September 3, 2011

Admits 2:

Marceline's family is a neighbor of one of our nannies.  The Mom is not married and has no one to help support her and her 6 kids.  Marcline is the youngest at 20 months and they range up to 11 years old.  Sometime the neighbors give them food to eat, but often they go hungry.  Marcline is malnourished but relatively healthy.  She weighs a mere 12# 12 oz at admit.  She has been here for about 2 weeks and is adjusting well.  Her Mom hopes to be able to take her home in 3 months!  Please pray her Mom is able to find work to help her support her family!

Emmanuel came to us earlier this week.  His Mother is young but is very smart.  She was in the 9th grade (which is very impressive) when she had him and had to drop out of school.  She has breastfeed him his whole life, but she doesn't eat well herself and so her milk isn't nutritious.  She was begging for food one day when and IBESR official (Haitian Social Services) and refereed her to us.  The fact that he refereed here here is pretty huge for COTP!  Emmanuel is 10 months old and weighed 10 lbs.  Besides for a cough he is doing really well here.  Please pray that his Mom finds work and is able to provide for his needs.  Please also pray that he gains weight quickly and catches up developmentally.

Discharges & Home Visits 1:

Two weeks ago Fritzlin returned home to live with his Aunt.  We asked her to come back earlier this week for a check up and to receive more formula.  Fritzlin had been sick and lost some weight, but we are confident he will do well.  His Aunt loves him dearly and is aware of the needs of infants.  I returned home with her to see where she lives.  They have a nice home in a beautiful community.  His Aunt is not only the leader of her house but of her community.  They live in Port Margot which is 1 hour away by moto.  Please continue to pray for Fritzlin.  His father passed away recently and his Mother, although she lives near by, is unable to care for him!

Annelle should be going home next week.  Please pray for her and her family!  She has an amazing Mom and we are confident she will do well!  Amy and I will be taking her to her house to see where she lives!

Birthdays 1:

Irelene celebrated her 3rd birthday recently.  She looked beautiful in her dress and with barrettes in her hair.  So much has changed since her last birthday.  This year she scarfed down her cake where as last year it took her over an hour and she didn't even finish her piece!  Irelene is waiting on one last step for her adoption to be complete.  Please pray that this happens soon and she is able to be united with her new family quickly!

COTP Grads 3:

Moise AKA Alfred came back last week.  He is doing really well and has bonded well with his Mother. Please pray for them as she doesn't have a lot of resources to pay for his needs.

Wadney has been coming back recently as well.  He has been having some medical issues that we have been helping pay for.  Please pray this gets straightened out soon.  Over all he's doing really well!  He will also be in our school program.

Asmessi spent two weeks in the hospital but was released on Monday.  He is still very sick and in need of prayers.  He has two amazing parents who love him dearly and know the needs of an infant.  They are doing what they can to help him stay healthy.

Needs:

Liquid hand soap (we are COMPLETELY out of this and have not been able to buy it any where in Cap Hatien or at the DR boarder where we commonly buy supplies.  With changing 315 diapers a day, we really need to find more!)

Baby Wipes (we are completely out of these as well)

Childrens Snacks (crackers, garnola bars, etc)

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is on it's way to Haiti, specifically Cap Haitien where we are located.  So far we have had several heavy rain storms, but no wind yet.  It appears that by time it hits us it will only be a tropical storm. Everyone at COTP will be fine, our compound is safe and secure.

*Please pray for all of our nannies, community, and biological parents who may not have adequate housing.
*Please pray that there is no flooding and that our roads don't wash out.
*Please pray that this storm doesn't worsen Cholera in our area.
*Please pray for the nannies that work today and aren't home with their families.
*Please pray this is the only storm of the season.
*And please pray we are able to help all of those who come to the gate over the next few weeks asking for help as a result of this storm.


Thanks, COTP Staff!

August 16, 2011

Admits 7:

Stephane came to COTP about 2 weeks ago. His Mother passed away 3 days after he was born from Cholera. Stephane spent 1 month in the hospital at Milot in NICU. When he came to us he weighed 5# 8.4 oz at a month old. He is drinking well and gaining weight. He is a really easy baby and loves to be talked and sang to.

Kevens came to us the day after Stephane. His Mom passed away during childbirth and he spent the first 2 weeks of his life in the hospital at Milot. His father loves him dearly but can't work and care for a newborn. He has no one to help him with such a small baby. He hopes to take Kevens back when he is bigger and more stable. At admit he was 18 days old and weighed 5# 5.4 oz. He also is drinking well and doing great here.

