When I first came here to Haiti, I had no clue about what to
expect! I knew nothing about life in a third world country, nothing about the
work in a clinic, and nothing about the Haitian people and their culture. All I
knew was that I was coming to lend whatever help I could in the clinic. The
only training I had was EMT Basic and I only had the head knowledge. I had
never been at an accident, had never watched someone receive an intravenous
injection and I did not know how I would react to the sight of blood. I knew
when I got my EMT license, however, that I wanted, someday in the far off
future, to use my medical training in the mission field. Little did I know that
I would get my chance so soon.
On March 1, three months after my training, I was asked if I
wanted to come down here to help short-term because it was a desperate time of
little sleep and tons of stress for the two nurses here. I was shocked yet
delighted that I was getting a chance like this! And sure enough, a week later,
I was on my way in my first plane flight, first out of the country jaunt, and
my first time of being away from home for more than 2 weeks. I was so excited!
When I got here, it was 11:00 on a Friday night so I had the weekend to settle
down and get to know the family I am staying with.
Clinic started at 8:30 on Monday morning. My first
responsibility was to take the vitals of the people that came in to the clinic.
So, armed with a blood pressure cuff, a thermometer, and a pen, I started with
the first person. As each person was “controlled” the nurses called them in and
had a consultation with them to figure out what “maladi” they had. Then the
nurses prescribed medications for them. These medications were written on the
dossier that each person received as they came into the clinic; then the people
were sent to the pharmacy window to hand in their dossiers and receive their
medication.
As I finished taking
the vitals of the people lined up on the benches against two walls of the main
room of the clinic, I went in and watched the pharmacists as they bagged and
gave out the prescribed meds to each person lined up outside the pharmacy. Over
the next couple of days and weeks as I watched these ladies faithfully do their
job, I got the gist of what they were doing and how they did it. I learned to
decipher the nurses’ handwriting's, how to count out 20 pills of
hydrochlorothiazide and bag them, and what “swa” and one dot means on the pill
bag. I love to see Zita, one of the pharmacists, laugh and twist up her face as
we try out the new calcium chewables that are in stock. The more I work in the
clinic, the more I love the comfortable corner of the pharmacy and the ladies
that work there. So in between taking vitals and giving out medications, I am
usually kept pretty busy.
Since I am not a main nurse though, I won’t get to do a stitch
job by myself or put an IV in someone. I still get to see all the emergency
situations that come in, though, and the accidents that people have. The
grossness of bad wounds is still gross but it doesn’t gross me out near as much
anymore. Now I know that I can stand the sight of blood… I won’t go cold turkey
on someone who needs a bandage job. My time here has made me realize that I do
love medical things and maybe eventually will pursue the idea of more training.
After nearly two months of being here, I am almost totally
familiar with the normal run of things. This is feeling more and more like
home. I love the people… the hug of faithful Maricome, our clinic cleaning lady,
the warm handshake of Noez and his grin each morning, the friendly morning
greeting of Fre. Dolph as we walk into the clinic each day and the smile of Miss
Joselaine and Miss Leida when we tell them,“Mwen kontan we ou.” (I am happy to
see you.) I love the mountains; the hot summer sun; the cool, crisp mornings
with the sounds of roosters, donkeys, goats, and the occasional voice of a
child breaking the stillness; the walk down to the clinic in the mornings with
the sun shining full on your face; the cheerful greeting of the witch doctor as
she walks past the compound; and the smiles and giggles of the little children
that you meet on the trail every day.
All in all, this experience has made me want to throw myself
more into the medical world and use it for the glory of God. Being here in
Haiti and working among and with these people have made me realize that life is
so much more fulfilling and satisfying when you are pouring yourself out for
others. Giving yourself for others lends hope and purpose to life. Being a
servant, even only in very small ways, gives a peace and satisfaction that
nothing else can give. Isn’t that what Christ did here on this earth? Why not
live life like He did…and give your all?
 |
| Megan take vital signs. |
 |
| Working in pharmacy counting and packaging pills with Madanm Lege and Madanm. Jean Marc. This Post Written By Megan Stoltzfus |
