No Time For Poverty - Newsletter

8/11/2019 No Time For Poverty - Newsletter

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July 2014

One does not make it into their 60s and fail to appreciate that a great deal of what life

has to offer is bitter ... and that a great deal of what life has to offer is sweet. The secret is

in the blending.

When Dr. Robin Horak, seemingly serendipitously, came to Port Salut to serve as Klinik

Timoun Nou Yo's Acting Medical Director, one could have never imagined the levels of

skill, expertise, kindness and love that she would bring with her. When her almost two

year tenure at KTNY was up in May of 2014 and she was to move on to a fellowship in

Boston, one also could never have imagined finding a Haitian physician to serve as

Medical Director with those same skills, expertise, kindness and love. But it happened!

"Dr. Robin," as she is fondly known, visited the clinic on her first trip to Haiti and though

it was yet under construction, asked to be considered for the job of Acting Medical

Director. To say that we could not believe our luck in finding Dr. Robin, would be an

understatement of enormous proportion. This was so for a number of reasons. First, we

had yet to begin our search to fill that position and second, we believed it to be nigh on

impossible to find anyone of the caliber we were looking for. After all, this individual not

only needed to be an outstanding pediatrician but needed to have the mindset to live in

Haiti, possess the highest level of organizational skills, present with strong leadership

ability, model the best of all things, be a great mentor - and have a huge capacity to give

love, care, and respect to the clinic's patients, families, and staff. Such was an order of the

highest degree ... but such was Dr. Robin.

Arriving ready to work in August of 2012, Dr. Robin developed practice and protocol

manuals, hired and trained medical and laboratory staff, set up medical equipment,

stocked the pharmacy (an enormous undertaking), organized donated supplies and

purchased others, created a number of clinic wide systems and much more. Moreover, in

the course of it all - and early on Dr. Robin became an expert in water purification,

generator repair and IT. When the clinic opened on November 19th 2012, it was a well-

oiled machine ready to receive the countless children who would walk through its doors.

Never settling for less than the highest standards; in the short course of a year, Dr. Robin

and the KTNY staff made the clinic one of the finest and most respected medical

facilities in all of Haiti. Moreover, under Dr. Robin's supervision and leadership, the

clinic rose to unexpected heights in opening the first Well Baby Program and utilizing

A TALE OF TWO DOCTORSA Tale of Two Doctors 1-2

NTFP Welcomes Michial,

Helen, & T-Mac 3

Just Belony 3

Reflections 4-6

Volunteer Opportunity 7

F F @


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data from our electronic medical records to drive services and

determine need areas. Thus, the creation and implementation of

our Severe Malnutrition Program and recently, the first Moderate

Malnutrition program.

The list of advances during Dr. Robin's tenure is endless and

defies description, experienced only in the being there. But Dr.

Robin's tenure at KTNY had come to a close. The next chapter

of her life was beginning in June 2014 and it was time for her to

enter into it. Moreover, the clinic's time had come.

Since KTNY's conception, the plan had been for its' permanent

Medical Director to be Haitian. Ever cognizant of being strangers

in a strange land, we wanted to honor and respect

what we believed to be the community's need

and right to have its' pediatric facility under

the medical leadership of one of its own.

Never, however, did we think we would

be fortunate enough to find an individual

who came even close to a "Dr. Robin."

Thankfully, we were wrong.

Born and raised in Port Salut, Dr. Jostin

Franklin initially showed up at the clinics door-

step applying for a physician position prior to its opening. His

candidacy for such a role with KTNY was hardly to be believed.

Not only had Dr. Jostin been trained in Cuba where medical

education is considered to be most excellent, but he had been

chosen to attend medical school there free of charge for his high-

performance on entry exams and excellent prior academic

records. Dr. Jostin became fluent in Spanish while attending

medical school. There was no question as to his intelligence.

Dr. Jostin's academic background was exceeded only by his

presentation; warmth and love emanating from him as sunlight

might reflect and reverberate on an ocean. His smile was as

endless as it was sincere. His professional recommendations

were of the highest caliber. It was immediately apparent that

Dr. Jostin could have secured a position anywhere in Port-au-

Prince, should he have made such a choice. But Port Salut be his

home and it was to this community he sought to give back for

what he had been given. We hesitated not a nanosecond to offer

Dr. Jostin a position at the clinic.

Dr. Jostin's medical knowledge, skill and expertise showed itself

early in the game. Also, eager to learn from Dr. Robin, she

mentored him easily.

In consideration of Dr. Jostin as KTNY's permanent Medical

Director, we posited whether this kind and endearing doctor

would have the leadership skills to make the hard decisions and

the hard choices, not only in medicine but in supervising a

large medical staff. Testing these abilities, Dr. Robin

wisely gave Dr. Jostin more responsibilities. He rose to

the occasion.

Months before her scheduled departure, Dr. Robin

expanded Dr. Jostin's role while continuing in her

role as the teacher and he the student. Little by littleshe relinquished control of the clinic to him, ever

quietly overseeing and mindful. Weeks before she was

to step down, Dr. Jostin assumed the role of Medical

Director.

There is no doubt that the "bitter "in this tale is the loss of

Dr. Robin. She has deeply carved an amazing legacy, one that if

we are careful and smart, we will maintain at KTNY for time to

come. There is also no doubt that the "sweet" of this tale is Dr.

Jostin. He left his country for a superior education and returned

to his place of his birth to be Medical Director at KTNY and

bring to it his own legacy. While that of Dr. Robin's will be his

steppingstones, we have no doubt that the pieces that will be his

own, will make us proud ...and therein lies the blending of the

bitter with the sweet!

In Respect, Love, and

Appreciation of Dr. Robin

and Doctor Jostin.

D. J F

D. H


3/8

NTFP Welcomes

Michial, Helen,

and

t-MacThe job of an

Administrator is never an

easy one. The job of an

Administrator for a 9000

square-foot health and

medical clinic that

employs more than 40

people and is remotely

located in Port Salut,

Haiti ...is just plain daunting.

The Administrator's role at Klinik Timoun Nou Yo not only in-volves the coordination of all departments and programs, staff

management and supervision, financial and budgetary oversight,

interface with government and outside agencies and more, but

also requires the assurance that the hospitals infrastructure is

maintained in good working order. Care of automobiles

and generators, and provision of water and its purification is a

constant challenge where there exists a paucity of government

supplied utilities and severe elements causing constant damage

and erosion to machinery, buildings and roads.

Giving up the comforts of which we in the United States have

become accustomed to administer KTNY, requires a special

human being. Haiti is hard ... but nonetheless, we found such aperson in Michial Mularoni. Hailing originally from Woodbury,

Minnesota and the son of KTNY's architect Michial Mularoni

(Sr.), our Michial stands alone as being a rare and unique find,

well up to the task.

Michial spent many years, on and off, living and working in

Haiti. Not only is he knowledgeable of its people, their culture

and language, Michial is very experienced in the pace of Haiti

and the ways in which one needs to work to get things done

there. While Michial's education and experience render him the

perfect person to manage the clinic, his knowledge and back-

ground with infrastructure make him ideal!

Michial assumed his post in mid-May. His wife Helen and their

son Michial, also known as t-Mac, joined him in early June.

Never having been to Haiti before, Helen's easy manner and

positive energy has made her a sure fit.

No Time For Poverty and KTNY are pleased and excited to

welcome more of the Mularoni family into our circle of special

people who dedicate themselves to saving the lives of the

children of Port Salut and beyond.

Just Belony-By Michele Boston

NTFP Founder

For years and years I had known him as "Belony," just Belony. It

was pronounced "Bell-o-ne," and it was only on the day of his

death that I learned his full name, Cristaline Belony.

I had never known Belony's age. Likely, he didn't know it either.

Such a thing is not uncommon in Haiti where birth records in

remote areas were nonexistent years ago. Suffice to say, that

Belony was older when we met and weathered by hard times,

strenuous work, poor nutrition and the heat of the sun.

What I knew about Belony's life could fill but a thimble. He had

worked many years on the plantations in the Dominican

Republic, as work was hard to come by in Haiti. It was his

ability to speak Spanish, acquired from his days in the

Dominican, that enabled us to communicate. I was almost fluent

in Spanish. Creole came hard.

I came to know that Belony had a son whom he had not seen in

far too many years. And though he spoke of his son with the

greatest of pride, I was aware that his son had never aided

Belony in any way, should he have been able.. parents and

children have their own backstories.

My earliest memories of Belony are from one of my first trips to

Haiti almost eleven years ago. He was selling seashells, readily

available on the shore of the beach across the road from the hotel

where I was staying. Despite the differences in our ages, culture

and lifestyle, Belony and I had two immediate things in

common; the first was Spanish and the second was our

instinctual abilities to drive a hard bargain. Yet, from the start, it

was Belony who ended up with the better of the deal!

