Coordinators in Carrefour

Sitting in the dark with my headlamp on at the Guest House after a long day of travel and greeting old and new friends. It is wonderful to be here and a stunning experience to see the devastation.


We arrived at PAP at about 11.20. The three Team 4 members traveling back to the US met up with Randy Green and the Citation V on the tarmac. He was most gracious and generous to bring us here and take the other three back.

After a few machinations, we were whisked through customs without problem and worthy of a $5 tip. Getting from the airport to Carrefour, on the other hand was a two hour hassle through clogged streets and detours. But we all made it.


The clinic and guest house quarters are much more expansive than I imagined. There are tables and tables of medical supplies and other things to support those who come for help. Taking up most of the space are pup tents. We blew up our air mattresses and now feel quite at home. The hospitality among the volunteers is extraordinary.

After a delicious lunch of Haitian New Years Day soup, we toured the School. The 1st floor is very badly damaged. Two workers are knocking down the loose blocks. In the courtyard is the large white tent provided by George Momplaisir and Isaac Jean-Pierre of the Stamford Police Department. The kitchen for the clinic remains in the courtyard at the School. 


The most exciting part of my day was seeing Kayrahra & Kiki, two students I first met two years ago. They were so surprised. "Père Puck, Père Puck."

I wish I could be happy about the state of the School. We stood on the balcony with Jean-Elie for quite a while and talked about lots of things--from repair of the School to fixing Haiti. Needless to say, there were lots of ideas about how to proceed. I'm looking forward to more talks when I'm a bit more rested.


By way of closing, there is a round table full of people I can't see having quite conversation while in the back round I hear Haitians singing. The combination is inspiring in that joy and normal chit chat is happening in the aftermath of this island nation being shaken to the bone.


Pour ce soir, bénédictions & paix pour touts les personne qui aident.

Up early - Off to Haiti


Time to get to the airport. We should be on the ground in PaP at 11 a.m. and at the clinic in Carrefour by 1.30 or 2. I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends.


Thank you all for your support.

Chilean earthquake ... a redux


What sad news to learn about the earthquake in Chile this morning. It is difficult to imagine a magnitude 8.8 after witnessing the 7.0 on Haiti. Fortunately, Chile has very strict construction standards because of the frequency of earthquakes in that country. That, however, is not to minimize the damage and loss of life. Ugh!


Our Team 2 doctor, Patty Jorquera, is a native of Chile. She sent this to me this evening:


"Certainly surreal for me, just having returned from Haiti, that my motherland, Chile, was hit by an 8.8 earthquake.  Fortunately, my father is okay, but I need to check on the rest of the family.  Phone calls are not going through.  But thanks to the strict building codes in Chile, there will be way less deaths than in Haiti, in spite of this earthquake being 500 times as strong."  Patty


This is another time to hold those in danger and peril in our hearts and prayers. 

Team 5 readies for Carrefour

Tomorrow night Team 5 stages out of St. John's in Stamford. On-Ground Coordinator, Dave Desmarais, will return to Carrefour to work at the clinic for the second time. His major task is to establish a really good water purification set-up. Bill Grace (Team 4) has recovered one of our two water purification systems and is trying to repair the other. Dave picked up a nice unit from Doulton and will install it in the coming week. Why is this important? 

Team 5 will bring down over 800 packets of pedialyte created by the Metropolitan Learning Center 9th grade students using Dawn Novelle-Vie's receipt. The need for hydrating children who come to the clinic is huge. With a reliable water purification system, we can mix pedialyte and put it into used water bottles for parents to take home.

Another big project for the coming week is creating a wireless computer hub. I'm bringing down a router, printer, cables, and more so the clinic location can be completely wired. Luc Louisgene has been such a rock keeping the communications working. These additions will be a good improvement in our ability to keep in touch.

Below are some pictures from St. John's staging. Which reminds me to thank the Rector, Jim Wheeler, Wardens Alison Chaltas and Sheelagh Murphy Jones from St. John's for their incredible commitment and faith. Thank you!


On Sunday, Joanne Kimball, Public Information Coordinator, Erika Dayton, a volunteer from Vermont and mom of 2 Haitian sons, Riene Boyer, United Haitian American Society make-it-happen-woman, and I travel to Port-au-Prince. We arrive at about 11 a.m. Our plane will bring nurse, Claire Harden, journalist, Tracy Simmons, and photojournalist, Rebecca Newman back to Westchester. The transport are gratis from Randy Green of Safe Flight in White Plains. 

Haitian American Professional Association CT

HAPAC, Inc. is currently accepting donations for our relief fund in Haiti.  We have a container leaving for Haiti at the end the March.  We need your help to fill it.

Medical - Alcohol Swabs, Antacids, Antibiotic Ointment, Anti-fungal cream, Cold Medicines, Pain Killer Meds, Tylenol, Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Hand Sanitizer, Diarrhea Medicine, First Aid Items and other like items

New Toiletries - Bar Soap, Toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths, deodorant, Feminine Napkins, Hair Comb

Infant - Diaper Rash Ointment, Diapers all Sizes, Baby Wipes, Pedialyte, Pediasure, boost, baby bottles, powder milk

Food - Rice, pasta, Dried Beans, Canned Sardine, Tomatoes paste, Oil, crackers, peanut butter, water, cereals

Clothes - New and gently used clothes for men, women and children, t-shirts, tops, shirts, jeans, shorts, slacks, sportswear, active wear, underwear, socks, sheets and throws or lightweight blankets

Shoes - sneakers-New and used gently used shoes, all types and sizes

Other – Tents, Tarps, Plastic Grocery Bags, Garbage Bags, Batteries, Flashlights, Gloves, Plastic Utensils, paper plates and generators

Donations can be dropped from Monday to Saturday 10:30 am to 5:00 pm at

15 Merwin Street, Norwalk, CT

Please Call For More Information: Dr. Williams Bertier 203/981-5836

or e-mail us at: hapacinc@yahoo.com

Haitian Women's Association of CT & United Haitian American Society joint efforts


Pascale Millien Faustin is an active member of HWACT. Here is some of what's happening because of her hard work: 


Gerry Azor from UHAS donated 12 CASES of Aspirine to the Haitian Women Association of CT for the Good Samaritan Clinic in Carrefour. The donation was delivered to St. John Episcopal in Stamford.

HWACT board member, Sandra Villard an Advanced Nurse Practitionner (Adult & Pediatric) managed to get one establishment to donate 5 hospital beds with 3 mattresses. Thanks to Stephanie & Pascale the 5 beds were picked up and are being stored in a Norwalk Warehouse for free. The warehouse facility is sponsored by HAPAC's Haiti Relief project. Know of an organization in need of hospital beds for Haiti? 

On behalf of HWACT, Pascale made a presentation on Saturday, Feb. 20th at the Ferguson Library South End branch (Stamford) to collect crutches, canes, walkers and wheelchairs for quake victims. Amazingly enough, several community members volunteered to help locate these items. So far, we were able to collect 2 canes, 1 set of crutches, 1 walker, all of which will be delivered to St John Episcopal Stamford so volunteers will be able to take with them when possible to Haiti.

HWACT is currently looking for FREE shipping to Haiti to send collected items in bulk. If you know anyone able to help let us know.

Upcoming HWACT Event

Something Fun, something for the kids

Roller Skating for Haiti - Friday, March 5, 2010

Old Greenwich Civic Center - 90 Harding Rd - Old Greenwich, CT - Exit 6 

For details contact us at: 203-820-9909

Kids Dance 4 a Change

Kids Fundraising Ball for Haiti - Sat. March 13, 2010

St John Episcopla Church - 628 Main Street - Stamford, CT - Exit 8

Great Music! Great Ambience! - For details contact us at: 203-520-6763

Sponsors and Volunteers needed!

The NYPD joins the clinic


I'm not sure where the connection was made, but some NYPD Haitian-American officers have made it to Carrefour and joined our own two Stamford police officers. The clinic is now probably the most secure place in Haiti! Thanks guys.

Our continuing partnership with the United Haitian American Society

Reine Boyer, Medical Volunteer Coordinator for UHAS, has worked with us for several weeks and she is a terrific partner. Below is an excerpt from an email she sent to her members last night. 

"UHAS is thankful to have partnered with Old St. Andrews's Ecole le Bon Samaritain because our medical volunteers have truly had meaningful and unforgettable experiences that have connected them not only to the people of Haiti but also to the gracious staff at Ecole and Old St. Andrew's. It is our sincere hope that on this journey to Haiti with the Coordinator's Team 1, that UHAS will provide meaningful input and tangible solutions to help our friends at Ecole le Bon Samaritain to sustain their good works through the clinic. 

"Also on this journey, we hope to survey and assess the city of Leogane. As you all are aware, UHAS, along with the City of Norwalk's citizens have proposed a resolution to partner and participate in the uplifting and rebuilding of Leogane, (a city approximately 20 miles outside of the capital, Port au Prince). We are pleased with this endeavor and hope to help build sustainable resources and models for years to come in Leogane.  

