One day follows the next in Carrefour

Yesterday, Haitian nurse, Katiana, served 81 patients with Stephanie Tillman as support. Eric Heininger & Pete Desmarais worked the pharmacy. 

A young boy arrived early in the day with a cut that needed stitches. Stephanie cleaned his wound, applied a dressing, and sent him to the hospital for stitches. Later another boy, who had an infected bite on his shin and ankle came in. His foot was numb. He was also sent to the hospital with assistance from Luc and Mona.  

Most of the other patients were treated for skin infections, stomach pain and acid reflux. Marleine Salomon did double duty as triage and translator. Greg Wentworth has taken on filling clean water bottles for our own use using water from our purification system. Since we ran out of bottled water, the volunteers have been making our own drinking this water for more than a week with no ill effects from anyone. We have also distributed over 155 bottles of our home-made pedialyte to the patients.

Dave Desmarais says that construction on the new shed at the school continues. The stone footings are nearly complete. Laying of the cement blocks should begin today. A window and door salvaged from the school building will be used for the new building. 

Team 5 has been terrific. Thanks so much to them and all of our on-site volunteers for taking the time to travel to Haiti. They, of course, have been backed up by hundreds here in the States who have given supplies, time, and money. 

Mystery Solved ~ Sue Volgelman HERO of the YouTube Video


Our friend and supporter Amy Arutt sleuthed the web and discovered that Sue Vogleman, Children's & Youth Education Minister at Trinity, Newtown, created the YouTube video. Thank you again, Sue. 


Her PowerPoint video is a masterful representation of what's been happening with Old St. Andrew's, École le Bon Samaritain and the Good Samaritain Rebuilding Fund. She put this piece together a week or so ago (her first ever PowerPoint) to show at the Café Fund Raiser that parish sponsored. They raised $1,500 for the rebuilding effort.


When I spoke with Sue this evening, she said, "I needed to think through what has been done and this was the best way to do it." We plan to re-purpose it and get it out to as many people as we can. 

Must see You-Tube Video on École le Bon Samaritain

Somebody who is a great friend of the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund has put together an absolutely fantastic You-Tube video telling the story of the school and our relief effort. I can't wait to find out who did this excellent work. 


Whoever you are, THANK YOU!

The Clinic continues to serve


Jean-Elie & Mona Millien have decided to continue the clinic at a reduced capacity. A Haitian nurse has been hired and she is seeing patients. Stephanie Tillman is helping out. We cannot say how long this arrangement will happen. 


A number of people have asked about donations. We really need financial contributions. See the website to make a PayPal contribution or send your check to Old St. Andrew's, 59 Tariffville Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 with Haiti or EBS on the memo line.


That said, we want to continue to collect medical supplies and tents. We ask that you hold on to these for the near term. As soon as we create a new supply line, we'll alert you through the blog about where to deliver your supplies.


As always, our children in the Waney neighborhood of Carrefour are eternally grateful.  

The Beat Goes On


Jim Doucette, Dave Desmarais, and Bill Grace are all members of the Bristol Choral Society. At last night's session, Bill saw his friends for the first time since returning from Haiti. Donna, Jim's wife, wrote me this note:


"Hi Puck! I was sad about the cancellation of the team, but very happy to read about Dr. Patty. She is a wonderful woman, so caring and kind to the core! 


"Bill came to choral society rehearsal so pumped full of stories and so proud of his part in this whole venture. He smiled as he told stories and had such good things to say. So many people do still want to help. He brought a cd with his pictures to share. 


"Last Saturday, Jim & I took my van -fully loaded with donations including the 5,000 condoms donated, clothes, medical supplies, toiletries, books, shoes, a walker, a tent. When we got to St John's, Stamford, there was a group of young people meeting and playing-- a youth group of Haitian kids. They helped us bring the items into the collection area of the basement. One very handsome young man was so pleasant. He said to Jim, 'You were in Haiti?' and then he smiled and said, 'Thank you.' He didn't need to say thank you but he did. How nice!"

Reine Boyer photos


Reine Boyer, of the United Haitian American Society, sent these photos yesterday. She was at the clinic last week.

Clinic Planning Group

Dr. David Reed is putting together a permanent clinic planning group consisting of Dr. Patty Jorquera (Team 2 pediatrician), Ann Giuli (Stamford Hospital nurse), Reine Boyer (United Haitian American Society), Pam Koprowski (Stamford Hospital), Joanne Kimball (Healthcare communications expert), Gus Schlegel (Supply & Logistics Coordinator), Danelie Millien (Ambassador-at-Large), and myself.


