Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Sorry...
I know that I said I would kept up with this blog while away on my second trip to Haiti and I have been negligent in that..I am not so sure why. Each time I have sat down to write I have felt uninspired and I guess I don't want to disappoint...I'm not sure. So tonight is my first night shift and I have committed to myself that I will at least write something so my apologies even before we begin!
After 30 hours of travelling I again arrived into the warehouse that is the Port Au Prince airport the heat and the humidity more intense then I have ever felt before...then waiting an additional hour and fighting the masses (of same colored t-shirt groups..."Hope for Haiti" being my favorite!) for my baggage I made my way outside to be greeted by a familiar face...(I wonder how the Hope group fared)
This time around I am staying at the Heartline guest house and although a wonderful place I can't help but feel immense guilt..especially when the rain clouds role in and I sleep soundly..dry and cooled by the power of 2 fans....
As I sit here and write the beautiful voices of the "patients/family/friends" of the Heartline hospital are singing out with such conviction and hope...its a beautiful thing...
The other night I started to write about what my trips to Haiti have taught me and instead of writing a crazy long blog I think I will just list them here..maybe I will elaborate at a later date but for now the heat and my 4 days of babysitting sweet Rose have kicked me in the butt...I wonder how I will survive this night shift( maybe the thought of the rat that scurried its way into the treatment center about 1 hour ago will keep me awake!!!)
So here goes:
People are resilient and hopeful even in the worst of situations
My heart may be big but there is always potential for it to get bigger
I can and at times should shift my thinking, be more open to others and their situations
Life is really hard for some and really easy for others but...
both have their struggles even tho they may not always be apparent to us
More can always be done and we must not keep from giving...no matter how spent we are...
and speaking of giving..i think i am going to go and sit in the doorway and watch sweet Rose sleep and listen to the rest of the service..open that heart a little more...understand a little more and give a little more of my time to the people here!
goodnight
Lise
After 30 hours of travelling I again arrived into the warehouse that is the Port Au Prince airport the heat and the humidity more intense then I have ever felt before...then waiting an additional hour and fighting the masses (of same colored t-shirt groups..."Hope for Haiti" being my favorite!) for my baggage I made my way outside to be greeted by a familiar face...(I wonder how the Hope group fared)
This time around I am staying at the Heartline guest house and although a wonderful place I can't help but feel immense guilt..especially when the rain clouds role in and I sleep soundly..dry and cooled by the power of 2 fans....
As I sit here and write the beautiful voices of the "patients/family/friends" of the Heartline hospital are singing out with such conviction and hope...its a beautiful thing...
The other night I started to write about what my trips to Haiti have taught me and instead of writing a crazy long blog I think I will just list them here..maybe I will elaborate at a later date but for now the heat and my 4 days of babysitting sweet Rose have kicked me in the butt...I wonder how I will survive this night shift( maybe the thought of the rat that scurried its way into the treatment center about 1 hour ago will keep me awake!!!)
So here goes:
People are resilient and hopeful even in the worst of situations
My heart may be big but there is always potential for it to get bigger
I can and at times should shift my thinking, be more open to others and their situations
Life is really hard for some and really easy for others but...
both have their struggles even tho they may not always be apparent to us
More can always be done and we must not keep from giving...no matter how spent we are...
and speaking of giving..i think i am going to go and sit in the doorway and watch sweet Rose sleep and listen to the rest of the service..open that heart a little more...understand a little more and give a little more of my time to the people here!
goodnight
Lise
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Soon!
Just wanted to give a quick update to those of you following my journeys...I am heading out tomorrow on the milk run to Haiti (Edmonton-San Francisco-Miami-Port Au Prince)..Guess that's what you get for flying humanitarian!
But I just wanted to say thank you again to all of you! Because of your generosities I have to pack 3 bags again full of needed supplies! Baby formula, Baby food, Diapers, wipes, vitamins, clothing, games, dictionaries, books, pens, lotions, ng tubes, diaper pins, hair stuff, lrge cooking spoons, fruit bars, presents for the patients at Heartline...
Thanks you those of you who out together packages, those of you who donated me money (I'll have to use some for the baggage fees.."the Earthquake was over 2 months ago" was the reason given to me for not waiving my fees last time!! Thanks American Airlines)!
So it begins and I must say I am so excited to see my friends again! I wish I could take more then 3 bags..I wish I could take a shipping container and fill it..hmmm maybe that's an idea for next time!?
Next blog post from Haiti..hopefully!!