UHAS Engineer Volunteer, Eric Heininger on behalf of the Infrastructure, Engineering, Housing Subcommittee of our Haiti 2010 and Beyond project, will be traveling to Leogane with some UHAS representatives and local a Haitian Engineer to survey and assess the conditions in Leogane. Eric will also be volunteering at the clinic in Carrefour giving "hands on" and technical know how to our friends at Ecole le Bon Samaritain whose school was also badly devastated by the earthquake.  

UHAS 2nd Team of Medical Volunteers will be heading out on February 28th thanks to the tireless efforts of Volunteer Coordinators Pam Kaprowski, Gia Card and Coulette Lioce. Thank you ladies!  UHAS 2nd Team members include Nurses Geraldine Baptiste-Anderson, Gertrude Baptiste-Plaza, and Nursing students, Stephanie Tillman and Laura Maycock. These women will spend their days and evenings for one week providing medical aide to the patients at the clinic who come every day as early as 5 a.m. to wait in line for the clinic to open up seeking medical attention. It is this selfless dedication and dogged effort of our partners, volunteers and supporters like you that propel us to the next level in our medical relief efforts and long term reconstruction projects for Haiti. 

Tracy Simmons keeps creedible.com readers informed


A 3-month old baby lost both his parents in the earthquake.


This 3-month old baby is being cared for by his 18-year-old aunt. Both the of the child's parents died and the aunt cannot take care of him, as she is living in a tent. George Momplaisir is hoping to find a lawyer who specializes in adoptions. 

A real challenge

Perhaps you remember Minouche who was adopting a Haitian baby. We brought her down with Team 1 on a Jet Blue flight and she found her adopted baby in PaP. Minouche's sister saved Minouche’s newly adopted daughter in the earthquake.   She grabbed the little girl and jumped from the roof of their home. The little girl didn’t have a scratch, but the sister had five breaks in her lower leg. Infection set in and the doctors in Haiti removed Minouche's sister's the leg below the knee.

Minouche's sister is having a rough time with recovery. There really isn’t any recovery or rehab in Haiti. Partners in Health (PIH) said that if we had a doctor in CT write a letter stating s/he would be responsible for her care, there is a chance she could be flown to CT. She also needs a nurse, but Minouche is an LPN so that seems to solve that problem.

Can anybody help? If so contact Pam Koprowski at pam.koprowski@gmail.com

Congressman Jim Himes makes it happen

We understand from Congressman Jim  Himes' office that the X-ray machine donated by Fujifilm of Stamford has arrived at PAP on a Salvation Army plane this afternoon. USAID did a fabulous job. They are a great group working 24/7.  Thank you Congressman Himes. 

Congressman Jim Himes, CT-04

888 Washington Blvd, 10th Floor

Stamford, CT 06901-2902

The X-Ray machine that Dr. David Reed and Pam Koprowski, both of Stamford Hospital, lobbied for is a critical piece of equipment for Carrefour. We are glad that we could be the conduit for making this happen.

Weather changes plans for Team Coord 1 flight to Haiti

Travel plans for the team of coordinators has been negatively affected by weather in the northeast. Originally scheduled to leave at 7 a.m. tomorrow from Westchester to arrive in Port-au-Prince at 11.45, we're now rescheduled to depart HPN at 6 a.m. on Sunday to arrive at about 11 a.m. Unfortunately, we could not get a landing slot into PAP on Saturday. 

Three members of Team 4 have waited patiently to return on the plane taking us down. Now, they have to wait another day.


I am particularly disappointed for two reasons. First, I really want to get to Carrefour and see my friends there. Secondly, in all the trips to Haiti, I have never been there on a Sunday and I've been looking forward to worshipping at Eglise de l'Ascension in Carrefour. 

Metropolitan Learning Center students make pedialyte


Ever wonder what kids do in school these days? MLC students have been deeply involved in the Good Samaritan Rebuilding relief effort. They have raised almost $2,000 and now they're making pedialyte for the clinic in Carrefour. Thank you all so much!

Tracy Simmons of creedible.com reports out

UPDATE (8:54 p.m. 2/23) We served 138 patients today at the clinic - 83 of those came in before lunchtime. It was a little unorganized at first, but overall today was great. Officers from the Stamford PD continue to help us and they've been very helpful. I'm expecting another busy day tomorrow. We are running out of things fast. We need multivitamins (adult and child), condoms, any infant medicine, hydrocortizone and money for food. The clinic opens in a couple of hours and we're getting ready for another busy day.

