Quick and varied updates

This week is going better than last.  No new cases of Cholera among the children at Kay St. Anne, thanks be to God.  At the school yesterday there was a party for Christmas and the beginning of the holiday vacation.  School will resume the 8th of January.

Here are a few unrelated updates you might be interested in:

The child who I was with in the United States while he was recovering from surgery was here at the hospital earlier this week.  The other volunteer who has spent time with him contacted me and brought him over to the school so that I could see him.  He looks healthier, as he has put on some weight.  It was truly a gift to see him, a wonderful Christmas surprise.

Katiana, the child who died of Cholera was buried last week by the chapel here on the grounds of St. Damien Hospital, by the chapel.  On one side of the chapel earth quake victims were buried, now in the ground on the other side, lie the remains of people who died from Cholera. A couple of relatives of Katiana's were present at the funeral.  After the liturgy they decided to take her twin sister home, that maybe they could care for her after all.  I hope and pray that the surviving twin will thrive with her relatives. 

There have been changes in the Cholera hospital.  The sickest people have been moved from tents into prefabricated houses which are more comfortable.  They are the same type of house that I am living in, but in a different location. There is also consrtuction going on there for a premanant structure.

After the comptuer that had previously been my grandmothers broke completely, and my seven year old comptuer failed to connect to internet either wirelessly or when plugged in, someone here gave me a new small computer which is wondreful because I can get internet more easily and more frequenlty. 

Politically things have been fairly calm and it has been safe to go out.  There is apparently a gasoline shortage in the country though which could cause serious problems if it last a long time. 

Well those are my updates.  It is begininng to feel like Christmas. 

May your days be blessed and filled with  joy! Merry Christmas! 
Peace,
Kathleen