Monday, Day Two

Alo (hello)!! Busy day at Onaville Village. We saw approximately 100 patients today in this displaced village of 400,000 or more. A few things have changed since last year in Onaville. Initially, the village was for displaced families from the earthquake; it is now becoming a permanent residence. There are concrete brick buildings (10x10) that our homes for some families. Still no running water or electricity, but some families at least have a closed space to call their own.

The trend for village life, as young post-pubertal girls, seems to be they become pregnant or have STD's (or both). The girls take care of the children and household responsibilities. Of course not every Haitian teenager is pregnant, but there is an epidemic of unwanted pregnancy and sexual abuse. It is heart wrenching.

We saw many sick children today, one with Typhoid fever, many with cough/fever, few with GI issues. One child had cellulitis on her finger; and another had intestinal worms. We actually saw a 95 year of lady. Amazing!! She was a little hypertensive, but rightly earned for she has survived the average life expectancy in Haiti, which is 62.

We had Haitian eggs and pancakes for dinner, and I must say they were delicious!!! Lunch was and will be peanut butter and bread, chips (today was Pringles) and raisins. I set up the lunch table today inside the tap-tap...(Shout out to my Cornerstone Ladies; once a lunch lady, always a lunch lady, huh)?

My interpreter was a sweet guy name Bengy. Super nice young man; he grilled me all day on my enunciation of the Creole language. I'm a hard teach, just saying and he is a good teacher.

Sitting on the roof top with a few ladies while easing into the evening. Ready to say goodnight and Bonswa! Another exciting day in store for tomorrow. Just for the record, I'm having a blast.

Pics: Few from Onaville; lunchtime; me and Bengy; your NVM 2013 medical team and interpreters. No particular order.