Greetings From Haiti

Leaving Port au Prince Sunday January 24th

Dr. Charles Gulas — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:14:08 +0000

Here are my pics which best describe our trip to PAP and the flight to Orlando. I will add more information soon.

Many of my pics of the destruction are not very clear, could be due to my shaky hand.

You can see rubble in the doorway due to a collapsed internal wall

Beauty still exists and is proof of how wonderful PAP will be someday.

People taking Tap-Taps need diving guidance. By the way Denise and I do not take tap-taps.

UN and US forces everywhere

Outside US Embassy

Inside the airport terminal building, this is the only hallway open.

Processing and waiting on the tarmack, it was very noisy. I was passing out tissue so the moms could make earplugs for their children.

Walking to our plane, entering and being strapped down to the floor.

The airforce crew members were really great, although there wasn’t a beverage service. Imagine boarding a plane and still not knowing where you were going to land!

I quickly made a friend, she had water and I had cookies!!! However she fell asleep quicker than me.

Arrival in Orlando, good to be closer to home.

Greetings from Disney World!! (Well almost!)

Dr. Charles Gulas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:56:15 +0000

Bon Joo, everyone!

Yes, Denise and I arrived last evening on a C130 military transport. We landed at the Orlando Sanford airport and actually had no idea where the plane was going when we boarded in Port a Prince. More on the trip later. The military and the many volunteers in Sanford were wonderful to the many Haitians on our flight, many who were arriving with only the clothes they were wearing.

Thank you all for your support and caring. More updates soon.

Chuck

United States WELCOMES-Chuck and Denise

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:36:13 +0000

I am HAPPY to report, Chuck and Denise arrived at a military base in Orlando Florida at approximately 6pm eastern time. They are both fine and will be staying in Orlando tonight, flying back home tomorrow late am/early pm.

Please join me in giving them a big WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!! and THANK YOU for the work they have done at The Hopital Albert Schweiter in Deschapelles Haiti.

Thanks to everyone who supported them during this time, and hopefully will continue to support the Rehabilitation Technician Training Program sponsored by the Health Volunteers Overseas at The Hopital Albert Schweitzer. ~Gil

Gardening and Things you only hear in Deschapelles!!

Dr. Charles Gulas — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:12:05 +0000

Now for some fun. Yes I had a very good rest last night, so I have some energy for fun.

Things you may hear in Deschapelles!!

“Don’t worry about the tranatula under the sink, it controls the cockroaches”

“Layers of cardboard make the best “sleep number” mattress

“Rum without ice, is still rum!!”

“Will the kitten hurt the chicken tied to the stool in the kitchen?”

“A cold shower is better than no shower”

Here are some pictures of the Kay Set garden. I thought Shaun would like to see the progress of his efforts. Duvall, the gardener is building a fence around the new vegetable garden.

The rooster was looking for Henrietta!!!

Saturday is Market Day in Deschapelles.

Next Generation of Haitian Leaders!

Dr. Charles Gulas — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:49:44 +0000

Jeanine and Babette brought their daughters to meet us last evening. Gorgeous little girls, just like their mothers. Babette’s daughter was very proud of reciting her ABCs in English.

Jeanine’s little baby girl would almost let me hold her, but would tease me and then run to her mother!!!

Engaged Learning and Disaster Relief!

Dr. Charles Gulas — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:32:49 +0000

I have not been able to keep up with posting about the RTTP class. The students are doing very well in spite of dealing with the loss of family members and friends and the impact the influx of patients has had on HAS and Deschapelles. Denise and I moved class to the house when our classroom was needed for patients. It was important to continue class to help provide some stability during this “tumultuous” time. We encourage engagement in the classroom, and luckily our material is great for hands-on labs. The students study well together and are great at helping each other. I think these pictures tell the story.

Jeanine, the student in the top picture, realized the best way to learn the anatomical movements was to demonstrate them for the class and to be quizzed. It worked for her as she scored 100% on both the written and practical exams.

In these pictures, Jeanine, who is a practical nurse, is teaching the students how to take vital signs.

Ednige is very happy with her learning!!!!

The students were very excited to receive their RehabCare backpacks with the gait belts, sunglasses and lip gloss. They treasure the goniometers. Overall they were amazed that people would think about them and send things to help their learning. They send this picture as a big THANK YOU REHABCARE!!

Saturday Morning at HAS

Dr. Charles Gulas — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:58:35 +0000

Bon Joo!!! Yes we are still here. Another beautiful day in Deschapelles. The surgery teams have made an outstanding impact and many people have been discharged after surgery. As I mentioned in an earlier blog the outpatient clinics are now reopen and life goes on. A woman gave birth do beautiful triplets this week, the future of Haiti!!!

Chuck

The hallway outside the library, you can compare this to earlier blogs. Up to 10 patients were housed here last week.

The well baby clinic, up and running again, up to 20 patients were here last week. Progress!!!

Return to US Unlikely for Sat-Hope for Sunday

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:13:27 +0000

There has not been any confirmation of a flight tomorrow , so they have decided to stay put until a flight can be confirmed. There is a back up on flight approval so it’s just a matter of time to get a more confirmed time.

~Gil

Last Day in Deschapelles?

Dr. Charles Gulas — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:38:28 +0000

Hopefully if we are lucky, Denise and I will be leaving tomorrow from PAP on a pediatric medical mission flight to Pittsburgh or if that does not materialize, a returning military relief flight. The students were sad today to see us go but we them scheduled to take some tests and to observe in the hospital until the next teacher arrives in mid February. I have been having some technical difficulty here with our internet so I have not been able to post. I will post some additional pictures when I return home.

Thank you all for your support.

Chuck

Friday Update-Possible Return to U.S. on Sat.

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:50:49 +0000

Chuck and Denise will attempt to return back to the U.S. tomorrow (Sat). They will hopefully be flying out of Port Au Prince on a Orphan rellief plane coming from Pittsburgh.

Please continue to keep Chuck and Denise in your thoughts. Support from everyone has been incredible. I will update the website as more information becomes available. Thank you. ~Gil