Maybe you remember this bit of lyric from one of John Lennon's last songs. . . .and it perfectly describes our day!
We had planned to begin at the clinic in Gebeau, all of us, with me, Nancy and Lynne peeling off to then mountain village of Chiraque around noon. We were there yesterday afternoon and had meds to deliver, kids teeth to apply flouride to, and church pews and school benches to make. . .
. . .but news of visiting doctors preceded us, and the clinic grounds were jammed with expectant patients. After delivering the donated meds from St. John's-Providence Hospital, and tidying up the general stores area, Nancy and Lynne were drafted to perform triage on the many folks waiting in the heat and humidity. We had capable translators and the two whittled the crowd down to a trickle by around 3 pm. . .way too late to make our way up the mountain to Chiraque.
Dr. Scott and Dr. Marcellus saw lots of eye patients, although surgery was delayed until tommorrow as they got the equipment in good working order. . .and the "small issue" that the clinic usually charges for such procedures even when visiting teams offer to do so for free. There is always the issue of charging some nothing one week and charging others something the next, but the local price is pretty stiff given Haitian living standards. After a lengthy after dinner conversation with Pastor Chrisnel, the clinic director, Drs. Scott and Marcellus, we've resolved to ask surgery patients for something, and to care for the truly indigent for free. . .just as we typically do in the U.S.
Never a dull moment. . .but we are not to be denied.
For the dressmakers out there, and you know who you are, we've begun to generate some huge smiles. . .thanks to you, and there a couple hundred yet to go!
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