A special day --

Today will likely be looked back upon as one of the high points of our trip. Gaelynn and I were asked to teach the nursing students, so we split up and allowed the students to test their skills with the group we have been working with all week. They stepped up and did a fabulous job. We were not told how many to expect, but ended up with 60+ wonderful students all dressed in teal uniforms. They filled the room to capacity, and were eager and interested. We spent the morning teaching them a little history and method of art therapy, and explained some of the ways that art can be used by nurses to reduce anxiety and fear of medical procedures. They responded beautifully, which was evident when we concluded the morning with a role play. They paired up as nurse and patient (with an imaginary illness). The nurse would encourage the patient to use art along with traditional verbal techniques to describe their symptoms. They jumped right in with enthusiasm, and I think they did a remarkable job with only a few hours training. This afternoon we met again with the children. This time, we used construction materials, craft (popsicle) sticks, paper, and glue. They were instructed to create a house. This is a significant task, because most of these children live at the school, many are orphaned, or have family who cannot adequately take care of them. The responded by beginning to build two dimensional images of houses using the craft sticks to outline the shape. Some were completely disorganized, reflecting the disorganized debris we see all around the city even one year after the earthquake. After making a few attempts, they began to work with more accuracy, and eventially began to build three dimensional structures. Even the youngest seemed to progress through the process. Many even decorated their homes with stickers and would identify who would live there with them and who might visit. We could see the confidence increase, and they were very proud to share their creation with us and have their pictures taken. It was a great accomplishment for them. Tomorrow is the day before we leave, and we are already feeling a little melancholy about leaving everyone. Our hosts, Dr. Morquette and his wife, Dr. Hiacynthe-Morquette, have been most generous hosts. It has been a pleasure to serve with them and share our knowledge with their staff.

Medical Art Therapy

We have evolved into a nice cohesive group. Gaelynn and I have become a good tag-team at presenting, and today the students jumped in to facilitate the art activity with our supervision. They are continuing to develop excellent presentation and facilitation skills. I love that they are so enthusiastic about this work. They have also become very fond of the seminar participants and the children we work with in the afternoon. Good-byes will be difficult. Today's participants were slightly fewer in number. Twenty-seven attended, and the focus of the training was the benefits of art therapy in a medical setting. We covered the basic history and a few well-known examples (at least in the art therapy world). There was no recognition of Frida Khalo, but these are medical staff, not art students. This was followed by some case studies from Gaelynn's research and work. The students facilitated a body awareness exercise so that the participants would be able to do a body transformation drawing in a small scale. It was interesting to note that this was a foriegn concept to this group, as was dreamwork. But with a few explanations through our well-spoken translator, they began to understand. It is difficult for them to go from the concrete thinking of their medical profession to thinking metaphorically, but they may be getting the idea slowly. They are willing and good natured about exploring all the information we present. Dr. Morquette took us to lunch at Visa Hotel today, which provided a lovely buffet. It is a different world away from the dusty streets. The food was excellent, and the restaurant was filled with relief workers from many countries, business people, and other professionals. We were primarily the only female group there, however I did spot a couple of women with their companions as well. The doctor asked if we would give another seminar tomorrow to the first year nursing school students, and, of course, we agreed. It's exciting. His confidence is evident in the invitation to expand the training. After lunch, we went to an Artists Coop in the center of the city. It was quite a drive through narrow roads and a lot of traffic, but it was well worth it. We all wanted to support the local economy and artists by purchasing some items to bring home. We ran long, and were unable to work with the children, but will look forward to being with them tomorrow. It feels like we have just arrived -- it can't possibly be half way through our trip. I believe we will return in the near future. It has been such an edifying experience, and we are all very grateful to be here.

Reflections on Day 2

On March 29, 2011 Gaelynn Wolf Bordonoro wrote: Our training this morning went well; I counted 37 participants! We went with Plan B this morning after Plan A was deemed technically unavailable. (We'll go with Plan A tomorrow morning).... ah, the spontineity of international art therapy work. The participants have asked such interesting questions about the similarities and differences between mental health diagnosi/challenges and spiritual unbalance or evil spirits inhabiting a person's body. We've needed to carefully think about and articulate the cultural implications of the work and trainings in which we're engaged! Our students have been very successful in processing all of their new experiences. I'm very proud of their flexibility, compassion, honesty, and intra-personal intelligence. It's difficult to find meaning in the aftermath of a disaster, but they are working hard to understand the needs, culture, complesity, and challenges in place here.

