Working 'Round The Clock

We've had great electricity for the last two days and almost nonstop internet access. It has been such a treat that I find it difficult to sleep knowing that I could be online researching, writing and answering the load of emails that await me. Thanks to the insanely strong Haitian coffee, staying awake hasn't been an issue. There is so much happening that if it wasn't for writing it down on this blog, I'd forget half the things that I've done or am doing.

Dictionaries etc.

I've made a simplified Microsoft Word version of the dictionaries that would allow me to email copies to anyone interested. You can just print them out and get started! I've finished the second, more advanced version of the general dictionary. Shoot me an email if you'd like a copy. I've distributed over 150 copies to the children at Espwa but will be postponing further distribution until I can get some money for printing costs (about $0.25/copy).

Edy Aunon

Edy, 12 years-old and a child living on the Espwa campus scared all of us when he suddenly fell to the ground while in school and had a seizure. When he was brought over to the clinic, he was light-headed and had slurred speech. We decided to watch him for a while. He was placed on an examining table and suddenly we heard a moan and he fell off the table while undergoing a grand mal seizure. We sent him to be evaluated at the hospital where he spent two days and had another seizure. The doctors at the hospital said that there was nothing they could do for him. Donated by Mother Theresa's organization, we obtained two weeks' worth of anti-seizure meds and started Edy on them immediately. Later that night, Edy had another seizure and was this time found lying unconscious and flaccid. Soon after, he started showing opisthotonus, arching his back and stiffening of the extremities, followed by turning his head to the left with flexion of the left upper extremity and up going toes. Each of 3 or 4 of these episodes lasted about 2 minutes. He was transferred to City Med where he was admitted at 9:30pm administered IV Valium Saturday and on Monday, Fritzner boarded a flight with Edy to Port-au-Prince. The result of the CAT scan is inconclusive. We do not know why a seemingly healthy boy like Edy would suddenly begin having seizures but we are determined to help him as much as we can. Mother Theresa's organization can no longer supply us with enough meds for Edy but with the generosity of a few donors and Medical Missions of South Haiti, we will be receiving enough meds to last Edy for a while.

Scabies and Tinea Treatment

The last monthly home inspection showed that 66 children of the 489 living in the south village, have tinea capitis. These children were either overlooked the first time or the fungus had not developed to a point of noticeability. The children were all weighed this evening and will begin the 5-week treatment program tomorrow. Of the nearly 500 children, only 15 were found to have scabies. This is a huge positive. In order to prevent further spread, however, all 200 children who live with/near the children with scabies, were treated.