Volunteering with HWB in Haiti - 2015
Shelly enroute to Haiti--July 3, 2015.
Being a mother of two limits my ability to do volunteer work for extended periods of time. Regardless, I put in a query to Homeopaths Without Borders this winter, because I have been wanting to join them for a few years now. When I got word that they were going in July it seemed like a perfect fit. My boys are on summer break and our extended family was willing to step in and help out.
I have been studying homeopathy since 2002 but have never had the opportunity to work in a clinic where visits are an average of 15 minutes. Typically, in my practice, I will take 1 ½ to 2 hours during an initial intake. Here, there are many people waiting to be seen and there are few homeopaths. It has been a learning curve to see what needs to be fixed quickly, prescribe accordingly and be ready for the next person. I definitely am taking more than 15 minutes (especially with the language barrier) but, without delving deeply into the mental/emotional aspects of a person, it goes a lot faster.
Often I am seeing a person who has been seen before. When I see a person on the 3rd or 4th homeopathic follow up visit and their initial symptoms haven’t returned after 3 months of care, I know they have received good medicine. Many of these people had been suffering with chronic Chikungunya for 6 months or more before being treated with homeopathy. Often, their symptoms would begin to resolve within two weeks of taking a homeopathic remedy. They have been able to return to their activities of daily living without the severe joint pain Chikungunya had inflicted on them.
I have been studying homeopathy since 2002 but have never had the opportunity to work in a clinic where visits are an average of 15 minutes. Typically, in my practice, I will take 1 ½ to 2 hours during an initial intake. Here, there are many people waiting to be seen and there are few homeopaths. It has been a learning curve to see what needs to be fixed quickly, prescribe accordingly and be ready for the next person. I definitely am taking more than 15 minutes (especially with the language barrier) but, without delving deeply into the mental/emotional aspects of a person, it goes a lot faster.
Often I am seeing a person who has been seen before. When I see a person on the 3rd or 4th homeopathic follow up visit and their initial symptoms haven’t returned after 3 months of care, I know they have received good medicine. Many of these people had been suffering with chronic Chikungunya for 6 months or more before being treated with homeopathy. Often, their symptoms would begin to resolve within two weeks of taking a homeopathic remedy. They have been able to return to their activities of daily living without the severe joint pain Chikungunya had inflicted on them.
Shelby and Wilby Vernet, taking a case during clinic.
The language barrier has definitely been restrictive for me. I now know a handful of words in Haitian Creole but that’s hardly enough to work with. Holly has lined up a translator for me every time we’ve done clinic and sometimes they know homeopathy and sometimes they don’t but they are always able to get me the information I need. Lauren has been on call as well, when I get overwhelmed and can’t see the picture clearly. It’s been great practice to put so much focus on the physical symptoms.
It’s been exciting to be able to immerse myself in Haiti. Sitting on the porch in the evenings, listening to the church service – there is a LOT of singing. From what I see, family and friendship bonds are strong. I’m honored to be able to meet the Community Homeopaths that have learned the remedies and have started to use them in their communities. It seems like homeopathy is a good fit for Haitians, because it is relatively inexpensive and, once trained, the local homeopaths can help to strengthen their country from within. Read more about Chikungunya in the Caribbean.
Shelly Clevidence, ND July 10, 2015
It’s been exciting to be able to immerse myself in Haiti. Sitting on the porch in the evenings, listening to the church service – there is a LOT of singing. From what I see, family and friendship bonds are strong. I’m honored to be able to meet the Community Homeopaths that have learned the remedies and have started to use them in their communities. It seems like homeopathy is a good fit for Haitians, because it is relatively inexpensive and, once trained, the local homeopaths can help to strengthen their country from within. Read more about Chikungunya in the Caribbean.
Shelly Clevidence, ND July 10, 2015