Micheline

My friend Cindy S.  in Inglewood has a car which, in Winter, warms the seats for passengers. Very welcome in sub-zero temperatures. We have the same available here although it cannot really be deemed an option as it cannot be turned on or off - it just happens. It also only happens in the warm weather -winter months when a little heat would be welcome, it is conspicuously absent. With temperatures consistently above 100 degrees, every seat is prewarmed -sofa cushions,  chairs (wooden, plastic, iron...), bed, toilet not to mention vehicle. Getting dressed in the morning or getting into a nightgown in the evening means that the clothes one dons exude heat as though just ironed -- with an iron set on high. Same for sheets and pillow cases.Argh!!

If the environment is beyond warm to the touch, imagine what that means for unrefrigerated food and water (not to mention mounds of garbage which fester in the streets). I woke at 1:30 this morning with a feeling that something was not right. Good instincts. The electricity had again left as I slept and within the few hours I had perspired in dreamland, our refrigerator had completely defrosted. The floor was  a small swimming pool. Fortunately the solar batteries had enough charge left in them to run the fridge and freezer until the electricity (EDH) returned. Fully awake after mopping the deluge, it seemed like a opportune time to finish the last of a series of blogs I had started over the past 3 weeks but was forced to abort when EDH and solar power left in  tandem. I just deleted 7 partial blogs.  So many stories untold.

To tell those stories, I  sometimes draw from letters we receive  from those hoping to be admitted to our  education support program. They contain a  great deal of misery because misery is present in such large quantities. Friday Micheline dropped in with a letter.

Director Auguste with Micheline June 22

Micheline was one of the first students I met when I travelled to Sen Rafayel in 1999. In 2002 she left the village  to stay with her aunt in Cap-Haitien and attend school. By that time I had taken on several of the Sen Rafayel students who had migrated to Cap.  A few months later her aunt died suddenly of unknown cause, and Micheline contacted me at the Pension Brise de Mer,  again by hand delivered letter, to ask if there was anyway I could help her with housing as well. In those early days I was always surprised when students tracked me down as I had no place to call home.

In 2008 Micheline finished Rheto and registered in the medical technology program (laboratoire medical) at  Institut Polytechnique du Cap-Haitien in Vaudreille. From the time her aunt died, she had told me she wanted to be able to help others who had undiagnosed illnesses. She graduated in January this year and this month completed her last hospital placement in Limbe, the final requisite for her diploma. She is busy putting together her CV to begin the job hunt.

School year 2006-7 Micheline in Rheto

On Sunday she travelled to Sen Rafayel with us to provide some objective thoughts on putting a small clinic and lab on site. Her training and passion for health care were evident. She was enthusiastic about the possibility and very insightful with suggestions and questions,  designing the lab, nursing  and waiting areas for maximum use and comfort. What a great resource she will be.

Although she had delivered a card and letter on Friday, I didn't get to read it until Monday night upon return from the village.

We ask for handwritten letters for program admission because they provide so much information - not always what is said but often the way it is said. Micheline's letter was not solicited so it is a treasure. It speaks to the adult she is becoming. I'm translating portions from Kreyol. Although it is addressed to me, it belongs to every person who has donated a dollar or whatever amount through the intervening years. Micheline never had the luxury of a sponsor, so 'general funds' sponsored her. I couldn't have responded to her needs without your support. This one is for you.

" Today I feel I have a full exuberant cup of joy in my heart because I am taking the occasion to write this letter to you.

The objective of this letter is to tell you thank you for everything that you have done for me in my life - for example paying school for me from 5th grade to professional degree....it seems that at each difficult moment you were always with me.

Manmi Sharon, I cannot imagine all that you have done -giving me food when I was hungry, when I was sick you gave me care. Thank you if I didn't say thank you at the time. I remember when I was discouraged and couldn't pay the rent and was put out of my house. At the moment a friend offered me a place to stay, I fell gravely ill and you quickly sent staff for me and brought me to your home for nursing care.

Thank you - you are a good mother of this family .... thank you, a thousand thanks for everything you have done for me."

