Notes from the Field, Haiti
October 20, 2009

day 2
by Amy Steets

My hand could cover her entire torso and her little fingers could barely wrap around my one. Jenny was born 4 days ago, 2 months premature and her mother, Marie, was at the Little Sisters of St. Therese clinic for postnatal care and to have some extra eyes and hands help care for her daughter. In a country where babies like Jenny die every day, it was a small miracle to see her bundled up on the bed.

I love working from an office and coordinating shipments, in-kind donations, and developing program materials, but to hold Jenny’s tiny hand and spend some time talking with Marie was an unmatched privilege. She is 23, a first time mom, and a little unsure about what the future holds for her and her daughter. But, she has been faithful in doing her best to take care of herself and I sensed courage and support as she shyly spoke about her daily struggles while her auntie, sister, and close friend gathered around her bed.

What a day. We worked with Sister Denise as 75 children under five were dosed with life-saving with vitamin A, gave out bottles of prenatal/postnatal multivitamins to pregnant and lactating women, and got see a rural health clinic distributing the vital nutrients that we had worked hard to procure, process, grant, and ship to Haiti. It was a good day. 
 

Amy discusses her experience in the field in the below video: