Grand Boulage

Grand Boulage-2010-

This village is the central area of much of the FOH agricultural, water and development work.  Several years ago, a pump was installed to get water ½ mile up the mountain so that people would not have to climb down a treacherous path and then up again, carrying heavy loads of water. A small water charge pays for gas to run the pump.  Rabbits were introduced about the same time, as were goats.  Compost training was started, to help with gardens and tree nurseries that were established to provide food for animals and humans, and for reforestration. These projects will be more detailed on the agriculture pages.

Reflections on the medical mission in April 2010 follow. 

We traveled in an old yellow minibus driven by one of the interpreters.  Our clinic supplies, camping gear and luggage weighed down the entire back of the bus and took up 2 additional seats. We squeezed all our bodies into the unairconditioned bus and headed down the dusty pothole riddled dirt roads. Very little green, until we got higher into  the mountains. The road continued to get narrower and the shoulders were washed out. At times I would feel my heart race when I noticed that I could not see the road under us awhenI looked out my side window. Our driver apparently was unfazed by the driving conditions as he bobbed his head to the music and sang along.

    We arrived into a large schoolyard, and up to the church where we would set up clinic. There were shirtless kids running and playing soccer, who immediately ran up to greet us. It was hot and we were all sweaty and a little crabby, but we dug right in. Week one 800 patients were seen.  Week  two there were 671, with two births and 2 transfers to Medishare field hospital in Port au Prince.