Sometimes communication with our Butwaleese friends is a bit difficult, but we're working it out! Some of it is a language issue. I just read in an article, for example, that they have an 'automated hospital'. I imagined people on stretchers, each getting different toppings like in a do-nut factory! I'm sure our Nepali will be far funnier that their English!
We are still looking for donations to buy a laptop for the high school there. They want to be able to move it from classroom to classroom, and expose all students to the opportunities it brings. If you can make a small donation, we would really appreciate it. So far we have $150...we need to do better! Pleeeeeeaase?
And oh yes: there is a village near Bhaktapur named Thimi. It is THE potters village. I am excited to go there. About 8000 potters, from roof tiles to artwork. Kilns are right on the road. Ashes are reused to conserve resources. And all the inhabitant's last names are "Potter'. Now, consider the fact that one of the most popular boys' names is Hari...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Money, honey?
And Haiti moves on and up... yet does not change in some of its ways.
Two days ago we sent our monthly contributions to the orphanage in Deschapelles, and to Gladys and her 4 boys. Several hours after Gladys picked up the money from Western Union, she called me, sobbing hysterically: after WU she had gone to the market, and all her money was stolen. Considering the theft there, I was not really surprised. However: I was deeply annoyed that a street-wise young woman would have let this happened. We all discussed it here, and tried to figure out what to do. Then doubt started setting in. Given the mentality in Haiti, was this a true story, or an attempt at collecting more from the rich 'blan'?
We decided to send her a segment, because we all felt that they could not go hungry even if they had to give up school/tuition for the month. We discussed the amount.
Then I decided, just to be sure, to email our Canadian friend in Haiti, who has lived there many years. She wrote back immediately, saying NOT to send more money, in part because Gladys needed to know that she was expected to take better care ($150 is a great deal of money there) AND that she would not receive a replacement. And our friend quoted a story.
I set up the transfer, but before hitting "submit" I called Gladys. The money, miraculously (more than in one way) had been found again at the market. She was very grumpy and short about it. We were delighted that all these problems had come to a good ending. We also felt that all parties concerned had learned a lesson!
Two days ago we sent our monthly contributions to the orphanage in Deschapelles, and to Gladys and her 4 boys. Several hours after Gladys picked up the money from Western Union, she called me, sobbing hysterically: after WU she had gone to the market, and all her money was stolen. Considering the theft there, I was not really surprised. However: I was deeply annoyed that a street-wise young woman would have let this happened. We all discussed it here, and tried to figure out what to do. Then doubt started setting in. Given the mentality in Haiti, was this a true story, or an attempt at collecting more from the rich 'blan'?
We decided to send her a segment, because we all felt that they could not go hungry even if they had to give up school/tuition for the month. We discussed the amount.
Then I decided, just to be sure, to email our Canadian friend in Haiti, who has lived there many years. She wrote back immediately, saying NOT to send more money, in part because Gladys needed to know that she was expected to take better care ($150 is a great deal of money there) AND that she would not receive a replacement. And our friend quoted a story.
I set up the transfer, but before hitting "submit" I called Gladys. The money, miraculously (more than in one way) had been found again at the market. She was very grumpy and short about it. We were delighted that all these problems had come to a good ending. We also felt that all parties concerned had learned a lesson!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
OK...not quite so somber
We've been home for a month...oops, only 3.5 days...now (seems like an eternity) and already my good memories come back. I am never the less deeply saddened over the fact that so many very ill children do not have what is rightfully, and so easily, theirs. Can't shake that...but we'll see yet whether I can change it yet!
Then I look at Sander's photos, only a few from the last days, and I remember the other past of Haiti. The smiles that break out every time you say "bonju", "bonswa" or "kom en vwa ye?" (how are you?) - with the response "pa pi mal !" - not too bad.
