Today was our second day “on the job” up the mountain. It was also the last day that the clinic team we were working with would be in Haiti for work. I spent nearly all of my day helping out in the “pharmacy” which was one floor above the clinic itself.
My morning consisted largely of counting and sorting pills; Kim, Bryan, Esdras, and myself were in charge of separating, counting, and compiling individual doses of several medications so that the clinic was well stocked and could run smoothly. We also took some time to enjoy the incredible view from the pharmacy balcony. Our work station was set up on the backside of the clinic building which overhangs the edge of the mountain; from there you can see down all the way into the valley as well as all the buildings, houses, and vegetation that adorns the mountainside(s). 
After lunch, I went back to the pharmacy to assist with the final inventory of all the medical supplies. Lou (the pharmacy boss) put me to work organizing several of the medications, sorting through which ones were expired, and providing a final estimate of the materials. Once that was finished, all the supplies and bags the medical team brought with them needed to be moved to the truck to come back down the mountain. After several trips to and from the truck and the clinic, uphill both ways, the work for the day was done and the clinic was left in tip-top shape for the next medical team that comes in.
Our group started a lot of other tasks today as well. Bryan’s chemistry lab experiment was a huge success today and many of the students thanked him personally for doing the lab. One of the students was so mesmerized by his experience that he dubbed it “white person magic,” to which Bryan properly informed the class that it was not magic, but in fact science. Additionally, Jay taught a calculator class for mathematics in which many of the students got to use a graphing calculator for the first time. Some of the Haitian students even wanted to come back another time to get more practice with their new equipment.
A few other of our group members helped with filing for the medical clinic to provide more documentation for who was being seen as well as medical histories. Furthermore, Merv headed up our painting project today and many of the group began working with him in the endeavor to “beautify” the school.
Today was my first experience riding in the back of the truck; I had been riding in the ATVs up and down the mountain up until this afternoon.
It was a bit terrifying whenever we had to drive over a massive “pothole” and the entire truck leaned towards the drop-off to the mountain base. We got moving really fast a few times; I was glad Willem was driving so I didn’t have to navigate the “roads.” It’s pretty incredible what counts as a road here in Haiti; think of the rockiest hiking trail you’ve been on and then think steeper inclines, more rocks, and more treacherous pitfalls. Yeah, it’s crazy and it’s simply normal life for the Haitians (many of whom walk these roads).Something that has really stood out to me thus far in Haiti is the people. In general, people are much more cordial and friendly; it’s pretty common to drive or walk past someone and exchange “bonjour”s (good morning) or “bonswa”s (good afternoon). Also, there is very little sense of personal boundaries among Haitians; on several occasions at the school, the students will just reach out and grab or touch you. Today, three small girls just came up to me and grabbed my hand; who knows, maybe I’m the tallest person they’ve seen before or something.
I also was able to interact with Madam Cheap-Cheap, one of the vendors who came to sell us merchandise and souvenirs. I was surprised that, after buying some items from her, she gave me another item she had with her as a gift! It was refreshing to interact with such a kind-hearted and generous woman; I don’t think I’ve ever had someone state-side who was so happy just to do business with me. Willem and Beth have been very inviting and accommodating; Esdras, Bryan, Strom, and myself are actually staying in their house while the medical team is here since their isn’t enough rooms at the guesthouse.
It’s been fun having another team here to interact with; we’ve really been able to function as one larger group in teaming up to keep the clinic running at full speed, even though we don’t have any medical training. I’ve enjoyed working alongside of them, having conversations over meals, and making new friends. They are leaving tomorrow morning before our team will likely be awake, so tonight we’ll bid each other “au revoir.” It will be interesting to adjust to doing work entirely on our own projects rather than supporting the clinic for the next three days while we’re here. I’m excited to see what all we can accomplish and what God has for us in our remaining time in Haiti.
-(Big) David
