The rain is loudly descending on our tin roof and the clinic is finished for the day. It finally feels like I have some time to write! I know it is high time for me to give an update about Confidence Health Center. It’s been quite a year for my family and I.
May 2016 we emptied our house in California of the so-called treasures we had accumulated. Some things were packed into a shed on our property…while other items found a new home at the landfill. We are very fortunate that my brother and his wife are renting our house to care for things. On June 1st, 2016, my wife and I, and our three children arrived in Haiti ready to start this new adventure. Keith’s overlapped with us for the first 6 months. It has been great working under his tutorship. There are so many things to learn about providing aid in this setting and how to best relate to the culture here. We spent the first few months working on our house too. The clinic purchased a block house next to Keith’s property for the clinic administrator. We added a bathroom and a couple of bedrooms for the children. The house has also been retro-fitted with plumbing and electricity. It is a basic house, but it often feels like a castle compared to other houses here made of rocks… mortared together with mud. Sharing yards with the nurse’s quarters, the house has created a perfect, secure setting. We also have access to Keith’s shop. After spending many hours working on vehicles and motorcycles… I can really appreciate having access to a shop! The house is close to the clinic too, just a short walk up the hill. The children are really enjoying the large grassy yard for playing soccer.
At the clinic, Fre Willie was added as a receptionist shortly after we arrived. He has been a great asset to the clinic, working well with the patients and staff. He knows a fair amount of English, which has been a very valuable resource for me. In the morning, he also helps Fre Ozias with devotions. Often, he shares recent inspirations which adds a new flavor. It always impresses me when the patients listen attentively and sing with enthusiasm. Life for them isn’t easy. Seems like they live in a constant state of disaster…living through one crisis they immediately enter another. We are trying to alleviate some of their suffering here at the clinic. It is also a blessing to offer hope in Jesus Christ! The rest of the staff has been the same for the past year, which has been working well for us. The clinic is really operating smoothly. I feel very blessed with the staff we have.
This past year we had an ultrasound machine donated to the clinic. A technician volunteered to train the nurses here for a week. That was a learning experience for her and us. There were so many conditions she had only seen in textbooks. She went home with a lot of knowledge about third world country diseases and a new vision on how badly diseases can progress without treatment. We were left with some basic knowledge on how to use the machine as well as some simple diagnostic skills. We have also been able to send images to her for diagnosing, which has been a valuable resource. The ultrasound machine has given me the ability to perform a procedure called paracentesis, which is using ultrasound to guide a long needle to remove abdominal fluid. Sometimes we see patients with chronic diseases or organ failure that have accumulated extra fluid. On one occasion, I removed 5 liters of fluid from a lady. There was easily that amount remaining, but that was the limit I could safely remove at one time. Removing extra fluid certainly increases patient comfort and makes breathing easier. Another time, after delivering twins, my fellow nurse Todd became concerned when the placenta was not delivering. A quick look with the ultrasound revealed another foot! Triplets! And they all are healthy! We also use the ultrasound for differentiating between a fluid filled cyst or a solid tumor, diagnosing placenta previa, and various other organ problems.
International Medical Corps asked if they could partner with us to alleviate malnutrition in our zone. We had been wanting to do something to fight this problem, but it takes quite a commitment. Just handing out food turns into a real nightmare. I guess their persuasion was what we needed to tackle it. We made a temporary room in the ambulance shed to support the program. Almost 100 families, from remote and very poor areas, showed up up for screening on the first day. There was a doctor and several nurses from IMC to help facilitate. The screening process was taking awhile, so we got our school staff to cook rice for everyone. It was a big hit! It was amazing to see their eagerness when the food was served. Survival instinct kicked in as these little ones guarded their bowls. We are all blessed with so much in America! We took only children in the “red” zone the first day, six of which needed to go to the hospital for immediate stabilization. Many more were given cards to return the following week, when there would be time for additional screening. Since then, we have had some graduate, and some new ones added. The clinic now has a nutrition day every Tuesday. The nurses give out medical peanut butter, fortified with vitamins and minerals, which is a complete nutritious food. Weight and growth are meticulously charted. One mother has thanked us many times because her son wasn’t walking previously. Earlier, we had taken him down to Port Au Prince to try and diagnose the problem. The Dr. said there was nothing physically wrong, and the problem was due to malnutrition. Sure enough! He has started walking after a couple weeks on the program. As with any nutrition program here in Haiti, it’s not without stress and headaches, but we are happy for the resources this partnership has provided.
