Summited by Larry Madole
Our trip was June 8-15 Larry Farrell, John Hocker, Larry Madole from Iowa and Herb Sikkink from Minnesota went to Haiti.
We had to stay over in Port so we used our time there to visit two places. One was Food for the Poor. This was a great opportunity to see this organization first hand and how they are feeding thousands of people in Haiti. We also visited Haytrack, a John Deere dealer that Larry Farrell had worked with in the U.S. We had a wonderful visit and made great contact for future equipment that we may want to purchase for the mission.
When we arrive in Pignon early the next morning, Gevy and a driver were at the airport to meet us. For all of us, it was like we were back home. We immediately got to work on the project at hand, which was to build a septic system for the new library.
We hired Haitians to dig and lay black for the tank. We also were able to set the stools and sinks and complete the water pipes to the bath rooms. We also put up lights.
On Saturday we went to the market to see the market and meet people. We had two days of heavy rain. The water was running two feet deep in front of the library. We were able to complete the tank and do some smaller things at the Iowa house to get ready for the new missionary family that arrived two days after we left. It was a good trip.
May all the praise be to our Lord.
In His Name,Larry Madole
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Dental Team May 16-22
May 16-22
summited by James Birong
Pignon May 16-22.
1) Our trip to Pignon in May was successful. Five of us traveled:
Don Montgomery and Jim Birong were doing porcelain bridge work. Our trip went from Friday to Friday so we were able to work on Saturday and then Monday through Thursday. We completed twenty two units (teeth) of bridgework. Also, we did several cases in composite (white fillings).
Don’s brother, Bob Montgomery and Leroy VanHorne worked putting up conduit in the new Outpatient Clinic and Dorm. They were able to work with Randy Friga for three of their days and completed the conduit after Randy left.
Greg Miller worked on the farm and did experiments with drying mangoes and keeping them orange. He was very impressed with Odiel, the mango project manager. He (Odiel) was very efficient, meticulous and clean and very knowledgeable about drying mangoes and everything else on the farm. Greg saw him as a great asset to the farm and hopefully eventually the farm manager.
2) We flew American Airlines into Port-au-Prince and stayed overnight at the Methodist Guest House (good accommodation in which the Guest House personnel picked us up and returned us the next morning to the airport). Then we flew up in two chartered airplanes with MAF to Pignon (the cost increased from $800 to $1100). We may rent a car next year and then we would have it for transportation around Pignon and I’m sure it won’t cost us more than $1100.
3) We stayed in the Minnesota dorm. It was a pleasant stay with good food.
4) We did have a drill stolen from the outpatient clinic which we have been addressing with other emails. We will all need to keep the tools nearby when using them and other safety measures.
5) The trip was rewarding for all and hopefully pleasing to the One we ultimately serve.
summited by James Birong
Pignon May 16-22.
1) Our trip to Pignon in May was successful. Five of us traveled:
Don Montgomery and Jim Birong were doing porcelain bridge work. Our trip went from Friday to Friday so we were able to work on Saturday and then Monday through Thursday. We completed twenty two units (teeth) of bridgework. Also, we did several cases in composite (white fillings).
Don’s brother, Bob Montgomery and Leroy VanHorne worked putting up conduit in the new Outpatient Clinic and Dorm. They were able to work with Randy Friga for three of their days and completed the conduit after Randy left.
Greg Miller worked on the farm and did experiments with drying mangoes and keeping them orange. He was very impressed with Odiel, the mango project manager. He (Odiel) was very efficient, meticulous and clean and very knowledgeable about drying mangoes and everything else on the farm. Greg saw him as a great asset to the farm and hopefully eventually the farm manager.
2) We flew American Airlines into Port-au-Prince and stayed overnight at the Methodist Guest House (good accommodation in which the Guest House personnel picked us up and returned us the next morning to the airport). Then we flew up in two chartered airplanes with MAF to Pignon (the cost increased from $800 to $1100). We may rent a car next year and then we would have it for transportation around Pignon and I’m sure it won’t cost us more than $1100.
3) We stayed in the Minnesota dorm. It was a pleasant stay with good food.
