Rebuilding Haiti, One Mango at a Time

Little Bicheley “Spiderman” Leriche bites into a juicy, ripe mango.  He and the mango represent all that is good and hopeful for Haiti.  Both are home grown.  Both are high quality, bursting with promise.  Both can lead the recovery of what once was “The Pearl of the Antilles.”  Join our Mango Tree by planting Seeds of Change in Haiti, and you too can be a superhero.

The Children’s Nutrition Program is changing and rebuilding Haiti by helping to raise a generation of superheroes packed full of delicious, nutritious foods such as mangoes.  Our amazing team of local nutrition experts guides caregivers to ensure that even the poorest children benefit from such locally grown, affordable superhero eats: giving them the strength, energy and brainpower to take on the challenge of raising their country out of poverty.  While we are not in the mango or agriculture business, the use of local foods supports Haitian farmers and the country’s economy also helping reduce poverty.
   
One nibble of the lusciously sweet Madame Francis mango, indigenous to Haiti, and “fruitees” everywhere are hooked.  High in calories and good carbohydrates, just what superheroes need, mangoes contain vast amounts of vitamins C and A which are key to maintaining a healthy immune system.  Shazam!  A natural defense shield from diseases that threaten our little superheroes.

Mangoes contain one big seed, and just one mango tree can produce as many as 16,800 mangoes.  That is a lot of seeds!  By pledging to donate just $10/month for at least one year, or giving a one-time donation of $200, you will plant Seeds of Change and grow our Mango Tree.  You can help turn a sick child into a superhero, and just imagine the change that will occur when our Mango Tree has 16,800 supporters!  By joining our Mango Tree you will receive an “I’m Planting Seeds of Change in Haiti” bumper sticker, special recognition in our Annual Report, and regular news about how your money is impacting people, creating change and helping to rebuild Haiti.

Many people look at Haiti and see sadness, problems, devastation, and poverty.  We see Haiti as a country of superheroes who have survived corrupt dictators, deforestation, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and many other terrible natural and manmade disasters.  Her people are hurting, but they are strong.  With God’s grace they will rebuild again, and have the potential to pull their country out of poverty.  Haiti is full of promise.  Hope is ever-present.  Seeds of change are being planted. Little by little, child by child, family by family, Haiti will rebuild one mango at a time.

Laura Cooley’s reflections from her two week trip to Haiti in May/June 2010

Hello, all!  I hope this finds you well.   As you may or may not know, I am just now finishing my fellowship training in New Orleans, and am excited to be returning to Chattanooga to work as an infectious disease specialist.  As part of my training, I have had the opportunity to obtain a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University.  While I have had an interest in public health for some time, I credit CNP with encouraging me to strengthen this commitment on a global level.  We have all been touched by Haiti in unique but unifying ways.  My first mobile clinic was in 2007—an experience that was both terrifying and beautiful.  For at least a year afterwards, I didn’t want to go back.  I couldn’t seem to process what I had seen—or what I was supposed to do about it.  But the call to return was irrepressible.  For me, having witnessed the challenges of the global community firsthand, I found it impossible to turn a blind eye.  We have all experienced this—which is why we all keep returning again and again and again.  We have CNP to thank for this.

Until May, I had only experienced Haiti as a member of a mobile clinic.  It is always a privilege to work with and learn from the dedicated people who make up the CNP mobile clinic teams.  Today, though, I am writing to tell you about my latest trip to Haiti.  To graduate with an MPH, I was required to arrange a “practical experience in public health,” preferably abroad.  So, in May I traveled to Leogane for two weeks to work not as a physician but as a public health worker.  I had the fortune of participating in the planning of the largest monitrice training program to date, which is currently underway.  I was not sure what to expect this time around, but I could not have been more delighted with what I found.  The presence of CNP in Leogane is impressively vast.  They have established themselves as the authority in children’s nutrition in the Leogane area.  Since the earthquake, the number of NGOs and aid organizations in the area has multiplied exponentially.  The boundaries from one NGO to the next are sometimes difficult to discern, but one thing is understood: refer children for nutritional support to CNP.  End of story.  Even Save the Children routinely defers to CNP.  CNP has been in Leogane for years.  I think that everyone recognizes that there is no substitute for experience and familiarity.

