Cap-Haitien Haiti -- leptospirosis, dengue, typhoid, yellow fever?

Hello Everyone,

FInally, we have electricity. We seem to be in the midst of a medical AND hydro-electric crisis. Whatever is making our kids ill is very hard to detect by conventional analysis. I had a visit from an American doctor yesterday who offered many suggestions -- leptospirosis, dengue, typhoid, yellow fever -- but ended saying the symptoms to not EXACTLY fit any one diease. That's my conclusion as well, after searching web sites (when the hydro comes on at 2 a.m. for 30 minutes).

Our neighbour had again branched into our hydro lines, so we were paying for his family electricity. Again, I had to pay an electrician to take down HIS lines.

I've just sent Gaby, Rosenie and Guilene by taxi, along with Dieugrand, Wisky and Daniel to help them. They will see Dr. Jerome (private practice.) The hospital 'gen grev' (is on strike -- doctors and nurses not paid). Each clinic had tested and prescribed and each patient had gotten worse. I sent them to Dr. Bell, but they learned that Dr. Bell is sick, and his office is closed; His brother, also a doctor, is also sick, and HIS office is closed. I secured a phone number for Dr. Jerome from Soeur Giselle a neighbour, and Dr.Jerome is working today so I have sent everyone off to see him.

Marlene is in Sen Rafayel. We have had no communication since she went last week.

Yesterday (Sunday), we had 46 in for food sacks. Next week, we will add a second distribution, and charbon {charcoal} for cooking.

The boxes Pat sent in July from Orangeville arrived last week. Perfect timing. All of the vitamin C has been distributed. Hopefully it can provide a boost to immune systems in desperate need. We are using copious amounts of hand sanitizer as so many unknowns and seemingly contagious.

Christamene needs glasses and will rendevou with Auguste at Optika next Monday.

Most students are writing exams now and will finish by the 15th. Claudy and Louisena came down from Sen Rafayel on Saturday. The food situation in the village is desperate, as the gardens which has just started again were wiped out when cyclone Noel went through. We discussed the possibility of weekly distribution there as well. However currently that would mean trucking up the mountain. Will talk again midweek.

Visitors due today at 8:30 a.m. It's now nearly noon. Hopefully, they'll arrive before those scheduled to arrive tomorrow get here.

We are trying to add some pizzazz to our birthday box. If anyone would like to send a one of a kind item (a watch. a game of checkers, a game of dominoes, a makeup kit for the girls, a nail kit, a hair cutting kit, a small radio, a walk man, a Brazil team jersey (soccer) etc), so we can offer students one item from the birthday box and also give them a Haitian-made card signed by the staff with 100 gourds in it (just under $3). So many students have no one to remember them.

That's all for now. There's someone at the gate, and Rosenie is at the Doctor. I have been doing her job for the last week.

Pi Ta
Sharon

Monday News

This morning is tense. 2 died in Jack's kartye yesterday -- a 4 yr old girl who was in his daughter's class (the daughter who is recovering from ??) and a 50 yr old man. Both had been tested but nothing showed. Our Marlene (Same kartye -- Rosenie's roommate) whom I sent to another clinic THursday for blood work because I disagreed with Malaria treatment without analysis, has just been taken to hospital. The blood work showed nothing yet the vomiting has been constant since Fri- and gravol doesn't touch it. Fever started before vomiting. New blood work showed nothing. So we wait. If they admit her, I will head down immediately as every item needed must be provided by family -- tubes, syringes, meds, food, blankets, nightgown. Also someone needs to sleep on the floor by her bed in case she needs help during the night.

Many thanks to Lucie and Peter for their generous donation. We will be purchasing our new truck in PAP as soon as I have my Haitian papers, hopefully within the next 2 weeks. I have phoned the dealership in PAP and Mme Gabriele is checking stock. I will transfer a deposit to prepare the vehicle then transfer the rest before pick up. In time to put under the Christmas tree (except we don't have one). Perfect timing with so many ill and unable to walk for treatment/diagnosis.

