Life goes on

My days have settled into an easy rhythm and I am enjoying a much more relaxed pace than I am used to.

The sun has fully risen by 6am. I am usually awake by then, and I spend some quiet time by myself. Around 7am, I start getting myself ready for work. I usually make breakfast in the guest house, then, stroll across the the main orphanage building, which is just a couple of meters away. The older babies are all ready playing up on the balcony by 8am. I never pass by without waving to the and blowing kisses. They shout "hiya" with great toddler enthusiasm. Their little bodies are pressed against the railings and their eyes shine with excitement, even though I might be the 10th person to have they have passed by that morning, even though I might be passing for the 5th time that day, even though I have been here a month all ready... and I feel all warm and fuzzy inside every single time.

Up in the high care nursery, I greet Madam Bernard, the staff and Youlene, who is the mother of the premature baby we are nursing at the moment. The baby is growing fast and now weighs in at an impressive 5lb 7oz. She will soon be big enough to be discharged. The baby and her mother will be missed when they return home. Youlene has been so friendly to me and so helpful around the nursery

Madam Bernard and I go round all the babies, review their charts from the night before, check their temperatures and give medications. On Tuesdays we weigh all 100 babies and assess them for some of the common problems we see; fevers, rashes, and pink eye for example. We treat any problems we pick up. Every Wednesday afternoon, a Haitian paediatrician visits the orphanage. It it wonderful to be able to have her review sick children on site.

Some days are very busy, caring for children on IV's or nebulizers. Other days, everyone is well, and there is plenty of time to give the children extra attention and to work on some of their developmental needs.

Today I spent time with a gorgeous little man who is teething. He was feeing absolutely miserable and was very grateful for teething gel from Scotland, for a teething ring a thoughtful volunteer had put in the freezer, and for a dose of pain medicine. I like to think that my hugs made a difference to him too.