Each morning of the first three days of my trip Belony

approached me with an ever increasingly selection of seashells

for sale ... and with every new day came higher and higher

prices. Each morning we negotiated. Despite my argument that I

had access to the same beach and the same shells but a few feet

away from my hotel, each morning Belony got the best of me.

With our exchanges over the price of seashells came broader

discussions; the village of Port Salut, the people in it, the slave

labor he had provided to the Dominicans' for so very many

years, and more. On the fourth day of our acquaintance I wasinvited to Belony's house situated next-door to my hotel.

Belony lived in a hovel worse than most I had seen in Haiti. Yet,

when he introduced me to the other squatters living in it, he did

so as if unaware of his circumstance, though I doubt this to have

been the case.

First, I met a woman who appeared middle aged or older though

caring for a toddler. She cooked outdoors, as most Haitians do,

making something with the meager food the small group was

able to acquire - from exactly where, I never knew.


4/8

Next, I met two younger men who lived in tiny, almost bare

rooms within the small decaying cement house. In the room that

had the least, lay a dirty straw mattress with Belony's dear friend

upon it, an aged man on the brink of death, blind and disabled. As

Belony introduced me to this gentleman, I was touched with the

gentility, kindness and love Belony showed to him. It was then it

became apparent that the money Belony secured in the sale of the

seashells went to support both himself and his friend. Though I

appeared to bargain heartily for the shells after that day, I wassecretly eager to succumb to his pricing.

When I returned to Haiti the following month, Belony and his

clan were gone. As if overnight, the hovel had been transformed

into a beautiful home, unrecognizable from what I had known it

to be. The squatters had been put out.

I tracked Belony to an abandoned hotel where he was living with

many more squatters. His dear friend had died. And though he

was surrounded by other displaced children and families, Belony

was quite alone. After only a few months, the government ousted

the squatters, apparently at the request of the hotel's owner. Even

today, the hotel remains abandoned.

Once again we located Belony. This time we rented a place for

him to live and provided him regularly with rice and beans. He

came to call me, "Mama," and Jeff, "Papa," odd for the number

of years older he was. And as if Belony was equipped with radar,

I could hardly get off the plane in Port-au-Prince and he would

know I was on my way to Port Salut and be waiting in need of

something or other.

I last saw Belony but a few weeks before he died. It was

apparent to me as he lay in pain and discomfort, from what is

likely to have been testicular cancer, that his days were

numbered. We did what we could to alleviate his suffering.Ultimately, he fell unconscious and died.

Burial is no easy task in Haiti. Not only must various customs be

observed but one must have a plot of land upon which to bury a

person. And so, with a little of our help, Belony was laid to rest.

It is hard to know how many Belonys there are in Haiti. Too

many for sure. While many Haitians are fortunate to have their

Haitian American counterparts provide them with financial and

other support, the forgotten ones are alone and without. And so

here's to Belony, who came to rest in the heart of someone who

knew him a little, but someone who cared. May you find peace,

comfort, and no longer be in need, Belony.

ReflectionsBy Cheri Rolnick

NTFP Board Chair

I had seen pictures of the clinic and heard stories about

the wonderful people working to make the clinic a

first-rate facility. But I was unprepared for the profoundemotional impact seeing things firsthand had on me. It

was more than I could have imagined more in every

way; the country, the clinic, the doctors and the

overwhelming commitment to make this world a better

place.

Having seen countless pictures of the devastation from

the recent earthquake, I expected to be surrounded by

ruins, blighted views, and a defeated people. While

poverty is evident, there is much that has been rebuilt,

pictures of buildings under construction and a lush,

beautiful countryside that opened before us as we drove

from Port-au-Prince to Port Salut. Moreover, the beach

in front of the hotel was unexpected. It was truly lovely.

When we landed, we were met by Henry and Yanique, who

greeted us, hugged us (good hugs) and welcomed me with

that lilt in their voices that I know from Gheislaine (my

daughter-in-law's mom, who is Haitian). Both are

incredible. NTFP Founder, Michele Boston, had told me all

about the rolls Henry has played to make the clinic runs

smoothly. He is willing and able to do many things which is

wonderful for NTFP. And he was bursting with pride to

show us his fabulous home, pointing all the things he

selected. In addition to the things, however, were the

children in need who pop in. Here they are safe and cared

for.