Raphail came to us the same day as Kevens. He is 4 months old and weighed 4# 4.5 oz at admit. His father passed away a few months ago from Cholera. His Mom is also sick but stable. He spent 2 months in the hospital and his Mom stayed with him, but didn't have anyone to help with his five older siblings that range in age fro 12-3. He was covered in scabies when he came and in fairly rough shape. His Mom is hoping we can help get him health and that her baby will be able to return to her when he is big and strong enough.

Raphail and his Mom

 Of course with three babies all 5# and under this means we are in need of some Newborn Diapers!

Michelda came to us a few days ago. She is 13 months old and weighs 13 lbs 3.2 oz. Her father has passed away leaving just her Mom to care for her and her five older siblings. Her family doesn't have a home and sleeps outside behind some rocks. When it rains they get wet. Michelda recently spent 2 months in the hospital but seems to be relatively healthy. her Mom is hoping to improve her situation within the next few months so that her daughter can return home with her. Please pray that she is able to do so.  She is currently in the Bato room and is eating and drinking well.

Emmalie came to us the same day as Michelda. Her father came on Wednesday and asked us to keep her, but he was told to return the following day with needed documents. He came back but still didn't have the paperwork. He left her at the gate without us knowing. He is a neighbor of one of our nannies so we will be able to find where he lives. Emmalie's Mom passed away recently. She is the sister to a former COTP grad. She is doing really well here and over all healthy. She four months old and weighs 10# 9 oz.  She is currently out in the Jiraf room and is doing really well!

Daelson and his sister Amstamaelle came yesterday.  I first met Amstamaelle in the hospital about a month ago.  She had kashikor (advanced malnutrition) and was covered in a skin infection.  She spent two months in the hospital.  I was approached and asked if I could help her.  I gave her aunt my phone number and told her to call me when she was discharged.  She came out last week and was asked to come back with paperwork.  We were also told that her 2.5 year old brother was ill, so she returned with him.  Both children are malnourished and covered in scabbies.  Their parents passed away and they have been being cared for by their aunt who has 4 of her own children.  They also have a 6 year old brother.  Please pray that they do well in our care.  Daelson is already smiling and he talks a ton!  He is potty trained and doing well. Amstamaelle is a slow drinker, but is slowly getting the hang of it.

Discharges 3:

Edly and Ederly went home yesterday to their biological Mom. I was able to accompany them to their home which is an hour and a half away from COTP by truck. They live in a beautiful area of Haiti. The Ed's Mom loves them dearly and wants to be able to provide for them, but she doesn't have any family to help her. We are going to keep a close eye on them and have them come back regularly for checkups. Please pray that they do well in her care and that they continue to grow and gain weight. Thankfully both boys learned to walk before they left.

Edly and Ederly w/ their Mom

Christelle had spent a lot of time going to and from the baby and volunteer houses as she kept having fevers. Last week she broke out in a rash and so Amy and Jenn rushed her to the hospital where she was diagnosised with Menigicocilemaia. She passed away later that afternoon. Please pray for her Grandma and Family who took the news really hard.

Birthday 1:

Mickenson celebrated his 4th birthday.  He loved his cake and all the attention he received that day!

Adoptions 2:

Rivaldo's adoptive parents came in on Thursday and Odelandes Mom came in on Saturday. We are so thankful that each of these two will be able to grow up in loving families. Please pray for their travels and that they transition well to their new homes and families. Please also pray for their biological families.

Development:

Manuella and Luciana are pulling themselves up to stand!

Needs:

Baby Shampoo (almost out)

Liquid Hand Soap (almost out)

Childrens Snacks (almost out)

Hand Sanitizer

Lactose Free Formula

Cholorox Wipes

Diapers newborns-4's

Gerber Fruit/Veggie Purees

July 25, 2011

It's been another busy month for COTP (hence the fact that this is once again over due)!  Two of our long term staff member, Amy and Jenn, left for a three week break, and Nick left yesterday for two weeks as well.

Admits 3:

Christelle was referred to us by Rose Merlin's Grandma.  Both of her parents, as well as 13 family members have passed away from Cholera.  Her Grandmother has been taking care of her and her 3 older siblings, but was struggling to provide for Christelle's needs.  She will stay with us for a few months to gain weight, and then will return to live with her Grandma.  She is nine months old and weighed 9# 14 oz.  She has already gained a pound!

