Malaria, Vehicles, Mosquito Nets, Beds, Nursing : News From Cap-Haitien Haiti

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Bonjou tout moun

Another busy week in Cap-Haitien Haiti: Malaria returns, Inspecting a vehicle with view to purchase, mosquito nets and beds, and outfitting student nurse for return to Leogane to work in field hospital. And through it all, intermittent hydro and rain,rain and more rain.
(Click on an image to enlarge, then click Back to return to this post)

Malaria drugs, Cloroquine Resistance
Our second (Alex) and third (Wilta) cases of malaria were recently confirmed, and we have our third case of cloroquine resistance: Rosema.

Gaby and DIeunet are also cloroquine resistant. Tuesday we sent Edwina for Malaria testing. We had to postpone her home visit, as when we arrived, we found she was very ill.

We left her some meds for fever, pain and nausea, and asked her to promise that she would send us a message (bay komisyon) with Rosenie the next morning to let us know if she needed anything.  We should have her clinic results today (Thursday).

Good thing I purchased Mefloquin and Malarone in Canada before travelling. These antimalarials  are so needed. Cloroquine is always prescribed first, as travel clinics refuse to believe there is Cloroquine resistance in Haiti.

For Rosema, we followed up with Mefloquine. We had enough for one patient only. If more cloroquine resistant cases occur, we can use the prescription for Malerone, the newest anti malarial.

Mosquito nets, Beds

The need for beds (kabann yo) and mosquito nets (mustike yo) is ongoing. We purchase mosquito nets from a marchand at our corner, and also in the market.

As beds are expensive and difficult to find, we are trying a large piece of foam suitable for use as a mattress.

We purchased one to cover the sofa frame where the kids sit on the gallery. It is about the size of a double bed, 5 inches thick and seems quite durable, so we've purchased 3.

Sherlyne (who received hers last Saturday) says it works well so we distributed the other 2 this week. Finding a taxi that can accommodate the awkward size mattress was the big challenge.

We have always been short of beds for our students, and have only been able to provide perhaps a dozen for our 100+ kids. Malaria is worse in Winter (rainy season), so there's a more urgent need to get kids off the ground and surrounded by an effective mosquito net, rather that than see them suffer with Malaria. From experience, Malaria is hell. So is sleeping on bare cement or wet earth.

Buy a Vehicle in Haiti: Mechanic Inspection

There are many used vehicles for sale in Cap-Haitien, so it's necessary to have a good mechanic inspect it before buying.

We are looking at a 2004 Mitsubishi diesel truck, with double cab, in excellent condition, according to our mechanic's inspection and to Jud who knows every vehicle in Cap.

Our mechanic recommended that the seller drop the price by several thousand dollars, which he did. The lower price is still more than we can afford but at least now we know good used vehicles exist.

For background on buying vehicles in Haiti, see previous blog entries:
http://starthrower-foundation.blogspot.com/2008/03/good-used-vehicles-housing-needed-in.html

http://starthrower-foundation.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentines-day-in-haiti-cookies-roof.html

Jack, Auguste and Dieugrand have driver licences. Rosenie is starting driver training this week, and I will renew my international drivers permit when next in Canada.

Student Nurse Update : Gaby in Leogane

Gaby, who has been dealing with post trauma shock, went back down to Leogane after  a very long talk with me on Monday March 1st.

When he phoned to let us know he had arrived, he sounded much happier than he had prior to going. He had wanted to change nursing schools and stay in Cap-Haitien to study; He did not want to go to Leogane again but bravely decided he needed to talk to the Doyenne, Mme Alcindor, before making final decision.

When he came back from this trip (the trip back to Cap-Haitien was very difficult as regular bus routes are still not running), he told me that, after an inspiring talk with the Doyenne, he decided  that his place was there working with other students and an international team of doctors and nurses in the field hospital that used to be his school. 

L'hopital St. Croix, the hospital in Leogane, was destroyed in the earthquake. What was once his dorm is now being used as the operating room; The next dorm is now the Maternity ward and one more room is used for recovery and urgent care.