Mil mesi pou tout sa-a w fe pou nou

A thousand thanks for everything you do for them
Sharon

Carpentry Shop, Exams, Solar relief

We have discovered a stress relieving activity which can be done alone or in company with the added benefit that something tangible is created. Not Yoga, although that would also work - Woodworking! Everything we need for Sen Rafayel must be purchased in Cap-Haitien and trucked up the mountain. The open market in front of Customs offices on the boulevard is the best place to find treasures - albeit some look as though they have been buried treasures but we clean, sand, prime, paint, varnish with enthusiasm. There is a perception that cost of living must be very cheap in Haiti, however the opposite is true. No large buying base--high prices. The only store in town with a desk for sale (one model, not aisle after aisle) has it priced at 25000 gds, ($625. USD) In the market we paid 7500 gds each ($188.US) for a desk with six drawers  and a table with 4 chairs for the library. 

Sen Rafayel library gets furniture

The office gets a desk - finally

We've temporarily lost our weekend staff as State national exams are coming up -9eme beginning July 10th, Rheto and Rheto libre July 23, then Philo and Philo libre July 30th. Those who are rekale (rewriting missed subjects from last year ) begin Aug. 4th. Once they are finished we should have first results and those with near pass marks (ajourne) will have the opportunity to write again. It's often October before we know who passed and who didn't. Some schools have already started by then. It means that planning for next year or post-secondary applications are often delayed. At both of our centres it is study, study, study.  What impresses me in Cap is how these young people from different schools and different zones have come to-gether to form study buddies. Cap-Haitien (lavil la) has a distance factor -  very different from Sen Rafayel (bouk la) where everyone knows each other and everyone walks everywhere.

Kinston and Phana (Rheto) different schools (Cap centre)

Staff member Lusnot tutors Edwige and Mona (9eme)
(Cap centre)

Sherlyne, Venise (Philo) different schools
(Cap centre)

Study for everyone this term has been made much easier thanks to the funds raise by the Palgrave Rotary, Life after 40 and Women with Spirit. We were able to purchase and distribute solar lamps sold by a Canadian-Haitian company out of Port-au-Prince (Micama Soley). Everyone is thrilled with the products. No more kerosene,candle,matches.

Delivery day - Checking the solar lamps

Firefly solar lamp  at work in Auguste's tikay

Our two trips to Sen Rafayel this week showed students with the same commitment to study. In Cap the students in different grades don't mix but in Sen Rafayel, perhaps because of the luxury of time - no rush to catch a tap tap, a walk home with others leaving the centre, there is a grade mix in the study pattern. I have been astonished at the natural teaching ability of some of our young people.

Rheto and Philo study mix in Sen Rafayel

On the weekend we doubled the amount of board space in Sen Rafayel and tripled it in Cap-Haitien. A chalk board is just a sheet of Cilotex but it gets the job done. Chalk is one of the few items we are able to purchase here.

It is intake time for us. In May we received submission letters. In June and July we prioritize and hold intake interviews. Over the past 2 weeks,  Auguste and I have interviewed 45 potential admissions in Sen Rafayel. which includes checking their papers and verifying information in their letter. Thus far we have offered admission to 20 and have a final round of interviews on July 18. For those new to our blog, Starthrower in Haiti is an education support program. We do NOT have a school, rather we work within the Haitian education system, supporting local schools which we vet carefully looking at academic performance, staff performance, student comments... When we take on new students, (those who are in secondary and have been sitting out for at least a year due to financial distress) we offer them a choice of school from the list we have compiled for Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel. In addition to financial support, our 2 drop in centres operate 7 days a week for the kids providing a snack, potable water, study, tutoring, a game of dominoes,  newspaper etc...
Meet a few new faces ......

Renitha

Gertrude

Jempson

Sen Rafayel continues to challenge - changing but not in the most significant ways. There are now poured concrete roads and sidewalks. At what price? Houses being razed with no compensation. The poor get poorer. EDH has hydro poles and transformers in place but when electricity will arrive is anyone's guess.Who will have access - another thorny issue.  However, if you have 10 gourdes you can listen to a soccer match. And if you have 100 gourdes you can get a plate of rice and beans at this restaurant. Fortunately the last plate had just been sold.We made do with the sandwiches in our cooler.

This restaurant was take out only - and the last meal
was taken out before we arrived.

Advertising is alive and well in Sen Rafayel - for 10 gourdes
one can listen to a soccer match on a portable radio

In addition to paved roads there is a shiny new covered market, impressive to look at and jammed with throngs of buyers and sellers on Thursday's market day. The problem becomes apparent once inside. The rental prices for a few feet of covered space are just too high for a poor marchand and so the choice interior spaces sit empty while those who cannot afford to pay sit crammed to-gether under the blazing Haitian sun, hoping to make a few gourdes before the day is done. And there it sits - a testament to  someone with a great idea who didn't ask the poor what they needed.

