Madelene has worked with RHFH since Jan 16, 2016. She started at the cholera center and later moved to the ER/wound care & nutrition center, where she currently works.
Both of her parents are still living and they are farmers. She has 3 brothers who live in other countries and one sister that lives in Haiti. She is 36 years old and lives with her husband and daughter in Cabaret, about a 30 minute motorcycle ride to the clinic. Her husband works for the Red Cross and has had past jobs in marketing, communications, and journalism. They rent a two-room cement block house with a tin roof, shower, latrine, and kitchen. They buy their water to bath and clean by the drum, which lasts about 2 weeks and costs $2.16. Their drinking water is bought by the gallon at $0.58.
She enjoys her work as a nurse because she can help people that have difficulties find solutions. It frustrates her when patients don’t understand education or the importance of following health advice. When asked what she needs to do her job better, she responded, “Patience.” She also says, that in times of a big emergency, she needs the helping hands of her colleagues.
One patient that she will always remember is a pregnant woman with eclampsia. She came in during the night in bad shape. We couldn’t get an ambulance to come and it was too dangerous for us to be out that late during that time of insecurity. Madelene cared for her giving medications, controlling vital signs, and praying. She made it through the night and we left with her early in the morning to go to another hospital. Madelene rode in the back of the truck continuing her nursing care and encouragement. She advocated for her when they arrived at the hospital, made sure she was admitted, and handed off her care to others. Madelene was just thrilled when mom and baby came back to thank her for saving their lives. Her heart is full when her patients heal.
During a typical day, she cares for the sickest children in the nutrition center and staffs the ER. Shifts are from 6-6. Most mornings start out reviewing her tasks for the day for certain tasks for the children in the inpatient center. She does paperwork and plans out the day. Around 7, she begins doing wound care for those in the outpatient clinic. They don’t have appointments and come at different times. Most of her morning is spent taking care of these patients. She also has vital signs for the inpatient children and has to keep an eye on the sickest ones often. She has a hour break to eat and rest. After lunch, she cleans, sterilizes instruments, and restocks needed supplies. We are open 24/7 for emergencies so she might have a motorcycle accident, cut, or burn that could come in at any time. Some days are slower than others, but she keeps busy and keeps the ER prepped. She plays with the children and talks to patients, encouraging and educating them when she can.
Her job has helped her to learn and understand illnesses, good health, and medical procedures. It has also taught her to have compassion for those that suffer.
Her job helps others because it helps them to heal and be healthy. She can provide medical care for those with health problems. Also, her income helps her family, church, and others in need.
She enjoys living in Cabaret (about a 30 min drive from our clinic) because she has lived there for awhile and her family lives there. She feels safe and secure where she lives. She thinks that Cabaret needs better sanitation, increased access to water, and a hospital that is opened 24/7 for emergencies.
She thinks that RHFH does an important work in the area for several reasons. Before RHFH opened a clinic, getting dressing changes cost patients hundreds of dollars and were impossible for most people. Even if they had the money, they had to travel 2-3 hours to find a hospital that could help them. They put whatever they could find on their wounds. Now, people understand the importance of wound care and they have more access so that they can benefit and heal. RHFH provides medical care and food that has saved and is saving many lives. The care for the malnourished children is especially unique and needed.
She is active in her church in Cabaret where she sings in the choir, helps with behind the scenes activities, and does youth training. She enjoys arranging flowers and doing embroidery. Her prayer request is that her family will have more reverent fear of God and more faith in Him.