The children who stare at you then break out in smiles and wave until you are too far down the road to see them. The pride when people invite you to their 'spic and span' little one or two-room houses, decorated with 3rd-hand doilies and plastic flowers. The metal, heavy doors that are pulled shut each night to protect themselves from serious crime. The joy of community: washing laundry at the well together, children frolicking in the river, throngs of children walking with full gallon jugs on their heads. Clusters of school children, donned in crispy-clean uniforms and heads covered in ribbons all giggling and oblivious of the rest of the world. Women taking their roosters to market and coming back with chickens...just like bringing your money to Saks and coming back with bags. An old woman on her donkey, going to the market..speaking on her cellphone. We're all the same: just little ants going back and forth on different paths. Men in smart suits, white shirts, ties and gleaming shoes on the dusty tap-tap on their way to work at the bank, or teach at a school. Or a man walking up a steep, dusty mountain path out in nowhere, carefully carrying his freshly dry-cleaned suit, wrapped in plastic. Or Carlo, who has turned an infertile valley (one day walking from edge to edge) into a valley filled with new trees, orchards and experimentl plants. None of it makes much sense. But I find all of it beautiful. I guess I feel that there is so much to be learned there and so much to be reminded of. Neither of our countires can buy security, safety or stability. But we can, each at our own level (through luck?) do what we can to stay healthy, keep our minds safe, our families together and our children educated. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. We're all the same ants...just a different ant hill.
So, people: please keep doing wehat you are doing. Some of you raise better quality food or inform themselves on a better life for others. Some are dedicated to education, whether in community care, health care or independent living in general. Others donate time or money to those in need both here and abroad. But when you think about it: we all do something that makes a difference and therewith we make a difference to ourself. Be proud of it: you deserve it!
Then I look at Sander's photos, only a few from the last days, and I remember the other past of Haiti. The smiles that break out every time you say "bonju", "bonswa" or "kom en vwa ye?" (how are you?) - with the response "pa pi mal !" - not too bad.
The children who stare at you then break out in smiles and wave until you are too far down the road to see them. The pride when people invite you to their 'spic and span' little one or two-room houses, decorated with 3rd-hand doilies and plastic flowers. The metal, heavy doors that are pulled shut each night to protect themselves from serious crime. The joy of community: washing laundry at the well together, children frolicking in the river, throngs of children walking with full gallon jugs on their heads. Clusters of school children, donned in crispy-clean uniforms and heads covered in ribbons all giggling and oblivious of the rest of the world. Women taking their roosters to market and coming back with chickens...just like bringing your money to Saks and coming back with bags. An old woman on her donkey, going to the market..speaking on her cellphone. We're all the same: just little ants going back and forth on different paths. Men in smart suits, white shirts, ties and gleaming shoes on the dusty tap-tap on their way to work at the bank, or teach at a school. Or a man walking up a steep, dusty mountain path out in nowhere, carefully carrying his freshly dry-cleaned suit, wrapped in plastic. Or Carlo, who has turned an infertile valley (one day walking from edge to edge) into a valley filled with new trees, orchards and experimentl plants. None of it makes much sense. But I find all of it beautiful. I guess I feel that there is so much to be learned there and so much to be reminded of. Neither of our countires can buy security, safety or stability. But we can, each at our own level (through luck?) do what we can to stay healthy, keep our minds safe, our families together and our children educated. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. We're all the same ants...just a different ant hill.
So, people: please keep doing wehat you are doing. Some of you raise better quality food or inform themselves on a better life for others. Some are dedicated to education, whether in community care, health care or independent living in general. Others donate time or money to those in need both here and abroad. But when you think about it: we all do something that makes a difference and therewith we make a difference to ourself. Be proud of it: you deserve it!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Not such a happy ending for all
Greetings to all: our children, family, friends near and far. We hope your holidays were warm, and filled with dreams for a brighter future for all.
We returned home last night after midnight. It was very cold, but the roads were dry and the night crisp so the drive home was fast. This morning we woke up to the snow we had been dreaming of. What treat!!! That silent softness, that super clean sensation never ceases to bring joy from my head to my toes.
Carl was on call on Christmas eve and all of Christmas day, had clinic the entire next day (with many very sick kids, including the worst malnourished child he had yet seen) and that finished it up. Both the medical director and a Haitian physician were able to go home because of Carl's presence. Although it was a bit rough on us (psychologically) that was good to know.
Sander had met a lovely young lady from Germany who spends her life in developing countries with community health issues. They had a blast and it was nice to see them enjoying the many (and some daring) adventures together. Alas....the world is a big place.
I was just upset. Neither the hospital personnel nor Carl had wanted to tell me that my October project (the PlumpyNut malnutrition program with UNICEF) had fallen flat on its face the beginning of December. The physician (barely out of school and very irresponsible) I stayed with - the same who took the credit for the program, let the contract expire and now there is NO PlumpyNut or any of the other four high-nutrition foods available. We're not just talking about the food, so critically needed, not being avilable, but also about costing the hospital well over $100 000 a year when they will eventually have to purchase it (equivalent) again. I am aghast. I am infuriated. I am deeply disturbed by the lack of commitment by so many there. It is really at the core of so many of the problems whether we are talking about medicine, education, government or job security. It all feels so hopeless. I never thought I would have a ball in my stomach at the thought of going back - but right now I do. It likely won't last...