Til next

Sharon

Letter #55

I've been sitting at the table reading letters since 6:30am  Dogs and cats have been fed, George the rooster is quiet at the moment. I can eat later.

Every May, as part of our intake strategy,  we accept letters from those who were unable to attend school this year. Although that is our criteria, there are always those who have been sitting out for much longer who find a scrap of paper and a pen and briefly tell their story in the hopes of support. If we had the funds, I would say yes to everyone who meets our requirements. But we don't, so as a staff we have to choose - who gets to live with hope and who is crushed because we are the only chance in Sen Rafayel. I have another blog ready to go but this one is demanding my time.

Reviewing letter protocol with Sen Rafayel staff
(Solange, me, Nicoly, Edeline, Kesner)

You would think that after 14 years the stories which unfold in the letters we receive would become conmmonplace. You would think that after 54 letters which demand and deserve full attention, that #55 would be no different.  But each letter still touches me and each story contains the lives of real people in impossible circumstances.

Her name is Arinie - we have to return her letter because she forgot to include her birthdate.

" Madam mwen santim kontan jodia poum di'w bonjou ou bonswa, e m'ap swete wkouraj nan bon travay w'ap fe nan peyi nou."

Madam, I am happy to-day to say good morning or good afternoon, and I wish you courage in the good work you are doing in our country.

"...mwen pa gen papa, men se peche pwason li te ye se pandan li t'ap peche, pyel glise nan yon basen dlo, le neje epi li mouri. Depi le sa manman m vin pa gen bon sans sou li koonya nan moman papa'm mouria, mwen te kay yon kouzen m potoprens."

I don't have a father, while he was fishing his feet slipped in the water, he swam but he died. Since my dad died, my mother has lost her mind so I went to the house of a cousin in Port-au-Prince."

"le'map vini nan lan mo' a machine chavire ave'm. Pye'm te kase ak yon zo nan sentim."

On my way there, the bus skidded. My feet were broken and a bone in my lower back.

"Sa te vin koz mwen pran echek."

That's the reason I didn't pass (my year at school).

She ends by saying:

"nan moman sa mwen vle tounen lekol paske mwen mache sou de pye'm koonye a. Tanpri pran ke'm jis pou m efase enpe chagrin ."

At the present time I would like to return to school because I am walking on 2 feet again. Please help my heart erase a little of the sorrow (grief, heartache)."

There are 54 letters before hers and as many again I have yet to read.

Beni-w

Sharon

For Dog Lovers, Catching up

And then there were 4 - dogs that is. Imagine my surprise last Sunday upon returning from a month in Canada (via 2 extremely turbulent flights)  to find that our canine security force had doubled. Two was a handful, with TiSab (pronounced TeeSab, meaning Little Sandy) requiring special attention due to  a cerebeller lesion and Jolie jealous of the extra attention her sibling receives. Tigger and Granjil (6 months old) had joined our household in my absence as both were in situations which Auguste deemed dangerous. Granjil, named after the mountain,  is the little guy we rescued   in March. (see blog)  Although student Rosema was very attached to him, the pup was the constant recipient of kicks  etc... by those who needed an outlet for their frustrations.  He came to us with an infected  cut to his right  eye and a very large lump on his head, as well as other various cuts and lumps.

Joceline surrounded by Granjil, Tigger and Jolie

Ti Sab (Sandy) trying to keep cool and escaping the horde

Tigger is the pup who hobbled  into our yard (lakou-a) in March with a displaced hip and a broken leg. The bone was protruding through the skin and infection had set in. We were told he had been kicked  off the roof of his house. We sought the advice of the only person in Cap-Haitien with any veterinary training, who  told us Tigger would probably lose the leg. Not on my watch.  Doggie day care was open. Tigger began arriving each morning at 7 when his owner, Steevenson, went to school. After 2 months running with Jolie and our students,  he was vastly improved. But the threat to his safety continued, so now there are 4. After a very sleepless week (pups bark and cry even with their owners are on site in our security quarters) we have devised a plan. Hoping that  all the ducks are in a row, we are heading to Sen Rafayel to-morrow with 2 dogs, a truck load of dog supplies, hobbled to-gether from our meagre resources, and a dozen bags of cement. The pups will support our security team. Their bark is worse than their bite.