Gaby had lost everything in the earthquake, and after combing the Cap-Haitien market for scrubs and other items, Rosenie, Sherlyne and I helped him find shoes, jeans and Tshirts from the Christmas boxes that we picked up Wednesday.

What a lifesaver, as the only clothes he had were on his back and everything, including his shoes, was soaking wet.


The need for medical help in Haiti is still great and Gaby is very happy to be able to go back and work. Students and medical staff  are sleeping in tents behind the school. Everyone receives one meal a day at noon. There appears to be enough meds etc. He phoned to tell me he's safe and is working nights, sleeping days.

I'm relieved after the phone call and grateful for cell phone presence in a country with little in the way of reliable communication.

Recap of Students Starthrower Supports
This school year we have 100 students in secondary school. Half of them are in school in the mountain village of Sen Rafayel and the other half are in Cap-Haitien.

In addition we have half a dozen who are apprenticing in trades (carpenters, mechanics, masons) and another 13 in post secondary settings:

• 4 in nursing school in Leogane, west of Port-au-Prince.
• 2 in pre med in the Dominican Republic
• 2 in 3rd year agriculture at the Univerity of Limbe
• 1 in 2nd yr medical technology in Madelene       
• 1 in 2nd year kindergarten teacher training in Cap-Haitien
• 2 in first year teacher training in Madelene in Cap-Haitien
• 1 in first year electrical engineering, in Port-au-Prince

One of our university students studying medical technology was killed in Port-au-Prince; 2 others were injured and I have left them off the list as do not know if injuries will keep them out of school.

In addition, there are several students on a waiting list for post secondary support but we just don't have the funds. We never know from one semester to the next if we will have enough funding for those already in school to continue as school fees are fluid in nature.

The number of Starthrower students in post secondary is remarkable, and we are very proud of their hard work and accomplishments.  For those who are new Starthrowers, see the Haiti national exams post.

Pi ta
Sharon
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Water, Propane, Food, Medical, Dental, Supplies ~ This Week in Haiti

The News this week from Starthrower in Haiti: Water, Propane, Food Distribution, Medical, Dental, Supplies

Propane Supply Found
We've been without ice for almost 2 weeks. Vegetarian lifestyle is the most reasonable option. And we ran out of propane last Sunday.

Staff had been scouring the city to find a refill tank. More important than cooking, we need it to boil the well water.

Jacques arrived from town on Wednesday with a full tank of propane. It took stops at 7 shops to find it, but we have it! The first shop was closed, and the next 6 had no stock.

They returned to the first shop to find it open and in possession of only 5 full tanks and about 30 empty ones, and that's it for Cap-Haitien.

Current price of a propane tank refill is $600 Haitian or 3000 HTG = $78.54 US. For a full tank (not just a refill - I would say 'new tank' but the word 'new' would be misleading) the price is $1500 Haitian or 7500 HTG = $196.34 US.

We did manage to secure potable water for this week's distribution. Hurray ! And we finally got enough sun over a few days for solar power.

Rice and beans arriving, Water
Rosenie and I prepared food sacks on Sunday and we distributed them all week.

This is in addition to the simple meal we provide each of the kids when they drop in.

They bring their gallon jugs for potable refills at the same time. Monday was crazy busy as expected as we resumed  food distribution.

Sherlyne wrote a note asking if we could lend her money to buy food as she goes many days without eating. This is the norm.

Instead of a loan I offered her a job on weekends helping Rosenie purchase and package food, oil etc. It frees me up and allows them to continue working whenever schools finally reopen.

On Tuesday morning, Erzilia also wrote a note (in French -- talk about keeping up with studies!) and then came in asking for work, so she will cover the office with Auguste on Thursdays and Fridays for a few weeks.

Student Health - Medical, Dental
Jean-Ricot and Christamene went to Milot Tuesday for extensive dental work.
They'd gotten up at 4 a.m. to travel to Milot at 5 a.m. They were fortunate enough to each get a consult, as only 10 consults are done per day.

Adlyn arrived on Tuesday, after having had a circumcision (needed due to recurrring infections from bathing with dirty water) to bring us his prescription forms.

Rosema also arrived Tuesday, having come from the clinic. He'd been back and forth 3 times, walking each way, each time, and he is so sick. I diagnosed malaria but waited for the experts to agree. I don't want to give him something he doesn't need. Unfortunately my diagnostic skills are quite accurate. At least we can treat it.

We continue to have success with the natural product Allimax that has an antibiotic effect. I Am NOT a paid spokesperson; I just have had success personally using it and now here with the kids: The stubborn wound on Jack's arm closed in 3 days, and he did not need an xray as the pain disappeared, and the arthritis he has in his joints is now gone for the first time in years.

Rosenie's chest infection cleared up and our pup is still alive and showing signs of improvement (when I can slip the capsule into her food).

Many of our young people suffer from arthritic complaints from sleeping on the ground or on concrete. Even with funds for beds and mosquito nets (though the students would be more comfortable), they would still have joint pain.

I always feel so badly sending kids for day surgery, dental surgery, etc on public transit over horrendous road surfaces, knowing the discomfort and often pain they experience. Someday we will have a vehicle. But for now we do what we can with what we have.

Shopping for Shoes

Everyone is in need of shoes, as well. We provide a new pair in September and January.

Although school is still on hiatus, shoe leather wears out at the same rate here.

Roads are non-existent for the most part, or else a series of various sized potholes joined together in an intricate pattern.

As it is the rainy season, the constant mud also takes its toll. Everyone needs black dress shoes but everyone needs different sizes and feet, like teeth, continue to grow despite a life of abject poverty.

Since schools are still closed, they actually have the luxury of taking their time going through the marketplace looking for shoes.

Aftershocks Aftermath
Aftershocks continue, and you get to the point where you don't want to say anything because maybe you're the only one who felt it. Wisly and Alland came down from Sen Rafayel to talk. Together, they speak not a word about the earthquake trauma. Separate them, and stream of consciousness pours out.

Intellectually, they understand that the trauma of their experience at the nursing school in Leogane will fade, although it will always be a part of them. Emotionally, they are still very much in the middle of it. What each talks of independently is the courage of the Doyenne, Mme Alcindor. She is their hero, holding them together and turning them into clinicians.

Thank you For Supplies
Thanks to Mme Cindy and elves in Penn!

Jacques (staff) discovered that the baseball cap (kepi) he received in his bwat nwel (Christmas Box) has a miniature flashlight embedded in it.

As there is still little and intermittent electricity, he's very grateful from a security standpoint, and it's hands free!

What a boon! This country could use about 5,000,000 of these!

Mme Cindy also sent chocolate chip cookie mix, so the kids will have a treat. There is no margarine in sticks available in any of the markets, so we're trying a pouch margarine from Indonesia which came to us via the Dominican Republic.

Our biggest challenge when cooking is a having to use a 6-year-old propane stove which has no temperature settings, only a series of dash lines between min & max. We frequently overcook food and oft times undercook, making everything oven cooked an adventure.

Thank You to Nadia and Daniel from Toronto, for turning a holiday into an opportunity to send supplies to us. They had come to Orangeville in January to help pack a bag of donations stored in my apartment, and  packed a few more bags with their own. They were travelling to Provo, Turks and Caicos, so they took all the bags with them to Provo, then sent them to us via Air Turks and Caicos. Thanks again!

Haiti, Canada, Chile
It's been a month since I returned to Haiti. The comparative luxury (electricity, flush toilet, blankets and bed) of my modest one bedroom apartment above a store on main street in Orangeville, is difficult to picture.

I had forgotten the smell of burning tires, the ferocity of storms during the rainy season. On Thursday, the winds started mid afternoon and howled all night long. Many toll roofs have been blown away.

I'd almost forgotten how incredibly difficult life is here in Haiti, and the immense courage of the Haitians.

Pi ta
Sharon

PS Tale of Two Quakes: Saturday's Mag 8.8 earthquake in Chile invited media comparisons' with Haiti's Mag 7 quake on January 12. See Associated Press story in the Sunday Toronto Star.

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Cap-Haitien Schools Collapse, Earthquake, Update Medical Dental, Water, and More Christmas Boxes Arrive

News from Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel Haiti

Bonjou tout moun!  Hello Everyone!