Jim and Puck, if you're reading this, the wheelchair got safely to the 17-year-old girl. Her dad picked it up over the weekend along with the art supplies and was very thankful.

Ann, if you're reading this, everyone got the photos and cards you sent. Jackson says hi and told me you're like a mother to him.

UPDATE (7:05 a.m. 2/24) No tremors last night! I think everyone finally got a decent nights sleep. 

UPDATE (3:12 p.m. 2/24) We have a new friend. Her name is Naomi Pierre and she is a 10-year-old orphan. She was standing outside the clinic this morning and one of the Stamford PD officers let her come inside to sit in the shade. The girl hardly spoke, but finally she warmed up to our translator Ribert and to Rebecca and I. We learned that both her parents were killed in the earthquake and she is living with her aunt. Her aunt works during the day and is unable to leave food for Naomi. We gave the girl some bread and juice. It was the first thing she had eaten since yesterday morning when she had ice cream for breakfast. Where she found ice cream here, I have no idea. Rebecca and I gave Naomi a shower and washed her hair. We found some new shorts to give her (she fits in size 2T) and I gave her my t-shirt, since the clothes she was wearing were the only clothes she had. During lunch, one of the Stamford PD officers braided her hair. We offered to give Naomi a ride home, but she wanted to stay with Rebecca and me in the "pharmacy" instead. Someone will walk her home tonight. I will never forget this little girl and wish I could do more for her. No matter how much we play with her today and give her food and toys, I know I can't bring her parents back and take away her sorrow. I pray, though, that a few hours of companionship will give her a boost.

While we were working in the clinic, Bill Grace, of the Team 4 volunteers, worked over at the school and was able to recover one of the two pumps used for water. The other pump was damaged and Bill is trying to fix it. Also recovered were two infilltration systems. A strudy tent is now set up at the school so the students can begin classes. 

Small donations matter to our children & to those who give 


Several weeks ago I received a note from somebody who wanted to make a donation but she didn't have much money. She told me she and her kids would count out the money they had in their "change" jar. Today, a check for $100 arrived.


Over recent days the Enfield Day Care Kids on High Street sold baseball caps to benefit the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund. Their check is for $55.


Mike Lally works with a woman of Indian extraction. She gave Mike a check for $251. Mike said, "Why $251?" to which the lady replied, "In my country, when you give a gift you always add a $1 for good luck to the recipient." How nice! 


On behalf of the children and their families in Carrefour, thank you so very much. 

Christina Kruzshak-Millien Skates For Haiti

Here is what one girl is doing for her 8th birthday.

Dr. Patty Jorquera, TLC Pediatrics keeps serving Haiti

Dear Puck,
Thanks to www.HealtheChildren.us we are committing to "10 Tents for Haiti" every 2 weeks.  his Sunday our nurse Teresa Norris from TLC Pediatrics will be leaving for Haiti with the first 10 tents, some purchased, some donated. These will be family size tents to shelter the homeless during the rainy season that's approaching. Heal-the-Children will continue to send 10 tents with every team leaving for Haiti for as long as teams are going.

Thanks again to our donors who are making this possible!


Patricia Jorquera, MD
TLC Pediatrics, Norwalk, CT

Anna Caroline Socci - Team 2 reports in

Hi Puck, 

I have been sharing the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Project with everyone I know and everywhere I go. From family, friends, colleagues, churches and specially with the Brazilian community in CT. 

I am still trying to find ways to better contribute and continue to assist this wonderful project. Many of donations that I have received will be going to Haiti with Teresa Norris, an RN also from TLC Pediatrics. I would like to thank everyone who has been directly or not involved with this amazing project. I am so thankful for the experience and opportunity given to me to be part of Team 2. Not only be there to care for the Haitian people but to have a life-time opportunity to CARE WITHOUT BORDERS. 

Being part of Team 2 and to be in Haiti with every person I met there will be always be remembered. I can not wait to go back to give my love, care and heart to the Haitian people again. Please let me know what I can do to assist. I will certainly do everything I can to continue assisting you and the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Project in Haiti.

Thank you for being such a wonderful person, allowing all these ideas, plans and the project to happen. Thank you for having me there and making every moment so important in my life. God bless you and everyone involved with the Good Samaritan Project.

Anna Caroline

Bloomfield Metropolitan Learning Center does it again! 