Senior security staff member Kesner came down on his days off and stayed to get to know the dogs and their routines. Students Rosema and Camiose will travel with us and look after the dogs en route. Next week Auguste will head back up on the weekend with Dieugrand and Rosema to paint and offer support to Sen Rafayel staff. The following week, I'm going up to stay to work in the office, hold intake interviews  and check on the dogs as well. Did I mention we also have 2 cats?

Bottom line - those who live in absolute poverty suffer - people and animals alike. There are no safety nets here - no Social Services, no SPCA. I had a similar discussion while sharing a meal with friends Brandy and Jeff  in Orangeville. They were participating in a 'Hunger Awareness' project in Dufferin/Caledon and we ate a meal entirely from the local food bank. (See Jeff's blog at www.inthehills.ca ) As we are heading up the mountain tomorrow, of course the truck broke down, but in advance - IN OUR DRIVEWAY. At least we were not on the mountainside with dogs.

                                            Granjil performs for Suzeline and Dieugrand

                                          Tigger loves water - any water - laundry, dishes...

Putting our kids to-gether with wounded animals has been an unplanned but  brilliant manoeuvre. They are healing each other. Our young people are becoming sensitized to the brutal reality of Haiti's animals. Rosema is even considering becoming a vet, a profession completely unknown to him until this year.  If he follows through, he will have to leave the country to study as there are no programs in Haiti.

In addition to dogs and cats,  both offices were running full tilt in temperatures soaring past 110 and the humidity over 90%. Dripping wet is an accurate description. It is also a dangerous time for those who have inadequate water resources. Although we distribute potable water, they can't always get here due to class schedules and/or distance.  Ednie arrived Tuesday  at closing time suffering from heat exhaustion and severe dehydration. Staff helped her in from the street. Everyone stayed past closing until she was able to travel, then put her in a taxi home about 6:15 pm.

Ednie -  arrived at 5 pm as we were closing. Heat exhastion and dehydration -barely
able to sit up. With cold compresses, she slept for an hour on the couch,  after several glasses of water.



Happy 16th Brunel !

Brunel spent his 16th birthday with us this week and picked up a birthday package courtesy of Mme. Cindy's surprise boxes. Everyone in both centres has been the recipient of a new baseball cap, also courtesy of Mme. Cindy. With July heat arriving ahead of schedule, hats, sunglasses and potable water are more important than ever.

Inea and Edwige continue to need better medical treatment. Although Inea's Thyroid surgery took place March 15, she has had throat pain ever since and is extremely fatigued. After 3 unsuccessful trips to Sakre-Ke  (Sacre-Coeur) Hospital in Milot for post op follow up, we are sending her to Doctor Jerome to-morrow. Her file (dosye) has been lost and there is no record of her as a patient except for the papers we have sent from here. They contain her dosye number but the file is gone.

Ineas -too much post-surgical pain for a smile

In an all too familiar pattern, Edwige has a follow up appointment at the hospital Monday. Her file is also lost. We have the original diagnosis -Ovarian Cyst -  as we send a request for diagnosis and test results on our letterhead for every student. Some clinics refuse.  If nothing tangible is done for her, next week we'll make arrangements to send her to the new hospital in Grande-Riviere du Nord. It is farther and more difficult to reach, but she is in constant pain.

On a brighter note, Brunie received her nursing cap at the official ceremony (Kwaf-la) . Because she changed universities, she was required to repeat the ceremony. The new school has been a positive change for her.  Although the program is demanding, she is more relaxed.

On the macro level, this Sunday is the Feast of Mothers, the Haitian Mother's Day. It is talked about in the schools, so everyone is aware. It is a difficult time for many of our young people as so many have lost moms to the scourge of poverty. Rather than hold a celebration now, we wait until the new school year and hold a remembrance service for all who have died.

I won't go on forever, it's been an insanely busy week. In addition to settling in the dogs to-morrow, we have 3-month performance reviews with 2 staff members, home visits to 2 of our young people with serious housing problems to see if we can arrange for land surveys which would allow us to rebuild their homes,  and a meeting with Danius to plan the second floor construction. A heart felt acknowledgement and thank-you to Diane and Benjamin Plett of the Jasmine Foundation for their support, encouragement and confidence in Starthrower. Thanks to them we are embarking on the final stage of the Sen Rafayel building project.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the  support which came our way from so many in the Orangeville/Palgrave/Caledon communities. The Palgrave Rotary Club was so receptive. It was  a night I will long remember. Thank you Karen for the invitation.

