Many Stars

In Haiti many stars can be seem. In the sky at night and all around us during the day. The stars around us during the day are the orphans. They are the future of Haiti and the most generous caring children I have ever seem. If one is getting candy or a balloon he or she make sure there is one for their friend as well. The older children help care for the younger ones with the guidance of the "mamas". Each mama has 12-15 children to care for ranging in ages from three to fifteen. All of the children look out for each other and are so proud of their mama.

This medical mission consisted of eighteen team members, mostly medical personnel. We immunized 130 children, which received 5 - 6 shots each to have them caught up on childhood vaccines. This was completed in two days. During which time there were many bodies and hearts to comfort. Some of the children would cry out "why, why, why." This broke our hearts for three days until we were told that in Creole why means ouch. These children needed extra hugs and songs to ease their pain.

Through the generosity of a local church here in Tennessee we had about 150 pairs of shoes to take to the orphans. After receiving there vaccines all of the children were fitted for new shoes. Some had old shoes that were too small and there were others that had none at all.

The pediatrician that was on our team was attentive to every child he saw and diagnosed a boy with mumps. He should recover well by controlling fevers and monitoring for signs of further development. We also treated an orphan that suspected pneumonia with high fevers. She was given an antibiotic shot on the first day. The second day she needed IV fluids to rehydrate her and medicine to control vomiting. I sat with here for several hours until she seemed stable enough to go back with her mama. The next day she still had a fever and we monitored her all day but we could tell that she was feeling better because she was coloring while laying on the cot. By the fourth day she had no fever and was up and walking.

After two days with the orphans we spent the next two and a half days seeing the surrounding community. We saw many people and many general illnesses, some pneumonia, suspected TB, neck pain, back pain. These are people that have worked hard all of their lives and show the signs of it. The average age in Haiti is 28. Life expectancy is 45. The illiteracy rate is 53%. The people of Haiti need guidance and support. They have been oppressed by their own government for so long that they do not know that a better life is possible. By supporting the orphans of Haiti maybe a generation of hope will arise.