Through our wonderful donations from many hundreds of generous people, our mission trip was made possible. The outpouring of support throughout the community is overwhelming in a sense that each and every one of us is taking a piece of Wisconsin with us to represent SWTC Nursing School. The last two days were spent gathering and tally all of the donated items and items that may still need to be purchased. We have received everything from little hair ties and toy cars to bandages and supplies for our assessments on hundreds of children at the child homes. My emotions were running high throughout the days packing. Penny and Colleen shared many stories that were mentally preparing us for our lives to change. My favorite was Peters’ moms story (sorry colleen!) But we also talked about what to expect when going to the childs’ school having no solid flat surface and the politeness of the children everywhere. What struck me was the fact that most children do not know what they look like as there is no mirror or any digital world down there. The children may get a distorted view of themselves while looking at the chrome parts on a vehicle. We talked about how the little girls love to braid hair and dance to music as well as how the Haitian nursing students learn their skills and knowledge to apply to their field. I will be very grateful for the education that SWTC has provided me and my clinical experience that have prepared me for being a professional registered nurse.
I get emotional talking about the differences in culture especially when we are going to be bringing our own snack food to the school so we can eat as well as the lunches that we will be preparing for ourselves and the students. Knowing that people may only be able to afford maybe 1-2 meals a day if they are lucky in Haiti, makes me question whether or not I really need that 5 dollar drink at starbucks! Penny started to prep us for the Haitian culture of food by making some rice and beans; I must say it was very delicious, but I love diverse foods! I may not feel the same when we are down there trying exotic unknown foods?
I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to go on the mission trip to Haiti and am blessed for all the fundraising of money and supplies that we have received to enrich the lives of others in Haiti.
So once again, thank you to all of you for the wonderful support of my colleagues and I. A big thank you also goes out to Dean Garrity and SWTC for giving us the opportunity to change our lives and the lives of others while we are in Haiti. This is going to be one crazy, exciting and adventurous 9 days!!
Rebecca Hellenbrand