Medical Visa's

Lately COTP has been very blessed to be able to help facilitate several children in our area to receive surgery through the medical visa process.  It is often difficult if not impossible for children to receive surgery here and their only option is to go to a foreign country to have these done.  The paper work process is challenging and hard to navigate.  Luckily we have the resources to help them with this process.  We would like you to met a few of the kids that we have been blessed to help in the past few months.

Loudjenka:  Amy, one of our nurses, met Loudjenka and her Mom at the local hospital in November.  Her Mom approached Amy and explained that her Daughter was diagnosed with a heart condition, and she needed help finding a way to make sure she was able to get surgery.  Amy wrote a few emails and we began working on her passport so that she could go to the Dominican Republic for her surgery.  During this time we admitted her to the formula program to ensure that she stayed as healthy as possible in the mean time.  There were several times through out this process that it seemed impossible, but God always pulled through and provided for this little girl.  In February Loudjenka, accompanied by her parents, Amy, and Jenn crossed the boarder and was on her way to Santiago for surgery.  While there the doctors did and ECHO, which revealed that the hole in her heart was closing.  Loudjenka would not need surgery at that point.  However, Loudjenka and  her family went back to the DR two weeks ago for another appointment, and this time was scheduled for surgery.  She is still there recovering, but over all is doing really well!

Loudjenka during her first trip to the DR.

Tania: Tania and her Mom were referred to COTP by Rony, one of our adoption workers.  She was desperately in need of a cleft palette surgery, and at 6 months old only weighed just over 8 lbs.  After several emails with out any response back, God provided us with a person who could help.  One of our volunteers was friends with a board member of the LEAP Foundation who comes to Haiti Frequently to preform these surgeries.  We finally were able to get in contact with the organization and they were very excited to help out Tania.  Tania, her Mom, Jenn, and Tori all hoped on a plane and headed to Port Au Prince in the beginning of May to meet the visiting surgeons.  While there, Tania received surgery for her cleft lip.  She will need to return in July for surgery on her Cleft Palette, and the team has agreed to do that one as well while they are back in Haiti.

Tania when we first met her.

Tania after her first surgery

Guerlin: Guerlin came to COTP with his Mom several times last summer because he was sick.  Amy began to believe that he might have a heart condition, so he was admitted to COTP for a few months so that we could monitor his health.  During this time we were able to take him to Port Au Prince for an ECHO, where we verified that he does in fact have a heart defect.  Guerlin's health was stable and he was able to be reunited with his Mother.  He has been in the formula program ever since so that we could continue to monitor his health.  After months of email, phone calls, and appointments, we finally had his passport and all of his paperwork in place for him to go to the DR for surgery.  Guerlin, his Mom, and Amy went to Santiago to met the visiting team (the same one who worked with Loudjenka) and he was scheduled to have surgery their second to last day there.  However, he woke up that morning with a fever and was not able to have the surgery.  His Mom still has not lost hope and is doing all she can for her son.  Guerlin will be going back to the DR in August when the team returns and will hopefully have the surgery then.

Guerlin and his family when he was discharged from COTP

Guerlin and his Mom in the DR

Marck:  Marck was admitted to our formula program almost two months ago because he was extremely malnourished and not gaining weight.  At 4 months old he weighed just over 6 lbs.  Even in the formula he continued to not gain weight.  During his visit, Tori began to feel that something more was going on with Marck.  At first we thought it was pneumonia, but after checking his stats and a breathing treatment, we felt it was his heart.  Marck has been staying at COTP for the past 3.5 weeks and is on oxygen 24/7 to ensure that his Stats stay high enough.  We had some visiting doctors come out and do an ECHO on his heart.  They found that he does in fact have a heart condition and that he needs surgery.  We have began the paperwork process and are trying to get his passport so that he can travel to the DR in August with Guerlin.  Marcks Mom has been by his side the entire time and is a very devoted and loving Mother who would do anything for her son.  His father often talks about Marcks future and how he hopes he will be a preacher and speak 4 languages!

Marck with his Mom and Dad

Marck celebrating Haitian Flag Day!

Jerry: Jerry has lived at COTP for almost a year now and is desperately in need of a surgery to place a shunt in his head to release some of the pressure that is caused from  his hydrochepulus.  Jerry now has a passport and we are working on the last little details to ensure that he will be able to travel to the States to receive his much needed surgery.  We are hoping he will be able to leave soon!

Joseph: About six weeks ago Joseph was admitted to COTP.  He has already gained 5 lbs during his short stay with us and is such a pleasant little baby.  Joseph has cataracts in his eyes and a prolapsed anus.  He is in need of surgery for each of these and the longer he waits the higher the chances are that he won't gain his sight.  Joseph's passport should be finished soon and we are hoping he will be able to travel to the States ASAP for his surgery.

One thing that has amazed all of us Staff at COTP is how loving and devoted each of their parents/grandparents are.  Loudjenka's parents will fight to make sure that their daughter receives the care she needs, Guerlin and his Mom have an incredibly close bond, Marck clearly loves his parents and they would do anything for their son, Jerry's Mom has made difficult decisions based on what she feels is best for him, and Joseph's Dad and Grandma visit often and are always over joyed to see their beautiful boy.

