Day 2 - This Is What We Came To Do
The day is finally here! We got up extremely early and packed everything up and headed to our first tent city! When we got there, it was amazing to see all of the tents for the first time. We had to drive in between tightly packed tents to get to the small makeshift clinic we were going to run for the day. By the door I was stationed to triage and assess patients while Chris took blood pressures. Behind a small wall we had the pharmacy set up where Kelci and Brian worked. Behind them was Anita and Bagdhen, our two doctors. Outside of the clinic some of our other group members went down the line of people waiting to be seen getting their name, age and what their symptoms were.
The line outside of the clinic.
It was an amazing and crazy experience. We saw over 150 patients!
While we were working inside of the clinic, Sean had brought his guitar with and was playing hymns for all of the kids. Tim, Teasha and Natalie all played soccer with the kids while we were trying to get through the patients.
One of the patients I saw today was a little boy who was only 8 years old. His cousins were picking on him and beating him up and threw him into a fire all because he has a mild form of down syndrome :( He was absolutely precious. After I cleaned his burn up, I let him spend the rest of the day being my helper because he was just so sad. It broke my heart!
After we had a solid clinic day, Gardy, Isaac, Roody, and Stefan wanted to take us to the orphanage that they had grown up in. When we got their, the kids came swarming the tap-tap. It was amazing to see them and how happy they were. There were children from infants to about twelve years old. In this orphanage was also a wing for handicapped children. I didn't take any pictures in there because I didn't really think it was very appropriate. The kids were all in great spirits though. Teasha worked a lot with them because she is an occupational therapist. It was great to see them get some attention. On little boy we saw was completely bed ridden. He was fifteen and had been suffering from polio his whole life. The poor this was just so sad to see.
A video of the kids playing "London Bridge"
"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. Take courage." -1 Peter 3:14
For sure, you and your fellows have greatly contributed to assist these children and heal peole around you. Though it was done with a few, it's a significant gesture of helping humanity. Thank you in behalf of Haiti!
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