Good News

Our day began with good news: Jocelyn had managed to contact her sister in Port-au-prince, who reported that both of Jocelyn's children, two little boys - a 13 month old and a 10 year old - had survived the earth quake. She was told that her oldest son was unhurt. A 13 year old girl with learning difficulties, who had been been in the house, with the family, when it collapsed had sustained an injury to her shoulder. The baby was sick had profuse diarrhoea and was very dehydrated. There was no food or water in the area and they had been unable to find medical care of any kind.

Jocelyn asked for permission to go in search of her children and bring them to God's Littlest Angels. She was sent with a small amount of pain medicine and oral rehydration salts. I insisted that Jocelyn should not carry anything she could not concealed - there are reports of violent muggings in Port-au-Prince. The people down there are getting desperate now.

Our day passed with far fewer after shocks. We no longer feel as though we are constantly moving, although the ground is still vibrating and over the afternoon, we again felt as though we were swaying. There was also more good news. We have managed to contact several of our missing staff members. It is so good to know that they are alive. We still have not heard from one of our nurses. We are all amazed that so far, none of our staff members have died as a result of this disaster.

We learned today that displaced people have began arriving in our area, from Port-au-Prince, in the hope of finding food and water. They are sleeping on a nearby football field. Local people are organising what ever supplies they are able to find to help those who have fled survive through the coming days and weeks. It is likely that the mainstream relief organisations will focus their efforts in and around Port-au-Prince. God's Littlest Angels will ensure that Aid supplies that reach us are distributed to the earthquake survivors in the more remote mountain areas.

We are also gearing up to admit sick and injured children, as well as those who have been orphaned by the disaster. Many of the hospitals in Port-au-Prince have collapsed. There is a critical shortage of basic medical supplies and medical personnel. Over the course of today, two local hospitals have contacted God's Littlest Angels, requesting that we send what ever we can spare to them. Our Director anticipate that people will begin arriving at our gate, as soon as they hear that we have nurses and medical supplies here. We are talking about setting up a room at the orphanage as a makeshift clinic.

Jocelyn, returned to the orphanage 2 hours ago. One of our drivers dropped her off and collected her again at the presidential palace. Beyond that point, the roads are impassable for vehicles. The family were were unable to bring the 13 year old; she is in a lot of pain and unable to walk. We assessed Jocelyn's 5 year old nice. She was trapped inside a building for several hours and has a swollen leg. We will send her for x-rays in the morning.

The 13 month old baby is moderately dehydrated. Considering he is a young toddler, suffering from gastroenteritis who hasn't eaten or drank for over 48 hours, he is in remarkably good shape.. He is alert, if slightly weak, and he is very eager to drink. Seeing him fills me with hope. There is still plenty of time, for so many lives to be saved.