what to give to someone who gives?
February 15, 2010 8:31 AM Subscribe
The midwife who was incredible at our sons birth two days ago is going to Haiti for a week to work with a group of doctors.
She has been told she has to bring everything she needs for her own support.
We would like to give her a gift before she goes, perhaps something she might need and would not think of.
Any thoughts form the hive appreciated.
Give her money. She can figure out what she needs, as can aid agencies. What they don't have is money, so that'd be your most effective contribution.
posted by saeculorum at 8:59 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by saeculorum at 8:59 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
A wind-up flashlight, a Leatherman, waterproof matches.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:00 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:00 AM on February 15, 2010
A really good and compact water purifier or campstove. These guys make really good stuff and it's usually available at good camping stores.
posted by ansate at 9:04 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by ansate at 9:04 AM on February 15, 2010
What is she going to be doing? Practicing her midwifery skills, or doing other first-aid related or infrastructure-related service work? What you give is going to be dependent on what she needs, and you weren't clear about that in the question.
I don't know that I'd take a GPS with me. Unless she's going to be moving a lot, it's not the most useful thing in the world in that kind of environment. Helpful if she gets lost or separated, but if she gets lost or separated she's going to get bonked on the head and have it stolen from her before she can figure out her way back.
One place to start is the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) 24 hour ready pack -- this is the basics that everyone doing Search and Rescue is required to carry with them. Lots of these items are superfluous or basic, but it's a good starting point.
Most people who are going to be doing this work while moving don't use regular "hiking" backpacks, they use a webbed modular pack based on a wildland firefighter pack that can separate and is heavily compartmentalized.
Note that she's going to need to pack in at least 3 liters of water per day, or equivalent purification and filtration equipment.
Find out what she's taking with her and what she'll be doing. Then base your decision on that.
posted by SpecialK at 9:13 AM on February 15, 2010
I don't know that I'd take a GPS with me. Unless she's going to be moving a lot, it's not the most useful thing in the world in that kind of environment. Helpful if she gets lost or separated, but if she gets lost or separated she's going to get bonked on the head and have it stolen from her before she can figure out her way back.
One place to start is the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) 24 hour ready pack -- this is the basics that everyone doing Search and Rescue is required to carry with them. Lots of these items are superfluous or basic, but it's a good starting point.
Most people who are going to be doing this work while moving don't use regular "hiking" backpacks, they use a webbed modular pack based on a wildland firefighter pack that can separate and is heavily compartmentalized.
Note that she's going to need to pack in at least 3 liters of water per day, or equivalent purification and filtration equipment.
Find out what she's taking with her and what she'll be doing. Then base your decision on that.
posted by SpecialK at 9:13 AM on February 15, 2010
Solar battery recharger and rechargeable batteries, and/or hand/solar recharger for her cell phone.
posted by gubenuj at 9:40 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by gubenuj at 9:40 AM on February 15, 2010
If you can get your hands on surgery smocks or anything like that she will need as many as she can take. I read that health workers are having to wear the same one between patients and therefore spreading infection. Do you have a uniform store nearby? Maybe they have disposable ones in stock.
posted by cda at 9:42 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by cda at 9:42 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
A tiny keychain compass that's well made and _works_ could be surprisingly useful, if she's going to be going anywhere unfamiliar with a map in hand.
Also - a travel clothesline can be surprisingly useful, unless the place she's going will have some kind of laundry service for her clothes.
Quick-dry travel clothes (especially underwear) can be helpful (and pack small).
Possibly a travel door alarm (if she'll going to have a room to herself or with one other roommate) or other personal safety item. She may not think (or want to think) about buying safety-related items herself, but you can, within reason. A little research, or a trip to an adventure travel-focused store like REI, might give some better ideas.
posted by amtho at 9:43 AM on February 15, 2010
Also - a travel clothesline can be surprisingly useful, unless the place she's going will have some kind of laundry service for her clothes.
Quick-dry travel clothes (especially underwear) can be helpful (and pack small).
Possibly a travel door alarm (if she'll going to have a room to herself or with one other roommate) or other personal safety item. She may not think (or want to think) about buying safety-related items herself, but you can, within reason. A little research, or a trip to an adventure travel-focused store like REI, might give some better ideas.
posted by amtho at 9:43 AM on February 15, 2010
Seconding the useful vs. meaningful question, above. For useful, I'd get her this; it's a swiss army knife that has a stopwatch (for contractions), a thermometer (intrapartum infection is a big deal), and an LED flashlight in it. She will likely have better versions of all of these things available, but having an emergency backup is almost never a bad idea.