[As for what is making everyone so ill if it is not malaria, it could be something like} 'leptospirosis" that results from animal urine entering water. A very good bet as the well in that kartye is a large open hole in the side of the mountain and everyone uses it for everything. When {tropical storm] Noel went through 3 weeks ago all water levels rose and mixed, and of course we have animal urine in the streets all the time. The perfect nightmare. This explains so many others in need of consult yesterday with similar symptoms. Can't figure out why not showing up in analysis as is bacterial.

I haven't heard from Sen Rafayel yet. Phones not working.)

Kenbe
Sharon

PS Rosenie just called from the hospital -- tests came back negative so hosp. sending her for more. Typhus, we can diagnose; dengue another bet.

Greetings from Cap

Greetings from Cap

I arrived Tues. 20th about 3:30 pm. Auguste was there to meet me with a taxi and we were home in 20 minutes. This was the first time the house has been left open for staff. Shortly before leaving, I finally had the locks changed on the 3 front doors. This provided 3 keys for each lock. The antique lock we inherited had only one key and could not be duplicated.

So Mme Carmene worked 2 days a week and Mme Joceline 1 day a week keeping things clean. What a treat not spending the first 3 or 4 days trying to get rid of layers of dust, new families of mice. Unfortunately the ravets (cockroaches) felt the need to stay and greet me. Instead of layers of dust, I was greeted to sparkling windows, clean screens, fresh curtains and beds made and ready not only for me but for visitors as well.

Then 24 hours of straight rain. It is the rainy season and I didn't really need the reminder as the previous 3 weeks of steady rain plus cyclone Noel had left high water marks on the security wall and mold and mildew covering every surface. Then followed two days of glorious sun (about 85) - currently rain out of nowhere after a sunny morning in which Dieugrand, Rosenie and I worked on the grass and in the garden. They are now preparing sacks of rice and beans, small bottles of oil which will be distributed tomorrow (Sunday).

We have been so busy each day we have not had time to eat lunch, go into town to the bank, visit the nutrition centre and say hi. We have a steady stream of kids with illnesses. 5 with eye infections and there are no eye drops to be found. There are apparently so many infections after the storm that meds in stock are depleted.. We try to make them comfortable, but drops would really help. Eyes are very swollen, red, streaming and sometimes burning, sometimes hurt to touch.

We also have had 8 cases of malaria however 4 were diagnosed without blood tests. That is another problem when there is a shortage of doctors and only a nurse practitioner. Although they are very ill, I am sending them to a second clinic for blood work as Malaria meds are so hard on the body. Also if used and Malaria is not present you have a problem when it does appear.

3 more cases of typhoid. Jak's daughter did not respond to the Malaria meds so he took her back to the clinic. No malaria this time but symptoms still presenting. She is only 5 and has lost so much weight she looks like a little skeleton. I had brought some Rice Protein Powder for personal use, and that seems to be giving her an appetite.

Sherline arrived Thurs am at 7 as she had a rendevous at the clinic to check on her Malaria. I asked if she had finished the meds and she said no she wasn't able to because the nurse told her to take them with food . When I asked how often she ate she said once a week - the sack she picks up from us on Sunday. She told me there were 5 in the house and they each depended on that little sack for their weekly meal. Auguste and I conferred and we are going to provide her with a weekly stipend which she will pick up on Sunday with her food sack. She will be able to purchase a sandwich, juice and water and take her meds. This is a temporary solution for one person.

As I talked with everyone who came over the last 3 days ( and the weekend staff today) I realized that for most our sack is the only food they have in a week. If staff did not have work here, no daily meal. Enough for a day or 2 (if others are not eating from it.) Staff and I agree that we need to double food distributed and begin distributing charcoal for cooking. It is $100. H a bag in good weather and goes up to $500. bag in the rainy season (now) This means we will need more donations .

On a another note, our university students are enjoying the experience although Vincent is ill. He has blood in his sputum, so tests are being done. Thank goodness there is an infirmary on campus. One of the computers (ordinateur) donated by Seton Hall has gone to Limbe with the guys as they were paying to use the schools computers. This gives them one to share. Thank you again Seton Hall.

