A New Start
Since the last newsletter, so much has shifted in the political situation in Haiti that it is hard to summarise. The situation remains volatile. Due to some international peace keeping measures, the violent gangs were pushed out of the main city area of Port-au-Prince into the surrounding areas. The part of town where the clinic was suddenly became prime gang territory. All of the original clinic staff has left the clinic in an attempt to flee the country. Yet amongst the acts of terror, our little clinic continues to operate.
Before leaving, the staff sent what belongs to the clinic past several gang checkpoints where they had to pay ‘road tolls’. It is now with Dani, whose sister Camio used to be our main practitioner for 12 years. Dani is a licensed nurse who works part time at an orphanage. She and her husband Jean-Louis happen to live in Port-au-Prince between three police stations. It so happens that the gangs avoid this small triangle. This is very fortunate, because the gangs are much better armed than the police and usually are not afraid of policemen. Three stations, however, do the trick. Dani and Jean-Louis, a civil engineer, are very interested in natural healing. They took their time to sort through the considerable stock and put things on shelves. They also immediately started reading the books and continue the clinic work.
Jinpa teaching the homeopathy classes
Like Phoenix from the Ashes
In the meantime, Jinpa has organised a group of 13 healers around Jean-Louis and Dani to teach a long term training program in natural healing in Haitian Creole. Some of them are nurses, others traditional healers. Ven. Robina Courtin of the Bodhicitta Trust is graciously sponsoring this free program which is held via video/audio-conferences. It centers around a classical homeopathic training. The connection is shaky, so most can only join via audio or else the call will break down. Those who cannot connect in that moment because of weak signal or lack of electricity can watch the recorded class later. From the first class, the students were amazed at how well Arnica is working and started to use it on those around them. Given that Arnica is a huge shock and trauma remedy, it is obvious how incredible useful it is in a country in shock. These first positive results gave the students confidence and hope.
Since Dani is the nurse at an orphanage, the natural treatment also reaches the children there Dani is also taking care of handicapped people. These are rejects in Haitian society and doctors refuse to treat them, saying there is no therapy for such cases. The homeopathic treatment, well established to help with mental and physical handicap, will be very helpful to them. Jinpa assisted Dani via WhatsApp to take their cases and treat them. Their parents were in tears with gratitude, saying no one had ever even been willing to treat their children since they were born. One young woman who was born normal and who is very intelligent for example, became mute after a shock. We are treating her for shock and are awaiting the results.
Dani treating a young mute woman
New Supplies on their Way
The clinic received a sizeable donation of essential oils and dropper bottles from the Gattefosse Foundation, France. We shipped them in a moment of relative peace and all boxes arrived!!! Thank you, Delphine! Also, Michelle will send essential oils donated by Lora Cantele and herbal tinctures donated by Paul from Peekays Herbs.
Fondation Gattefosse sending essential oils
The essential oils arrive in Haiti!
The Chameleon Clinic
Our clinic has changed entirely yet once again, and we are happy to report that Dani and Jean-Louis under the guidance of Jinpa have already gotten their feet wet and started to treat people for free at their house. We are so grateful that somehow, there is always a new way and solution and that the help keeps on finding a way to the terrorised Haitian people. Right now, we are especially looking for donations of homeopathic remedies.
Please send your prayers along with your donations!
Love from Julia, Jinpa and Michelle
Many thanks to our latest donor!
Ven. Robina Courtin of The Bodhicitta Trust, Paul Kempisty of Peekays Herbs, Delphine Marchaud and The Gattefosse Foundation, Lyon, France, Lora Cantele of the International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, Karyn Sanders and Sandra Holmes of Blue Otter School of Herbalism, Martin Hancock of Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK
