Today, it took us two hours to get from our house to Waf Jeremie! By the time we arrived, we were already covered in sand and sweat. I spent the morning setting up a mini materials library for the school. Then, I taught mathematics using some of the new materials. I did this because I wanted to model for the teacher. I introduced a number chart, white boards and markers, and a magnetic number board. The kids were so excited to use the "magic" boards. We did some basic math, and I discovered that they are very skilled at counting, but lack all number sense.
In the afternoon, I filed medical records in the sweltering heat. I also helped Nils treat a patient who was stabbed in the back. The clinic is down to one bottle of Lidocaine, which means we will soon be out of any sort of local anesthetic. This is not good at all, as stitching up wounds without any anesthetic is very difficult.
The UN made its weekly appearance (drove through town, gave candy to kids--although they still had their machine guns pointed at them, took a few photos, and then drove away). Most of the people in Waf Jeremie (and the rest of Port au Prince) have expressed frustration over UN presence. To many Haitians', the UN does nothing more than drive around in trucks and tanks. They do not understand what purpose these men and women serve in helping Haiti get back on its feet.
On the way home from the clinic, we ended up stuck for 30 minutes near the port. A new shipment had just arrived and it was a zoo. Trucks were parked in the middle of the street, people were selling charcoal, wood, crackers, canned goods and...mangoes. Two of the Haitian men from the clinic accompanied me to a mango stand, as it would not have been wise to go alone. I got 10 mangoes for under a dollar! Nils and I are going to be eating a lot of the mangoes in the upcoming days.