The CNP operation is huge.  From Breastfeeding Support to the Supplementary Feeding Program to the Outpatient Therapeutic Program to the Stabilization Center—CNP programs are thriving and reaching new people every day.  Fortunately, the Hearth program, the lifeblood of CNP, is nearly back up and running after the earthquake.  The number of monitrices has doubled, which means a much larger community can be reached.  The six-week training course, organized primarily by Courtney Latta under the direction of Ashley and Kara, is a bustling educational extravaganza that apparently has been wildly successful with the new monitrices.  You should see the agenda—it is really impressive.  Courtney and Yva and Rose Elene are teaching, with special guest appearances by the other CNP staffers.  The curriculum covers not just about nutrition and the principles of positive deviance, but also breastfeeding, hygiene, reproductive health, infectious diseases and indications for referral, safe water—the list goes on and on.  CNP is creating a community for health and wellness in the Leogane area.  It’s an exciting time to be a part of CNP.  It’s a time for hope and optimism. 

While in Leogane most recently, I often wished that other mobile clinic teammates could see what I was seeing.  I guess I never really knew what went on the other 51 weeks a year with CNP in Haiti.  I know that you would be proud, just like I am.  We should all let these folks in Leogane know how much their hard work is appreciated.

March 19th:
Arrived in Haiti safe and sound.  Plane was delayed an hour in Miami this morning, but otherwise everything went smoothly.  Customs in Haiti wasn't too different than normal other than taking a bus straight off the plane into the customs/baggage claim terminal (used to walk into both).  "Baggage claim" was just a free-for-all of bags all piled in a mess with everyone grabbing for theirs.  We got all four of ours (Ashley Aakesson, CNP Executive Director, and I) and made our way out, eventually.  Jean-Claude was there to meet us in the light rain and another buddy of his helped us stand by our bags in the crowds of people while we waited for Jean-Claude to get the Land Rover.  Driving through PAP was quite a site, especially seeing the capital which looked like a giant had stepped on it and squashed it, but the real ruins were more outside the city.  As we got closer to Leogane (our town) things kept getting worse and worse.  More than 90% of the buildings have collapsed and it is almost entirely tents and rubble.  There is even a tent city in the median of the highway coming from PAP!  Imagine cars and trucks whizzing by on either side of these little "tents" of sheets over sticks and metal sheeting.  It's crazy!  Good to still see people going about day-to-day life, though, and the market was still in almost-full-force. 
 
The weather is hot, but not unbearable.  Rain has begun to hit more frequently, though, so the mosquitoes are starting to get bad.  We didn't get malaria prophylaxis this time so we’re using lots of bug-spray!  Muggy….so muggy.  Our tent is small so we're piling our stuff in next to us and hoping for the best.  Got here and immediately met everyone, toured around.  Saw a "baby tent" which is mainly moms learning how to re latch babies to breast feed after trauma of the earthquake made them stop, or new moms getting support.  Lots of cute little babies I got to photograph and play with.  They were shy around the “crazy blan” though, but one smiled a little when I tickled her feet.  Came back to our compound (main house is owned by the University of Notre Dame who were doing a Filariasis program here prior to the earthquake, preventing disease with oral medication and bed net distribution, etc.).  We are camping on their grounds and our field hospital is also set up here which is staffed by a few Haitian docs and then rotating teams of docs/nurses/dentists from the States.  Visited the hospital, had a staff meeting, went to the stabilization tent of the hospital--very depressing.  That is where our severely malnourished babies/kids are taken as in-patients to be given therapeutic care and medicine/medicinal food to get better and gain weight.  One 12 year old boy was there with his mom and is not doing well.  Not sure how he ended up in the stabilization tent as it is only supposed to be for under five year olds.  His dad is also sick which likely means he has TB and/or HIV.  He was all smiles despite the fact that he was SOOOOO skinny and not feeling good at all.  Four other tiny babies, all girls--2 two-month old twins and two others also around 2-3 month--but all looked like preemies.  Mom's weren't breastfeeding at first--don't like it, too much trauma, didn't have enough food themselves, etc., so likely babies will not survive unless they can be encouraged to do so.  I want to scoop them up and take them home and make things all better for them!  Hard to walk away knowing they might die.  But then again they are in the program now so maybe there is still hope.  They are so tiny though.  Tears welled up in my eyes as it is really hard not to want to just find an easy fix.  Things are very, very hard here for the Haitians.  Not sure how they do it, and still smile.  Little kids ran up to me all day wanting me to take their picture and begging to see the pictures afterwards, just like my girls.  Saw a guy tonight eating bread with ketchup on it for his dinner.
 
