Sunday in Mirebalais

We passed this little boy pumping water from a well.  He happily allowed us to take his picture which we rewarded with a Coca Cola.  When walking back to the hospital, there were several more children standing with him and this time when we asked to take a photo the oldest one said "NO!"  The children are all beautiful, all smiles, most want their picture taken.  One shouted to Dr. Fried, "hey you, you want a picture?"  That was definitely a learned phrase.  We are unsure whether they expect a reward or tip for it so we sometimes decline picture taking. At the airport on Saturday, four or five men helped us with our bags even though most of our bags were on a cart that one of them pushed, the rest were easily manageable.  After they loaded our bags into the car, they asked each one of us for a tip.  A dollar or two from each of us was not what they had in mind and they adamantly said "not enough!"  A five was acceptable which most of us each contributed.  Money is hard to come by here and when opportunity knocks, they take advantage of it.

The front of Hopital Universitaire de Mirebalais

Taken from the second story looking out to the street front of the hospital.  There are street merchants selling food and water and soft drinks, candy and other items.  We purchased 3 or 4 -12 oz bottles of Coke for $1.00, otherwise food has not been inexpensive.

The group on the roof of the hospital standing next to hundreds of solar panels that are not in use until they can acquire some inverters and save their power to batteries.  The entire roof of the hospital is covered with solar panels.  When the hospital first opened they were using solar power and feeding power into the grid.  When the power company had an issue that required repair they shut the hospital off to power completely.  The hospital runs on generator power day and night except from 7 - 8 each night when the power company turns their power on.

                             Posters of their research projects displayed in their administration offices

The entrance to the hospital

Today is Sunday

At noon we toured the University Hospital which was an amazing facility smack dab in the middle of much poverty.  It was such a contrast to the surrounding scenery but it made the whole team feel humbled and grateful to be here.  We took a team photo on their roof next to the solar panels.  The entire roof of the hospital is covered with solar panels but the hospital is run on generator power.  More about that later.  The hospital has an ER, called Ijans where many residents were waiting outside of.  When we drove up there was a brand new building being built which is going to be a women's dormitory for mothers of sick children.  These are moms who need a place to stay that is  close to the hospital.  Family members of patients are camping out in the outer halls of the hospital.  These are residents who live far away and cannot afford a hotel.  The hospital is truly one that takes care of everyone, even accommodating the family members of patients.   More about the hospital to follow. After our tour we walked 10 minutes down a dirt road past homes big and small, humble and grand, right next to each other.  It was on this road where the picture of the little boy pumping water from a well was taken. 

Haitian fact:  10% of all Haitians have a toilet.  The other 90% do their business outdoors.  Most have electricity but no running water.  Our hotel at $132 per night for a double does not have hot water but there's a pretty pool and a cyber cafe where we eat all our meals.