A steep hike, or a very bumpy 4WD ride, leads to the mountain village of Noyau. Strong cheerful Haitian people also haul in gear and supplies, usually on top of their heads. Views of the mountains and streams are spectacular. When you arrive at the small concrete and stone block church, Noyau's town center of two buildings, you are greeted by a gaggle of friendly, curious children and welcoming adults. If you go for a walk, you'll be going up and down hillsides seeing small huts and homes with small plots of land under cultivation.
The facilities of Noyau are very limited. The church also serves as the school and town hall. The roof leaks in heavy rains, and there are some structural cracks in the concrete supporting pillars, since the earthquake, January 12, 2010. There are insufficient benches for either worship or education.
The clinic pace is quick. It is held in the church. We often treat 800 to 1,000 patients in the 3 days that we are there. Patients come in groups and are very eager and grateful to be seen. Some people have been treated several times over the course of FoH's many visits. It is wonderful to see how some of their health problems have improved.
The second small building in Noyau houses a grain mill powered by a diesel generator. In 2003, FoH helped get the drive belt, the missing parts, and money for a cement slab to mount the mill and generator. The town then raised funds to build the concrete building that houses and secures the equipment. It has operated as an area community mill ever since and generates some financial support for the chapel.
The Director (mayor), Raphael, and people of Noyau, are incredibly hospitable. FoH is always welcomed by appreciative friends with open arms. It would be hard to find such hospitality any where else on the face of the earth, bar none!