Sat around dinner eating rice, beans, cole slaw and pickled okra and carrots.  The manufacturing company of Prestige, the Haitian beer we all love, literally fell to the ground with the earthquake so we're making do with Presidente (the Dominican Republic beer).  Lots of good catching up with "old friends" and working out some logistics of the next plan of operation.  Days will be packed as we have a lot to see in a short amount of time, but I am excited and happy to be here.

March 20th:
So....got snatches of sleep last night in the tent.  My air mattress, like every one I've ever known, leaked slowly all night and I eventually woke up flat on the ground.  Generator is right next to our tent and was on and off all night.  When it was on it felt like I was sleeping next to an airplane.  Peaceful when it was off, though.  Dogs barked periodically--two yard dogs and three little puppies in our yard--but were fairly good.  It actually got a little cool in the night, enough to put my sleeping bag partially over my body.  Ashley and I are going to be VERY close by the end of this trip sleeping in this tiny tent together.
 
Stupidly forgot to pack a towel so I showered last night and just air-dried, which actually felt good considering the heat.  Woke up with really puffy eyes from the salty food combined with heat.  Always look so fantastic on these trips to Haiti!  I must make quite the impression.  Especially when I woke up and checked the time on my cell phone this morning, which said 7:10am, got up and dressed, only to find out my phone doesn't automatically set to the local time zone and it was really 6:10--could have slept another hour.  Oh well.  It was too hot anyway.
 
Eva, one of our monitrices (community nutrition workers), is also camping near us in the yard.  She has a newborn baby girl about a month old and her little girl, Vanessa, is about 20 months.  Both are beautiful little girls.  Vanessa toddled by my tent this morning waving her little hand at me.  She was in a tank top, frilly diaper cover, and red Crocs--similar to what my daughter Hanna wore all the time in Jamaica when she was almost two.  Reminded me of my girls and I was really missing them.
 
The medical mobile clinic teams are pretty fun.  They see patients non-stop all day and are expected to be on-call at night as well (baby born at 10:10 last night, for example).  Yet at the end of the day they will change into shorts and t-shirts and toss a football around the yard and play with the Haitian children and dogs.  Some even run to the beach in the mornings which is a good hour or more away!
 
In about a 1/2 hour we are heading over to the Save the Children office here in Leogane for an update on what various nutrition programs are doing around Haiti.  We’ll gather together for a quick lunch after and then head to the building we are going to start renting soon for our CNP Haiti office.  It has been checked out and found to be earthquake-proof, which I’m sure relieves some of the group who actually experienced the one in January.  An office/house will be really nice to have as right now it can't be easy for these guys to be living out of this very crowded and chaotic Notre Dame house and in tents, working on their various laptops in one small room.  So we're going to check it out and see if it will work, and observe how much work has been done on it (needs a septic system, well, etc).  Then will see a few more baby tents, check on the tiny babies in the stabilization unit of the tent, and meet with some more important “key” people later today.  Busy day again!

March 21st:
Today has been the most difficult day so far.  Just left the stabilization unit with our four little severely malnourished babies (and the 12 year old little boy who really shouldn't be in there since he is not only malnourished but also has some underlying sickness--HIV?  TB?).  All are doing better--still VERY tiny, but eating well and putting on weight, including the 12 year old--except for one little girl.  She has actually lost a lb. even though she is getting the therapeutic formula and has no diarrhea and is not vomiting.  That likely means she is either not tolerating the milk, or is burning too many calories by drinking/crying, has an underlying sickness, needs more at feedings...we aren't sure.  She has a low-grade fever, but is also on an antibiotic.  Anyway, a well-meaning physician from the U.S. gave her Pedialyte which actually sent her body into fluid overload and was really hard on her heart.  Now she is on death's doorstep--not just because of that but because of many things compounding the issue.  If her mom would breast feed her, she would do much better but she refuses now.  She thinks we are not doing our job and wants to leave and consult a voodoo doctor.  The pediatrician who is with the mobile clinic here (from the US), after consulting with Ashley, decided to feed her via a nasal-gastric feeding tube so that's what we are doing now.  She seems to be tolerating it so far, but we'll see.  She is hungry which is good, but she is dehydrated and her eyes are rolling back in her head.  Not a good sign.  It is touch and go.  It will be a miracle if she survives. 