The Illumination Fundraiser hosted by Women of Spirit (Cindy, Sharon, Lucille, Cheryl, Kathy, Karen) was an inspired and inspiring day.  A day of yoga, meditation, pilates, zumba - you name it, we did it (me in a dress yet!)

The 'Life After 40 ' Funraiser in Toronto was a roaring success thanks to Linda and Theresa. You are a dynamic duo.  Thanks to our web admin Daniel for taking the time to attend.

As well the Girl's Club at Golf Road Jr. Public School in Scarborough held a very successful bake sale. My heroes!

Thank you Diane of Acheson's and Janice of As We Grow for your support. Both women of distinction.

Thank you Nicky and Joan of Harmony for the homeopathics.

Thank you Kyong of Natural Choice for the NutraCleanse products.

The list is endless. If I've left you out, it wasn't intentional. The universe knows who you are and that you are amazing.

For now that's all she wrote-  I have to get up at 5 for the trip to Sen Rafayel.

Pi ta
Sharon





Lakay Fondasyon, Cap-Haitien

Met. Bazile died last week.  As often happens, cause of death is unknown to us. He had a headache and crashed his car, we are told. Met. Bazile was founder, principal, teacher and discipline of Centre de Formation Classique in Cap-Haitien, one of the best secondary schools.  He also taught at other institutions in lavil la (town).  We have eight young people in that school as well as some of our grads. They struggle with the death of someone who was not old, not poor, and had excellent medical care. We have been informed that there will be no report cards distributed by the school for the second trimeste.

Auguste counsels Jean-Ricot . Suzeline listens.

The funeral, which took place Saturday at the Cathedral, was a constant topic of conversation this week. They came in groups or one at a time to voice their concerns about the future of the school and to ask for money for the kouwon (artificial wreaths).  A banner has been strung across Rue A thanking the departed for service and promising to remember. Funeral street banners are common practice for those who can afford. They remain in place as long as the elements allow. Rosema just arrived for work with reports of the funeral. The downtown core was apparently completed blocked off and the cathedral had as many outside as in. Every school in Cap was represented. Nearly all travelled to Ouanaminthe for the interment and everyone sang all day. A first for Cap - a united education community.

Rosema, Jean-Ricot, Edwige and Jolie-  asking questions no one
can answer about the future and seeking  donations
for artificial floral tributes

Centre de Formation Classique (known to everyone as Tcho-Tcho) had a reputation, thanks to its founder, as one of the best disciplined schools in the city, with high academic standards. With the sudden departure of Met Tcho-Tcho, the tone of the school has already changed. Hopefully a new director will be found in time to maintain the status quo.

Kinston came in to study out of uniform. He sings in the choir and wanted to attend the funeral but his dress shoes fell apart, so he was not allowed in. His shoes were not only chire (finished, washed up) they were mouye (soaking wet). Sen Rafayel is not alone in the misery of the rainy season. Like so many,  the tikay of Kinston's  grandmother is flooded so he and his cousin cannot sleep on the floor. After eating and a brief rest, we put him to work then sent him off to purchase new shoes.

Kinston came to rest -- Grandmother'shouse is flooded --
 they cannot sleep on the floor.



Kinston and Lusnot  fill bottles with potable water
for freezing and distribution.

In Cap, third trimeste is just getting underway - but not for everyone. For the few who attend state Lycees, there are as yet no classes. Teachers have not been paid so students fend for themselves. Paudeline left Sen Rafayel to get away from an abusive father. Although her home situation is better Okap with her aunt (matant), she spends a great deal of time here reading as her school is a frequent site for teacher's strikes. Before the Easter break they were closed for a week due to strike. The state had not paid the teachers for 6 months. Everyone loses.

Paudeline - no teachers yet

For those who have resumed classes, study is the mode of operation, whether it's one-on-one with a staff member or in a group looking for chemistry equations. Cap-Haitien has the added advantage of internet access (upon occasion).