4) We did have a drill stolen from the outpatient clinic which we have been addressing with other emails. We will all need to keep the tools nearby when using them and other safety measures.
5) The trip was rewarding for all and hopefully pleasing to the One we ultimately serve.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Security
PLEASE For the sake of security for yourself and your belongings
1) Do not let unknown kids or persons on the Compound
2 ) Get the advice of Evenel and Gevy before hiring anyone to assist you
3) Secure your belongings/ Close your shop when leaving an area for lunch or to go to another area . DO NOT leave your tools, supplies or belongings unattended ; or have one of your worker be accountable for your tools and belongings when you move out of your field of work.
We appreciate your help and sacrifices but the rules Those who abide by our safety advices are usually exempt of the bad consequences
God Bless Dr Guy
1) Do not let unknown kids or persons on the Compound
2 ) Get the advice of Evenel and Gevy before hiring anyone to assist you
3) Secure your belongings/ Close your shop when leaving an area for lunch or to go to another area . DO NOT leave your tools, supplies or belongings unattended ; or have one of your worker be accountable for your tools and belongings when you move out of your field of work.
We appreciate your help and sacrifices but the rules Those who abide by our safety advices are usually exempt of the bad consequences
God Bless Dr Guy
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Haiti Trip Amy's Story
Note by Amy MacNeil.~~~
I have just returned from a trip to Pignon, Haiti with CCH. Every aspect of the trip was a blessing. When we went around the group and talked about our favorite moments of the trip one evening after dinner, almost everyone mentioned how amazing it was to be able to participate in surgery. Although I did not participate in the surgery itself, I did get a chance to interact with some of the patients after they returned to the wards. One story in particular will stay with me a long time.
Dr. Greg Bennett was tasked with getting a 60+ year old male patient up following his operation – only the 2nd total hip surgery ever done in Pignon! I tagged along to help translate. After checking that he was not feeling dizzy or nauseous, Greg and I helped get the patient up onto his feet to walk with crutches. Greg showed him how to use the crutches and we were soon out in the hallway with the gentleman cruising along well. We asked him to turn around and return to the room. Right after turning, we noticed him slump forward and we feared he was either going to faint or vomit from the effort. We asked if he was OK and he could only answer, “Emotion.” He was literally weeping with joy to be up on his feet walking again. When we wonder whether it’s worth the effort to fly down to Pignon with medical professionals and cases and cases of heavy medical equipment, after seeing this man’s life changed, I’d say a hearty “YES!”
I also got to help translate as the physical therapists worked with various patients who were not candidates for surgery. We worked everyday with a young woman named Angeline who had been bedridden for 10 months during which she underwent 3 surgeries for appendicitis. Her legs were badly atrophied and she was unable to fully straighten them due to lack of use. In just a few days of somewhat painful stretching and exercise, there was improvement in her ability to move her legs and she even got up and walked to the door of the room and back with our assistance. I enjoyed visiting with her and holding her hand while the PTs stretched out her tight and sore limbs.
I could go on and on about the lives these dedicated medical team members were able to touch: the 11 year old boy who fell out of a tree and had his leg fracture repaired allowing him to walk in the future without a limp, a woman with a painful back condition who with the help of a brace was able to smile again instead of wincing in pain, a young girl with high arches in her feet who now will have proper shoes and inserts to support her once painful feet, a dynamic former athlete who received exercises to improve his function in spite of a painful disc problem, a woman with an elbow full of buckshot following an attack on her life who was given exercises to regain use of her hand and shoulder, a young man who had badly broken his hand and forearm several months ago in a car accident who was given exercises to help him move his fingers and possibly regain some use of the hand.
We also had the opportunity to see the fruit of CCH’s work outside the hospital: at the school in Boukeronne where one year ago there was nothing and now there is a well and a functioning school for 75 kids, at the Campbell’s orphanage where many malnourished children are being fed and restored to health at weekly baby feedings, at Pastor Francois’ orphanage where a second floor and a kitchen area was added to the existing dormitory to allow the boys and girls to have separate and adequate space for sleeping, eating and living, and at the farm where we distributed 11 goats to families who will not have a good source of income for future needs.