This is the reality of malnourished babies down here.  There is no one to point the finger at--the mom does what she has learned, just as all of us moms do.  The protocol in the US is different than here so it is understandable, though not excusable, for what was done with the Pedialyte.  We will go over things with the team tonight; that was supposed to have been done with paperwork we had sent out, but obviously wasn't.  That is also the reason that CNP is so careful to use Haitian doctors, familiar with malnourished children and infants, and to train all of the nutrition staff to understand and use the protocol as well.  The sick baby’s mom has made some attempts to breast feed but is frustrated with it and probably with all of us telling her what to do.  The good news is that the other babies in the stabilization unit are doing really well and all of their mom’s have vigorously reestablished breastfeeding!

I know many feel as I do right now ....somewhat helpless, frustrated and wondering what to do.  There are so many things we have no control over.  Just know we are doing everything we can, be happy for the babies who are doing well and will likely get better, the moms who are breastfeeding and attaching to their babies well, and let's hope and pray for this sick baby and her mom.

March 24th: 
Sorry to take so long to post again--I realize I missed Days 4 & 5.  Email has been sporadic at best, and I've been overwhelmed and busy.  It is just past 10pm in Haiti now on my last night here.  Rain is threatening in the dark and humid sky so the mosquitoes are buzzing all around.  Fortunately repellant is one of the few things NOT in short supply as every doctor, construction worker, nurse, missionary, etc who has come down here seems to have brought at least one can and there is now a gigantic box of every variety imaginable sitting by the front door.  I also started sleeping inside a few nights ago when a bed became available and I had had it with the flattening of the air mattress every night on the ground.  A little nerve-wracking being inside an enclosed room with bars on the windows and no way of escape except the door, but I figure if this building withstood the first quake it should withstand any aftershocks.  At least I have a bed and a mosquito net! 
 
The baby girl unfortunately did not survive.  I went to check on her on yesterday, mid-afternoon, and she was ashen and not breathing.  She had quietly succumbed to the hunger and wasting, likely due to an underlying infection of some sort.  Her mom was not there when she died having given up on our perceived meager efforts and gone to consult a witch doctor.  When she returned to her perished baby she cried as did some of the other mothers in there.  I, too, had to leave when I almost broke down from the unbearable sadness of it all: something so preventable, and yet not entirely.  It turns out the mom, who is very young and really did not want a baby, needed to work and had been leaving the baby for long periods of time, hours or more, every day without milk.  Having no breast pump, no formula, no daycare, I suppose she had no real alternatives....it is heartbreakingly tragic.  And they often come to us so late, too late....when there is little hope of doing anything.
 
An hour or so after the little girl died, another baby girl was born in the field hospital in the room next door.  A big baby, healthy mom, and easy delivery, all seemed well until she started having respiratory distress.  While we have a pretty impressive amount of supplies and equipment, there is still not everything and one thing we are lacking is a neonatal incubator.  The docs put her on a warmer with O2 and hoped she would hold on through the night so that she could be transferred to PAP in the morning, to the large field hospital of the University of Miami.  It was too late in the day at that point to transfer her immediately as PAP now has a mandatory 5:30pm curfew to be off the streets.  Turns out there was no need, though, as today she is much, much better and may even go off the O2 soon!  Nursing great, perking up, all seems well.  And so it goes in Haiti.  As much sadness as there is, there is also so much joy and beauty here it breaks the heart repeatedly in so many different ways.
 
I have spent most of my week shooting as much footage as possible of everything I could, and have already put together a short video highlighting the efforts of our organization, the Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti.  When I return to the office next week I will be putting together some sideshows and videos to post on our web site, and send to various media, with the hope of getting more coverage and telling the stories of the people here in Leogane. 
 
Tomorrow we have a 6:30PM flight on Air France to Miami, if all goes well.  Late flights are notoriously delayed or cancelled, so keep your fingers crossed for us.  A couple of connections on Friday and I'll be back in Chattanooga to pick up my girls and see my husband, and shower everyone with hugs and kisses.  A week here can seem like an eternity, and I have never felt more grateful for the blessing I have of three healthy, beautiful, amazing little girls and an incredibly supportive, kind and generous husband. 
 
