While in Haiti I'm surrounded by beautiful Caribbean water. We traveled, hiked the hillside, and swam at the Bassin Bleu lagoon. Haiti's drinking water causes cholera, infectious diseases, and even death. During our community mission here with my classmates we have visited the public hospital, CCH clinic, I became a scrub nurse in the operating room and today travel 55 minutes in a tap-tap up a bumpy hilltop to do a pediatric neurology clinic. I've made the connection between how beautiful Haiti is with all the surrounding water but limited when it comes to drinking.
Water is limited and only cold. We can only drink water from the hotel or clinic because it is unsafe. Haitian's bathe their bodies and clean their vehicles together in the dirty river basin.
Aroma in the air such as smoke, food cooking, dirt, diesel fumes, animal poo, trash and a brief smell of flowers.
Trash is thrown in the streets. There are no recycle bins or trash cans. Large trash disposal is thrown in the river bank. Temperature is hot and humid. There are no air conditioners, only fans blowing hot air.
Emotional feelings up and down. Excitement in helping the Haitians, sadness observing the poor, malnourished and very tiny infants. Flies lying on the ill patients' skin -- and this is normal for them.
Recovery to Haiti is very slow. You don't see contractors rebuilding the demolished buildings. Recovery here is much needed. Missionary work is gratefully received and the only ones I saw helping rebuild Haiti.
Lisa Harker
RN-BSN program
