We had an opportunity to see some of the destruction downtown and in Christ Roi up close. It is much worse than the clips shown on TV..entire neighborhoods buried under the rubble…tents everywhere some distributed by Hospice from those donated by CRS, families under tarps…people sleeping on the streets. About 6 hours after we returned we were sleeping and wakened by heavy rain on the tin roof of our dorm. We stayed dry …we need to thank the carpenters this morning for that. We are certain the people on the streets and in tents did not fair as well. There is rain in the forecast today and probably many days to come until the rainy season ends …maybe by July. Hospice and organizations like it are doing what can be done…but the need is great.

Max and I were able to get to the UN headquarters this afternoon …traffic notwithstanding…and met with a UNICEF representative regarding getting assistance for our nutrition program. We are hopeful that the conversation and follow up will be beneficial.

This is the last full day of our brief stay. We needed to see for ourselves what had happened. We were heartened that programs are re-emerging with a sense of purpose and we are now looking to the future. I believe a lot of productive discussions took place which will serve the post earthquake Hospice well. ..Dennis

I just couldn’t sleep last night – especially when the rain started. I kept thinking of the mommies holding the babies up. Max says they just try to find a building with an overhang that looks safe enough and they stand there as long as necessary – all night long if needed. It was hard to lie there safe and dry.

Today a baby was born right in the street. The poor Mom had no privacy at all, but at least the clinic nurses were still here and helped her. The doctor had already left.

I think I feel worse today than i did when we first came. The atmosphere is very oppressive. I feel a weight on me. I can’t comprehend how these people are living.

We passed Champ Mars yesterday. It’s a big park right by the palace. Over 26,000 people are living there right now. We drove up to a section called Fort Nationale – we went on street after street – i think there were maybe 2 structures that were still standing. Everything else was rubble. It was like someone had just dropped bombs on it.

It has been very cloudy today and I am pretty sure it will rain again tonight. The employees who have tents say they get wet anyway because they have no tarps underneath and the water just comes up.

Don’t mean to be so depressing. Guess it’s the way I am feeling right now.

On a positive note the clinic reopened today and there were at least 30 people waiting early this morning. So we continue…..

Sue