Yanique, the woman who owns and runs Fortress Inn, is one

of the most gentle, generous and loving souls I have met.

She made sure we had everything we needed and fed us

nonstop. I have to say her chicken and pumpkin soup is five

star.

Since the major event of the visit was a party to celebrate

Robin's tenure as the clinics Medical Director, much time and

attention, as well as one cow and 2 goats went toward this

event. Yanique worked tirelessly to prepare. Michele, Sue and

I helped initially with the setup. Yanique thanked us and then

re-did much of our work to ensure that everything lookedelegant. The evening was wonderful.

Speaking of Robin. It was the first time I had really talked

with her. She showed me around the clinic and the pride she

exuded in the services and care we provide had me in tears.

To see how we have the supplies to bring children from

severe malnutrition to health, to witness the efficient and

friendly surroundings where the children receive life-saving

vaccines and needed education, to watch triage that ensures

rapid assessment and immediate care for those in most

serious need is impressive and heartwarming.


5/8

What we provide is truly incredible. And words cannot

capture the beauty of these children.

With Robin leaving, Dr. Jostin Franklin has been selected to

take over the Medical Director role. He is an excellent and

well-respected physician and he has a welcoming and gentle

demeanor. We are lucky to have him and it must be a thrill

for Michele and Jeff to see their vision of a Haitian run clinic

come to fruition. All leadership, except for the head

administrator, is Haitian. The new administrator, MichaelMularoni, has recently joined the clinic and has come

bringing new energy and a strong commitment to serve the

community. We are hoping his family will love being part of

KTNY.

Dr. Virginia, who comes for a week each month, to help with

the clinic, talked about how was she has nearly adopted a

neglected, nine-year-old girl (Quettia). In telling about

herself, Virginia said something that most fittingly

summarizes my most lasting impression. She said she often

steps back from life's on-going flow to assess how she might

make things better given the situation facing her; stopping to

consider what action she might take to make the world, foreven one person, a better place. KTNY does this every day.

I feel enriched to be part of this work.

And Now For

Cheris Other

Version!The Haiti trip was clearly outside

my comfort realm.

And many called to wish me well -but often seem too warn...

Watch out for illness and for

crime; discomfort will abound!

But, after all was said and done,here is what I found.

The long road trip I heard about

with smiles and affection,

was not as big a deal as missing

our connection.

We waited for the luggage until

the last piece came,

to realize one was not there

because we missed the plane.

But we got settled ..on we went,the road trip started well.

The stop to pee found the store closed,

the toilets were from hell.

We met our needs and forgedahead with no more plans to stop

but had to get Sues suitcase

back when it fell off the top.

At last we reached the Fortress

Inn, hotel was quite a treat;was clean, the toilet wonderful,the beach across the street.

Yanique made sure we settled in,

she hugged us all good night,

and asked for us to let her knowif things were not all right.C


6/8

But in the room I noticed, no blanketcould be found.

If I turned off air conditioning,

to swelter I was bound.

Should I take all clothes I packedand cover myself up,

or knock on Jeff and Michele's

door and cuddle like a pup?

My choice is not important, the

next day I was saved.

Michele had brought a bedspread,

my sleeping now was made.Except for the damn rooster,

that started up at 3.

That first night I could not tune

out, cock-a-doodle-do got me.

We prepared for Robin's party to

set up for the night,

but, decorating was not swift, thestreamers were not right.

They started out like normal but

limpness overcame.

Despite our earnest efforts, the

result was really lame.

The meetings were productive,Michele was energized.

It was delightful to detect new

sparkle in her eyes.

The clinic was the highlight, was

all I hoped and more.To see it made it very clear, the

cause we're working for.

The children were just beautiful,

one cuter than the next.It was touching to behold them

beautifully dressed.I wanted so to hug them all, but

also not to scare

felt pride to see them treated

with respect and so much care.

I came prepared with shots andpills and light clothes for the

heat,

hand-sanitizing often and rubbing

down with DEET.But unexpected happenings

occurred along the way,

creating some sense of disbeliefevery single day.

This quickly brought perspective.

I could no longer fret

that I was rarely able to accessinternet.

And feeling sticky all day long was

really no big thing,

other times of year are stickier,

humidity is king.

This trip to Haiti has created

lasting memory,the people and their caring and

sense of community,

The lushness of surroundings was

really just the start.

Haiti's beauty filled my eyes, the

clinic filled my heart.

- Cheri Rolnick

C H


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