Monday July 5th. Routine is Good

July 5th, 2010 by Charlotte Scott

I went into the camp yesterday to help out with people in the camp called Pinchanu ( sp).  It is the camp where unfortunately have a very high crime rate. It is safe during the day, but at night women re routinely raped when going to the bathroom so they use the bed as a toilet when they cannot hold it.  I saw many jaundiced eyed children. I also saw a boy that most likely has mumps- it least that is what it looked like to me. We went in the early afternoon when it was 105 and very humid.  We were standing outside the shaded area sweltering and I was wondering why we did not go in the the shade of the tents to do health checks.  We finally did and then I knew why.  It was hotter in the tents than out even though the tents wer opn to air.  They were cooking their main meal and the stove’s heat was trapped in the tent. It was literally hell on earth. Despite the conditions the adults  we saw were mostly healthy.  We later dressed the wound of a man who looked 90 but he was in his 50’s.  He is choosing not to amputate his leg whcih means he is choosing death over amputation. Disabled are castouts as they form a heavy burden on their families.  After that we returned to our compounds. There is a local hotel that have allowed the volunteers the use of their pool, so we took advantage of this. When we got home and settled in for the night, a rainstorm hit.  I wish I were more prepared for the rain.  Through the night I and others struggled with intestinal illness. So I am trying to take it easy today.  I am supposed to be teaching ESL “A trip to the doctor’s” to my new Haiti friends, but may put it off till tom.Oh, if any other volunteer coming up next to Jacmel can bring a droid and/or motorola  phone charger here, I would be happy to reimburse you. (((( FOUND IT! 7-6-2010))It seems they got lost in my move last Saturday. All in all starting to carve a niche in this placement and get into a routine.  I hope all is well with my folks at home and think of you all often.

Charlotte

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 5:07 am and is filed under Haiti.

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