Jen Watters Haiti Blog
Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 8:48am
Bonjour!
Excuse Moi! Sorry that I missed sending out the update last week. These last two weeks have been a little crazy as my time in Haiti is wrapping up! And now I have less than two days left!! It’s quite strange. On one hand I’m really sad to leave, but on the other hand I am definitely looking forward to seeing everyone. I’ve missed you guys!!! And, also sleeping in a real bed with my PILLOW!!!!
I’ve spent the last two weeks continuing to work in Diquini hospital in Carrefour, and there have been lots of changes. One of our big projects for the last two weeks was to help discharge about 40 people from the hospital, many of whom had been living there since the earthquake. After the earthquake they set up tons of huge tents in front of the hospital to help house all of the extra patients, anyone without acute medical needs was moved out there. And then they kind of all just stayed. Our group was the only one who had any records on the people out there, so we were asked to help organize the discharges. Just an example of working here – you kind of have to be a jack of all trades: PT, social worker, discharge planner! Anyway, we were able to work with IOM which is a branch of the UN that helps displaced people and they were able to get most of the patients’ tents and help them return either to their property or to a place nearby with family or friends. It was interesting to see the patients’ reactions. One lady was so excited to leave, she was packed up with all of her things, sitting in a chair ready to go the first day, before we had even organized anything. She had just heard that people were leaving and wanted to go home. I think she was a little upset when we told her that she would have to wait a couple of days before it was her turn. The first day they took about 5 people with all their stuff in a mini-bus (a big van) there was one guy who jumped in the van as soon as it pulled up there and just sat in there several hours, happily waiting until everyone else was loaded up! He wanted to make sure he got a spot on the bus!
Daily Archives: May 29, 2010
“Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue”
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Stephanie Brooks
WEDDING DAY!!! Two people from the church we have been going to in Phnom Penh got married today! We were so lucky to have the opportunity to experience a Cambodian wedding! We all got our hair and makeup done (something that would cost over $100 in the U.S) for $5! It was the ultimate girl time. The wedding was so much different than what we are used to in the U.S.- it is a full day affair (we only went to the ceremony at 9am and the reception at 6pm) and much more elaborate. The bride and groom changed outfits five times, that we saw, so probably over ten times throughout the day. Everything was so colorful, ornate, and BIG! From the dresses to the hairstyles to the food, everything was bright! The bride and groom were both really shy, so their kiss was very quick and they stood about five feet away from each other. The pastor made them kiss again because it wasn’t good enough! So cute and sweet 🙂