Day two - refreshed and ready to go

After a really good night's sleep, we were all up and ready to go this morning. Yesterday's end of day processing gave us a chance to address all that we had seen and experienced. The interesting thing to me is not only how quickly our norm is challenged, but how quickly we adjust. Yesterday's heat, combined with the sights and sounds seemed extreme. Driving in through the tent cities, the simple sidewalk markets, one sees a population struggling to maintain life. This morning, driving out, we noticed how industrious and entrepenurial these same people are. They are using the existing resources to make a meager living. For example. A group of women were gathered together under a makeshift awning selling used firewood. From an American perspective, we would likely thing this odd. But it is a resource they have, they have gathered it, stacked it according to size, and sell it to vendors who need it for cooking. Brilliant! This morning at the hospital we had a larger group. It was nice to see familiar faces return, and new ones emerge. I met a wonderful woman who is working with local women who want to enter politics. It is fabulous to see leaders cultivating leaders from among the host group. She was fascinated by what we are doing, and suggested that when we come back, we meet with the women's group. We agreed. After lunch, we met again with the children. We split the group today into three groups. One for the smallest children, one for those from 11 to 14, and one for those 15 and older. The youngest ones clamored for the clay, and it was difficult for them to follow the directive to take one small ball of each color. These children have little, so, of course, they would grab and reach for each other's clay. They enjoyed making animals with the clay. Most made snakes, but one made a spider and a few other animals showed up. One little boy made 9 snakes. We counted them together, and I asked him how old he was. "Nine," he said. The other groups made three sections on their papers. The first was to create a picture of their life now; the second, what the see in their life in one year; the third in five years. Most of the childen wrote, but some drew. The first part varied somewhat, but many wrote their names. Some drew a person respresenting themselves. In the second section the girls mostly put that they see themselves in school, and wanted a doll. In the third we saw houses, cars, school and sometimes the university. The younger children are schooled at the orphanage. The older ones go out for public school. Many of the older ones want to be doctors like the Morquettes. There is a strong connection to the needs of the community. Most understand that there are many medical needs. Noel, the young 15 year old boy we met yesterday, said he wants to be a surgeon because there were so many injuries and illness due to the earthquake. Our interpreter, Emanuel, wants to be a trauma counselor. A 17 year old girl want to become a doctor and treat children, which we had learned yesterday. After we were done, we just sat with the children and shared individually or in small groups. The younger children wanted to show us what the knew in English, numbers, letters, etc. The older children just want to be heard. A couple of the 16-17 year old girls had taught themselves to crochet and had made hats, handbags and doilies to sell in order to put themselves through school later. Another myth dispelled. Outsiders may see inactivity or lack of industriousness in less developed countries. I do not. As we settle in for the evening meal and good conversation, I am relaxed and enjoying a nice breeze. In case you're wondering, we are still wearing the same two sets of clothes -- no bags yet.

The universe provides.....

My mantra for the past few days is "The universe will provide what we need when we need it." We arrived at the Atlanta airport on Saturday and were informed that due to the fuel tank explosion in Miami we would need to take another flight. After many hours of negotiation with a variety of very helpful people, we were rerouted to Port au Prince by a wonderful woman named Rosalin who took nearly an hour and a half to find just the right thing. We went off to Newark to catch a flight to San Juan, and then on to Port au Prince the next morning. No problem! However, one flight was delayed, which bumped us back again. We questioned many things, but never our intent to go. The universe gave us Rosain, and then it gave us a nice respit at San Juan. We were layed over again, but had the luxury of a nice relaxing dinner in Old San Juan, which set our spirits right. This morning we were standby on an early morning flight, and all at once there were 4 seats available. Just what we needed! On to the Dominican Republic. At least this is the correct island! We weren't sure we'd be able to continue on because the flight was booked, but once again, at the last minute, 4 seats appeared. We were delighted and excited. Our baggage, however, has decided to take a Carribean cruise! Perhaps they will follow us to Haiti tomorrow. It has all worked out beautifully, although not the original plan. Going to San Juan gave the students a glimpse of international travel. The Dominican Republic took us another level deeper even though we only saw the airport. But nothing can prepare you for Haiti. Flying over Port au Prince you see the rumbling walls and roofless building and tent cities from the sky. Driving through the narrow streets crowded with sidewalk vendors selling shirts, fruit, and a variety of other things, one becomes accutely aware that we are in a developing country that has true needs. While there are a few new homes going up, there are still many ruined ones that look as if they could crumble at any minute. Even the airport walls had huge cracks in them. Upon arrival we were whisked off to the Hospital, and with no time to lose, we were given a tour of the 30 bed facility with dedicated and caring staff. The rooms are sparse and I am sure that although they have what they need, it cannot begin to compare with modern hospitals in the US or any developed country. Dr. Morquette is very dedicated. We gave our first presentation to nursing students, clinical staff and the pastor. It was very interesting to see their responses, especially once they began drawing. After a lovely lunch at the orphanage, we provided an art experience for the students. Some of the older ones are fairly good at English, but the younger ones are not. Some interesting themes arose during the drawing, which will be discussed a bit later. Once they discovered I could ask a few questions in French, they began to come up to me one by one and tap me on the arm to show me their drawings. I would ask: Quest-ce ca? (What's that?) Or: Ou est vous? (Where are you in the drawing?) They began to tell the stories of their drawings. They open up so quickly, but transferrence occurs quickly as well. They are orphans, and clamor to have motherly attention. This will be an experience to remember!