Reto state exams are just around the corner

Auguste, Lusnot, Myriame,Camiose,Jehnsen - Chemistry on line

We have several who have been felled by major illnesses recently.  Brunel, Marik and Venise are all recovering from Typhoid, Malaria and Anemia. Camiose and Jehnsen each Malaria and H Pylori. Mexene continues to have dental problems although we have sent him to the clinic at Justinien. The good news is we are in recovery mode. John-Steevenson came down from Sen Rafayel with us to consult in the Dept. of Opthalmology at Jusinien Hospital  for an eye infection and vision problems. Yesterday we picked up his glasses and the infection is clearing. It was his first trip to Cap-Haitien so we delivered him to all appointments. Public transit is unreliable at its best.

John-Steevenson -- first trip to the big city and
new glasses to start the term

Thanks to those who have inquired about Inea. Finally a surgery date on which an operation actually took place. After lying on a gurney for a day,  in the midst of demonstrations which became quite violent then being sent home for a month,  on March 15th, she underwent a left lobectomy, not a complete Thyroidectomy. 
We're hoping this means no hormone replacement although she is suffering fatigue and bouts of dizziness which are incapacitating. I say we're hoping  as the doctor with whom I  spoke immediately after the surgery spoke only Spanish.

Inea : post-surgery before the infection

Our  spare room was again a recovery room. It has been used by many of our students over the years with a senior student in the other bed to help. It's a job as well as practice for our future medics. Brunie dropped in for a visit, ever the nurse. Inea has returned to her tikay and Mme Carmene has been cooking and cleaning for her half days. Inea has returned to the hospital 3 times with Auguste only to be told at each appointment that there is no doctor on duty and the hospital has lost her file (dosye). The next appointment is scheduled for mid-month. The infection in the incision has cleared up and she is pain free. We just have to get a handle on the dizziness and fatigue. She has travelled far since presenting herself at our gate last July. I'll keep you posted.

Inea in our post-surgery recovery room

Student nurse Brunie makes a call

A new  trimeste means we purchase, package and distribute hygiene products, rice and beans. Everything is prepared here for both centers.  Sen Rafayel has a distribution advantage in that students all are within walking distance and the lakay can accommodate about 30 students comfortably at one time. In Cap, any more than 10 or 12 and we are full, using the roof  and  the covered parking space. But here we have the luxury of  grass, trees and flowers. Both locations work, because of the care we take in setting up programs and selecting staff.  Each student is known and our first rule is: Listen!!

 

Fresnel exercises Tigger or vice versa?

Each student comes for a different reason. Some, like Fresnel, come to exercise- kick the soccer ball, dribble a basketball, play with the dogs, some come for medical/dental help. Some like Kalandy don't know what the  problem is - he's  malnourished. In cases like that, and there are many, we increase food sacks and put them on a regimen of multi-vitamins, vitamin c, Allimax.

Lusnot distributes vitamins and information to Kalandy

Weather will continue to add to the misery. Rosema just reported that his house flooded last night and they bailed water all night. There will be others in the days and weeks to come. Our citron tree was a victim of high winds last week.



Our 'sitwon' tree - a victim of high winds

And so life goes on. My return to Canada comes at a good time - we're out of just about everything I purchased on my trip to Fort Lauderdale in February. With 150 young people, vitamins, etc seem to be finished before they're unpacked. Although never enough, we have to start somewhere.

Last month's 4.6 earthquake just south of Port-au-Prince caused new damage here. I've been in touch with the owner's rep and he will come to inspect when he returns to Haiti the end of May. In the meantime uninvited ti bet yo march in through the cracks.I thought this pic was rather telling - foumi (ants) with a selective palate - they completely ignored the cat food.



Discriminating foumi - they don't like cat food.

And sometimes our visitors are a little larger than foumi. I opened my laptop last week to find this  zandolit (chameleon)- sitting on the keyboard. He was obviously looking for the POWER button. I left him to his business and he eventually scuttled off, leaving me to mine.



The power button is to the left!!

Talk to you from Canada

Beni-w

Sharon

PS Now that both blogs are finished I have to :

1) Return calls to Marjorie in Canada and Lakay Jasmine in San Rafayel

2) Prepare salaries for student staff

3) Check exchange rate for Dominican Peso/USD then

4) Prepare third term fund requests for med. student sponsors

5) Find and clean my suitcase

6)Check airline tickets and passport

7) Pack for to-morrow

8)Wash my hair

Yesterday's blog mentions my penchant for lists.

PPS Although the rain is too much or too little for the crops, our choublak  ( hibiscus ) flowers despite

Our choublak (hibiscus) in all her glory