betsy

“Therapist Moove” by Jean Robert Fontaine

Oct 17th

A wonderful painting was gifted to me by Nancy! I will cherish it always and remember our time in Haiti through it. Nancy requested the painting from Jean Robert Fontaine (the painter who now lives at Camp Hope). The painting is titled “Therapist Moove.” When facing the painting, the top left corner represents the earthquake; the arms, legs and body represent physical therapy; the faces represent the Haitian people; the sun and moon can be seen near the center repsenting hope; the bottom right corner in blue and represents ‘calm.’ More of Jean Robert Fontaine’s paintings can be found at www.lobey.net/Jean_robert_fontaine.html.

Haiti, Inspiration, Photos

New Tents Have Arrived!

Sep 28th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Here is a photo of the new tents that the American Refugee Committee (ARC) is providing for approximately 100 residences at Camp Hope. It will take a while to get them all up & to replace every one that really needs to be replaced (arguably all 320), but it is an excellent start!

Arrivals, Haiti, Photos

1st-hand account of the storm damage

Sep 25th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday afternoon, there was a large storm in Haiti. Over 1/3 of the tents at Camp Hope have been completely destroyed and people are being displaced one again. There are no tents or plastic to replace the destroyed tents. LAC and ARC are both working towards getting the things the people in the camp need, but the needs are so great and the infrastructure so screwed up already that it will take days if not weeks to get replacement items.
[CLICK POST TITLE TO READ FULL ACCOUNT]

It was a full day!

Sep 23rd

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Things are winding down here for the night…the breeze is cool and bellies are full! It was a full day of PT clinic treatments, case management, PT treatment for Keisia after clinic hours, evaluation of her newborn sister, PT tech class for Junior…. Days seem like an eternity here and yet time is passing so quickly! Sarah and Carol head back to the US tomorrow and another awesome Sarah (Marx) arrives!

Overall, it has been a good week!

Sep 16th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Volunteers have been busy helping Haiti in so many ways this week.
To all of their friends and family…thank you for sharing these folks with us!!

Solandine’s prosthesis!

Sep 6th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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The photo shows Solandine receiving her prosthesis. And away she went all over the camp!

Josh arrived safely with GOODIES!

Aug 28th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Josh has arrived safely! Along with all the goodies from my mom! It was a great pleasure to share my mom’s delicious cookies with my friends here! I am going to take a few to my friends at the camp on Monday too!! THANKS MOM!! Josh also brought 2 pairs of custom AFOs

Arrivals, Haiti, Photos

What a GREAT week!

Aug 27th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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This has been a GREAT week! It started with a birthday (Betsy) and ended with a birthday (Betty Jane)! That means we had 2 great communal meals! YUM. Roxanna brought a delicious pork tenderloin which was the star of tonight’s show. On Tuesday, the team stayed after PT clinic was over and did a arts

Haiti, Photos

Welcome, Roxanna & Sarah!

Aug 26th

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Roxanna, PTA and Sarah, PT are from Missouri and are volunteering at Camp Hope for 3 weeks. Welcome!!!

Arrivals, Haiti

Day of Rest = Riverbed Hike!

Aug 22nd

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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The HOLIA team took a hike today with the fearless leader Rebecca! We hiked up a dry riverbed to a small village and distributed headlamps, t-shirts and shoes. The riverbed hike was challenging due to the lack of shade. The most impressive part was the ease and speed that the locals move up and down the riverbed (as we trudged along)! The team had a great time! It was a great day off!

Haiti, Photos

Destruction Still Apparent Throughout Haiti

Aug 21st

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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This photo was taken last weekend on our way from Fond Parisien to Jacmel (a beach). It is an example of the destruction that is still evident in Haiti 7 months after the earthquake. Even though we enjoyed our weekend at the beach, there were constant reminders of the devestation surrounding us. The beach area we traveled to (Jacmel) was also significantly damaged by the earthquake. Tent cities were scattered around and many of buildings were destroyed. There is so much crumbled building…I wish we could grind it all up and use it to rebuild. We did find a hotel and a lovely beach area to enjoy. Haiti is a beautiful country!

Haiti, Photos

Farewell, Jana & Mackenzie!

Aug 13th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Jana and Mackenzie have transitioned to their next phase here in Haiti; they have gone to the Haitian Christian Mission to spend a couple of days working in the clinic Jana worked in previously.
Thank you, Jana and Mackenzie, for all of your hard work and love! We will miss you greatly!!

Progress, Pasta and a Pageant

Aug 10th

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It has been a great few days at the PT clinic. Patients are really responding to Jana’s techniques, and she is really making some progress with range of motion and pain! She is a highly skilled massage therapist!
Jana (assisted by her mom back home) has provided the volunteers with some delicious food this week. It has lifted our spirits!
Last night, we went to the first ever “Lady Show” (Miss Camp Hope) at Camp Hope! The community spirit was amazing, and people were having a great time!

Haiti

Jana and Mackenzie have arrived safely with FOOD!

Aug 7th

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Jana and Mackenzie arrived safely! And they brought BROWNIES! Yum! We had a delicious dinner from a local Haitian BBQ (roadside food) – spicy chicken, plantains, sweet potatoes and lettuce! It was a great end to a productive day of chart reviews (see Kirstin’s post). Tomorrow we are going to help out in the LAC warehouse, go to church at Camp Hope and clean out the medical supply tent. Good times!

Arrivals, Haiti

“Un perro no se deja su hueso!”

Aug 5th

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We’ve begun the long slow process of identifying people who have not returned for therapy in a while. Going to their homes/tents will help us identify how people are doing!
It is great to have Kirstin, Mathieu, and Josh here working in the PT tent. They are hard workers, and we are working well as a team!!!
David (12 years old) told Josh that he shouldn’t leave me in Haiti. Josh asked why not? And David said, “Because a dog never leaves his bone!”

Haiti

Kirstin’s Arrival

Aug 1st

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Kirstin has arrived safely! A little honey leaked out into her bag, but didn’t get on her clothes! AND all her luggage arrived with her!! YEAH! Matieu and I are looking forward to the extra PT hand at the clinic!! Thank you for joining us, Kirstin!!

Meet Keisia

Aug 1st

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Meet Keisia – one of my favorite patients! She is a very smart and opinionated girl who is a joy to work with.

PT Progress despite Haitian Heat

Jul 31st

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Today was another hot day in Haiti. There was no breeze and the air was sweltering. Even so, we had group therapy this morning followed by a regular PT clinic day. The PT team is tired, but pleased with the work of the week.

THANK YOU for your donations!

Jul 5th

Posted by betsy in Haiti Updates

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Everyone that has donated and supported HOLIA and assisted with any volunteers’ trips — we have received your donations!
With FULL hearts, we THANK YOU! You all will receive a thank you/donation letter towards the end of August. We have been so busy with the volunteers and the camp. There are only so many hours in the day. Your donations are so important, for they are allowing us to keep serving the people of Haiti!
We are half way to our monetary goal for Betsy’s trip and for the costs for paying 2 Haitian employees, extra translators, gas for the truck, phone costs, patient supplies and equipment costs, etc.
If you have not contributed, PLEASE consider doing so. Any amount will help so much!
Thank you again for all of you that have contributed to Hands of Light in Action!
Together We can Change the World!
Nancy and Betsy

Haiti