We set up one of the printers which arrived courtesy of Steve in New Jersey and it works like a charm. The staff all stood around watching as it printed test pictures and letters. We have set up the gallery table and bench inside the front door so that only those with permission may enter and have access to the "cybercafe".

On that note I will close. We have visitors arriving the first week of December. The men will help us install the solar panels they donated and the women will spend some time getting to know our students and programs and hopefully make some home visits with us.

Alal pwochen - (until the next time)
Kenbe pa lage (hang in there)
Sharon
============================

Hi again

It is 1 pm Sunday. We have already had 30 in for food sacks, keeping Erzilia and Dieugrand very busy. Of those 30, 10 needed medical referrals (meaning we need another staff member to work Sunday ) Of those 30, only 2 ate on a daily basis (brother and sister. However, he has malaria) Hopefully Rosenie will be able to work Sunday instead of Saturday and we will replace her Saturday.

This leads me to send a request for items we need:

Ensure supplements

Protein bars - good quality with high protein percentage

Antiviral Kleenex

Vitamin C (Esther C if possible - easier on stomach)

Multi vitamins (chewable if possible)

Protein powder

Herbal teas for colds, sore throat etc. (Traditional Medicinals< makes a very effective line.

Money to purchase mosquito nets and beds - could be a single campaign.

I'm sure something else will come to mind but this is a good start.

Beni-w
Sharon

TS Noel's Aftermath in Cap-Haitien, Student Status

Hello Everyone,

I finally heard from Auguste this afternoon. With the storm, the phones and internet have been down. There's no electricity in Cap-Haitien. I don't know how or where he sent the email from. No damage, just rain from Noel. However Sen Rafayel is more isolated as the river is very high making it impossible now for any vehicles to go up or down.

Remember the bridge was washed out the week before last Christmas, making it necessary to traverse the river. In spite of the massive UN presence no one has replaced the bridge to allow vehicle traffic to resume.

Rosenie and Sherline have been diagnosed with Typhoid fever. Marlene finally got to the hospital at Milot for a consultation on the lump on her breast (she's been trying since last summer). She has a date of Nov. 21 for surgery. Modeline's date was changed 4 times in the Winter / Spring so we understand from experience that a date change is possible. Dieugrand travelled with her and will do the same for the surgery date. What surgery exactly? I have no idea.

I arrive back November 20, so I will ask Auguste to try to find a taxi driver who will take them and wait and deliver them home. Milot is about 30 miles away on roads that are in very bad shape. Public transit is available but not after surgery. If surgery takes place that day, we will bring her back to the house to recoup. If Rosenie is sufficiently recovered, I will ask her to come help. She can use the job. Timing is everything.

We will have visitors coming December 4-8, two of whom will stay at our place and will travel with us for home visits.

ale - kenbe pa

Sharon

PS If you are on Facebook, join our new group : Starthrowers in Haiti.

Updates Food, Medical, Students in Haiti

Hello Everyone,

A rather lengthy update. I am sorry it's been so long.

Food Program:
I will leave Toronto on November 18, and stop in Fort Lauderdale to purchase and ship supplies for the house, then go to Cap-Haitien on November 20. I am going back a few weeks earlier than in previous years as the number of students arriving each weekend for food and medical referrals are increasing each week, and the staff is running out of supplies and money.

When we stopped food distribution on July 1 (due to lack of funds), we had 25 students coming weekly for food sacks. At that time, we only had 80 students being sponsored, and half of those were up the mountain in Sen Rafayel.

Currently, we have 138 students registered. The first week 31 came for food, the following week, 40 came, and last week, 50. We will evaluate our financial situation at Christmas as to whether we are able to continue. The folks at Starthrower America have a shipment due to arrive via CASCO this month (October), so there will be rice and oil. When it arrives, we will have a bit of a breather, since then we will only be needing funds for beans and the sacks.

As you know, I prefer to purchase everything in Haiti in order to support the local growers and merchants, but when it is a matter of continuing the program or not, we will go with Charity for a while to keep the program going.

Student Updates:
Micheline passed entrance exam) for Medical Technology. She began this 4 year program on October 5th. She needs a sponsor: The cost will be about $3,500 US a year as she must travel back and forth to Vertieres daily by tap tap, as well as need money to eat. There is no cafeteria, nor dormitory, at the school.