This week began innocently enough. I was allowed to turn the water back on Sunday night at 6 p.m., the plumbing operations, performed Saturday were sufficiently dry and I was exhausted so bed at 6:30.

When one is up with the roosters at 4 a.m., fatigue sets in early. Besides we had endured a weekend of torrential rains and that lulls me.

Another Quake Felt in Cap-Haitien

At 7:49 p.m. (according to my cell phone), an aftershock tossed my bed from side to side. It certainly took my attention off the book I was reading.

The options were to stay in bed and wait for another shock, or join the rest leaving their houses and heading for the street in the pouring rain. I chose option A.

Monday morning rain continued unabated.  I rose and opened the house, fed the animals, fed night security, boiled water for dishes (we cook with propane, so must go outside in the rain). Auguste was back from his week off, and his shoulders had descended from his ears and were sitting in the appropriate place. As well he was smiling despite the rain.

Tuesday was the first of three days March for the Official Mourning Period. It began at 6 a.m. and wove through town from the airport, closing businesses, hospitals and clinics, and stoppin traffic until 6 p.m., so all staff walked to and from our center.
 
Jack, Dieugrand, Christamene, Jean Ricot arrived and decided to work inside as the rain was so heavy. Jack had repaired the quake damage in one room and it needed to be painted. Perfect indoor work. Outdoor repairs are impossible with all the rain.

Joceline arrived and began to clean bathrooms, Carmene arrived from the market an hour later. Thank goodness she took a cab. Students were arriving, Claudy was on the phone from Sen Rafayel, but I had to go to town to the bank to pick up the Moneygram sent from PA to help Carmene manage her houseful.

Jackson (cab) arrived within 20 minutes and off we went. When the rains come, huge amounts of water are dumped. Although he parked on the sidewalk in front of Fonkoze (bank), the water still came up over my shoes.

Inside I knew what a sardine must experience wedged in a tin. The place was full of folks waiting for Moneygrams. The guard said I would probably get processed about 3 p.m.

This was 10:30. There were 8 chairs, and more than 40 people. I would have stayed except for the fact that one must surrender either passport or Haitian identity card.

I'm uneasy when my passport is somewhere I can't see and dozens are milling around in front of me. So I secured my passport and asked for the daily rate of exchange. Armed with that information we went looking for ice for the house. None to be found and the road was so bad we past several taxis which had lost tires in the potholes.

Home at last and Martha is waiting, so sick from not eating or sleeping. But she can't eat/sleep because she keeps feeling the  ground move. So after she drank a little tea, ate a little bread and cream cheese and half a gravol tablet, she began to settle.

Schools Cap-Haitien Collapse
Jackson had just arrived in town spurred on by a call from his brother: Le Petit Ecole, a private primary school in Carrenage (downtown Cap-Haitien) had collapsed and he was going to help. We learned that 4 Grade 4 students were killed, up to 8 more students plus a teacher were seriously injured.

We later learned that one of the little boys who died was the only son of M. Brutus, our rental agent. I have spoken to that boy so many times on the phone from the time he was learning to talk.  Our condolences to the family.

Also killed was the only son of Dr. Toussaint, a local pediatrician. Mudslide and huge boulders had crashed down the mountain, landing on the roof of the school.

This is a yearly occurrence during the rainy season. In the last 2 days, 3 more schools in Cap-Haitien have had walls. etc. collapse.

These were all private schools for the wealthy: Kay Frere (primary and secondary), College Regina (not sure about levels offered) and College Notre Dame (primary and secondary).

Thankfully no one was injured, as these schools had closed after the disaster at Le Petit Ecole.

Lakay Fondasyon Damage, Injuries
Wednesday night the rain continued unabated and what was left of our damaged covered parking / study space came down. Jack had arrived early to help me as I had had no security overnight, and after filling water pails for me to boil, he poured a cup of coffee.

He never got to drink it, though, as a very large mouse poked its head out from between the tins of dry goods. Into action we went, dispatching the mouse and deciding to rearrange to pantry area completely. The mouse had been very industrious and it needed a good cleaning.

