Haiti Day 8

So, for the sounds of last night: more gecko's, some random person talking very loudly, and the continuous barking of the fighting dogs. I had a much easier sleep, thanks to my friend who helped me fix and put together a new mosquito net.

I woke up early yet again this morning...but decided, since most people were still sleeping to kick back in the hammock, which was very relaxing. Then I went for breakfast....and every Monday morning is a pancake breakfast...absolutely delicious....I went for the chocolate and cinnamon sugar pancakes, which were a nice treat that I hadn't had in a while. Following breakfast it was time for another fun day of.....HOUSE-KEEPING...such a wonderful experience. This was very interesting: our team is supposed to be composed of 4 people, however it didn't exactly go accordingly!! One team member couldn't participate because he had some orientation to do, one team member wasn't feeling well, and one team member has back/rib pain (which I have helped her with)!!! Further, typically when you have house-keeping you have get to eat lunch on the base, and head out to your work day in afternoon....however, today things were different...just my luck! Since there was a local volunteer meeting, many of the people working on one of the sites had to leave....so what this meant, was the minute we finished our chores it was off to work!! Honestly, I can't say that I was too excited to have to go over the site that early...especially since it is known to be grueling work, and in the heat for the entire time...but off we went!

Traveling by tap tap, me and the person I was with were the only passengers, since everyone else was already on site. I think our tap tap driver was trying to break the record for getting from base to the school in the fastest time....because it was the fastest, craziest tap tap ride I have been on yet! I tipped over 3 times, my water bottle landed in the back of the tap tap, and my the end I had one sore butt!

So, let me tell you a little about this site: the task for the day was lying foundation on the 12^th school! This is a task that has to be done with speed, so that the concrete doesn't get destroyed and is lied down in time before it dries. Each person has a very specific task....and it requires a tremendous amount of organization. When we arrived on the site everyone was on a water break, which was perfect because it allowed to project leader to assign us tasks....and let me tell you, I got a GREAT task....the water girl. My role was basically dumping a bucket into the barrel of water, and throwing the load to the person running the concrete mixer....I basically was the start to every concrete mix, and we mix a new batch of concrete approximately every 45 seconds. To give you an idea of the entire process here's how it works: toss the water bucket in, then 2 people are tossing buckets of rocks, and sand, followed by sand....the empty buckets are then thrown down an assembly line, and the refilled at the end and passed back. I have to say that the tossing of the sand, rocks, and concrete was probably the most exhausting task....the buckets are so heavy, and there are 12 buckets for each batch. Once all the the ingredients are in the mixer, and mixed together to the proper consistency, one person is responsible for turning the mixer, and emptying it into 3 separate wheelbarrows which were pushed and emptied into the proper location! To give you an idea of how exhausting the entire process is....the crew of 25 today, went through 45 liters of water!!!!

I have to say that this was the most I've enjoyed working on a project thus far....I felt that I played an integral role in the completion of the project, and that I have a very specific task. Also, it was great working on project that required an entire team to work completely together in order to succeed. Towards the end of the day people started to get extremely tired, and slightly dehydrated, so I double up-ed on tasks.....I would pass off the water, fill another bucket (to have to have to ready for the next batch), and then run into the assembly line, and start carrying the newly filled buckets towards the mixer! It was a very fast process, and yes very fatiguing, but I LOVED it....and will be returning back there tomorrow! As a note, I tried to watch everyone's technique for lifting, carrying and throwing, and I can understand why people get hurt....it's very difficult to use proper form when moving at such a fast pace, and lifting/carrying loads that are too heavy for you! I tried to use the best technique when loading the water buckets and lifting them....but having to get water out of a bucket that's about your height can be a quite a challenging task....I think my I got a great biceps workout however.

We ended the day without our lasting mixing batch at record speed.....completing the fill in 18 seconds! I was the dirtiest I have been since being out here....but it felt good to know that I had worked so hard on a task. It also is such an experience to be getting to participate on all these jobs that I have never been exposed to before. At the end of the day, we cleaned up, and headed back to base on tap tap AGAIN, however a much more enjoyable ride. Dinner was ready once we arrived, and tonight it was spicy spaghetti, rice and beans and some fish (which I do not eat)! This was followed by out nightly meeting....and it was a long one....organizing shuttles for the airport, learning about the 29 new volunteers entering base tomorrow....and the an update on a fellow volunteer who is sick (I will explain at the end)! I have to say that while these meetings seem tedious each day, I do appreciate getting updates on the all the projects, and anything else that may be going on would be important to me.

Something interesting while we were working on the site: we seemed to develop quite a crowd of people who were very interested in what we were doing. Moreover, this school that we were building was on the same property that a current school is being held, so we had several school children coming out trying to witness the action. It was really cool, because it made me feel as though we were making a difference in the community....as everyone in this town had wanted to come out and witness the changes that we were making.

Since work today was extremely strenuous, I led yet another stretching session....I had a greater turnout this time than before.....which I guess means the word has spread about what a great class it was. While it was only a brief session, I do believe that it was effective! I also have talked to several people about the video, but not many have had the opportunity to see it yet because in the evenings every tends to disperse, so I have told people that I'm going to have a viewing tomorrow, and then I can get some feedback. I know it's late, but I've already had some people tell me what may be more beneficial in the video....so maybe revision in the future is an idea.

After stretch class you will NEVER believe what we did......any takers.....PT friends.....it's something we do EVERY Tuesday night!!!! Yup....Trivia Night at Joe's, and yes, of course I did you all proud by bringing home the win, and as a team winning about 200 goud....equivalent here to about 8 coca-colas. Headed back to base following trivia night, only to put in reality that tomorrow is my last work day, and to my surprise I am very sad!! I didn't anticipate how much I would enjoy the experience. That's all for the night, and I'll leave you with some other notes:

1- I told you that I would let you know about the girl who is sick on base. While, I don't want to worry anyone, I thought that it would be important to let you know! One of the girls who went on the trip this weekend become very sick, and fainted a couple times, so she was taken to the local hospital. She was diagnosed today with cholera, and will be flying back to the states! The thought is she got it from having a drink that had ice in it (which you don't want to drink, because it's not usually clean ice)! I have been completely fine, not feeling sick at all, but I wanted to let you know. This is also the first case of cholera occurring with this organization.

2- I would like to comment on how surprised I am to have expanded by horizons about food, and been able to experience the Haitian food. I've tried to be safe, but enabled myself to enjoy the culture!

3- Maybe someone can provide me with some advice, and recommendations! The gazillions of mosquitos that have bit my leg have caused my right leg to be?come quite angry....it's pretty swollen, however not painful at all. Any suggestions....I've tried around base, but not really sure about what may be the best approach.

4- There have been quite a number of volunteers who have experienced back pain, or other pain since they've been on base, and they've learned that I just graduated from PT school...thus, I've had the opportunity to use my skills, and help some of them out. Here's a question to some PT people....since there's no ice available out here, what would you say is the best way to manage acute injuries...other than resting, since most people here don't want to rest, or can't?

Hope all is well! Tomorrow I'll be posting about my last day in Haiti.

Love

Bec