Haiti Fare Well

During the time of Papa Doc Duvalier in the 60's I worked as an anthropologist in Haiti. When the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti in January, 2010, my deep love for her people moved me to volunteer. Back then, I lived with a voodoo priest and his family outside of Leogane, the epicenter of the quake, doing research on voodoo spirit possession. I was selected for a month's tour of duty by International Medical Corps to form a mental health team serving five IMC mobile medical clinics in Petit-Goave. 70 to 80% of houses were damaged or destroyed killing large numbers of men, women and children. Surrounded by death and dislocation, people constructed tent cities everywhere. Survivors from the Capitol poured steadily into the area. This is the story of my experience working as a psychiatrist with traumatized Haitians and training Haitian doctors in mental health work. It is also the story of my personal dreams and nightmares as I rediscover myself in the midst of this devastating tragedy.