Health in Haiti

Health in Haiti

There are resources available in Haiti. A variety of public and private clinics hospitals etc are available. But you still have to pay. Often not a great deal but pay something and for many this is hardly an option. One child I knew as Jefta was 1 ½ years old when I first met her. She was very sick and I helped get her to a local nurse who had established an amazing clinic in the hills above Aquin. She was able to diagnose what was happening and we walked to alocal hospital the next day for treatment. I paid for some drugs etc. Probably no more than $10. But this family was very poor and did not have access, I am probably responsible for Jefta living today. She is thriving and entering the 10th grade. A beautiful young child. Paul Farmers work in the Central Plateau is a wonderful model for creating a Health system that work. They train and support Haitians learning to be the providers. They just completed the first modern hospital in Haiti. An amazing story.

Jefta right lower corner

My worst days in Haiti

My worst day in Haiti

As a Peace Corps Volunteer before we go to the site we are assigned we have a 4 day site visit. This is our first on our own experience trying out our Kreyol and exploring the life we are living for the next 2 years. My original host was unable to house me and I was taken in by Madam Fred who had 10 children and no husband present. (that is another story). In any case she let me sleep in her bed while she and the kids slept on the floor in the next room. It had no mosquito netting and a ton of mosquitoes. The latrine was nasty. But in a matter of 4 days I bonded with these kids and saw first hand the reality of poverty. She had very little financial support and was trying to make ends meet just to get food. Despite all the “physical hardship” I was deeply disturbed by the plight of this family. Wondering how they would survive. Describing my experience in our debrief I cried. Knowing that “people” live in abject circumstances is one thing. Knowing people living that and recognizing my inability to change it was the hardest thing for me to face. And that was a lesson daily in Haiti.