Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Back in Cap-Haitien, New Truck, Students' News, Needing a Back Brace

Homecoming

It's been just over 10 days since I arrived home in Cap. And what an arrival it was! The truck makes it possible for more folks to travel (students, staff, dogs) so I was greeted with a joyful, chaotic scene as I emerged from customs. Jackson, our driver (chofe-a) has been serving as driving instructor, so Auguste drove home from the airport. He was calm, cool and collected - a gift in the often intense Haitian traffic (sikilasyon). We drove into a center bustling with activity as Sunday morning is our food distribution day. Rosenie, Sherlyne, Stefan and Joceline had been at work since 7 a.m. - their choice. The early morning hours are cooler. It is comforting to know that programs continue to function smoothly in my absence.


Sherlyne asked to speak with me at the end of the day. Her aunt, in Port-au-Prince, had been injured in the quake on Jan. 12 and lost her house. She died on June 18th - age 35. The quake (trambleman te-a) is still claiming victims, and the ripple effect is still taking place. Sherlyne's aunt had been paying for her younger sister to attend school here in Cap. Edwige is in 9eme, preparing to write state exams. We sent the two down to Port-au-Prince for the funeral and will see if we have the funds to take her on full time in September. Sherlyne has been dealing with an H. Pylori infection and became quite ill. She ended up in hospital in PAP and has yet to return. I will ask what hospital was able to accommodate her and what the conditions were.

The centre has been a study in contrasts - over half of our young people are entering the homestretch - studying to write State National exams July 26-29, so there is quiet concentration. On the other hand, Haiti is soccer country, with support being split between Brazil and Argentina in the World Cup. We go from the profound silence - students sitting on the gallery, the roof, the corner patio, or just wandering around muttering to themselves, to the absolute amazing uproar from the whole country whenever a match is on and someone scores. The sound of the word 'gooooooal' is seared into my brain.

And 'mirak d'ayiti' (miracle of Haiti), we have been given electricity EVERY DAY since my arrival - in honor of the World Cup, so I am told. I have much to learn - I know that we're 'fanatik' about soccer (fouk[t]bol) but did not realize that the sport had the power to light up the country. Point of clarification - every day does not mean without interruption - but it is gift.

More Student News

Rosenie has finished exams, so she has started the Book Repair program. In addition, she has begun to scour the market for new backpacks. They have to be a decent size to accommodate the load of books needed by each student. Also new is necessary. We have found that even gently used backpacks breakdown quickly and we have to replace them within a short time.

We have 10 students on the waiting list for summer jobs. There are already 6 working. There will be more. The delayed exam timetable means the books will be later coming back, perhaps depriving some of summer employment.

Paulaine is busily completing her sewing assignments as she graduates from her 4 year cooking/sewing program on July 25th.

Claudy came down from Sen Rafayel Friday for funds for the 20 students writing State National Exams there. Everything has a price tag. The good news is we will be able to travel to Sen Rafayel to pick up text books and deliver clothes and shoes now that the truck is here.

Djohn's hernia surgery has been set for July 8th at L'hopital Bienfaisance in Pignon. We have sent funds and meds with Claudy.

Kesner, Camiose, Mona and Marie Modeline all arrived with diagnostic result and prescription forms, so I'll take a break and help Auguste.
I'm back.  A huge thank you to Paula in Pennsylvania for her tenacity in tracking down a Perkin's Brailler for Guilene (see last post). We are hoping the 3 machines arrive before she writes exams but if not, we know they are coming.

Thanks also to Sister Rosemary for securing a new stethoscope for Micheline (medical technology). Micheline informed me that she also needs a French Medical dictionary and a complete Glucometer kit. If only I had known when we were looking for supplies for the nursing students.

Timing is everything. We are still in need of used laptops with Wireless for all post secondary students. Thanks to Cindy and family in Inglewood, Canada for donating one. Daniel will bring it when he comes to visit.


That's about it for now. Auguste and I are flying down to Port-au-Prince on Thursday for the capping ceremony (kwaf-la) for our 4 nursing students. We had planned on driving but last week's storm (which is now called Alex) further damaged the Route Nasyonal at Gonaives so flying is the fastest and most reliable method of transport. We will deliver the supplies so generously donated by Corinne, Peg and Mathieu. Thank you again everyone for taking these young people into your hearts.

Talk to you next week -I'll take pictures!

Kenbe
Sharon

PS. Kesner has a back problem and is need of a brace - if anyone is able to find one.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Haiti Student Nursing Texts, Medical Supplies Donated: Thanks Starthrowers!

As I prepare to return to Cap-Haitien this week, I want to thank everyone for your support of our centre and our students in Haiti. We've received some much needed supplies that I can take back with me.
 
Student Nursing Books, Medical Supplies Update

Thanks to our Starthrowers, we now have some of the items from our Things We Need list [See previous post for details]

The list of supplies needed by our 4 nursing students to move on to the next level was very daunting. As an educator I know little to nothing about finding and purchasing medical and surgical supplies, so there are many people to thank.

Medical Supplies
A huge thank you to Corinne in Toronto for finding and purchasing Kelly Clamps and glucometers, and to Daniel and Gay for delivering them to Orangeville so that I can take them back to Haiti. Thanks also for the meds so desperately needed.

Student Nursing Books
The same huge thank you to Peg in Virginia who contacted friend Mathieu in France. After several emails, we determined that Mathieu and Peg had indeed located the French medical dictionaries and Medication Guides needed by our student nurses, and bought them and shipped them to me in Orangeville.

Thank you both for your generosity. The books arrived safely this week after a brief delay at  Canada Customs. [see comments below: Ed]

When I am back in Cap-Haitien, the staff will cover these books in plastic, stamp each with the fondasyon dam and then we will deliver all items to the students in Leogane on June 29. We are still looking for accommodations. See previous post for details.

Thanks also to Lesley (Instructor) and students in the Community Nursing course at Georgian College, Orangeville. It was a pleasure to spend an evening with you. I felt very welcome and questions asked were very insightful. What a great group.

Brailler Etc. For Guilene

Thanks to Paula in PA who has taken on the task of finding replacement articles for our blind student, Guilene.

Guiline lost the previously donated Perkin's Brailler, manual typewriter, cassette recorder / player to the earthquake.

[see Guilene this page]


Supplies, Donations
Thanks also to Cindy in PA  whose boxes of donations arrived in Cap-Haitien last week. I can't wait to see what she has sent this time. I'm always surprised by something.

We continue to put out a request for used laptops (wireless) in good working condition for all of our post-secondary students.

If you can help out, please let me know as visitors are coming to Haiti over the coming months, and would be able to bring one each.

And, as always, donations are needed to cover tuition and supplies for school this fall. Any and all amounts gratefully received!


Schools Exams
It seems as though the schools in Cap-Haitien have decided to set their own direction, and instead of holding classes throughout the summer, exams have already begun.

State exams are also earlier than previously announced:
  • certificat (or 6eme for high school entrance) June 30
  • 9eme AF (annee fondamental : end of junior high) July 6-8

No definite word about exams schedules for the final 2 years of high school, Rheto and Philo.

Everyone at our centre is busy studying, and weekly food distribution will continue to the end of exams.


Kenbe pa lage
Sharon

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Haitian Creole Dictionary and Phrasebook: Haitian Creole-english, English-haitian Creole   English Haitian Creole Word to word (Billingual Dictionaries)  Word by Word Picture Dictionary English/Haitian Kreyol Edition (2nd Edition)

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