For now I will try to create a storm with the Melon Grant Foundation so they know what should have been done - and the ball will be in their court. Sad and mad equally.
But our journey ended on beautiful tones and shades.
Carl and I went to Jacmel, an artist community on the south coast, for our 38th wedding anniversary. We stayed in little hotel right on the water (above it, really) which was situated on a beautiful cove. We swam and ate and had rhum and whatever else they added, swam, ate, slept, read...it was wonderful. It was only for 1.5 days and 2 nights, but felt like an eternity .
Sander had gone to spend some time with Mareila, in Port au Orince, but they decided to go to Jacmel as well (before we decided on it). We thought we'd all avoid each other. However...it turned out that they were staying on the edge of the same cove (14 km out of town) and within walking distance of our hotel. That was very funny. They came to have dinner with us and they led us, in the dark, to the unfinished house they were camping in. A beautiful, conch-shell studded place. The lady of the house, Polyanna, was waiting for us with wine, candles and a huge cake! It was so wonderful and special. Slightly tanned we are now home again, with stories of lost and returned dogs, snow to be shovveled and gifts from our children waiting for us under the tree.
It was another trip filled with special times and blessings, although a sour note near the end.
One that hurts.
All our love to all of you and with wishes for al the best in a very hopeful (USA) year to come and with everlasting thoughts of peace.
I'll ask Sander and Carl to post some of their WOW-DERFUL pictures laster this weekend.
Marianne
We returned home last night after midnight. It was very cold, but the roads were dry and the night crisp so the drive home was fast. This morning we woke up to the snow we had been dreaming of. What treat!!! That silent softness, that super clean sensation never ceases to bring joy from my head to my toes.
Carl was on call on Christmas eve and all of Christmas day, had clinic the entire next day (with many very sick kids, including the worst malnourished child he had yet seen) and that finished it up. Both the medical director and a Haitian physician were able to go home because of Carl's presence. Although it was a bit rough on us (psychologically) that was good to know.
Sander had met a lovely young lady from Germany who spends her life in developing countries with community health issues. They had a blast and it was nice to see them enjoying the many (and some daring) adventures together. Alas....the world is a big place.
I was just upset. Neither the hospital personnel nor Carl had wanted to tell me that my October project (the PlumpyNut malnutrition program with UNICEF) had fallen flat on its face the beginning of December. The physician (barely out of school and very irresponsible) I stayed with - the same who took the credit for the program, let the contract expire and now there is NO PlumpyNut or any of the other four high-nutrition foods available. We're not just talking about the food, so critically needed, not being avilable, but also about costing the hospital well over $100 000 a year when they will eventually have to purchase it (equivalent) again. I am aghast. I am infuriated. I am deeply disturbed by the lack of commitment by so many there. It is really at the core of so many of the problems whether we are talking about medicine, education, government or job security. It all feels so hopeless. I never thought I would have a ball in my stomach at the thought of going back - but right now I do. It likely won't last...
For now I will try to create a storm with the Melon Grant Foundation so they know what should have been done - and the ball will be in their court. Sad and mad equally.
But our journey ended on beautiful tones and shades.
Carl and I went to Jacmel, an artist community on the south coast, for our 38th wedding anniversary. We stayed in little hotel right on the water (above it, really) which was situated on a beautiful cove. We swam and ate and had rhum and whatever else they added, swam, ate, slept, read...it was wonderful. It was only for 1.5 days and 2 nights, but felt like an eternity .
Sander had gone to spend some time with Mareila, in Port au Orince, but they decided to go to Jacmel as well (before we decided on it). We thought we'd all avoid each other. However...it turned out that they were staying on the edge of the same cove (14 km out of town) and within walking distance of our hotel. That was very funny. They came to have dinner with us and they led us, in the dark, to the unfinished house they were camping in. A beautiful, conch-shell studded place. The lady of the house, Polyanna, was waiting for us with wine, candles and a huge cake! It was so wonderful and special. Slightly tanned we are now home again, with stories of lost and returned dogs, snow to be shovveled and gifts from our children waiting for us under the tree.
It was another trip filled with special times and blessings, although a sour note near the end.
One that hurts.