The other night I was awakened by a telephone call from our neighbor, Senfor, who was requesting assistance with his wife who was in labor. They were planning a home delivery, but he was now becoming anxious because he did not feel things were progressing. I awoke Chrystelle, our labor and delivery nurse, and we headed over to check things out. Most babies are born at home here, although, we deliver a fair amount at the clinic too. Mr. Senfor met us at the door of their small dwelling and ushered us in. Seated on the floor in a semi reclining position was his wife. She was resting on several pieces of cardboard, old medicine boxes they happily received from us a few weeks ago. The setting was very meager, although, better equipped than most here, I’m afraid. After a quick assessment, we determined the baby was head down and labor was progressing normally. The baby was preske rive! (almost arriving) Seemed that they really just needed some reassuring. I offered we could transport her to the clinic for delivery, but they decided to rather stay home. Probably a wise choice because just a few minutes later, I was “catching” the baby. A healthy girl was born! Soon the other children filed in from the other room to meet their sister, eyes full of wonder at the miracle of life! Another time I was stopped by a lady in market, while walking to the clinic. I couldn’t catch all the details (my creole isn’t there yet) but I did understand that there was a woman in labor needing help. She led me up a small mountain trail overlooking the village. As we near the top, I spot a crowd gathered around a lady sitting in the middle of the trail. She is squatting and there is a freshly delivered baby at her feet. Obviously, she didn’t make it down to the clinic in time! Talk about a delivery room with a view! The scenery was gorgeous from up there. Ok, I am seeing the issue. They don’t have a way to cut the cord! And ..uh..I guess I don’t either!! After a quick jog down to the clinic, I return with the necessities. A few minutes later she’s back on the trail headed for home. We still deliver quite a few babies at the clinic (and a few in our front yard), but we don’t have the staff and resources to deliver nearly all the babies here. Oriani could certainly use a birthing center for the amount of babies born here. Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; Isiah 44:24
The clinic purchased a Toyota Landcruiser that we use for our ambulance. Keith and I modified it with bench seats in the rear and a system to secure the stretcher. It will be cheaper to operate and hopefully require less maintenance than the military ambulance we had previously. One major part of the work here is vehicle maintenance. Trips down to Port Au Prince are required to pick up medication and supplies. Roads are not improving, and it seems repairs and maintenance can keep me as busy as medical issues. They tend to overlap, and some days when patients come to the yard they are surprised that the “doctor” is a mechanic covered in grease. Recently, after some inspection, I realized the frame on our Ford Excursion was nearly split in half! This required some welding and re-enforcement with steel plate. I have also replaced wheel bearings, brake pads/calipers, broken leaf springs, and various other suspension parts. These roads are definitely rough on machines! Seems like whenever I fire up the generator for the welder, out come people carrying truck parts, broken beds on their heads, and charcoal stoves…all needing repair! Far as I know, there is only one other welder here on the mountain.
Haiti Air Ambulance now recognizes Oriani as an official landing zone! Villagers were totally shocked, but now excited that more emergency resources are available to them. This non-profit, medical helicopter service is based out of Port Au Prince. The helicopter is a Bell 407 provided by Air Methods from the US. Initially, the crew flew in to establish a landing zone and conduct staff training. They landed in the local soccer field, after we moved a few goats and cows to higher ground. It was challenging at first to control the crowds of curious people. The flight crew has been very eager to help our remote mountain community and all flights so far have been free of charge. The base manager stated that their primary mission is to help remote areas like Oriani. It’s about a 4 hour drive on rough roads to Port Au Prince with our ambulance…and only 15 minutes by helicopter! A few times we have lost critical patients during long transports. Weather can be challenging to make flights up here, but Haiti Air Ambulance is still a valuable resource for us. Even if the weather does not allow them to make a flight here, they will still assist with finding a receiving hospital.
Lately we have been receiving rain….lots of rain. Rain that comes down in torrents at times…washing out roads and threatening to destroy gardens and houses. I’m afraid some of the more tender crops will be lost. The people here are hungry, wet, and cold. Many come to our door begging for help. We can’t begin to provide aid for such an enormous need. Our hearts feel heavy so many times. Sherri often provides cups of hot chocolate on the porch and we do our best to give a listening ear. How can hope remain when there is so little hope at times? Over and over we learn from these dear, suffering people. There are members at church that hardly find enough food now. They aren’t begging or even mentioning it. Rather, they lift one another through song and encouraging words. We trust it all to God, the creator of all things, to comfort and provide for their need. Pray for us that we can be an instrument for the work here and perform the work God has called us to do. I would also like to thank all of our supporters that make the work here possible. Please continue to pray and support the work in Oriani. “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” Matthew 25:40.
Matt & Sherri Giesbrecht
Bodie, Alyssa & Dawson