Helping these little ones with their medical needs has been a lot of work for many people here and in the States, but I strongly feel that each one of them would do it again and would say that they feel blessed for being able to be a part of their surgeries!  Please pray for each of these children, their health, and their families.

May 14 2011

Admits 1:

Judeline was admitted Wednesday May 11.  He and his family had come to COTP several time over the last few weeks and he has been loosing weight.  Judeline is older than we would like to take, but felt that he needed to be here.  His Mother passed away recently and he has been living with his two older sisters.  They currently do not have the means to take care of him and are hoping to get their housing situation figured out soon so that they can take him back.  Judeline is a very sweet pleasant young man.  He began playing with toys his first day here which is very rare to see.  Although he is quite, he speaks a lot and answers questions when he is asked.  He is living in the Alligator room at the moment and seems to be adjusting well to his life here.

Discharges 3:

Moise was able to be united with his adoptive family earlier this week.  His parents live in Cap Haitien and were so excited to take home their little baby.  Through out their adoption process they came and visited him often.  We had a going away party for him with all of his friends and nannies.  Before it started his parents called and told us we didn’t need to dress him because they were bringing him a special outfit they wanted him to wear.  We are confident he will do well in his new home!

Moise with his parents and Cousin

Magdaline (Maggie) has lived at COTP for about 6 months and on Tuesday her biological family came and asked to take her home with them.  It’s always our first goal to reunite families if possible and we do all we can to make this happen.  We are beyond happy that Maggie will now be able to grow up with her family, however she was just matched with an adoptive family a few weeks before which makes this a difficult situation.  Please pray that Maggie does well at home and for the family who was planning on adopting her.

Deborah came to COTP about a month ago with her Grandma and Aunt.  At the time she was very sick and malnourished, however she quickly improved here.  She went from being really picky and not eating anything, to being the best eater in her room.  She even began to play and smile.  However last week Deborah had really high fevers as well as vomiting and diarrhea.  We put an IV in her and gave her tylenol, but her fevers stay at 104.7, so we rushed her to the hospital on Saturday night.  Unfortunately she passed away the next afternoon.  Please pray for her Grandma and Aunt who loved her dearly and were planning on taking her home in a few months.

Birthdays 0:

Developments:

Lousianna is now sitting up and Adlin’s legs are now strong enough to stand and crawl!  Please pray that he starts walking soon!

COTP Grads:

Frandley came back to visit earlier this week with his father!  He is doing really well, gianing weight, and can now fully walk!  Frandley is huge and bonded well with his father!  Praise the Lord for these things!

Needs:

Through out my time here, I have learned that God will always provide.  We were down to about a day supply of rice cereal, but last Thursday we received several boxes in the mail, enough to last us 1-2 months.  Time and time again God has provided for COTP just when we needed it!  Thanks to all of you who help make it possible for us to provide and care for our babies!

-Baby lotion (we are down to 1 bottle)

-Baby Wash

-Size 3 diapers

-Childrens Tooth paste

-Liquid hand soap

-Rice Cereal

Up and Running

As of Saturday afternoon our solar panels are up and running!  It was a very exciting day and we all celebrated as we made the switch.  The entire project from start to finish went as smooth as we could have asked for.  Our team of electricians have worked hard and completed the project in an incredibly timely manner.  They are still here for a few more days and have been continuing to work on other electrical projects around the compound.

A few of these projects are putting outside lights all over the compound so we can see at night, upgrading our network, and installing two solar hot water heaters on two of our different buildings.

Being able to run off of solar is a huge blessing to COTP and will allow us to pour even more into our babies as our monthly budget will now be lower.

Once again we would like to thank each and every person involved in helping this project come to fruition.  There are so many people who have donated money or held fundraisers to help cover the costs of this project.  Several companies have donated supplies or given us an incredible discount to help keep the costs of this project down.  And of course there is the team that came down and helped install the panels!  We would also like to thank everyone who has prayed for this project as we have seen God's finger prints all over it and could not have asked for this to go any smoother!

Moving the inverters upstairs.

The Invertors in the new Building

The Charge Controllers

Moving the Batteries

The Battery Bank on the Roof

All the Panels installed!

Solar Hot Water Panel

Solar Hot Water Tank

Parts Department!

The installation begins!

Yesterday morning our team of 6 electricians arrived to install our solar panels.  They were all so anxious to get to work that they hardly paid any attention during their tour and got to work as quickly as they could.  The team has been working hard and we have already seen some great progress!

Fifteen of the twenty-seven panels were installed yesterday and a lot of the wire was pulled.  Once again this morning the team is hard at work!  The goal is for us to be completely running off of solar power by tomorrow evening!  After they are finished installing the panels and all that is involved with that, we have several other electrical tasks for them to work on around the compound!

COTP feels so blessed to have such a great team who are excited about working hard to complete this project!  Please pray that the installation goes as smoothly as possible and that our team stays safe and healthy during their time here!

