Day 5 at Healing Hands- January 25

Day 5 at Healing Hands- January 25

Well the morning came early for some of us today. We were out hearing RAM until 1:30 a.m., but boy was it worth it! There is so much energy in their music. We were dancing amongst a packed house of people. We were even able to meet and have our photo taken with Richard Morris (the lead singer/founder of RAM) so that was fun.

We said goodbye to Miriam, Alanzo and David this morning (the team with Wheels for Humanity). We had a great time getting to know them and hearing about the work they do throughout the world. This was Alanzo and David’s first trip to Haiti. Hopefully they walked away with some good memories and satisfaction from being here.

We were up early to get to Food for the Poor; and Mercy and Sharing orphanages this morning. We delivered a walker, several Convaid chairs and a Ti wheelchair between the orphanages. We also brought a PET (Personal Energy Transport) to both of the orphanages. We have witnessed that these are really a hit for the kids. We even saw the kids loading other children on the back for rides, creating their own Tap Tap (cab). We also brought toys, clothing and shoes to Mercy and Sharing. Richard worked his magic in making adjustments to the chairs on the fly in order to make the shares safe and comfortable for the kids.

O & P wrapped things up in the lab today. They were able six upper extremities and ten lower extremity prosthetics this week. Chef Rick also made his homemade pizza today for both the staff at the clinic and then again tonight for the staff at the guesthouse.

Tonight had a presentation on Haitian culture. This was a very thought provoking, intense conversation on the history and struggle of the Haitian people. A final thought they left us with tonight. The first time you come to Haiti it’s a doctor’s visit/examination, the second time you come back you are a friend, and the third time your return you are family.

Shaun was presented with his honorary Healing Hands for Haiti-Minnesota Team t-shirt
tonight. So he will forever be linked to the team. Tomorrow we will be bidding a farewell to Rick, Bob, Mel, Bill, Sara W., Renee, Sarah K., and Steve. Jean Pierre and Richard are heading to Jacmel for Carnival (Mardi Gras) which will sure to be a wild time. The rest of us are heading to Petit Goave to the beach for a couple days.

All in all it has been a wonderful week. It has been a memorable adventure and a successful trip for the Healing Hands for Haiti- Minnesota Team. I am sure everyone is walking away from this experience a different person. As our team t-shirt states: Men apil chay pa lou (Many hands make the load lighter). None of what was accomplished this week could have been done by a single person or without the help of our Haitian partners (staff at the clinic and our interpreters). Thanks to all for a job well done and thanks to all of you who supported us in our efforts.