You could feel the sadness in the air during our last two days...of course everyone was ready to get back home to family and needless to say, the comforts of life in North America, but having to say goodbye to friends so quickly made was difficult.
On our seventh day in Haiti, we held a mobile clinic in Port au Prince at a church that had partially collapsed during the earthquake.
We held our clinic on the second floor...
This is the view of the neighborhood from the second story of the church...it was a common sight to see smoke and little flames going as the people would often burn their trash since Haiti has no sanitation department or trash pickup...
This is the pastor of the church--he was so helpful and appreciative
This building was recently finished before our arrival...this is where most of the surgeries took place...
On our last working day, three huge trucks pulled up to the mission with rice, canola oil and beans...this was the first time (almost three months after the earthquake) that any food had been distributed in this area...
People waited in line all day clasping onto their tickets which signified if they received food or not...
These guys had "the list" of people and tickets...
The food was from the US and Canada driven in from the Dominican Republic.
These nice tents were actually right behind the mission next to a school. Many of the school children lived here as well as some of our interpreters and their families...
Some of our amazing translators.
Our group. It's still sinking in the fact that I got to go to Haiti, meet all these incredible doctors, nurses and surgeons, photograph them working away at their craft, meeting the selfless Haitians and I can't wait to do it all over again.
So...what's next? I'm still figuring that out myself. After going, I know that I want to/have to/feel the need to return to Haiti.
Please don't forget that their are still millions of Haitians that are homeless...please email me if you have a tent to donate or eyeglasses (near or far sighted)!!!! whitney [at] whitneyelizabehtphoto [dot] com
I'm working on a fundraising project for students...please check back Monday for more details as I work the whole thing out. Thank you so much for checking in to follow my Haiti story...I know most of you visit for wedding photographs. Happy weekend everyone :)
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{days seven and eight} Haiti : Charlotte wedding photographer
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I had so many opportunities bestowed upon me in Haiti-one of them being the chance to photograph live surgeries. Watching these surgeries was like an out-of-body experience...I couldn't believe what my eyes were witnessing. It's actually quite incredible to watch...it's an art form. The surgeons and nurses and anesthesiologist work together in perfect motion to create a new masterpiece...a better body, if you will.
**WARNING: There is a shot below from a mastectomy that I documented-it's a bit shocking so don't say that I didn't warn you! This particular surgery was by far the most emotional for me to watch but I was thrilled to know that she has a better chance of now surviving.
This is the little boy I mentioned in my most recent haiti post-he had walked over hot coals and we brought him back to the clinic with us...
At the end of day five, I went by one of our mobile clinics for just a bit. This one was held at a local tent city.
And this begins day two of photographing surgeries. Our surgical team worked all week long to accommodate as many patients as they could while they were in Haiti. I am so impressed with our entire group that went to Haiti...everyone worked so hard and sometimes through the night to help with the patients that would start lining up at the clinic at 5:30am each morning...
After my second day of documenting surgeries, I went to visit Gibson's family who lives just down the road. Gibson is a sweet boy who hangs out around the mission...even though we couldn't speak the same language as his family, it was nice to just sit and enjoy each other's company...I mean, how often do people do that anymore??
A few snapshots on the way back to the mission...
Carol says:
Whitney - Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us. These photos are absolutely breathtaking.......
(04.20.10 @ 06:20 PM)
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On our fourth day in Haiti, we held a mobile clinic in a rural mountain village. This village was not necessarily affected by the earthquake, but they still had dire needs. Most of the folks in this village had never seen a doctor or had any type of medical care in their life.
It was a beautiful and short drive up to their village and we held the clinic in their church. We found that this particular village seemed, in general, much more happy and less stressed than those we served in tent cities in and nearby Port au Prince.
Nina (middle) going over scabies symptoms and diagnosis with Darren and Frani before we left for our mobile clinic. Pretty much every single kid in this village had scabies (which is like lice for the skin)...
While the group was packing up, I took a few quick snapshots of our sleeping arrangements on the porch...
I just love our interpreters...
On the way up to the mountain village, I saw this little boy playing with a toy truck made out of cardboard pulled by a string...he was just as happy as he could be.
This clinic was a bit easier to manage because we had great "crowd control." It was a bit overwhelming for everyone when we would set up camp and the crowd would surge for medicine and whatever they could get. The leader of this community helped us keep a steady flow of people, with one entry and one exit, and there was less confusion this way.
This poor child had walked over hot coals and his foot was badly burned. We ended taking him back to the clinic with us so he could have surgery.
It was very dusty on this non-paved, pebble road...
dottie says:
Whitney, your photos simply blow me away! we love ya!
(04.15.10 @ 03:28 PM)
Carol says:
Whitney - these photographs are so beautiful......they make me feel as if I were right there alongside you for the journey. Thank you for continuing to update us on each day of your trip.
(04.15.10 @ 04:06 PM)
Bryan says:
More great shots; thanks. Viewing these reminds me of my frustration at those that say that Americans don't do anything to help in the world. Really?
I'm proud of you - great work!