Thanks for your support and continual prayers!

Admits:0

Discharges:0

Birthdays: 0

COTP Grads: 3

Asmessi has been in the formula program since being reunited with his family in March.  He now weighs 13 lbs 12.2 oz (6.24 kg), which is a long way from the 3 lbs 3 oz baby we first met when he was admitted to COTP.  He now sits up on his own and can stand when assisted.  His father loves him dearly and is doing a great job with him.

Gaelle has also been in the formula program since being reunited with her family in January.  She weighs 16 lbs 12.2 oz (7.32 kg) and is doing well in her home.  Her family loves her dearly and are doing a great job with her!  Please pray that she continues to do great in their care!

Last week during Formula Program we were sad to find out that little Livenson had passed away.  A few weeks before Livenson and his twin brother had returned to live with their Aunts.  Livenson had been sick and stayed in the hospital for a while before right before returning home.  He got sick again and his aunts took him to the hospital, but their was nothing they could do for him.

His twin brother Lovenson however is doing better than I have ever seen him.  He is smiling, sitting up, and gaining good weight!  Please pray for this family as they mourn the lost of their loved ones and for Lovenson when he gets older and wants to know about his twin brother.

Development:

Sabine, Annelle, and Robert are all beginning to walk and Jennie-Flore is doing amazing sitting up!  Anel is now crawling and able to stand when assisted!  He is doing amazing with his new leg braces!  Praise God for these developments!

Health Concerns: 

One of our children had a 103.8 fever last night and was admitted to the hospital.  Please pray that her fever goes down and that she is able to return home soon!

Needs:

Rice Cereal (we have less than a weeks worth left)

Size three diapers

Liquid Hand Soap/Hand Sanitizer

Crocks (sandals) Size 3-6

They're Here!!

After three long days of waiting, Nick finally called me and said that the container which held our solar panels had arrived and to send the yard guys in with the truck to pick them up!  Each day Nick would return home and say with confidence, "They're coming tomorrow, for sure this time."  As you all know, this is Haiti and so nothing is ever for sure!  The fact that it only took three days is actually kind of a miracle in itself.

We were worried that some of them may be broken but they were all delivered here, carried up two flights of stairs, and are now on our roof in one piece waiting to be installed.  The team of electricians arrive on the 5th of May to install them and we are very excited about this!  The trip has been delayed twice, but it appears that was for the best as our panels just now arrived!

Our yard guys and a few men from the community were all so excited yesterday as they hauled them up to the roof.  They were all smiles the entire time and kept saying "Dousman, Dousman." Slow, Slow.  I think they were all just as scared as Nick was to drop one!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this project possible!  

Annella

We are once again sadden to write that one of our sweet babies have passed away.  Annella and her twin sister Annelle were admitted in December 2010.  At the time they were admitted they were 11 months old and Annella weighed only 7 lbs 15 oz.  Annella stayed in the volunteer house for nearly three months to receive extra attention and a special diet to help her gain weight.  Even with all of this, she was still very small and gained very little.  She did catch up developmentally while she was here.  She learned how to sit, army crawl, clap, and babble.

About a month ago Annella went out to the baby but began to loose weight.  We brought her back to the volunteer house to try and help her get better.  After several tests over the months, we thought we were finally getting close to finding out what was making her so sick.  We took her to the hospital on Tuesday night to do more advanced tests and have closer monitoring.  Annella unfortunately passed away Wednesday afternoon.

Please pray for her family as they mourn the lost of their little girl as well as all the volunteers who fell in love with her while they were here.  Annella has a special place in all of our hearts and will never be forgotten.

We have not had any new admits, discharges, or birthdays!

Needs:

-Size 3 diapers

-Rice Cereal

-Baby Shampoo/lotion

-Baby wipes

More new kids

Admits 2:

Ester is three months old and weighs 6 lbs 7oz.  Her mother is very young and doesn't have a place to live. She is unable to care for her baby at the moment and has asked that we keep her daughter for the time being.  Her Mother is unable to breastfeed and can't afford formula.  Ester has spent some time in the hospital recently.  Since being admitted she is doing great in our care.  She is drinking well and already staying in the baby house.

Ester and Her Mom

Deborah came to COTP yesterday with her Aunt and Grandma.  When she came she had bad diarrhea and vomiting.  Deborah is already doing much better and both of these have stopped.   She is very malnourished weighing 10 lbs 8 oz.  She slept most of the day yesterday, but is already beginning to look better.  Deborah is drinking well but still refuses to eat.  We are treating her for worms.  She will be staying with us for two months until she is healthy enough to return to her family.

Discharge 0:

Birthdays 1:

Theo turned 2

Visits:

Jackson (who was reunited with his father a few months ago) came back last week to visit.  He had a fever, but besides for that he seems to be doing really well.  He was a little unsure of us and didn't know how to interact.  Jackson appears to have really bonded with his father which is great.  The other children, nannies, and us staff were all very excited to see him and know that he is doing well!

Needs:

Our three biggest needs right now are

-Rice Cereal

-Size three diapers

-Baby wipes.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers!