Mama Baby Haiti

I've realized that the 1st month's time in Haiti, I was unable to keep up on posting, so now it's catch-up time. Within the first week, I met Mama Baby Haiti, the non-profit that's located just down the road from me. The mission of these midwives and naturopathic docs is to lower the maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality rate in Haiti. They graciously agreed to let me come with them to one of their weekly rural clinics. We walked up a dirt road, past a creek, to a remote location in Morne Rouge, where people have set up a school and where a local congregation also meets on Sundays. The congregation has been trying to build a church for years, but lacks funds. The school is in bad shape, it has a roof, partial walls, broken chairs and is decorated with faux flowers that hang from the ceilings. Plastic flowers usually upset me, but these preciously positioned ornamentations sweetly hung in the breeze. I was touched by the care people have for this space.

At the school/church in rural Haiti's Morne Rouge.

The clinic quickly filled with kids and breastfeeding moms, and I assisted with assessments, taking vitals and listening to heart, lung and bowels. 
I was shocked to see how many rashes and skin infections the kids had and initially wished we had a dermatologist with us, but the 3 docs with Mama Baby Haiti confidently treated these infections. 
I learned a great deal from these doctors that day.

This little girl, about 6 years old, has a terrible infection that was treated during Mama Baby Haiti's rural clinic.

Two out of the three Mama Baby Haiti naturopathic doctors, Sarah and Sean, standing in front of this Grandmother's house. She cares for at least 8 kids and reports she struggles to provide meals.

These doctors truly care about the community in which they serve and are hard at work. I just spoke to Dr. Sean Hesler this evening, he told me they're swamped with patients and normally have to turn many away. 2 days a week they see children, 1 day adults, and 2 days are reserved for prenatal care. They have a wonderful birthing space for delivering, equipped with the essentials, in case of complications. As they treat patients, they focus on supporting the immune system.  Please visit their amazing website and blogs!

Mama Baby Haiti Website:
http://www.mamababyhaiti.org

Mama Baby Haiti Blogs:
http://www.doktesarah.com/
http://drseanx.com/

I am inspired by their hearts, physical work and their vegetable garden to boot!

Here I am my 1st week in Haiti, with Mama Baby Haiti staff and my excellent interpreter Joseph.