Today MLC counted out an additional $550 collected by  students of Old St. Andrew's parishioner and MLC faculty member Caryn Stedman. she plans to  go to the bank this afternoon and get a cashiers check for the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund. 


Caryn writes, "I know we are planning the big event in May. That will be mainly for rebuilding the school. In the meantime, I'd like my students to do something in addition to collecting money. Can we have my class make up pedialyte packages? We can have our school nurse supervise. All the kids will wears masks and gloves and we can make up as much as we need. Can you give me an idea if this is feasible and if so, how much we should make?"


Well, now here's an idea. Of course we need Pedilyte and as much as we can carry. Go for it.

People from Bristol, CT continue to help in myriad ways


This from Donna Doucette: "Last night at our Bristol Choral Society rehersal members were thanked for making the Pedialyte packets at Dawn's house last Saturday. More small donations came, too. 


"Today Jim meets with a person from Granville MA who will be donating their beenie baby collection for children of Haiti. At St. John's Bristol, one of the little girls came up to me after worship on Sunday and was very proud to tell me she gave up 3 bags of her favorite stuffed animals so little boys & girls will have something to play with. "It was very hard to give all those away but I know that other children will be happy when they see them" she said. We also have an AA group at the church and they have collected medical supplies, a walker, clothes, & toiletries. 


"This earthquake has opened the eyes of the world. People do really love one another whether rich or poor. For once, the rich and the poor are working together, side by side, sleeping on the floor, risking their health in some instances to help those who literally have nothing. God is with them."

Ribert Jean-Pierre's story


If you want to understand why we're doing all of this, read on.


Some years ago Ribert, a native Haitian, worked at a fancy resort in the Dominican Republic. There, he met an American, Amy Arutt from Connecticut. "He was just the nicest guy. So smart. Spoke several languages," Amy says. For reasons I don't know, Ribert was in Haiti when the earthquake struck. Amy tried to get in touch with him to see if he was OK. Days went by. Finally she heard from him but the call was cut off. She did learn he was on the street with nothing. She couldn't reconnect for another long time, days. "Maybe his cell phone battery went dead and he can't charge it," Amy thought. Finally, they reconnected and she was able to wire him $70.


Some how Amy found Old St. Andrew's and the Good Samaritain Rebuilding Fund. She called me and asked what we could do. I suggested sending a duffel bag of supplies to him with Team 4 and that's what she did. Unfortunately, there was a snafu with bags and when he arrived at the clinic to pick up his big from Amy, it wasn't there. It should be there today or tomorrow. Meanwhile, below is what happened as of yesterday after Amy told me Ribert had shown up at the clinic.


On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 4:32 PM, Puck Purnell <puckpurnell@mac.com> wrote to George Momplaisir (On-Ground Coordinator for Team 4): "Please give Ribert Jean-Pierre some food. He’s a very good man and needs our help. I know he’s been translating for us today. Invite him back and try to use his skills. Tell him I want to meet him when I arrive."

On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 9:41 PM, George Momplaisir <c427ss@yahoo.com> wrote: "Hi Amy, Ribert is exactly what this place needs. I feel that giving him the task of translating along with assisting with the clinic lifted his spirit. We will do the best we can to take care of him. Thanks, George" On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:28 PM, Amy Arutt wrote: "You don't know how happy I am. He really sounds so good now. I you have given him purpose and a sense of hope. I am so happy. This has been a gift for me, as well. I feel good, like I have made a difference in a person's life that can have a continuing positive influence on his life and so many other people you all touch. I feel proud of my persistence, because I was told that there was nothing I could do (except $ to Red Cross etc)  Although my Mom has been gone over 10 years, I feel like I heard her speak to me today and tell her she was proud of me. So thank you. Thanks you all! I feel safe now that he is safe, and has a reason to fight each day to survive and overcome. ♥ Amy

Haitian Women's Association of Connecticut 
Fund Raiser

Team 5 preparations underway


Coulette Lioce, Volunteers' Coordinator, and Gia Card, Travel Coordinator, are putting the final preparation in place for Team 5's departure on Sunday night, February 28th. 


The make-up of the Team is still slightly in flux but we'll let you know when it has been finalized. Dave Desmarais, however, will be On-Ground Coordinator and Team 5 Leader. This will be Dave's second trip to the clinic in Carrefour. He was On-Ground Coordinator for the pioneering Team 1.


