I am about half way through my time in Michigan.
It’s been good to be back and see many friends and family. It’s also been a lot of fun to be back at summer camps. I enjoy camp and it’s a needed break from the frustration and heartache that often goes with medical care in Haiti. But, at the same time, I really miss Haiti — and it’s getting more difficult to be away as the weeks go on.
I arrived in Michigan late on June 21st. I started off on the run getting to Reed City with less than 68 hours to get ready to be at my first camp.
In total, I'll be in Michigan for about 8 weeks. And during that time, I'm on medical staff at 7 camps. It’s been a good summer but a busy one. I have already made three calls for the ambulance and have had the fire department out for a fire.
I really wanted to get on the end of a hose and spray a little water like the old days! But I had to settle for looking at there nice new brush truck!
Unfortunately, being that I'm back in the U.S. I can’t really tell stories like I do in Haiti due to privacy laws.
I have averaged about one ambulance a summer in the past so they have been keeping me busy this year with calling 3 already. But there are also lots of smaller injuries and illnesses that need attention as well. It’s often fairly easy to tell the kids that come from broken homes and just want someone to care about them.
Whether in Haiti or Michigan people just want someone to care about them!
I miss Haiti and my kids that I work with. I have continued to help Haiti kids while I am in Michigan though. Every couple days I am in contact with people in Haiti looking for help or advice for different situations. It’s nice to still be involved a little even though I am not currently there.
Nothing better than a little baby snuggling time!
I have had many good conversations with people along the way and have had several generous donations. I am hoping for several monthly supporters to come along side as we continue to build Kelby’s Kids. I am currently at about 25% of my goal of $5,000 a month in monthly support to make Kelby’s Kids as effective as possible in caring for Kids! The teens at Covenant Hills Camp raised almost $500.00 for Kelby’s Kids during family camp! It was exciting to see them get involved and care about kids they will never meet.
I have just learned that one of my kids from Haiti died last night.
Godson wasn't so sure about the breathing treatment I was trying to give him.
I had taken him to the ER a couple months ago and have treated him a couple times for respiratory problems. He started having trouble breathing again the other day and was taken to the hospital.
I can only imagine the care that he received that took a respiratory infection (which just needed another round of antibiotics and some prednisone I am sure) to the point where he started to have seizures and slipped into a coma. It was reported that one of the nurses basically said I give up and covered him up with a sheet while he was still breathing.
Life in Haiti can be so very difficult.
Hanging out in the ER together (Pretending not to break the rules about taking pictures). Godson was my little buddy, I will miss him.
Although it breaks my heart, he is with Jesus now and will never have to worry about having trouble breathing again.
Thank you for being a part of Godson’s care and making the few months he had here a little better! And please help us spread the word of our work for kids in Haiti and Michigan.
Until No Child Dies,
Kelby