Jasmin Clinic - Part 1

After a fabulous breakfast of pancakes, bananas, and mango (with a little mamba a - peanut butter -thrown in for some protein), we headed up the mountain to Jasmin for our first day of clinics there. The Jasmin community was waiting for us. Our clinic starts with prayer led by Pere Kerwin. It always touches me to see everyone stand no matter how sick they may be. Haitian people pray with a ferventness which I have not expereienced elsewhere.

We saw many familar faces, most of whom carried their medical records from the prior clinics with them. The mom with the newborn twins last year, returned with them this year! The age of many of the patients is striking.Our oldest today was 95! Amazing, especially considering that the average mortality in Haiti is 49. It seems weird, but I think the isolation of the community has something to do with it. Jasmin is made up of two main family groups - names which we saw over and over today.

The health of our patients was generally worse than those we saw yesterday. Surprisingly because of the relative lack of mosquitos at the higher elevation, we saw a good amount of malaria. We had a large number of kids with ring worm and several people with asthma, including one woman who was carried to see us. We had breathing treatments with us, so she was treated immediately. She improved somewhat, but was still very sick. Unfortunately, she had no way to reach a hospital. At some point, with her friends supporting her, she left.

We gave the books we had brought to the headmaster. The kids who got to see them, were thrilled with them, even though they were in English. I showed a little girl the Dr. Seuss book, Theres' a Wocket in my Pocket, and she seemed to think "wocket" was just as funny as my kids did at her age. Dr. Suess has universal appeal!

While we worked in the clinic, the contruction crew was hard at work on the school buildings. There were at least 30 men and women working on the site all day. It was thrilling to see! When I talked with some of the kids about their new school, their faces just lit up!

We were a well oiled machine today, and saw about 200 patients before 3:00. Our dentist saw 20 patient today, so there are at least 20 fewer teeth in Jasmin tonight. Our patients seemed excited about the salt we brought to them. We explained about the filiriasis prevention, but I really think they were just excited to receive a pound of salt at no charge. We are excited about salt with the Filiriasis preventative. Filiriasis is a horrible disease, which attacks the lymph system and can incapacitate the victim. Distributing the salt is so inexpensive for such a positive result. In addition, the salt is iodized, which is unusual in Haiti, and will contribute to the overall better health of the community.

Steve Steinberg has had a very successful couple days manning the eye glass station. Today, some people even brought the glasses they had received at our other clinics to trade for a stonger pair this time. Thanks to those of you who donated glasses and to the Lions Club! Our community has no other chance to get glasses.

Our clinic day closed, with Daphne's friend from last year presenting her with another gift - this time it was a huge sack of freshly dug sweet potatoes. We brought them back with us and enjoyed some with our dinner tonight.

When we returned to the guesthouse, we had a little time and energy remaining, so we strolled around the St. Croix grounds to show the newbies the St. Croix buildings post-quake and describe the pre-quake set up. Since our spring trip, several new temporary buldings have been erected by the same Finnish NGO which is building the Jasmin permanent building and built the temporary building at Gressier. A young man was putting the finishing touches on some signs painted on trees while we were there. They seem ready for school to begin next week.

Following our dinner, Andy and Graham played their ukeleles while the rest of us sung rousing choruses of My Girl, Country Roads, Up on the Roof (complete with a little shag demonstration by Steve and me), and other perennial favorites. This made the pill cutting and packaging fly by.

We're ready for our second day in Jasmin!