Night to Shine
- 24 Feb 22
- 01:14
- One Comment
I have been back two weeks now and it seems as if it’s been two months so much has happened in such a short space of time. It feels good to be back, not that I don’t miss family and friends back home; but because there is so much work to do here – so many people in desperate need. After all the Government, such as it is, doesn’t do much for them.
The journey out was fine, I had an overnight in Miami, so a had a nice quiet beer and a ‘chinese’. What was I thinking, my last meal in the west was rice… Oh well, I just fancied it.
Week one was absolutely hectic, arrived Tuesday afternoon with 53kgs of luggage. Yup that’s right 53kg all in, I could barely carry it all. Five phones, two tablets, a laptop (plus my own phone and laptop) ‘Uninterruptable Power Supply’ (essentially two motorbike batteries, a heavy copper coil and a fancy circuit board, 12kgs alone), 350 Lateral Flow Covid Tests and a circuit board for an Ultrasound machine were the highlights. I got pulled in by customs to pay a tariff after they went through my bags, but thankfully my dodgy creole and natural charm won him over. He ripped up the form in front of me, we fist pumped, and I was on my way!
Thursday we had a Hospital Board Meeting. The usual start time of 1400; all had arrived by quarter to three and we finished up a little after 1700. Or was it 1730? I can’t remember I was probably still in the wrong Time Zone. I definitely needed a beer after we were finally done.
Friday was the night of the year though, even though it was only February 11. Last year our Physio won a grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation (see more about it here) to put on the event: “Night to Shine”. It is essentially a ‘Prom’ for children with special needs; it happens all over the world, Friday closest to Valentines Day. This year we were one of only two in Haiti, one of almost 450 worldwide. There was a dressing and make up room, flowers and button-holes, crowns and tiaras, official photographs, red carpet, cheer leaders, balloon archway, disco, food, gifts, and above all else love and respect. I took it very seriously, it really was an honour to be involved. It wasn’t half hot in the tux though! 77 children from the community came, the photographs are stunning, the smiles priceless. What a beautiful thing, it was truly unforgettable!
One thought on “Night to Shine”
Glad you mentioned the tux, didn’t recognise you without the wild man of Borneo look!
Great things you’re doing Phil. I do like to quietly follow your posts to see something good..keep em coming 👏👍