We had an early start this morning in an attempt to stretch out our last full day in this incredible country. Uncle Marion, our host’s uncle, led us on an herbal walk. At age 81, he is quite the character and can identify the “miracle” plants that cure anything from kidney stones or prostate cancer to upset stomach or worms. Two of the students ordered and received special teas for their respective ailments – we have our fingers crossed for them!
Today, we walked much of Jeremie as we made final trips to many of the sites of our week’s work. We spent our morning huffing and puffing up the mountainous terrain to the Missionaries of Charity where we did health education to about 40 children. Jessa, the germ, wowed the children as she danced around to explain where germs live and how washing hands, covering for coughs, and brushing teeth will help keep germs away. A giant soap, giant toothbrush, and a giant hand whisked the big germ away. This health lesson was quite the spectacle, but as the Sisters do not allow photos to be taken inside the compound, our descriptions will have to suffice. Just imagine Jessa with Groucho Marx glasses and a hot pink feather boa – wouldn’t you be afraid of “germs” too?? Teaching through song reiterated the message and the children enjoyed playing decorating ‘healthy teeth’ with stickers and crayons.
Afterwards, we crossed the breezeway to the men’s side of Missionaries of Charity. These men live at the complex for hospice care. Patients include both the old and the young -- from diabetic amputees to cachectic and frail victims of unknown maladies. We spent our time massaging their sore muscles and tired bodies. Often, it felt as though we were simply rubbing their bare bones. As we made our way down the rows of metal beds, the men began to line up for their massage. Those who are well enough to sit outside came in and lay down, awaiting their turn with the nursing students. It was an act of the most basic nursing care and reminded us of the sheer power of human touch. The men showed their appreciation through their smiles, their relaxation, and the light in their eyes.
Making our way across the street to the women’s hospice care center, our patients were no less grateful. The women had heard that we were at the Missionaries of Charity compound before our arrival, and the ones who are able waited for on the porch benches. What started out as hand massages for the women turned into full body rubs, as each directed our attention to other weary body parts that needed massaging – feet, temples, backs, and even bellies. When they had finished with their massages, the women went inside for a craft activity. We had brought along colorful plastic beads, and giggles filled the room as the women made bracelets for themselves and for their bedridden fellow patients. To have something extraneous, something out of the ordinary, and something of beauty – this was extraordinary for them. Once again, the power of touch and individual attention proved amazing.
Working at the Missionaries of Charity was the perfect way to end our week in Haiti. Providing holistic, basic care was exactly what the patients – and we – needed. There’s a lot to be said for medical advances, for expensive drugs and technology. But in an area like Jeremie, where much medical care as we know it just isn’t available, a return to basic, low-technology nursing proved quite effective. The activity was intensely moving for both patient and student nurse. If the experience alone wasn’t enough, the Mother Superior at the Missionaries of Charity of Jeremie gave each of us a medal to express her gratitude. They are small medals of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which have been touched to her tomb in Italy, making them very special for believers. “Blessed” is the first step to sainthood in the Catholic Church.
After our last meal at Place Charmont (a very un-Haitian dish of pizza, complete with ketchup sauce), we went out on the town with our translators, FanFan and Moondi. Even our fearless instructor Beth, who had been laid up since Thursday after a “spectacular” fall down the rained-on steps of the dining area, trekked down the mountain in the dark to “Oasis,” where we enjoyed a few last (cold!) Prestige beers and danced in the dark bamboo-curtained club.
Early the next morning, we loaded up our bags and headed back out of town. Our luggage was much easier to manage this time, as much of what we had brought was donations to leave in Haiti. Arriving at the airport, we waited for about an hour for our puddle-jumper plane to come, and then we took off from the dirt runway and were gone. The plane ride allowed us a few last spectacular views of Jeremie’s beautiful landscape -- an incredible end to an incredible week. Though our trip was short, it made quite an impression on all of us. We learned so much about public health nursing, about cultural competency, about humility and humanism. Even after returning to Baltimore and resuming our usual activities, a part of all of us remains in Jeremie.