Happy & Sad - My little Weislene


Several years ago, I befriended Weislene, a student at École le Bon Samaritain. I think of her and Santard, Kiki, Kayrahah and others every night as I say my prayers.


When the earth quake struck, their faces hovered in view for weeks. On Sunday, I saw Kiki & Kayrahah and I've seen them lots since. Such wonderful kids. I've asked about Weislene & Santard but had heard nothing.

Yesterday, as the clinic was closing, I stepped into the waiting area as I do four or five times a day to greet people. There were only four patients left, sitting in a neat row. And when I looked, there was 13 year old Weislene with a 2 year old in her lap. I smiled. She saw me and timidly turned her head down. I went over and cupped her face and kissed her on both cheeks. She smiled and some of the brightness returned.


I asked about her family. "Mon père est mort. Ma mère et mon frère sont OK." I asked who the child was. One of our interpreters helped because she spoke so fast and my French is so poor. The child's mother was killed in the quake and his father is working in PaP so she and her mother are caring for the youngster. He has diarrhea. 


Terese, from Dr. Patty Jorquera's TLC practice, spoke with Weislene and told her how to care for the child and to bring him back if he hasn't improved in a couple days. This scene recurs dozens of times a day. Yesterday we saw something like 220 patients.


While Weislene was receiving care from Terese, I asked Joanne to put together a bag with some clothes, pedialyte, protein bars, and a small sack of food for the girl. Kiki and Kayrahah were there, too, and together we brought Weislene to the back door to meet up with Joanne. "Merci. Merci Père Puck. Merci."


Of course, I can't speak for anybody else. I'm the first to acknowledge how much we are doing for people. We are a light in this world of dark hunger and sadness. So many, many people--those who volunteer and here and people all over the country who support this effort so selflessly--have reached out and touched these wonderful Haitian people. 


And yet, I felt so incredibly inadequate yesterday when my little Weislene walked into the darkness carrying a child who wasn't even a member of her family. Her own kindness to this youngster, and that of her mother, in the face of their own hardship brings more tears. Yes, we are doing so much good; and yes, we can never do enough; and yes, we must do all we can. But it is sad.


By the way, Weislene told me Santard Stanley survived but he and his family have left Carrfour.