photos

Children playing in the Caribbean 

Jackie, Michelle and I with a friend visiting Port au Prince
Market with typical accumulation of trash in Port au Prince
My view from the balcony in Leogane, the first house I lived in


It has been almost a week since I last posted.  I have done another focus group of which the main sentiment is exactly the same: we need a hospital.  (Big surprise)  They really do need a hospital.  Anyway, maybe it is appropriate also that after hearing about all their sicknesses, I find myself recovering from being pretty sick.  I don't know exactly what I had, probably some combination of allergies, cold, flu, GI....but I am getting better.  I just found myself wanting the comforts of home so much this weekend so I cannot imagine what it would be like to not ever have those comforts especially when you are sick.

One of the girls who takes care of the guest house I am staying in is pregnant at 16 years old.  The father of the baby is not involved and she had to drop out of school because of it.  It seems there is still a good bit of shame involved in getting pregnant early and out of wedlock here.  She does not even feel comfortable walking on the streets.  We can communicated pretty well since she speaks really good french.  She has not gotten any prenatal care as of yet.  I keep trying to ask her questions to be sure everything is ok, but still, I worry.  She is tiny to have a baby and a set up for pre-eclampsia on top of it.  I want to pay for her to get prenatal care but when you are surrounded by so many needs, it is hard to figure out what is the best thing to do.  I think I will pay for her to have at least one visit before I leave.