All our love to all of you and with wishes for al the best in a very hopeful (USA) year to come and with everlasting thoughts of peace.
I'll ask Sander and Carl to post some of their WOW-DERFUL pictures laster this weekend.
Marianne
Friday, December 26, 2008
Another day
Greetings,
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was WEIRD and LONESOME, although it was great to talk to each one of the kids, and nice that Jean, Gladys and the brothers (of Gladys) were here. But everyone just kind-of sat there. There was no music, no ornaments or anything jolly, the maids refused to go home to their families etc. JUST WEIRD. I will definitely be home for Christmas next year. And the next. And..etc
So, with these blues in mind, I sit here and count the days to come home. Most everyone in the hospital has been sent home and the ´crew´ is down to the absolute minimum. There is truly nothing to do and that is just not my style. Carl is working today and has clinic, but even there few have shown up. Sander went, to his delight, into the mountains (again) with the security guard whom he befriended. His name is Wilson (many people here have last names for first names, like DeLaRose) and he is one of the personal guards of Preval. He checks out all places (now the hospital) for security and Sander has had a great deal of fun going into the mountains with Wilson. Wilson totes two impressive-looking guns but I have grown accustomed to it.
For the five of us: Carl, Sander, Philip (another MD volunteer), Wilson and myself we have three or four maids. OK: I prefer ¨Femmes de Maison¨. Not so derogatory. They appear before sunup, around 5:30 am, and leave after dark at 6pm. They wash all the floors and all surfaces, do all our laundry by hand, cook 3 meals for us all, go to the market twice a day (5 min walk ), rearrange the furniture to perfection and kill the chickens. They are and function like a family. Laughter is everywhere and they yack like everyone else. I love them.
I look how busy they all are, and wonder why housewives in other countries, also raising their kids, running them around and often have a full-time job, do it. Weŕe totally NUTS. And we have 530 000 people out of work. We either should lead a more peaceful life or use more of our money to give others an honerable job.
The turnside is that I HATE having people around me all day long. In addition I am not alowed to do anything. It is a mix between them enjoying to spoil me (we get along very well and laugh much while they improve my Kreyol) and me being in their way in their territory. I understand that. But I am bored to pieces.
OK. Enough grumping. Just not used to it and my cough is not improving.
Can wait to get home and stay home for a while. It´s not so bad to need peace.
We´d like to go to a beach resort for 1 or 2 nights, but the all, so far, appear to be full. (Our anniversary). Sander is planning to go to Port au Prince, or even to Jacmel on the south coast, with a (very nice) girl from Germany he met here...
She works for Community Health in PaP and the Dominican Republic.
See you all soon: home the evening of the 30th and hoping for snow the following day!
Much love, Marianne
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was WEIRD and LONESOME, although it was great to talk to each one of the kids, and nice that Jean, Gladys and the brothers (of Gladys) were here. But everyone just kind-of sat there. There was no music, no ornaments or anything jolly, the maids refused to go home to their families etc. JUST WEIRD. I will definitely be home for Christmas next year. And the next. And..etc
So, with these blues in mind, I sit here and count the days to come home. Most everyone in the hospital has been sent home and the ´crew´ is down to the absolute minimum. There is truly nothing to do and that is just not my style. Carl is working today and has clinic, but even there few have shown up. Sander went, to his delight, into the mountains (again) with the security guard whom he befriended. His name is Wilson (many people here have last names for first names, like DeLaRose) and he is one of the personal guards of Preval. He checks out all places (now the hospital) for security and Sander has had a great deal of fun going into the mountains with Wilson. Wilson totes two impressive-looking guns but I have grown accustomed to it.
For the five of us: Carl, Sander, Philip (another MD volunteer), Wilson and myself we have three or four maids. OK: I prefer ¨Femmes de Maison¨. Not so derogatory. They appear before sunup, around 5:30 am, and leave after dark at 6pm. They wash all the floors and all surfaces, do all our laundry by hand, cook 3 meals for us all, go to the market twice a day (5 min walk ), rearrange the furniture to perfection and kill the chickens. They are and function like a family. Laughter is everywhere and they yack like everyone else. I love them.
I look how busy they all are, and wonder why housewives in other countries, also raising their kids, running them around and often have a full-time job, do it. Weŕe totally NUTS. And we have 530 000 people out of work. We either should lead a more peaceful life or use more of our money to give others an honerable job.
