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As I removed my contact lenses the first night in Haiti, I noticed large specks of grit needing to be removed from the lenses. Much dust, dirt, and pollution plagues Haiti. Reflecting about the grit in my own eyes, I wondered how the grit affected what I saw. I thought that John and I came to Haiti without concrete expectations trusting that God would lead us in our journey, but almost immediately our own cultural perceptions stood in the way.
We did expect to make a difference in our job and in the lives of people we encountered. Trying to think outside the box is just as difficult in Haiti as on Lookout Mountain. We want to rely on our past skills which are often useless in another culture.
Being a registered nurse I am used to educating and empowering patients to take control of their lives. Meeting with a 16 yr. old mother in the hospital with her two month old, 5 lb gaunt, sunken-eyed, dehydrated, malnourished baby, I didn’t even know how to communicate the message to feed this baby. The nursing staff wasn’t intervening because patients are supposed to be fed by their families. I couldn’t understand their indifference. Armed with a translator, I began to question the mother. Mom related that baby Noreen was a twin, but her twin had died. She told us the baby wasn’t hungry because she didn’t cry. She didn’t know Noreen didn’t have the strength to cry. Mom was leaving the baby unattended and unfed. It was obvious to me that immediate intervention was needed if the baby was to survive.
With the translator, we bought powdered milk, bottles, water, charcoal, and food for Mom. Back at the hospital, I began to “instruct” Mom how to prepare bottles. Along with other patients, nurses gathered to hear the translated training. Noreen ate well and was soon discharged from the hospital. With donated money, a room was found to rent, food, clothing, and supplies were bought for Noreen and her mom. A weekly appointment was scheduled with the hospital pediatrician and if she arrived for the appointment, more food would be provided.
Yesterday, to my disappointment, Mom boldly told us she would drink Noreen’s milk herself to enhance her appearance in order to attract men on the street. Mom probably knew how to feed and care for her baby, but it wasn’t her first priority. The other patients and hospital nurses had sized up the situation and realized Mom was not concerned about her baby’s welfare.
My zealous need to help/succeed/make a difference blinded me to the truth and caused me to judge others. The grit in my own eyes caused judgment of others. It takes more than water to clean the grit off our lenses.
Mary Talbird
Leogane
Haiti
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