It is an inspiration and a blessing to have the opportunity to serve in this way. If you feel called to join us on an upcoming trip, please contact Michelle McBride at michelle@cchaiti.org.
Dr. Greg Bennett was tasked with getting a 60+ year old male patient up following his operation – only the 2nd total hip surgery ever done in Pignon! I tagged along to help translate. After checking that he was not feeling dizzy or nauseous, Greg and I helped get the patient up onto his feet to walk with crutches. Greg showed him how to use the crutches and we were soon out in the hallway with the gentleman cruising along well. We asked him to turn around and return to the room. Right after turning, we noticed him slump forward and we feared he was either going to faint or vomit from the effort. We asked if he was OK and he could only answer, “Emotion.” He was literally weeping with joy to be up on his feet walking again. When we wonder whether it’s worth the effort to fly down to Pignon with medical professionals and cases and cases of heavy medical equipment, after seeing this man’s life changed, I’d say a hearty “YES!”
I also got to help translate as the physical therapists worked with various patients who were not candidates for surgery. We worked everyday with a young woman named Angeline who had been bedridden for 10 months during which she underwent 3 surgeries for appendicitis. Her legs were badly atrophied and she was unable to fully straighten them due to lack of use. In just a few days of somewhat painful stretching and exercise, there was improvement in her ability to move her legs and she even got up and walked to the door of the room and back with our assistance. I enjoyed visiting with her and holding her hand while the PTs stretched out her tight and sore limbs.
I could go on and on about the lives these dedicated medical team members were able to touch: the 11 year old boy who fell out of a tree and had his leg fracture repaired allowing him to walk in the future without a limp, a woman with a painful back condition who with the help of a brace was able to smile again instead of wincing in pain, a young girl with high arches in her feet who now will have proper shoes and inserts to support her once painful feet, a dynamic former athlete who received exercises to improve his function in spite of a painful disc problem, a woman with an elbow full of buckshot following an attack on her life who was given exercises to regain use of her hand and shoulder, a young man who had badly broken his hand and forearm several months ago in a car accident who was given exercises to help him move his fingers and possibly regain some use of the hand.
We also had the opportunity to see the fruit of CCH’s work outside the hospital: at the school in Boukeronne where one year ago there was nothing and now there is a well and a functioning school for 75 kids, at the Campbell’s orphanage where many malnourished children are being fed and restored to health at weekly baby feedings, at Pastor Francois’ orphanage where a second floor and a kitchen area was added to the existing dormitory to allow the boys and girls to have separate and adequate space for sleeping, eating and living, and at the farm where we distributed 11 goats to families who will not have a good source of income for future needs.
It is an inspiration and a blessing to have the opportunity to serve in this way. If you feel called to join us on an upcoming trip, please contact Michelle McBride at michelle@cchaiti.org.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
CCH Trip April 25-May 2 Ortho
Note by Amy MacNeil~~
Please give a narrative description of your trip include in it how many members accompanied you on this trip; what was the purpose/ goals of your trip? What was accomplished, what may need to be done ?
Our team was composed of one orthopedic surgeon, three physical therapists, one med student and one HS student who will be studying pre-med next year at college and myself, a CCH staff member. The goal of the trip was to treat the orthopedic cases which HBP had prescreened as well as any other cases that came in during our visit.
We brought equipment and supplies for orthopedic surgery including a total hip.
A total hip replacement was done, as well as surgery to repair fractured leg on an 11 year old boy, a "floating knee" (break above and below the knee) on a young woman and one other orthopedic surgery case.
The Physical therapists treated several patients with exercises to improve movement of joints with longstanding injuries and conditions and taught the patients how to do the exercises at home and/or to use orthopedic devices to improve their conditions.
2. How did you travel to Pignon? Were there any problems with your flight and or arrangement? Do you have any suggestions to make this an easier process?
The team travel to Pignon was by American to Miami and then on to PAP the next day. We took MAF from PAP to Pignon and back. The trip was completely uneventful and without difficulty in both directions. We carried in 11 bags mostly with orthopedic trays for surgery and brought back 8. All were cleared through customs easily and without duty.
3. What were your lodging arrangements while in Pignon? Any suggestions? Recommendations? Did you have any problems? Do you have any hints or notes you want to pass on to other teams?