And, so ....feeling still like the ability to really do much for the people of Haiti (or even help them do for themselves) simply keeps on spiraling only bigger and bigger, and is often even difficult to comprehend much less control, I've decided that what I can do is be grateful for the experience, be joyous for what I have learned from these resilient and incredible Haitians, marvel at the beauty even amidst the rubble, continue to assist with the good work of the CNP, and share the stories of the Haitian people lest they be forgotten.  And that will, for now, be enough

Wow! What a trip! Once again, Dr. Mutter fearlessly led us to Leogane. This time, though (just one month following January’s devastating earthquake), the mission was a bit different. Despite the unparalleled damage that Leogane sustained, the aid was initially slow in getting there. We weren't’t sure what we’d find—we just knew that we needed to go. Every stage of preparation for this trip was met with uncertainty and challenge, escalating with the cancellation of our American Airlines flight. Many hands spent countless hours working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this trip possible. We are forever indebted to CBL and Astec Industries for generously shuttling us down to Haiti with planeloads of supplies via private aircrafts. This trip would not have happened without them. Our team, too, was incredible—full of talent and enthusiasm—a unique blend of gifts all contributing to the trip’s success.

Though the damage to Hopital St. Croix and the guest house was disheartening, we were able to redirect our energy to helping over a thousand people in need with a new field hospital developing in front of our eyes under the direction of Dr. Chris Buresh of the University of Iowa. We were stationed at the FSIL nursing school in Leogane, and were housed at the neighboring Notre Dame Filariasis House. The week was difficult in many ways, both physically and emotionally, but we were glad to be there, providing much needed medicines, dressing supplies, surgery, and even obstetrical care. CNP’s nutrition projects are pivotal in the recovery efforts and are fortunately more active than ever. There is certainly much work to be done in Haiti, and the need will continue for years to come. We all play a role—we just have to keep supporting the effort!

February 4, 2010 - Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti is collaborating with the University of Notre Dame on the field hospital mentioned in this article. We are also funding all of the charter flights in and out of Leogane through Tradewinds - click here.

February 2, 2010 - Courtney Latta on how she survived the earthquake -Click here.

February 2, 2010 - Courtney Latta on ways to help with the recovery - Click here.

February 2, 2010 - Alumna raises awareness of Haiti following quake survival - Click here.

January 23, 2010 - UNICEF, WFP and WHO Joint Statement - click here.

January 22, 2010 - Senate Passes Haiti Assistance Income Tax Relief - click here.

January 19, 2010 - Chris Buresh’s Mobile Clinic team is in Leogane and working hard. The team arrived in Port Au Prince this morning (January 19) and was driven to Leogane by Save the Children. Nathan Michaels went in with the team and is now working with Cathy Dorvil, former CNP Executive Director, on warehousing and distribution of supplies to support medical care, water and sanitation.

January 18, 2010 - In a hurry to get back to Haiti - Kara Telesmanick - Boston Globe - click here.

January 17, 2010 - Chattanoogans recount horror tales from Haiti - Chattanooga Times Free Press - click here.

January 17, 2010 - Ashley Aakesson - Executive Director

Leogane town has 50,000 residents, some reports say that 90% of buildings are down (perhaps we can say estimates vary from 70-90%). There are 160,000 total in the district, and many more in neighboring Carrefour, the epicenter. Carrefour is also overwhelmed and even the first day after the quake injured people were coming from Carrefour to HSC and FSIL.

We are establishing an independent supply chain directly to Leogane, will provide details for emergency medical equipment and people soon.

January 17, 2010 - Austin missionaries alive in Haiti - John and Suzi Parker - - Click here.

January 17, 2010 - Charles Sternbergh - MD - Board Chairman

The on-site offices of CNP and residence of Kara Telesmanick, our Program Director in Haiti, have been flattened along with the guesthouse and quarters for the guesthouse managers. The hospital has been severely damaged and is not safe to use.  Ashley Aakesson, Kara Telasmanic, and Courtney Latta escaped harm and assisted with emergent care provided by Haitian physicians. Medical supplies being exhausted, they have returned to the USA as we plan further emergency medical care and a comprehensive relief program for the community.

We ask for your financial help in providing medication, food, water, and other essential services for the people in the community of Leogane.  While rescue and relief efforts have been focused in Port-au-Prince, our city of Leogane, with  50, 000 souls, has been overlooked..  We will partner with Save the Children and other organizations experienced with severe natural disasters to create an effective recovery program.  This week, an emergency medical team, led by Dr. Chris Buresh, a member of the CNP advisory council, will arrive in Leogane to provide emergency medical care with a small field hospital.

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Please help us with the financial resources necessary to create and sustain this recovery effort.  You may send checks to the CNP, or contribute on line by clicking on the link on the left sidebar.

All donations may be tax deductible.