We heard about Keshla through Mama Baby Haiti, another mission in Cap Haitian who had been helping her with formula.  Her Mother had a seizure while holding her and she fell to the ground causing lacerations to the face.  Keshla is a very healthy 6 month old who weighs 14# 8.4 oz.  Her Grandma is very involved in her life, and she will be taking her back in a few months when their family situation is more stable!

Jeff's Father is not around and his Mother recently left him with some neighbors who were unable to care for him as they were 14, 18, and 22 years old.  The neighbors brought him to us after caring for him for three weeks and asked for us to help care for him until either they or his Mother are able to.  They believe Jeff is about nine months old although he may possibly be older.  He is a very malnourished baby weighing only 14# 10.2 oz.  He also has several skin infections on his body.  In the short time that Jeff has been with us, he has already gained a lot of weight and is starting to fill in and isn't covered with loose skin.  He has been smiling, laughing, and playing since the day he arrived.  He can crawl but can not yet stand or walk!

Discharges 0:

COTP Grads:

Assmessi came back this week with His Mother.  He has been sick and didn't look very good.  We sent him home with serum, food, and milk, and asked him to come back in two weeks for us to check up on him.  Please pray that he gets better soon and that he continues to thrive in his parents care.

Adoptions 2:

Odelande and Rivaldo's adoptions are nearing the end.  They are only waiting on one more step before they can join their new families.  Please pray that this last step moves quickly so that both children can leave soon and that they transition well to their new homes.

Birthdays 1:

Anel celebrated his 3rd birthday.  Each day we continue to be amazed by the developments he is making!



Development:

Our kids are doing amazing these days!  Adlin is fully walking.  Edly and Fleurickson have taken a few steps.  Jerry is talking up a storm and began to crawl (which we are so thankful for).  Wilson has started initiating holding peoples hands and all of the Lion children's language skills have improved dramatically over the summer and are now often heard signing un-promted through out the day!  

Needs:

8 oz Bottles (really low)

Gerber (fruit purees)

Hand sanitizer

Liquid hand soap

Rice Cereal

Baby Lotion

Baby Shampoo

12 months- 2t boys shorts

Pudding and other soft snacks for the special needs kids

Bottle Brushes

Clorox wipes

First haircuts

In Haiti boys don't get their first haircut until after their first birthday.  Here at COTP, we honor that cultural rule.  We also ask permission from biological parents before we cut anyones hair to ensure that they don't want to grow their child hair out.  

Recently we had three boys receive their first hair cuts.  All were well over a year, but we loved their hair so much that we waited to cut it.  However it was finally time.  All three boys sat very well for their first cut and did amazing.  Below are some before, during, and after pictures of our amazing children!

Rodney

Before

Afro

During

After

Robert

Before

Afro

During

After

Davideson

Before

Afro

During

After

June 25 2011

Sorry that this post is so over due, I was back in the States for two weeks and was not able to update the blog.  A lot has happened here while I was gone.

Admits 4:

Sterly was admitted to our formula program in April, however after his first appointment, he did not return for about 8 weeks.  This made us worried and we were curious why he did not come back but had no choice but to do a forced graduation from the program.  Out of the blue he and his Grandma returned in May and informed us that he had spent a great deal of time in the Hospital.  During this visit we learned a lot about this families situation.  Sterly's father is really young and his Grandma is the one who cares for him.  She also cares for two of his cousins.  The family doesn't have a house or any work and aren't able to provide for his needs.  Sterly was admitted to our care shortly after this visit.  His Grandma has found some work sweeping peoples homes and hopes to be able to take him back to live with her in a few months.  Sterly has been doing really well in our care so far.

Ezekiel was abandoned at our gate two weeks ago.  We have tried to track down his family, but haven't been able to find them.  We believe that Ezekiel is about 2 years old and that he has cerebral palsy.  He stayed for a week in the volunteer house, but now is living in the bumble bee room, which is one of our special needs rooms.  Please pray that Ezekiel thrives in our care.