Unexpected things...

It's amazing how interesting things can get prior to a major trip. The unexpected always occurs. We did recieve a wonderful message from our hosts at Kings Hospital, who stated that they are excited we are coming. They have organized a training with the hospital staff and directors, and we will also be able to visit two orphanages to work with the children. I understand that there will be nearly 170 children between the two locations. They did caution that emotions could be on the surface. I think this is highly possible because like us, they are watching the news, too. The news from Japan must affect them and remind them of their own situation over a year ago.

Thanks to the kindness of friends and family, we are prepared. At times, it is difficult to focus on the daily tasks. Sleep is also disrupted a bit as I remember things to pack, or come up with ideas to incorporate into the training. We do hope to connect up with Caroline Maby from France, who is the director of Couleurs du Coeur, a non-profit organization that provides art therapy. There is a lovely article about her work located at

http://www.midiaglobal.org/article/2011-03-11/haitian_children_find_healing_in_art

What to do with all those feelings???

The news this week has caused many of us to lose sleep. Despite giving myself a "no news" day, compounded by the time change I, myself, was bombarded with images from the news as I was trying to go to sleep. I found myself creating a collage as a way to deal with all the internal images and feelings I was experiencing. I decided to offer this option to my students and colleagues at Converse. As a result, we are now creating a wall of soul collages in response to the tragedy in Japan. Using 5" x 8" cardstock, we searched magazines for images that spoke to us in response to the events in order to create the collages. Written statements were written on the back of each card. The smaller size format allows for containment of overwhelming feelings, and at the same time encourages careful selection of images and words that are truly meaningful. I was also reminded of the 1,000 cranes project. Chains of origami cranes are strung together to bring good luck. I've been making cranes for a day or so now.

In reflecting on our upcoming trip to Haiti, I realized that they have been in recovery for over a year, and have made some headway, but there is still much to do. I feel privileged to be able to go, even for so short a time, but I do hope our efforts will be the start of enduring change. Gratefully, we will be in a relatively safe environment.

Is it me???

Is it me, or are natural disasters more frequent and more devastating? Since 2000 it seems there have been one or two major disasters each year. California has it's fires, tornado alley had it's tornados, the great tsunami in Thailand, two major earthquakes in Pakistan, one in New Zealand, one in Haiti .... and on and on. Japan, of course has a triple threat -- 9.0 earthquate, tsunami and potential nuclear meltdown. Each image I see makes my heart break. It also empowers me to make this trip to Haiti the best possible -- to provide fellowship, hope, and hopefully allow for the development of some sustainable skills in the use of art. I am really grateful for the support of friends, colleagues, and family in this effort. I wish I could be in Japan to help, but I know that their needs are very basic now. There is time. For those of you I know in Japan, I send you my heartfelt prayers for your recovery.

Gettin' ready to go...

Passport, check. Typhoid and TDAP, check. Malaria Meds, check.

Reservations, check. Deposits, check.

Having traveled to many places, including Tunisia, I've never had to worry about so many things before taking a trip. However, all the precautions will make for a safe, more worry free trip. Things yet to do: complete translation of PowerPoint presentation into understandable French. This presents its own challenges. My conversational French is okay, but creating a presentation that involves clinical terminology is different. I have faith that all will go well, though. We've gathered art supplies, read articles about work that has been done in response to other natural disasters, and have been advised of some of the cultural differences we will experience. No fears, though. Not only are we ready for our spring break, we are ready to immerse ourselves in something completely new that will motivate and challenge us to become more compassionate individuals. We will undoubtedly come home changed in many ways.