Real progress and real challenges…

The last few weeks have consisted of the normal mixture of incredible highs, and challenging lows.  Seemingly simple tasks like fixing/servicing generators, take on a whole new level of difficulty in Haiti.  Combined with the scorching heat which a few weeks ago was almost unbearable, at times, even with all the amazing progress, life can be incredibly frustrating here.  Simple things that we take for granted in the UK like electricity and 3 meals a day, aren’t such simple concepts here.  If anything, they can be incredibly complex and difficult aspects of life to get through.

Yet, despite some of the more technical/logistical set backs we’ve been dealing with, it’s been amazing witnessing the hospital in a new season of life.  Last month in our Paediatric department alone, we saw 259 children, of which 65 were hospitalised.  A short walk from our kids ward, and our Operating Theatre remains ready 24/7 for any kind of obstetrical or gynecological surgery.  It was slightly surreal witnessing my first surgeries, standing besides our team performing life saving operations, which this time a few years ago we could only dream about.  Yet, every day we’re humbled to have the privilege to watch our Haitian team thrive in their new environment, finally having the means to serve the population they love, in the compassionate manner they desire.

Whilst it’s certainly a new chapter in the hospitals life, its not the final chapter.  Whilst the progress thanks to our supporters is monumental, the needs and room for development is still vast.  Just over a week ago one critically ill baby with septicemia was bought to us.  Dr Toussaint and our team worked around the clock trying to save this little one from its critical condition.  Sadly, the baby had arrived too late, and despite several days of medical intervention, the baby passed away late one night.  Dr Toussaint highlighted the urgency of continued community based intervention in response to this sad case.  Providing mothers with a safe place to give birth, and the opportunity to receive appropriate education in caring for their children is key, and its been a real encouragement to see the number of women and children supported at the hospital increase dramatically since we opened these units.  Whilst witnessing the tragic loss of this baby, I’ve also had the humbling privilege of watching many lives also saved in the last month.

Perhaps one of the most special days of the last few weeks was witnessing a whole load of those children we have impacted at a special party.  In celebration of Maison de Benediction’s third anniversary, the team in Haiti gathered over 80 of the children with disabilities that we support, and held a huge party!  It was amazing to sit and watch all these fantastic kids.  Many of them have been with us since the start, others are new, but they are all equally as amazing.

It’s been one of those few weeks where we could write and write.  Every day is packed with action – quick on site inspections by the UN reviewing the disability sports center their funding the construction of, new teams of wonderful people coming and going in the volunteer village, plans for the summer festivals and of course Paralympics, and the launch of The Haiti Health Trust, a US 501c which is supporting our work in Haiti.  If you live in the US, or have friends or family, please check out the web-site: The Haiti Health Trust

A quick last comment before we close off…on 21st June (next Thursday) HHA UK will be holding the first of a monthly prayer gathering for Haiti.  If you’d like to attend, please check out the news page for more information:  Prayer meeting

Thanks for your continued support!