Love Lise
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thank you...
As most of you that know me, know I have always wanted to do this type of work and now that the time is here I just wanted to say Thank You's....
Thank you for.... the encouragement, the emotional support, the financial support, the listening to me talk endlessly support, the providing me with the opportunity support, the near support, the far support....
Thanks you too...
Thank you for.... the encouragement, the emotional support, the financial support, the listening to me talk endlessly support, the providing me with the opportunity support, the near support, the far support....
Thanks you too...
- my family (near and far)
- my friends (old and new, the old that are new again; near and far)
- family and friends who have left and whom I will meet again someday (miss you Matt,Nana,Mom)
- my fellow staff members (who I also count as friends but wanted to single them out here!), fellow colleagues (The Misericordia Wound care team/Erin Kennedy/CONVATEC)
- my patients and their families who are in the midst of their own struggles and have the immense compassion and empathy to see others in need and want to help them! (Thank you Ann and Don!)
I know I am forgetting many (sorry I could not name everyone!) and for that I am sorry! Just please know your love and support keeps me going..spoken and unspoken I feel I can do anything with people like you watching my back!
Love you
Lise
4 more days!!Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pictures!
I thought I would put up a few more pictures! they are mostly of Rose and myself..she's so sweet and I can't wait to see her next week!
There is also a picture of Emmanual post his reconstructive surgery....
Amazing stuff!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Haiti Video 2010 by Brian Leftwich
This is my friend (check that my favorite American friend) Brian's video about the time he spent in Haiti (the same time I was there). I hope you enjoy it!
Heading Back
Hi Everyone,
I know a few of you have expressed concern over my mental well-being after my last few posts.. first let me say "thank you" as it shows me that you care and that you are still listening to me and "hearing" what I am saying. Second, please don't worry about me..yes there are times I do feel helpless and I think that is only natural considering what I saw and experienced while in Haiti. I think that if I didn't feel some sense of sadness surrounding having so much when I saw people have so little it wouldn't be me...
I am happier right now because in one week I will be heading back to Haiti. Hopefully with bags filled with stuff people need..fun stuff for the kids still living at Heartline, clothes for the women and guys (who doesn't love a new outfit) and of course a full heart so excited to hug little Emman and Rosemon and of course Beth. And of course see my sweet little Rose and grandma! I will miss Jen and Barbie tho...but will get to chat with them and they will never be far from my thoughts and heart!
I also want to bring down some supplies for a new group I am hoping to get involved with (new to me but not new to Haiti!). As many of you have heard from my stories one of the things that really affected me when I was down in Haiti the first time was the children who were suffering from malnutrition. Prior to the earthquake 46% of Haitians suffered from malnutrition..BEFORE the quake, I can only imagine the stats now. I have been in contact with a lady who runs a rescue center for malnourished children and I hope to squeeze in a day or two with her while I am down this time. The center on average has about 60 children staying there, suffering from different levels of malnutrition. Check out their website...
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
I know a few of you have expressed concern over my mental well-being after my last few posts.. first let me say "thank you" as it shows me that you care and that you are still listening to me and "hearing" what I am saying. Second, please don't worry about me..yes there are times I do feel helpless and I think that is only natural considering what I saw and experienced while in Haiti. I think that if I didn't feel some sense of sadness surrounding having so much when I saw people have so little it wouldn't be me...
I am happier right now because in one week I will be heading back to Haiti. Hopefully with bags filled with stuff people need..fun stuff for the kids still living at Heartline, clothes for the women and guys (who doesn't love a new outfit) and of course a full heart so excited to hug little Emman and Rosemon and of course Beth. And of course see my sweet little Rose and grandma! I will miss Jen and Barbie tho...but will get to chat with them and they will never be far from my thoughts and heart!
I also want to bring down some supplies for a new group I am hoping to get involved with (new to me but not new to Haiti!). As many of you have heard from my stories one of the things that really affected me when I was down in Haiti the first time was the children who were suffering from malnutrition. Prior to the earthquake 46% of Haitians suffered from malnutrition..BEFORE the quake, I can only imagine the stats now. I have been in contact with a lady who runs a rescue center for malnourished children and I hope to squeeze in a day or two with her while I am down this time. The center on average has about 60 children staying there, suffering from different levels of malnutrition. Check out their website...
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
So good things are happening and I am feeling better about it..I don't know what I will be contributing this go round and I guess I will wait and see...
I will try and update this blog like I did last time! So stay tuned. Thanks again for all the support.
Love Lise
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