etik nan swen/ethics of care

We began our day at 6am with a rugged, beautiful drive into the mountains to Basin Caiman (alligator bay....there are no alligators and no good explanation of how it earned that name ;) There, the group created a mobile clinic within THE mobile clinic: a nail salon for the children who were waiting for care. It was heartwarming and truly perfect. While the doctors and nurses saw 220 patients, our group painted nails, played ball, and learned some kreyol from local kids. In a short time, it felt like some powerful friendships were made. Rural Haiti is highly functional and full of authentically kind people; we saw and felt both of those elements today. The clinic provided a health lesson on family planning, tested every patient for HIV, sent three people down the mountain on "stretchers" (doors) for acute emergency care, and passed out a range of antibiotics, vitamins, and other meds. Women from the village brought pots to cook food, and everyone passing through shared news from the deep countryside. We took a break from the clinic for an hour to meet with two animateurs (peasant leaders) who spoke with us about land use and the model of decentralized support amongst local leaders (versus the highly centralized and inefficient--as well as inequitable--approach the government takes regarding farming). Our group had a long chat about whether or not we should walk all the way down the mountain (likely a four hour walk, at least); we opted to drive 2/3 of the way down in the trucks and then walk the remainder. It was a hot day, but the walk was important; some men on the side of the road affirmed why for us as we walked by them. They said: it is good when strangers get out of the trucks and walk, otherwise you will not really know Haiti. C'est vrai!

The group then ate and rested for a bit before we tackled the mural. This group works well together, and we managed to design and complete a simple, sweet mural that won approval from the patients who came to watch. Our group has bonded with kids who are here for nutrition treatment. Two of the kids are stealing some hearts, and their story is in fact moving. A 12 year old girl brought her two month old brother to the hospital about 10 months ago after their mother died and father disappeared. She was worried he was hungry, and he was severely malnourished. Now, he is a bright, chunky lil guy who is walking and talking at one year old! His sister showers him with affection, and cares for him as if he were her own. The hospital staff are looking for a permanent solution that will include her returning to school. My guess is the two will grow up here, joining a few others who are taken in to become part of the fabric of this kominote/community.

We closed the day with a terrific class on global health, ethics of care, and a conversation about the way stereotypes shape "who lives and who dies?"

Two notes:
1. It has been my hope the kids would write these entries, but it is clear they want time to hang together and chill. Good stuff.
2. Everyone is healthy, hydrated, well-fed, and connected. Truly...everyone. Excellent stuff!