This morning Patty sent a very insightful email to us all explaining her concept. Patty and her husband started a clinic in Ecuador and their experience is invaluable. Consider this excerpt from Patty's email:

"When École le Bon Samaritain is rebuilt, a small clinic, just two rooms, could be included in the design. Most of the time, this clinic could be staffed by a Haitian nurse who, ideally, should also speak English. It would also be ideal to pay for a local pediatrician to go to the clinic for more complicated cases every other week, or once a month even. 


"The wellness clinic would provide education to parents and teachers on: birth control, prevention of spread of infections such as diarrhea, sexually transmitted disease, breast feeding benefits, boiling drinking water, and numerous other topics.


"The nurse can also diagnose and treat common conditions (even Jackson was able to diagnose after translating for us for a while) such as intestinal parasites, diarrhea, dehydration, anemia, scabies, infected insect bites, asthma, urinary tract infections, etc.

"As a Pediatrician, I would commit to going to this clinic once or twice a year to perform physical exams, screen for anemia, scoliosis, problems with vision and hearing, treat for parasites, and administer immunizations which will be donated by the CDC and/or AAP. For those children to get a yearly physical and immunizations is much better than what they have now."


So, we're already underway with the next phase. Your continued support and compassion for the children of Carrefour is vital. Please, please don't forget. Stay involved. Consider making regular contributions to our efforts. We will need a significant amount of money to rebuild the school, establish the clinic, and manage both.

Condoms, Condoms, Condoms

Ann Giuli has collected 1,000 condoms. Thank you Ann. They will be added to the 7,600 condoms collected by Carolyn Lang and her daughter, Barbara Santiago. Which brings up the question, how to we get them to Carrefour and how do we distribute them?


In these days while we plan our new clinic, we are also working to create a new supply line to Carrefour for condoms, tents, and other supplies we have. We need for a location for both the clinic and our distribution center. Stay tuned.

Team 6 cancellation


This morning, after talking with most of our coordinators, I reluctantly decided to cancel Team 6. Not an easy decision but a necessary one. It was not made lightly but necessary as I considered the wellbeing and safety of the volunteers as well as the efficacy of their presence at the clinic.


Last week, when I was in Carrefour, I saw this coming. When I returned to the States and looked at the make-up of Team 6, my concern was justified. In the past, we have sent teams with 3-4 skilled nurses. On three teams we had doctors. However, our volunteer list has dwindled and Team 6 had a single nurse. We cannot expect that person to care for 150-200 people who come to the clinic each day. It would be irresponsible. We have had some Haitian nurses work with us, but this week we have been able to find only one. The clinic right now has an American nursing student and a Haitian nurse. That's not acceptable.

Moreover, each team has had behind the scenes people—builders, fixers, people who can lift and carry things. Team 6 had none.

Our commitment to Carrefour has not changed. The need for a medical clinic continues to be great. We are working hard right now to reconstitute the clinic, probably not at the Guest House, which has outlived its usefulness. It is too large and too expensive. Dr. David Reed, Dr. Patty Jorquera, and nurse Ann Giuli are as committed to a clinic as we are. We all want to be thoughtful and pragmatic moving forward.

In the coming days, the coordinators will continue talking about exactly what to do next with regards to the clinic, developing a new supply chain, and especially taking real steps toward rebuilding the school.

Dave Desmarais, his son Peter, and Greg Wentworth, who are in Carrefour with Team 5, will relocate our equipment and medical supplies to safe storage in the new shed at the school. 

Let me close this entry by saying that all along we have needed to react to realities as they have presented themselves. Initially, it was the devastating earthquake and the immediate need to provide emergency care. Later, we responded by providing food as well. We shifted again when the situation on the ground stabilized and since have operated a health and wellbeing clinic. Today, we need to change again. One of the great strengths of our efforts has been our flexibility and agility. Although I cannot say exactly what our efforts will look like next week, we will keep our eye on our ultimate goal--rebuilding the school and having an associated clinic.

Tracy Simmons slide show


Tracy Simmons and Rebecca Newman were with Team 4 in Haiti. They were a big help in so many ways. They have also chronicled their visit, including an audio-slide show at the diocese of Connecticut website. Quite powerful.

Nurse Ann Giuli ~ Tents & Condoms for Carrefour


Ann Giuli, who was on Team 1, just wrote to say she has 1,000 condoms for Carrefour. Folks at Stamford Hospital had a bake sale and raised $800 for tents and got an addition $500 donation. Her husband, Tom Ginter, will purchase large, family-sized tents. Those are the only really useful tents. Small, 2 person tents are not the way to go. Thanks Ann.