Jack, who had been injured when working on repairing the covered study area, is going for an x-ray on his knee. Though the wounds on his forehead and leg from the wood falling on him have healed, the one on his arm is still quite nasty. I am changing the dressing every 2 days,. He also has pain in the knee area where he was frappe.

Carmene phoned during to say that she had a very high fever and could not work. I couldn't urge her to get tested for Malaria as hospital (and many business) were still closed for National Mourning.

Auguste has started to talk about his fears for the country and trying to deal with kids who have the same fears but he feels he mustn't show his.
 
Sen Rafayel Medical Dental, Guilene, Gaby
The students in Sen Rafayel have phoned us, but not come down into Cap-Haitien because of rain, mud, rocks blocking route. But Friday, Claudy made it down from Sen Rafayel with requests for money from hospitals, dentists, clinics.

For example, the dentist in Pignon charged $270 Haitian for a visit: $50 Haitian ($7 US) for registration, $70 Haitian ($10 US) for a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, and $150 Haitian ($20 US) for the actual dental work (composite).

I never begrudge payment for dental work, but the charge for dental hygiene products which in Canada would be a gift from the dentist gets my Irish up. Besides we provide these supplies to the students at the beginning of every trimest (except for the floss, as we can't get it). So we learned today that we specify we pay for treatment only.

Christamene and Jean Ricot both have dental problems so we are sending them to the dental clinic at Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot although we know they are overrun with victims of the earthquake.

We sent Guilene to the hospital in Pignon as she is having pain in her shoulders and back. Small wonder after being trapped under the rubble in Port-au-Prince for 6 days.  We sent her to Lopital Bienfaisance in Pignon; she needs 2 x-rays for a total of $700 Haitian ($93 US), payable up front.

Since she couldn't pay, they sent her back down the mountain by camionet over terrible roads with who knows what pain (and she is blind) to get the money before they would take the x rays.

Truth or Rumour? Study Abroad Program
Gaby (student nurse) sent a letter from Sen Rafayel via Claudy today. He has again heard on Haitian radio (each station has a different version) that other countries are offering to help those students who were post secondary in the Port-au-Prince area  continue their studies abroad.

I have heard nothing about this. If anyone has any info, please let me know.

Gaby also said in his letter that after 2 weeks in Sen-Rafayel, "I think I can take back me."  How profoundly moving and descriptive. Bear in mind, English is about his 4th language.

Schools Opening After Easter?
A local magistrate said on the radio that schools should remain closed at least until Easter (April 5-6), which would mean a one-semester year rather than trimest. At this time, I don't know if our payment would be honoured.

Rosenie
At the beginning of every trimeste, we distribute toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, facecloths etc. and the girls drop in whenever they need pads. Part of Rosenie's job is to purchase and prepare hygiene products for distribution. She purchased everything on  February 7.

She was off on Friday when Claudy had come down from Sen Rafayel and when we had sent everything that she had purchased back with him (prices are higher in the Sen Rafayel market).

Imagine her surprise when she arrived for work and found she had nothing to work with. At least she knew where to go to find supplies and I knew exactly what things would cost.  So she is preparing hygiene packages for distribution and tomorrow, we package rice, beans and oil to distribute. See food program details here.

Water and Christmas Boxes Arrive
Today (Saturday), Jack called to say the store owner with whom he left our deposit bottles just called him to let us know the potable water had finally arrived, so he is coming to pick up and deliver.

Mme A. just phoned to say that she has 4 boxes for us, the rest of the Christmas boxes from PA. So BIG thank you to Mme Cindy and her elves. Now we hunt down Jackson, our driver, to pick them up.

Donations and Fundraisers
Sunday (tomorrow), we will to go to the airport to pick up the bags that Daniel in Toronto is sending by air from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.         

Thank you all for continuing to support Starthrower Foundation, the students and their families in Haiti, by donating funds,  by donating and offering goods and services from dental and carpenter supplies to trauma counselling and paramedic skills, by holding fundraiser events and in schools.

Kenbe pa lage

Sharon

PS February Birthdays Starthrower: Evaldine (Feb.10), MarieModeline, Shounoune and staff member Jacques (Feb. 5), Julhomme (Feb 20), Nauseline (Feb 22), Kinston (Feb 24).

