The Preparations Move Up a Gear.

I fly out to Haiti 2 weeks tomorrow. Every day, my nervousness and excitement builds. In the past two weeks, I have lost 2 nights sleep. There is so much to do, so little time to do it. So many unknowns about Haiti and God's Littlest Angels. What essentials will I be able to purchase there? What can I not afford to leave behind?

I have been preparing to go since Christmas: reading about Haiti: the health problems and health care, the security situation the language and the culture.

In January, I downloaded an e-book and audio track for adoptive parents. On almost Even Ground is a very accessible way to learn kreyòl words and phrases. I have no doubt they will take a lot of frustration out of communicating with the children and the Haitian staff at the orphanage. As I understand it, they speak very little English.

I have also been using a more formal study programme: Ann pale kreyòl. I have reached lesson 17 of 25 and will complete the remaining lessons while I am in Haiti. I hope I'll pick the language up quicker once I am immersed in it. The words are mostly French but the grammar is not. I find I get very tongue tied when I practice the dialogues. I believe the Haitian people are patient. Just as well!

Although I have some experience of providing health care in a developing country, which, I gained while I was at God's Golden Acre in South Africa, I have a lot to learn. I have purchased a good text book: A Manual of Tropical Pediatrics. I have been dipping into it and will continue to do so in Haiti.

So many books on my desk, so many thoughts in my head, so many goals and dreams, but 1 key motive: to be ready for the task ahead, so that I may fulfill it as well as I possibly can.