Deles and Vincent are enjoying the agronomy program at the University of Limbe. Deles has a sponsor for this 4 year program, Vincent is need of support. The cost here is about $2,400 US/ per year (If I remember correctly)

Marlene and Elorge each have a sponsor. They are applying to University in the Dominican Republic, where they hope to travel to in March to study intensive Spanish for 3 months, then write entrance exams. I have spoken with the 2 sponsors for Marlene and Elorge and they are agreeable to them attending medical school out of the country. (Marlene's sonogram for the pelvic growth resulted in no specific diagnosis and we have not been able to get a mammogram yet)

Elorge and Frantzy are again preparing "pyes-yo" (the papers necessary for application to medical school). They were not accepted at Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince, and, as 'poor' students, they were not treated nicely by the university there, For their new applications, they need to have medicals again, and to get new copies of all certificates. They must obtain originals again, as the copies of those sent to Notre Dame are not acceptable and Notre Dame does not return application material. This is both expensive and time consuming to start again. They also need passport and visa this time, which means they have to go to Port-au-Prince again.

Frantzy is in need of a sponsor, though. (Why Frantzy wants to be a doctor: His younger brother, Ernst, was one of our students. We sent him to the school for the deaf (Lekol des enfants sourdes). He contracted an ear infection almost 3 years ago. His parents, Carmene (our cook-housekeeper; she is his mother) and Frank borrowed money, and took him to the hospital for a consult, but found they could not afford the antibiotics or surgery recommended. Ernst died 3 days after that. He was 13 years old. Frantzy hopes that, by becoming a doctor, he can prevent more unnecessary deaths like his brother's.) We are going to try to register Frantzy in Cuba as well. So far, I have not received a reply to my query on his behalf.

Jhennie is also applying to study Medical Technology in the DR as she has friends there who can provide a safe space.

Medical Update:
Auguste tells me that Osner (who is about 18 inches taller that Auguste) came to the house very ill with fever. He had passed out outside our gate (portail). Auguste put him on our bicycle and took him to the clinic. Osner has malaria. We use everything to transport our ailing students -- the wheelbarrow, taxis, the bicycle. The vehicle I so often talk about is not a luxury but a necessity for so many reasons. Every time we use the wheelbarrow or bicycle to take someone to the hosp or clinic, we are putting everyone at risk. Perhaps we'll find one under the tree for Christmas.

One of our new girls, Guilene, in Cap-Haitien, came for medical consult. She is anemic with kidney stones (ti roch nan pipi) and genital/urinary tract infection. Remember most of these consults are with nurse practitioners as doctors are few in number.

Auguste has been so busy with medical referrals coming to the house that he has not yet registered for the English and computer courses he is going to take.

Thank you!
The reality of Haiti, according to UNICEF, is this : 50% OF THOSE ELIGIBLE BEGIN PRIMARY SCHOOL; OF THOSE WHO BEGIN, less than 2% complete high school. Starthrower is striving to break the seemingly endless cycle of absolute poverty by supporting those who can and will change their country. Thank you to those of you who have so faithfully support these young people. If you are looking at site for the first time, please join us. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Together we can change the world.

Blessings and thanks to all who support these amazing young people. If everyone who supports them tells one more person, we will be able to do even more. Special thanks to all the visitors who came to see us this past summer, We learn from every one of them, and hopefully, they learn from us. When people can see what we are doing in Haiti, and how their donations are spent, I am sure they come away with a new appreciation of the work we are doing, and the work still to be done.

Special thanks to the Grade 5 and 6 Girls Club at Golf Road Junior Public School in Scarborough, Ontario. Their fundraising efforts have made it possible to send a Haitian student, Sankara, to school in Sen Rafayel for the full year.

On a personal note:
Some have asked about my wrist. I am not having it re-broken. Current pain is mostly from the compression resulting from misalignment. Apparently that would remain the same. I now have a uniquely crooked wrist.

Before I close, Deles and Vincent both asked if it was possible for us to ask for a laptop for each of them. So on their behalf, I put out the request.

Kenbe red

Sharon