So much has been going on here in Haiti. I will do my best
to provide a “quick” summarization on all the amazing things that are
happening.
Therapy
To date, 51 children have been evaluated. On a weekly basis
~40 children receive one-on-one therapy. The parents of these children are
regular participants of therapy sessions. This has allowed for education and
provision of home exercise programs. It is amazing to watch the transformation
of the majority of these parents – initially, many come in with a flat affect
or are in tears because they have been told so many times that there is no hope
for their child. BUT as therapy goes on, their demeanor changes completely – we
now see smiles and hear laughter. Parents are now excited to learn ways to help
their child and are often eager to complete activities within the home
environment. Time after time, parents now tell me how happy they are and I see
a sparkle of hope in their eyes. This is what keeps me going. Each time I turn
to God and say “thank you”.
In order to allow an increase in patients, two employees
have been hired. We now have a Haitian Physical Therapist who received her
degree in the Dominican Republic and a Haitian Rehabilitation Technician who
received her degree in Haiti on staff. Both are AMAZING!!! We have been able to
complete all evaluations and all one-on-one therapy without the need of a
waiting list. We also have a little room
for growth, which is reassuring, as we do not want to require a waiting list! I
have personally been so extremely blessed by both and continue to be in awe of
the ways God provides.
Supplies and equipment have poured in. We are extremely
blessed by the continued support. We have a supply of orthotics and tennis
shoes that can be adapted to best fit each kid in need. We know have equipment
such as various sized therapy balls, a treadmill, exercise bikes, mini
trampoline, and toys/games. This has allowed for a variation in treatment
strategies and activities and the kids have thoroughly enjoyed all the new,
exciting stuff!
NEW BUILDING!!!! After much prayer by so
many, 2016 will be the year that construction on a building for therapy
services (PT, OT, and mental health/counseling) will begin. No date has been
set and funding still needs to be fully raised; however the process has begun –
we have full faith that God will provide. This is exciting in so many ways. The
mental health program will now have a place of its own – and it will provide a
PRIVATE and safe environment for one-on-one counseling sessions as well as
space for group therapy. PT and OT (hopefully one day speech therapy as well!)
will have a larger space to work which means more kids can be seen and it will
allow for groups to happen such as group therapy, educational sessions for
parents and staff, and hopefully, one day, educational sessions for the
community. All of this also means that, in the future, more Haitian therapists
could be employed. A new building means more children achieving independence,
more people improving their mental and spiritual health, and more job
opportunities. This is HUGE!
Child Sponsorships
Child sponsorships for therapy patients have begun.
Sponsoring a child is just $30 a month. This funding will allow for testing to
be completed (xrays, labs), surgeries to occur, and financial assistance for
families to help with transportation to/from therapy. Funding will also help
with purchasing needed supplies/equipment.
Support Groups
Just recently, in conjunction with the mental health
program, support groups have begun. One support group is for the parents of
children who are receiving therapy. A second support group is for those parents
who have children in the special needs classroom at Respire Haiti. These
support groups not only allow for parents to get to know one another and
develop a support system amongst them, but they provide education on specific
diagnoses. Education is highly needed, as many myths and beliefs surrounding
disabilities exist in Haiti, which place a negative view on not only children,
but also adults who have a disability (more on this in a future blog). The
support groups allow a safe environment, free of judgment, for parents to be
vulnerable and ask questions. The groups provide a place where God’s love and
grace and mercy are shown. The parents are hungry for this!
FSRL and HAOT
The first ever OT program began in October of 2015. The FSRL
is the Faculté des Sciences
Réhabilitation de Léogâne. This program is within the Episcopal University of
Haiti and includes a 4-year Occupational Therapy degree program. Until October,
there were NO occupational therapy degree programs available within the entire
country of Haiti. The rehabilitation field is lacking and is almost
non-existent in Haiti. In a short 4 years, the first EVER Haitian occupational
therapists will graduate from a university within their own country. This is
HUGE for the country and for the further development of rehabilitation services
within the country. And this leads to the HAOT…
The first ever OT association in Haiti has been developed. This
is beyond exciting – for the profession of OT as well as for Haiti. Haiti is
now recognized by the ACOT (Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists).
We have elected officers for the executive board, developed the constitution
and by-laws and are well on the way to be accepted and recognized by the WFOT
(World Federation of Occupational Therapy). The association currently includes
5 members and 1 honorary member – it was determined that there are currently 6
full-time Occupational Therapists working in Haiti, only one being Haitian, 3
from the states and 2 from Chile. This exemplifies the NEED for occupational
therapy within the country. The HAOT will further the process to get the OT
program accredited by the WFOT, which would be AMAZING!!! Prayers for this are
appreciated!!
Special Needs Health Fair
October 6th marked the first ever special needs
health fair in the community of Gressier. The fair was hosted at Respire Haiti;
however individuals from 6 different organizations came together to organize
and run the fair. The day of the fair, 47 children received full therapy
evaluations, were seen by physicians, and were able to enjoy many educational and
fun booths (hand washing, nutrition, therapy ball use, fidget station, bible
study, coloring, etc). For hours, these
kids received nothing but love and parents were given hope, some for the first
time. It was a blessing to witness.
October 7th and 8th served as follow
up days where children came to HHM (Haiti Health Ministries) to receive any
needed equipment. Over the 2 days, 8-9 buckets chairs were fabricated, over 15
standers and walkers were constructed, and MANY pairs of orthotics were fitted.
So many children have now reached a new level of independence that parents
never imagined possible. The highlight of the 3 days was definitely witnessing
these families leave with nothing but happiness beaming from their face after
entering with no hope, no smiles, and no laughter. A little glimmer of hope can
change a person’s entire life. God continues to amaze us all as He continuously
provides for the most vulnerable – children with special needs.
Construction of Equipment
Respire Haiti therapy program was blessed by receiving all
the left over supplies and all tools after the special needs health fair. With
these donations, all current therapy kids have been able to receive bucket
chairs, Haitian adapted chairs, standers, and walkers. So many families have
been blessed by receiving this much needed equipment. So many children now have
more independence within the home environment. I have had the pleasure of
beginning to teach the rehabilitation technician and physical therapist how to
utilize the tools and how to construct the equipment. They have been thoroughly
enjoying learning this new skill. Recently, we have begun teaching a therapy
patient how to measure and cut the PVC pipe as well as glue the pieces
together. This teenager, a 15-year-old boy, is now learning a new skill and has
loved every minute. His smile says it all – and again, I am in awe of God’s
work here.
Special Needs Classroom
Currently, Respire Haiti’s special needs classroom is
operating out of the medical clinic. This is not the ideal setting for a
classroom especially for a special needs classroom. The GOOD news is 2 brand
new classrooms are in the process of being built. In January 2016, the children
and teachers will move into their new space. They could not be any more
excited. Change is coming and these children will now have their own space and
will receive the education that they deserve. The teachers will now be able to
use their skills more efficiently. In addition to the new classrooms, a second
teacher’s assistant has been hired and will be starting in January 2016. This
assistant is one of the mother’s of a child in therapy. We have been praying
for another assistant and God brought her to our attention many times. She
displays the compassion, love, patience, and understanding that is needed to
fill this role. We are beyond blessed!!
Whew! That was a lot…however there is SO much more to stay
about each thing! I will continue to do my best at providing updates. 2016 is
bringing so much change and we are all so grateful for God’s provisions. He is
at work here on a daily basis! His love, mercy, and grace never go unnoticed.
(I will post pictures SOON…internet is not cooperating right
now)