We stayed in the MN dorm. Everything went well. I would suggest at the next meeting of the partners that we all agree on a standard tip for the cooks. It is my understanding that various amounts are given which may create hard feelings or unmet expectations.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 2009 Summit/Board Meeting Agenda
AGENDA
Promise for Haiti Board Meeting
Partners’ Summit Meeting
Minneapolis MN
June 26 – 28, 2009
Friday evening – Board Members
7:00 pm (location to be announced)
Review the agenda, priorities
SATURDAY - Board Members, Partners
8:00 am – 12:00
Opening prayer
Introductions
Field Director report – Dr. Guy Theodore
CBP Executive director report – Marie-Adele Romulus
Financial report – Sue Ishee
Fundraising – Denny Brand
Presentation from CGR (Charitable Giving Resources) - Stacy Rungaitis
Endowment fund management committee – Dr. Paul Severson
Grant writing – Dr. Siri Fiebiger
Hospital support from teams: medical (cost of care), others (fixed amount)
Succession plans for the Field Director – Dr. Theodore
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch (provided in the meeting room)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Projects coordinator report – Larry Madole
Priorities
Opportunities
Challenges
Scholarship/HELP report – Joann Schafer, Bev Brand
Volunteer coordinator report – Lorrie Beauchamp Berg
Team scheduling
Communication: Blog, website, newsletters, email
Application forms
Insurance
Travel arrangements within Haiti (update)
New Issues:
Shipping- revolving escrow fund for customs charges – Ron Nomeland
Limits of team numbers
Partners’ reports
Project Haiti – Dr. Paul Severson
CCH - Karen Carr
Outpatient Clinic
Iowa Coalition
Fargo – Dr. Siri Fiebiger
Ohio/Dental Clinic – Dr. Jim Birong
Maternity House (New York) – Dr. Liz Babu
5:30 pm
Dinner – site to be announced
SUNDAY - Board Members
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fundraising
Audit
CBP Board concerns/directives
Project prioritization
Succession plan implementation
Team Issues
Escrow for shipping
Water management
Well management/maintenance
Pignon spring diversion
Common dining facility – planning for larger teams
Web page renovation
Other new business
Next Board/Summit meeting
Promise for Haiti Board Meeting
Partners’ Summit Meeting
Minneapolis MN
June 26 – 28, 2009
Friday evening – Board Members
7:00 pm (location to be announced)
Review the agenda, priorities
SATURDAY - Board Members, Partners
8:00 am – 12:00
Opening prayer
Introductions
Field Director report – Dr. Guy Theodore
CBP Executive director report – Marie-Adele Romulus
Financial report – Sue Ishee
Fundraising – Denny Brand
Presentation from CGR (Charitable Giving Resources) - Stacy Rungaitis
Endowment fund management committee – Dr. Paul Severson
Grant writing – Dr. Siri Fiebiger
Hospital support from teams: medical (cost of care), others (fixed amount)
Succession plans for the Field Director – Dr. Theodore
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch (provided in the meeting room)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Projects coordinator report – Larry Madole
Priorities
Opportunities
Challenges
Scholarship/HELP report – Joann Schafer, Bev Brand
Volunteer coordinator report – Lorrie Beauchamp Berg
Team scheduling
Communication: Blog, website, newsletters, email
Application forms
Insurance
Travel arrangements within Haiti (update)
New Issues:
Shipping- revolving escrow fund for customs charges – Ron Nomeland
Limits of team numbers
Partners’ reports
Project Haiti – Dr. Paul Severson
CCH - Karen Carr
Outpatient Clinic
Iowa Coalition
Fargo – Dr. Siri Fiebiger
Ohio/Dental Clinic – Dr. Jim Birong
Maternity House (New York) – Dr. Liz Babu
5:30 pm
Dinner – site to be announced
SUNDAY - Board Members
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fundraising
Audit
CBP Board concerns/directives
Project prioritization
Succession plan implementation
Team Issues
Escrow for shipping
Water management
Well management/maintenance
Pignon spring diversion
Common dining facility – planning for larger teams
Web page renovation
Other new business
Next Board/Summit meeting
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