Articles: |
 (left) Elaine Langley, Plenty volunteer |
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Introduction Haiti Clinic Report |
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Over ten days from the end of March until April 6, Plenty medical volunteer, Elaine Langley, worked at a temporary clinic in Cayes Jacmel, Haiti. The clinic was organized by the Louisiana/Haiti Sustainable Village Project, the group we had collaborated with on filling up the barge that brought 75,000 tons of relief supplies to Jacmel, Haiti about a month and a half after the earthquake on January 12. We asked Elaine to recount a little of her experience for this bulletin. |
 Haitian EMT, Leslie Moise, assistant photographer, Lose Keith Joseph, Elaine and Mia. |
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“Going into Haiti I felt like I was being transported to another world. As we passed through the capital of Port-au-Prince on our way to the southeast coastal mountains of Cayes Jacmel, the devastation was unbelievable; mass destruction of most buildings, people living in makeshift housing all on top of one another. I could not imagine what the rainy season will bring. |
 On the streets of Port-au-Prince. (photo by Elaine Langley) |
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| Once in the mountains, life was a little more peaceful but the poverty continued. Although I had worked in impoverished communities in New Orleans and along the Gulf coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana after Katrina, I had never been to a Third World country before and what I witnessed was difficult to comprehend. |  Elaine with a family in Haiti. |
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| Our medical team was made up of two other nurses from New Orleans—Mia Delos Reyes and Kirsten Berberovich, Haitian Emergency Medical Technician, Leslie Moise and, for the final two days I was there, we were lucky to have the help of Dr. John McFadden, MD, a general practice physician who has spent years volunteering in poor communities. We worked long hours, seeing 100 patients daily. |
 The clinic waiting room. (photo by Elaine Langley) |
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Many had never been to the doctor or dentist. Most of the children had intestinal parasites and we saw a few cases of malaria and a lot of high blood pressure. Most of the patients did not have access to clean or hot running water in their homes. Soap, toothpaste and other things we take for granted weren’t always available. |
 Kirsten Berbervich with a patient. (photo by Elaine Langley) |
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Haitian people are beautiful with their large rich eyes and big smiles in spite of almost inhuman living conditions. |
 Dr. McFadden at work in the clinic. (photo by Elaine Langley) |
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| Plenty International PO Box 394 Summertown, TN 38483 (931) 964-4323 Plenty@plenty.org CFC #11625 |
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