Ti Sab (dog, member of security team) still not well but able to stand up albeit very wobbly, still falls down a lot, moves laterally, has developed a large lump on lt. haunch (picture this post).
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Rice Oil Beans Charcoal Prices Haiti Soar Post Earthquake

Diri, Pwa, Chabon, Sik Blan Costs Rise in Cap-Haitien

Hello Everyone,

If you are poor in Haiti, It costs you more to cook and eat if you are middle class in Canada.

Though the cost of staples in Haiti -- rice, beans, oil -- and charcoal needed to cook them have risen dramatically in the past few years, they have risen more since the quake in January.

Here are some examples of what these basic items cost in Cap-Haitien as of February 19, 2010. For those purists who disagree with my interpretation of gode and marmite, please trust my experience, as Haitian market measurements do not comply with international standards.

Quantities, Measurements
1 gode (pronounced goday) is about one cup;  There are 6 gode in 1 marmite, and 19 marmites in 1 gwo sak (Large sack).

Exchange Rates HTG to USD
On Monday, February 15, 2010, Fonkoze Bank gave an exchange of 38.2 HTG (Haitian gourdes) = $1 USD (US dollar). (See this post for details.) To add to the currency mix in Haiti, the Haitian dollar is also used: $1 Haitian is about 5 HTG or $7-$8 USD.

When buying rice, we get a break by buying the large bags. Nobody gets a break buying beans. These are today's prices (18/FEB/10). Tomorrow will bring a different set of numbers.

Using these rates, as we had to this week, this is what rice, beans, sugar, oil and charcoal cost: 

RICE (diri) : 61 US cents for 1 cup of rice;  $10.17 US for 1 marmite rice, $50 US for a large bag of rice.

When I first came back to Haiti in 1998, 1 gode diri (one cup of rice) cost 3 HTG; The price had since gone up up to 11 HTG; On Tuesday, it was 22 HTG, and Wednesday, one cup of rice cost 23 HTG.

1 gwo sak diri (large bag of rice, approximately 19 marmites) costs $380 Haitian (about $55 USD). Four years ago we thought it outrageous when the price of rice climbed to $250 Haitian ($36 USD) per large bag.

BEANS (pwa): 1 gode pwa (cup of beans) costs 30 HTG (79 cents US); 1 marmite costs $34 Haitian ($4.47 US), and a large bag beans costs $84.93 US.

COOKING OIL: 1 gallon cooking oil costs $60 Haitian ($7.90 US) for the cheapest brand.

SUGAR (sik blan): 1 gode sik blan (1 cup white sugar) costs 66 US cents.

CHARCOAL (chabon) : One marmite (enough to cook one meal) costs $8 Haitian or 40 HTG, or just over $1 US.

A marmite of chabon (charcoal) costs 25 HTG on a good day. The price goes up to 35 HTG per marmite when it rains. Using the 38.2 exchange rate per USD, that would be 92 cents US or almost a dollar for a small amount of chabon which may or may not be sufficient to cook the rice and beans. If the beans are tough (as often happens), one needs a larger amount of chabon to boil them long enough to be edible.

We have the luxury of buying charcoal in quantity,  and so usually pay less per portion. The cost of chabon will settle if we have a few days of sun.

We will begin packing the rice, oil, beans in smaller portions and distributing them to the students this week.

As the above amounts and prices show, the high cost of food and charcoal is a nig reason why the poor of Haiti are malnourished and sick: They have no job and no income, so cannot buy food.

And remember, these are just a few of the staple items; not a balanced diet, which is why we add, when we can, foods like peanut butter with protein powder mixed in, and supplement with vitamins.

Until next time,

Blessings,
Sharon

Update Students, Schools, Fire, Earthquake Aid, Rain : Cap-Haitien Haiti This Week

Post Trauma Stress Continues, Schools Still Closed
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Hello Everyone,

Here's more news of what's happening at Lakay Fondasyon in Cap-Hatien, about student stress and fire losses, schools, Port-au-Prince 'refugees', quake damage, and aid.