The turnside is that I HATE having people around me all day long. In addition I am not alowed to do anything. It is a mix between them enjoying to spoil me (we get along very well and laugh much while they improve my Kreyol) and me being in their way in their territory. I understand that. But I am bored to pieces.
OK. Enough grumping. Just not used to it and my cough is not improving.
Can wait to get home and stay home for a while. It´s not so bad to need peace.
We´d like to go to a beach resort for 1 or 2 nights, but the all, so far, appear to be full. (Our anniversary). Sander is planning to go to Port au Prince, or even to Jacmel on the south coast, with a (very nice) girl from Germany he met here...
She works for Community Health in PaP and the Dominican Republic.
See you all soon: home the evening of the 30th and hoping for snow the following day!
Much love, Marianne
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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
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
Monday, December 22, 2008
Greetings, on this fine, sunny day. A bit on the warm side, which seems to have sprouted palm trees on every inch. Amazing. No snow or other pleasant things. I would never enjoy a world without seasons, as I had already discovered in New Orleans.
The chickens and rooster were above me in the trees again this morning. The chickens are after the bugs in the bromeliads and, well, the roosters are after the chickens.
Yesterday we slung the Christmas lights across the windows and took a taxi/moto ride out to the orphanage to borrow cookie sheets. Had a great visit!
When I was there a year ago, a girl, about 5 years old, had been left on the doorstep of the orphanage school at the busy time of 180 kids coming in. Nobody noticed her. She was propped up against a pillar and had, amazingly, not fallen over. She couldn´t focus, didn´t talk and had no muscle tone. They called her TiFi (little girl) and did´nt know what to do with this mysterious appearance. Abandoning was not an option: the community can do that, but not a ´blan´ There would be a riot and lives in danger.
So they kept her. Tifi had to be diapered, fed and there was seemingly no hope. I had a Christmas [picture of her last yea, sagging on a chair with a huge rag doll that had more posture than she did.
When I saw her yesterday I almost fainted. She is WALKING when holding a hand, (even up the steps) says Mama to Karen and gives endless hugs. What a little miracle! I know an orphanage in Port au Prince that specifically takes such children and I am going to find it back. Karen cannot keep TiFi - she takes too much attendtion they don´t have special services for her. In the mean time I am going to try and see whether we can´t find a physical therapy or art or music whatever therapy student who could come over there this summer as part of an internship or volunteer work. There is so much to be done and such a great and loving experience. My kids definitely have competition here from the children of Haiti when it comes to affectionate hugs!
Sander has climbed the water tower twice now, with the aid of a harness and carabiners. He has befriended a very nice young lady from Germany, who works in Port au Prince in Social Services. They had 2 really nice days together and she loved going up the watertower with Sander when he went up the second time.
Carl and I are making reservations for a wonderful beach resort here, Indigo Beach, where we will spend 2 nights (38th anniversary) before returning home. White sand, great drinks and dinners, snorkeling and all that stuff. Itś just about mid-point between here and PaP. Perfect.
Today Sander has gone around trying to take unposed pictures, which is almost impossible. In the first place you cannot take real candid shots because you have to ask everyone for permission (still much superstition), and in the 2nd place the people are ¨spoiled"by the fact that Sander had on-the-spot prints. Now everyone wants them. We have explained that 1) there are no more prints (not true) - maybe later (true) and 2) that pictures now have to be taken for the hospital book and has to show people working. So they make a great show of working. One guy practically danced as he painted the walls. Very funny.
Sander succeded in getting great shots of most departments.
Last night Carl and I went to the market to buy somew rhum. The price is rediculously low for some of the best in the world. Smoooooth...
I was short 500 goud (about 10$ Haitian = 1.20c US) and promised to bring it today (their suggestion to take the rhum anyway...it is pretty hard for us to run away...we sort of stand out in a crowd) This morning I did and with a glorious smile handed her the 500 bill, all dirty and crumbled as they all are. She looked at it carefully, straightened it out, looked again and handed it back to me. I thought that was very kind, but insisted that she keep it. She called in the troups, who explained to me it was fake money. Sure enough: it was a 500-whatever bill left from Kyrgyzstan! Another trip to the market will be made later today.
Gladys and the 4 boys will be coming Wednesday and spend Christmas with us. Yesterday, after much searching for the right ingredients, I made a run of 10 typical Milks Christmas loaves and they came out OK. Today I will make the 2nd batch and Carl can give them to his staff. I ordered a dozen eggs from the house lady (brought mayo and had 2 pkts of McD mustard) to make 24 deviled eggs. Also found a tiny piece of (old??) brie in PaP and brought crackers so the staff will have an extremely luxirious Christmas party at our Alumni House, with the wine we brought! The other options are rum or coke or rhum and coke or coke and rhum. We all look forward mto it!