A while ago we were contacted by a hospital who was interested in doing surgery for a child needing orthopedic surgery.  At the time we didn't know of anyone with this need, but God always puts the right people in our lives at the right time.  A few weeks after getting the email Ruth showed up at our gate with her parents.  Ruth is missing one foot and her second is deformed.  We began the med visa process for her and she continued to live with her parents for a few weeks before we eventually admitted her to COTP's care.  Her Mom is unable to breast feed and they don't have the means to pay for formula and unfortunately they live much to far away to be able to be admitted to the formula program.  Ruth will stay with us until we are able to take her to the States for her surgery.  Her parents love her dearly and are very excited to have her back in their care when her surgery is finished.  She has been staying in the volunteer house since she was admitted.  At 6 months old she only weighed 6 lbs and it was a struggle to even get an ounce in her at first.  Now she is drinking 2 ounces at a time and doing much better.  Please pray that she is able to get her surgery as soon as possible so that she can be reunited with her family.  Please also pray that she gains weight and starts to drink better!

While I was gone we also had another boy abandoned at our gate.  His name was Benson and he was much older than the children we normally take in.  He didn't know his exact age and kept changing it, but we eventually found out that he is around 8 years old.  Since Benson was so old, he was eventually able to show us where he lived and we took him back to his family.  Benson stayed at COTP for about a week before being reunited.  During his time here he stole many peoples hearts.  Benson was having sever stomach cramps, so we began treating him for worms.  We also took him to the doctors for a more through exam.  Benson is now living with his Sister, who is trying her hardest to take care of her little brother.  She loves him dearly and is doing all she can for him.  We have enrolled Benson in our school sponsorship program so that we can ensure he gets a good education and to relieve some of the financial pressures his family was facing.  Please pray that he does well with his family and that he thrives in his new school next year!

Discharges 0:

Birthdays 4:

Daniella and Chelie, two former COTP children recently celebrated their first birthdays.  When Daniella came she was 2 lbs 8 oz and Chelie was 1lbs 13 oz.  Both girls did really well in our care and were able to be reunited with their biological families when they were six months old.  Since then Chelie has been in the formula program, but was able to graduate on her birthday.  Daniella was admitted to the program, but her Father was able to apply for her nutritional needs, so she didn't continue in it.  Both girls came on the same day (which was Chelies birthday) so we baked a cake for them and celebrated their birthdays with all their old friends and nannies.  We are so proud of how well both of their parents are doing with them!

Rosemerline turned two and enjoyed celebrating her second birthday under the mango tree.

Fleurickson celebrated his first birthday yesterday.  He ate his cake very slowly, but still managed to make a mess all over his face, hands, and clothes!

COTP GRADS 1:

Love Mica came back recently with her Grandmother.  Since she was discharged she has lost 4 lbs.  We admitted her into the formula program to help her gain weight and to unsure that she does well in their care.  Already we are seeing an improvement with her health.  She is very well loved and we hope that with this extra help she will thrive in their care.

Needs:

Baby Wipes

Liquid Hand Soap

Clorox Wipes

Baby Lotion

Lactose Free Formula

Size 1-2 Diapers

Button down shirts for Theo/Nickensly

Fine toothed combs

Boy/Girl Underwear 2t-5t

Thanks so much for your support and prayers!

June 1, 2011

Admits 2: 

Rose-Merline was admitted to COTP last August as a severely malnourished fifteen month old baby. She stayed at COTP until January when she was able to be reunited with her grandparents.  During her time at COTP, she gained a lot of weight and caught up developmentally.  When she was reunited with her family, she was also admitted to the formula program so that we could ensure a smooth transition home and that she continued to gain weight and do well developmentally.  Each month that Rose Merline would return, she had lost weight.  The Grandma loves her dearly and wants what is best, but is unaware of what nutritional needs toddlers have.  We continued to educate her on this area, but Rose Merline continued to loose weight.  Rose Merline has since been readmitted to COTP.  She has been gaining weight well here and has readjusted really well!  She is currently living in the Bato room, but we hope to move her up to the toddler section soon!

Fritlin's came to us a few days ago because his parents are currently unable to care for him.  He is doing really well developmentally and has transitioned well to life here.  His parents are hoping to be able to bring him home with them in three months!  Please pray for this family and this amazing little boy!

Discharges 0: 

Birthdays 1:

Joshua recently celebrated his 5th birthday.  He was very excited as all of his friends and nannies gathered around under the tree and ate cake!  His nannies even enjoyed wearing birthday hats with him!

Development 2:

Rodney and Christella are now walking!  

Needs:

Baby Wipes 

Liquid hand soap 

Baby lotion 

Hand sanitizer

Diapers, All sizes

8 oz bottles (used for Formula program as well)