Student Update
Markendy arrived on Monday. He had finished his apprenticeship barber training more than a year ago, but now he wants to go back to school. Neither he nor Starthrower have any money to set him up in a shop of his own.

His boss (who trained him) needed the tuition we paid for his apprenticeship to keep his own business going. He can't afford to hire Markendy as a barber, but as long as we pay him, he'll give him work.

And while not being able to set up his own shop or to be subsidized by us is part of the reason he wants to go back to school, it's also a symptom of trauma: Like others facing the world outside, here in Haiti, the world of the classroom is much safer and more comfortable.

Fire Destroys Edwina's Ti Kay
Staff arrived one morning with news of a fire in their katye (zone LaBoul). The ti kay in which Edwina lives caught fire the night before.

Everything inside was destroyed, but somehow the building is still standing. It was only about 3 ft. x 5 ft. and 4 people slept, cooked and lived in it. Thank goodness she was wearing her new glasses at the time.

Because it's very cool and damp at night, they had lit a candle (balen) for light and heat, then gone out to use the toilet. They lost everything.

So today, we start to replace their belongings, beginning with her school uniform: Purchasing material, finding a seamstress and getting a wardrobe for her in the market.

Between the earthquake and the fire, Edwina is back to communicating in a whisper, as she did when she first arrived here 4 years ago.

Cap-Haitien Schools, Fees, Home Schools
As yet, we still have no idea of the amount, or for which school fees are owed. One or two schools in Cap-Hatitien tried to open this week, with so-so success.

One school opened, but because 2 of the teachers had been killed in Port-au-Prince, the kids all cried so the staff, not knowing what to do with them, sent them home. I have seen reports that schools outside of Port-au-Prince are all functioning. Not so!

Rosenie passed by her school yesterday to find out when it will open. The secretary who handled everything was killed in the quake. Nobody had any information about when classes will resume.

A home school for the neighborhood started in the house across the street. We are going to start an English club for those wishing to fe pratik (practice). Modeline was so excited when she heard this, as she loves to try out English phrases.

Mme Carmene Family Relief for Port-au-Prince relatives
As I mentioned, Carmene, our cook, needs help with food and clothing as her house is damaged and she is trying to repair it and to support what is now a family of 12 people, all on her salary from Starthrower.

Carmene's widowed sisters and their children, ages 3 months to 17 years, lived in Port-au-Prince, and lost everything in the earthquake. Carmene also took in the son of her brother in Port-au-Prince who was injured and unable to travel, and others in family who might take him in are also injured. They sent him to Cap-Haitien because they expect to die in the street in Port-au-Prince, and want him out. He was in school there, in seconde which is 3rd last year of high school.

We have provided backpacks, shoes, vitamins, hygiene supplies and a few articles of clothing and some money, but that's not nearly enough to put 5 kids in school (uniforms, text books etc.) and feed 12 people. We can't even feed our own kids. While our daily meals continue, food sack distribution has not restarted.

So to help with their immediate needs, Mme Cindy in Pennsylvania arranged to send a Moneygram to them through me. And while it seems simple enough to go to a bank and arrange to collect the funds, this is Haiti. Nothing is that simple. It's taking several days and several cab rides and a walk to the closest Moneygram bank. I stood outside in line in 100F+ heat, then finally approached a (well-armed) security guard, as it seemed as if everyone in line had an account book.

I explained I had come to pick up a Moneygram and he told me they were not available today (pa disponib jodi'a). I asked about the main branch downtown, and he said they close at 2 p.m. or maybe earlier.This is true. Banks are keeping irregular hours but they do open.

So the next day I went into town to our usual bank, but unfortunately, I had only the pin number, not the Moneygram reference number, so I was unable to pick up the donation. I have secured the necessary information by email but will have to wait until Monday to go back to the bank as everything closed Friday for National Day of Mourning. Jackson, our taxi driver, could probably make a good living by driving exclusively for us!

Sister Rosemary stopped in on Tuesday to tell Carmene to send her sisters and their children to the Bureau of the Ministry of Education. They were to take any papers that prove they were from Port-au-Prince. They were told to take the kids to a certain school. Their understanding was that their school fees would be paid for by the government. Upon arrival, they were told by the school how much they had to pay before kids would be allowed to attend. Frustration and disappointment abound.