OK. Enough. As you can see I don´t really have miuch to tell today.
Much love to everyone, thank you thone who wrote emails, thank you Jet and Bob for the party picture!
Hugs, Sander, Carl and Marianne
The chickens and rooster were above me in the trees again this morning. The chickens are after the bugs in the bromeliads and, well, the roosters are after the chickens.
Yesterday we slung the Christmas lights across the windows and took a taxi/moto ride out to the orphanage to borrow cookie sheets. Had a great visit!
When I was there a year ago, a girl, about 5 years old, had been left on the doorstep of the orphanage school at the busy time of 180 kids coming in. Nobody noticed her. She was propped up against a pillar and had, amazingly, not fallen over. She couldn´t focus, didn´t talk and had no muscle tone. They called her TiFi (little girl) and did´nt know what to do with this mysterious appearance. Abandoning was not an option: the community can do that, but not a ´blan´ There would be a riot and lives in danger.
So they kept her. Tifi had to be diapered, fed and there was seemingly no hope. I had a Christmas [picture of her last yea, sagging on a chair with a huge rag doll that had more posture than she did.
When I saw her yesterday I almost fainted. She is WALKING when holding a hand, (even up the steps) says Mama to Karen and gives endless hugs. What a little miracle! I know an orphanage in Port au Prince that specifically takes such children and I am going to find it back. Karen cannot keep TiFi - she takes too much attendtion they don´t have special services for her. In the mean time I am going to try and see whether we can´t find a physical therapy or art or music whatever therapy student who could come over there this summer as part of an internship or volunteer work. There is so much to be done and such a great and loving experience. My kids definitely have competition here from the children of Haiti when it comes to affectionate hugs!
Sander has climbed the water tower twice now, with the aid of a harness and carabiners. He has befriended a very nice young lady from Germany, who works in Port au Prince in Social Services. They had 2 really nice days together and she loved going up the watertower with Sander when he went up the second time.
Carl and I are making reservations for a wonderful beach resort here, Indigo Beach, where we will spend 2 nights (38th anniversary) before returning home. White sand, great drinks and dinners, snorkeling and all that stuff. Itś just about mid-point between here and PaP. Perfect.
Today Sander has gone around trying to take unposed pictures, which is almost impossible. In the first place you cannot take real candid shots because you have to ask everyone for permission (still much superstition), and in the 2nd place the people are ¨spoiled"by the fact that Sander had on-the-spot prints. Now everyone wants them. We have explained that 1) there are no more prints (not true) - maybe later (true) and 2) that pictures now have to be taken for the hospital book and has to show people working. So they make a great show of working. One guy practically danced as he painted the walls. Very funny.
Sander succeded in getting great shots of most departments.
Last night Carl and I went to the market to buy somew rhum. The price is rediculously low for some of the best in the world. Smoooooth...
I was short 500 goud (about 10$ Haitian = 1.20c US) and promised to bring it today (their suggestion to take the rhum anyway...it is pretty hard for us to run away...we sort of stand out in a crowd) This morning I did and with a glorious smile handed her the 500 bill, all dirty and crumbled as they all are. She looked at it carefully, straightened it out, looked again and handed it back to me. I thought that was very kind, but insisted that she keep it. She called in the troups, who explained to me it was fake money. Sure enough: it was a 500-whatever bill left from Kyrgyzstan! Another trip to the market will be made later today.
Gladys and the 4 boys will be coming Wednesday and spend Christmas with us. Yesterday, after much searching for the right ingredients, I made a run of 10 typical Milks Christmas loaves and they came out OK. Today I will make the 2nd batch and Carl can give them to his staff. I ordered a dozen eggs from the house lady (brought mayo and had 2 pkts of McD mustard) to make 24 deviled eggs. Also found a tiny piece of (old??) brie in PaP and brought crackers so the staff will have an extremely luxirious Christmas party at our Alumni House, with the wine we brought! The other options are rum or coke or rhum and coke or coke and rhum. We all look forward mto it!
OK. Enough. As you can see I don´t really have miuch to tell today.
Much love to everyone, thank you thone who wrote emails, thank you Jet and Bob for the party picture!
Hugs, Sander, Carl and Marianne
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