(04.15.10 @ 09:23 PM)
Justine Ungaro says:
Whitney, I'm so enjoying your journey. Makes me miss Haiti so badly!
(04.16.10 @ 12:28 PM)
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Mwen Kapab.
It's the Creole equivalent for "I can." I saw bracelets on several Haitians while in Port au Prince and asked one of our translators what it meant and why so many people were wearing these bracelets. With so many obstacles against the Haitians, it's a simple motto to remind them of their resilient mindset. Never have I met a group of people so loving, so strong, so spiritual and so resilient. We could all use a little Haitian in our lives.
As I set out for another day touring Port au Prince with the other half of our group, I silently chanted Mwen Kapab to myself.
This adorable family lived in one of the bigger tent cities in Port au Prince across from the Presidential palace. You would never guess from their smiles the hardships that they've been enduring...
This is actually quite a nice structure to live under compared to a tarp...
It was Easter Sunday on our third day and most of us expected to clinic to be quiet in the morning hours since most Haitians made a 4 hour trek to the top of a local mountain for the sunrise service, but when we all woke up, there was already a line of people waiting to be seen. I was able to assist with a few eye exams which was an incredible experience. As I mentioned in a blog post a few days ago, be sure to mail me old eyeglasses...we can send them down to Haiti and it's a great way to give back!
Even with a translator, we still had difficulties...it was then that we realized most of our patients couldn't read letters or count numbers...
She was sooo excited to be able to see again!
If you have any old eyeglasses (whether reading or distance), please consider donating them!!
Please CLICK HERE for the day three slideshow!!!!!
Carol says:
I love, love, love the charming picture of the smiling family!! That made my day! Thank you so much for continuing to bring us the stories behind all your wonderful photos. I have some eyeglasses to donate!!
(04.14.10 @ 02:16 PM)
Bryan says:
These are great. The woman - taking the eye exam - that could be an award winner. Keep them coming!
(04.14.10 @ 06:17 PM)
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{day three} Haiti : Charlotte wedding photographer
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As expected, our stay in Haiti didn't get any easier. Each day brought about new challenges, new cases and new obstacles to test our teams strength. On day two, half our team stayed at the clinic, helping patients, while the other half rode to Port au Prince to pick up our anesthesiologist at the airport and to receive a grand tour, if you will, of Port au Prince. There was definitely an air of nervousness as we left for our trip around Port au Prince.
What I saw, smelled and heard was by far some of the most worst things imaginable. As a defense mechanism, most of us stayed calm, but didn't really let the horror sink in quite yet. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of people bathing in dirty street water, the smell of dead bodies decaying in the rubble and the sounds of people yelling, screaming and fighting over basic needs such as food and water.
On a lighter note, over the next few days I will be sharing more images of our fabulous staff of interpreters and drivers. They were amazing, period. These guys helped us so much and looked after us during our many tours of the country. Below is Alfonze-he drove me through Port au Prince three different times and I cannot thank him enough for keeping us safe!!!
While we were waiting for our Anesthesiologist at the airport, those of us guarding the car met this local rapper and a Haitian policeman. This guy was hilarious and when I told him he should go to the States to become a rapper he declined saying, "I love Haiti-I will never leave Haiti."
These are the infamous "tap-taps," the local taxi. There were always tons of people crammed into these and sometimes people even sat on top to catch a ride.
Day two was my first real day of seeing rubble and tent cities...it really takes your breath away...
Especially when you see skeletal remains in the rubble...
Trash and pollution are just one of the many severe issues plaguing Haiti right now (other than the obvious poverty and hunger and earthquake and government issues). This was one of few dumpsters I saw in Haiti, and it wasn't even being used.
Trash lines the streets in Port au Prince...
In all my trips around Port au Prince, these were the only people I saw working to clear rubble and debris...
I created a short slideshow from day two...please CLICK HERE to view it. Thank you again everyone for checking in see what's going on in Haiti!
Heidi says:
Wow...that's a lot to wrap one's head around...thanks for sharing your images and your stories so we have a clearer picture of what life is like for the people of Haiti.
(04.13.10 @ 10:42 AM)
Richelle Dante says:
Amazing images! I think I saw one work team also when I was there. It's so heartbreaking but hopefully sharing images of Haiti will bring more awareness to the US that they still need help!
(04.13.10 @ 11:51 AM)
Carol says:
As I scroll through your stunning images, it really takes your breath away to see what still remains to be done on the ground to help the Haitians. I continue to be amazed to see the smiles on some of their faces and the resiliency and perseverance of these people..........
(04.13.10 @ 03:15 PM)
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Whitney...wow and more wow! You did an awesome thing, and it continues through your photos! I am grateful for your sharing with all of us who love you.
(04.23.10 @ 02:16 PM)Whitney, your pictures are inspiring. We don't realize what is still going on unless we see it through you great photos! Thanks for sharing!
(04.24.10 @ 02:29 PM)Chris and Doug
Thanks for the postcard. I really enjoyed all the photos!
(04.26.10 @ 09:58 AM)