I can't imagine their difficulty and anxiety, dealing with losing everything, packed together in a house not theirs, dealing with 'bureau' officials, and getting around, let alone in the mud.

So those Haitians who migrated North are not finding it possible to access government support. These 2 families are fortunate they have family (Carmene) here but what a mess and what a terrible load for Carmene to carry.

Rain adds to miseries Cap-Haitien
There was torrential rain all Sunday night, and on Monday, everyone was late arriving for work as their houses were flooded.

The rain continued off and on all week, so we had no chance to put clothing and already compromised mattresses outside to dry in the sun.

Even the vet cancelled our appointment as his place is flooded, too. With no sun for several days, I have been running on a small reserve of solar power and also charging staff telephones.

It's very cool and damp at night here. I know 65F-70F (18C-21C) is not 'cool', but when you're used to 120F (48C), it's cold when you sleep outside, or if inside, on earth or cement. And when it's not raining during the day, it's very hot. After several nights without hydro, the return of sunshine is welcome, and translates to solar power.

We had been trying for several days to go into Cap-Haitien to do the laundry. All it takes is a couple of rainy days and nights, and we have a mountain of slightly mouldering laundry desperately in need of professional help. Joceline went twice but Lave la (wash here) was closed.

Jackson (driver) said he'd pass by if he is in town and let us know the situation before wasting more time and gas driving to town and back. But this weekend, after it's rained off and on all week, and the laudromat appears closed for good, we've been washing a few pieces every day and hanging them to dry on the gallery after the kids leave. It's dispiriting as every day brings new laundry.

Plumbing continues to be a challenge. I woke today (Saturday) to a small flood in the half bath, and had to call Jack as the plumber was wrong about the Mastick stopping the leak. Thank goodness for sun and solar power today. I can put a lamp in the hallway outside the bathroom so he can see to figure out the problem.

The plumber will try to get materials and try to repair the leak today, but the water must stay turned off until Monday.  It's not like at home, where plumbers head for the hardware store to get materials. In Haiti, they find what they can, where they can, and improvise. I am certain that he was hoping the little putty job would work for that very reason. It's what he has on hand.

Vermin and Spider
We discovered that we have a rat in the Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs. It has gotten in to the newly arrived bags of dog and cat food. We took everything out of the cupboard using flashlight power and scoured it.

And the other night, I noticed that the kitchen wall clock stopped at 5:45, so I took it down to change the battery. (Oh, I have been away from Haiti for too long. Take NOTHING for granted and treat everything like a ticking bomb!) When I took down the clock, the back of the clock started to move. I literally threw it across the room, and a fil arenyen (poisonous spider size of a grapefruit) skittered away into the cabinet where we keep glasses and cups. I shut the cupboard door tightly, and the next morning Jack dispatched it.

Security Dog Update

I started the sick pup on Allimax, as nothing to lose everything to gain. And due to the office flood, the vet is still not available to treat her.

Ti sab sniffed my tuna lunch the other day and was able to get that down. So to get her to take Allimax, I inserted the capsules in the fish, and down they went.

When we cleaned out the under-stair cupboard earlier this week, we found some tins of tuna, the last tins remaining from a larger gift 3 years ago. This seems a good time to use them.Thank goodness not everything was regularly cleaned out in my absence. Now we can also make tuna sandwiches for a change for lunches. She seems to be improving on the Allimax.

With post-trauma shocked Gaby (night security) finally deciding that he might be better off in the country, and that he would try to get to Sen Rafayel to stay for a while, to help his spirit heal. l now have Fresnel on night security, and I have the dogs.

I received an update from Jane in Georgia re: nursing school Leogane. Some informative post quake pictures on that site.

And to add to the list of Things We Need are protein bars, sleeping mats and light blankets.

Please keep sending prayers, positive vibes, good karma -- whatever works for you. We need them. The headlines have faded, the misery has not. Thank you each and every one so much.

Alapwochen
Beni-w
Sharon