Dave and I will meet on Wednesday to map out specifics tasks and projecs for him to tackle. We'll also discuss the strategies for reopening the School on 31 March. One of my big goals is to see if Dave and his son Peter, who will also travel with Team 5, can figure out a way to recover and repair our two water purification systems. There's got to be a way. 


Meanwhile, Gus Schelegel, Supplies & Logistics, has asked for help in staging for Team 5 as he will be traveling to Haiti on Friday with me, Joanne Kimball, Sheelagh Murphy-Jones, Erika Dayton, Reine Boyer (from our friends at United Haitian American Society), and Stephanie Millien. This "Coordinators Team 1" will be assessing where we are and how to move forward from here. It's an important trip, important for us to get our eye-balls on the situation and conditions. 

Bishop Duracin offers a Lenten reflection

The destruction to the Cathedrale de Trinité can not be overstated. In the wake of the earthquake, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jeffreys-Schori told her friend that he had already been through Good Friday. In light of the devastation and the P.B.'s statement, consider this from Bishop Duracin as his Lenten reflection:


"I look at this as baptism. We who are still alive have had the blessing of survival, but in many ways we have died to the ways of the past. We have the opportunity to rise up and start anew. In this moment of grief and mourning, life must continue.


"During this Lenten season, it is important for us in Haiti to turn inward and rediscover all that is just within us. It is imperative that we be reborn in this moment. We will live without the physical trappings of the church because we still have the same spiritual guidance, the confessions, the conversations, the reflections...


"...we Haitians are speaking to each other in new ways. We can look at each other with new eyes. We can create a society of respect and love so that we may truly live as children of God. This is how we can rebuild our country.

"We have also seen how other people – other nations – love us. The people of this Episcopal Church have sent countless messages witnessing sympathy. Knowing we are not alone gives us confidence in new life. We receive comfort and consolation in our relationships.


"My wife [Edith] was injured in the earthquake and left to seek medical care. I cannot visit her. I miss her and wish she were here with me. It is difficult to be separated. But this separation has given me solitude and has enabled me to reflect in a new way about how to proceed in a life founded in God as a Christian...

"The earthquake did not diminish our worship, though it altered the places where it takes place. The church has not faltered and must now rise to a new role. Belief in Christ and love for our Lord carries us into a new phase of construction. We will raise new places to worship God.


"We are looking forward to a celebration of Easter; familiarity of religious practices sustains us. We give glory to God. We sing within the church of the world. We celebrate life with the same spirit we were given it. In the middle of all the deaths, there is a God of love and of life, and we must shout Alleluia with the living."


—From an interview with Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of Haiti, conducted in French and translated by Cecily Hutton, assisting the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and Episcopal Relief & Development in relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.

Yale holds Haiti week

Vic Tolentino, a nurse on Team 3 sponsored by the United Haitian American Society and from Yale-New Haven Hospital, sent this link. Yale is sponsoring an incredibly interesting week of events to keep the focus on Haiti. Thank you Vic. Thank you Yale.

http://www.opa.yale.edu/haiti/week.htm

The Gifts We Receive - Home Made Pedialyte

N. was on Team 2 and she sends this for my "collection of smiles."

"I just finished a wonderful afternoon with 5 FABULOUS women who made 350 packets of "Rehydration/Electrolyte Drink" Powder for our Good Samaritan Clinic in Carrefour. Made with Love and based on the UNICEF recipe, with some important changes: How does Tropical Fruit Punch"sound? Yes, we added Kool-Aid and Gatorade to the pedialyte!

"The formula includes many of the major electrolytes: Bicarbonate, Chloride, Potassium, and Sodium. There is also Glucose, Iodine and Vitamin C. All important stuff for our Haitian patients who are dehyrdrated, have diarrhea, etc. "Very importantly, this pedialyte formula is suitable for both children and adults! Adding it to any water we offer our patients (and even our own teams) is good. Plus, it tastes good and is a really cool color!

"Packets are single-serve, sealed in ziplocs which are reusable. Directions are simple, too: Add 1 packet per water bottle (.5L, typical), shake, and drink!

"I hope these packets will help ease some of the staff overload in making these drinks at the Clinic every day (usually done after a long, hot, hard day of treating patients). 

"I wanted to share the kindness given today by these wonderful ladies (all from the Bristol Choral Society along with Jim, Bill and myself). So thanks to Anna, Cherie, Connie, Denise and Yolande!! Get your calendars ready!! We've got more Made with Love powder packets to make!

"Puck -Thanks for letting me share some good news. These 350 packets will be on the next trip!!"

TEAM 4 On the Ground & at Work