The Task at Hand

It didn't take long to get back in the flow at NLCH.  Suddenly I was Operations Manager with responsibility for getting/keeping things running.  Those familiar with my background have to chuckle, if not out and out guffaw, at this assignment.  I was responsible for the electrical, plumbing, generator, well/pump, and inverter systems.  I must have snoozed through the inverter classes @ CPA school because I had no clue as to what they even were, let alone how they worked or to fix them.  But when things don't work and people wake you in the middle of the night to ask why, you learn fast.....even when the explanations are in Creole.  Buildings were pressure cleaned and painted inside and out, new screen doors were built and installed on all the guest room doors and the tired old vehicle fleet was kept running with duck tape and mirrors.  Everyone had questions....needed immediate supplies (apparently in Haiti you don't pre plan what you might need for tomorrows work).....needed money and/or transportation.....and apparently I was the only one who could accomodate, after I could find a translator of course.  Meanwhile we were holding meetings to revamp the organization structure and redifine responsibilities for all employees and orphans.....from mealtimes to lights out.  And of course when you change or modify procedures, you must monitor to assure that the new policies are followed.  Days seemed longer; nights shorter.

Fran pretty much resumed where she had left off.  Several more containers had arrived and been unloaded and the storerooms were a mess again.  In addition the US Air Force security troops which had been such a blessing to our compound with their cheerful nature, willingness to help with numerous projects and their loving attention to the orphans, were preparing to leave the country and, always thinking of ways to save Uncle Sugar fuel $ to transport excessive supplies back home, decided to reposition them to our compound  instead.  It all meant much back end grunt work, and though she had many good helpers from amongst the visitors to NLCH , and of course her veteran team from our own kid pool, the day in, day out work in those extreme conditions is most taxing. On more than several occasions she would throw up from heat exhaustion and, after a 15-20 min. shade and gatorade break, stubbornly head back to the container or storeroom to complete the day's task. 

During our 1st stay in PaP, Fran was responsible for the preparation and coordination of distributing over 500 individual bundles of food and hygiene supplies to those in our immediate vicinity, not to mention all the post op families upon discharge.  The second trip  saw us distribute more in bulk to orphanages, tent camps and clinics, including a large selection of medical supplies to Dr. Heskel and Dr. Parvus' (of Vero Beach) clinic in Cite Soleil , and 2 large truck loads of supplies to the Pestel mountain region where we have been holding medical clinics for the last 30+ years and from where many of our orphans come.  During this trip NLCH distributed food, clothes and medical supplies to more than 40 different organizations and Fran had a major hand in all of it.