École le Bon Samaritain Fund Raiser in Greenwich March 20th

Xray technician Elourde Joseph arrives


If you have been following this blog, you'll remember that Fujifilm donated a $137,000 Xray machine to Stamford Hospital. The machine has made it to Adventist Hospital in Carrefour. Yesterday, Elourde Joseph arrived in Haiti and made her way to the clinic in Carrefour. Elourde is tasked with training Haitian technicians how to operate the Xray machine. 


Fujifilm has done even more than the Xray machine. Fuji Medical Systems, USA has also donated a lot of medical supplies, many of which were taken to the clinic with Team 4--30 boxes in all. Leading that effort is Flavie Sanon. We are deeply touched and grateful to the folks at Fujifilm for their generosity and commitment.

Djems Louis, principal teacher at EBS


"Good morning father puck how are you ? I am happy because you com in my
countri for help the peaplo principaly the school another. So I say you big thank you God bless you ,your wife ,your childrens and your busness

"I've like you dont forget your principal teacher wath need help.
 Ilove you much father Puck."


My response: Bon soir, mon ami, Djems. Oui, je n’oublie pas vous et les autres professeurs. Merci pour votre bénédictions. Nous travaillons pour reconstruire EBS et votre travail. 


Good evening my friend, Djems. Yes, I will not forget you and the other teachers. Thank you for your blessings. We are working to rebuild EBS and your jobs.

Djems (r) & Jean-Elie

Christina's Birthday party for Haiti


Christina is Danelie's daughter and the granddaughter of Jean-Elie & Mona Millien. She is such a peach. For her birthday (March 18th), Christina had a fund raising party. What an incredible kid.

Back home after too short a visit


Our travel day (Friday) starts at 4.30 a.m. in Carrefour and ends at 2 a.m. in Stamford. In between we ...
   ... pack & load the Isuzu

   ... drive an hour to the Capitol Lines Bus Depot in PaP
   ... wait there for 2 hours for the bus
   ... ride the bus for 8 hours, including a 2 hour delay crossing from Haiti into the DR
   ... take a cartoonish cab ride to the airport (more below), almost missing our flight
   ... are rescued by JetBlue
   ... relax in the luxury of an A320 for the 3 hour flight to JFK
   ... zip to Stamford with my sister-in-law driving 
   ... have 2 glasses of wine and some chili
   ... collapse into bed

It is hard to leave Carrefour. As I step through the gate and onto the street at about 5.30 (still dark), there to the left of the door are almost a dozen people waiting for the clinic to open at 9. Just imagine crouching on the street for 3 1/2 hours with the hope of receiving some medical care! 

The drive to the bus depot is a typical PaP adventure. Up, down, around and stopped. But we make it only to wait at the depot interminably. Finally, our gear is in the undercarriage of the bus and we're ensconced in the back where every bump is accentuated beyond belief. Kind of hard to sleep.

The highlight, or low point, of the journey is getting across the border and into the Dominican Republic, a 2 hour ordeal. First we sit at one place. Then, we sit at another. Then, we get out with no guidance about what to do. Then, we take our bags to the inspectors who immediately say they are not interested in looking at them. Then, we stand outside in the parking lot. Then, we get back on the bus and sit some more. Then, the bus starts but gets jammed in traffic ... for another 45 minutes. Then, we finally brake free and continue for 4 hours to Santa Domingo.

Arrival in SD is a real relief. I get off the bus and ask a group of men if Hugo is around. Hugo is the bus company owner who has become our good friend and supporter. The man I ask says, "Yes, I'm Hugo." So, I explain who I am--we had spoken on the phone a couple times--and thank him for all of us. I also extend good wishes to him from Gus Schlegel who has worked so hard with Hugo.


While I'm speaking with Hugo, Joanne is getting a cab. We jump into a cartoon character taxi. That is to say, a tiny, boxy white vehicle with a small luggage area, cramped back seat, and impossibly uncomfortable front seat. The driver starts the motor, backs onto the road, and we speed away at about 35 mph. The drive-time to the airport is an hour ... at normal speeds of 50 or 60. I'm thinking, 'Gia, we might have a problem here.'


Putt, putt, putt we go as all other traffic zips past. Eventually we're on the major highway to the airport (I check my iPhone GPS to see where were are and where we need to go). We're slowing to 25 mph. I notice the red engine oil warning light comes on. The driver downshifts. I advise Stephanie Millien, who speaks Spanish, that I think we have a problem. She queries the driver who agrees. The downshift helps so we speed back to 30. We pass the "be at the airport at least and hour early" point and continue to wonder if we'll be spending the night on the side of the highway. If ever there is a time for divine intervention, it is then. Miracle of miracles, we actually arrive at the airport!!!  but, only 20 minutes before the flight is scheduled. If there is one picture I wish I had taken, it's of that cartoon cab.

JetBlue to the rescue. Although there is not a soul at the JetBlue counter we find a ticket agent in the back office and explain who we were. "Oh, you're with the group that brings the 94 bags every couple weeks." Yup, that's us. 


We're ticketed in an instant and told where security is. Even the security people are nice and whisk us through. We run to the gate and are greeted by more JetBlue people who know exactly who we are. In another minute, we're buckled-in on the airplane. Then, Rose, a stewardess, approaches Joanne and me and invites us to sit in Exit Aisle seats. "I know you're tired so sit here. You'll have some extra leg room." We talk a bit with Rose who confirms all that we know about JetBlue and how terrific they are. She loves her job and really appreciates JB's commitment to community and social responsibility. As I have said before, if you have a choice of travel, please consider JetBlue.


My sister-in-law picks us up after we get through customs. We finally arrive in Stamford. End of travel story. It's wonderful to be home, and yet, quite surreal. Haiti is still there. The clinic is seeing people today. The two little cats are wandering around the disco. The children who are hungry and sick will be there tomorrow, too.  

Jackson's kindness


I've known Jackson for a few years. He is a hard, hard worker and a gentle man. When I first met him he was a teacher at École le Bon Samaritain. He and all of his colleagues continue to think of themselves as teachers.


During this visit I've had any number on interactions with Jackson. One was after he brought the batteries to the Guest House from the school. We asked him to come in and help install them but he said, "No, I am too dirty." He had been cleaning out the damaged school rubble. 


Dave Desmarias and I then learned how proud he and all Haitians are. Jackson told us he is thought of as a teacher but if he came into the Guest House all dirty, people would look down on him. This is a much different culture than our American culture. Twenty minutes later, Jackson came into the Guest House with clean pants on and a nice shirt. As you may have seen, he helped us install the charger, inverter and batteries.

This evening, after the clinic had closed, Jackson approached me. "Père Puck. I have known you. You are so good to us. Even though I am almost homeless, I want to give to you a thank-you for all you have done." Jackson then presented me with a crucifix on a beautiful neckless. And if that wasn't enough, he then gave me a bracelet. And if that wasn't enough, he gave Joanne a neckless. And if that wasn't enough, he gave her a bracelet, too.


This thoughtful, generous, kind soul is a proud man who cares enough to say thank you in the most wonderful way. This gesture is right up there with Weislene's hug and kiss.


The Haitian people never fail to give their love to those who care for and about them. In fact, they would readily do all that we are doing for them and expect nothing in return. Makes me cry.

Maxin's story


While I was at Adventist Hospital with Elonde Alce (see below), I struck up a conversation with Maxin who checks patients into the hospital area where we were. He is a 26 year old college student studying to be a science teacher.

When the earthquake struck, Maxin was in his dorm room. He ran outside with everybody else. The building survived and he's living there now. But he told me about another university dorm that collapsed and killed all of the students inside.


I asked Maxin about his family. His father died some time ago. His mother and a younger sibling were in their house when the ground started to shake. His Mom refused to leave the house. The child pulled her out just as the house caved in on itself.


Maxin had a job and was almost finished with his university studies. Now he works at the Hospital (they don't pay their added staff anything) and is bereft about not finishing his education, getting a job and finding a lovely bride. Hold this good and kind man in your hearts and prayers.

A visit to Adventist Hospital 

Forty-four year old Elonde Alce arrived at the clinic today with an infected boil on the right side of her neck and an huge infection in her left breast. Our nurses said she needed to see a doctor and so Jean-Elie and I brought her to Adventist Hospital, the hospital that received the Xray machine donated by Fijifilm to Stamford Hospital.

This is a private hospital in Carrefour. Most of our patients cannot even afford the nominal fee at Adventist Hospital. We went anyway and brought some money to pay for the woman's care.


There, however, we found they were still in emergency relief mode and not charging. Elonde saw Elizabeth and Rhonda, American nurses from California, and then a French doctor. We brought her home with ibuprophen and a prescription to put hot compresses on the boil and put an alcohol soaked pad on the sore breast.


Below are more photos of the clinic scene. It was filled to the gills with tents for the refuges as well as tents set up as examining rooms.

A drive from Carrefour to PaP