For meaningful: does she belong to any particular faith tradition? If she does, I'd get her something from that. My experience with crisis situations is that people who are even casually spiritual lean very heavily on their faith in difficult times, sometimes really unexpectedly. Having a travel bible or a saint's medal or whatnot might be really appreciated in the dark times.
posted by KathrynT at 9:47 AM on February 15, 2010
For meaningful: does she belong to any particular faith tradition? If she does, I'd get her something from that. My experience with crisis situations is that people who are even casually spiritual lean very heavily on their faith in difficult times, sometimes really unexpectedly. Having a travel bible or a saint's medal or whatnot might be really appreciated in the dark times.
posted by KathrynT at 9:47 AM on February 15, 2010
also, oh my god quick-dry travel underwear yes.
posted by KathrynT at 9:48 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by KathrynT at 9:48 AM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Here's a blog post from a friend with his list of what he packed for his trip to Haiti this week.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:15 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by gingerbeer at 10:15 AM on February 15, 2010
if your budget extends far enough ($500 to $600 for two), a pair of Yaesu VX-6R radios programmed to talk to each other, and a slightly larger than normal sized antenna for each radio...
posted by thewalrus at 11:26 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by thewalrus at 11:26 AM on February 15, 2010
Just last night I was listening to an account from a doctor who just got back from Haiti. I don't know if things have improved since he landed, but weapons for self defense were extremely important. He bought his down in the Dominican Republic before they drove into Haiti. He ended up with a machete, a hunting knife and mace/pepper spray. I'd lean towards mace/pepper spray for her.
posted by thekiltedwonder at 11:28 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by thekiltedwonder at 11:28 AM on February 15, 2010
Or for less money, the most feature laden Leatherman 300 multi-tool which can be found online for $65 or so...
posted by thewalrus at 11:37 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by thewalrus at 11:37 AM on February 15, 2010
I'd want a backpacking water filter, a collapsible baton, and a Surefire flashlight (LED version, and about 40 batteries for it).
posted by Netzapper at 11:46 AM on February 15, 2010
posted by Netzapper at 11:46 AM on February 15, 2010
I've been home from 2 weeks in Haiti for 2 weeks. Her group should of course provide for every consumable item that each team member will need for the length of their stay in Haiti; water, food etc. Anything they comsume will diminish whatever resources are currently in place in Haiti. She will probably be spending nights in a shared tent. She should have all of the necessities that one would have on a remote camping trip. Shower facilities will be limited and communal. Unless she's doing field work without escort there's no need for a GPS. Can she speak French? If not basic French phrase book would be great. Basic travel gear should include the multi tool and a headlamp. During my days in the field I never felt need for any kind of self defense or a weapon of any type. A pair of small portable two way radios might be worthwhile - reassure co-workers that you're OK etc. All appropriate immunizations shoud be up to date, check with local PHS. The anti-malaria Doxycyline was required for our group. Like most others she will probably leave the majority of clothing, shoes etc. behind for the locals when she departs. Gifts of money to her helpers, hosts and others will be gratefully received.
posted by X4ster at 1:31 PM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by X4ster at 1:31 PM on February 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
uh whatever you get her should be money, as suggest above, or something VERY small otherwise i'd just be annoyed at the extra bulk if it wasn't something i absolutely needed.
posted by saraindc at 2:00 PM on February 15, 2010
posted by saraindc at 2:00 PM on February 15, 2010
oh and oddly enough i once tried to travel with pepper spray...illegal. not the best idea.
posted by saraindc at 2:01 PM on February 15, 2010
posted by saraindc at 2:01 PM on February 15, 2010
i mean illegal on a plane. even in check-in. it's considered a weapon after all. ok sorry for all the posts
posted by saraindc at 2:01 PM on February 15, 2010
posted by saraindc at 2:01 PM on February 15, 2010
Cheap, but very handy: a water-filter straw.
She can carry it in her pocket always, and be able to turn a puddle in the mud into a source of safely-drinkable water.
Literally life-saving. Since it's so freaking cheap, you might consider a "stocking stuffer".
posted by IAmBroom at 2:19 PM on February 15, 2010
She can carry it in her pocket always, and be able to turn a puddle in the mud into a source of safely-drinkable water.
Literally life-saving. Since it's so freaking cheap, you might consider a "stocking stuffer".
posted by IAmBroom at 2:19 PM on February 15, 2010
What about an English/Haitian Creole Medical Dictionary?
posted by Houstonian at 4:47 PM on February 15, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 4:47 PM on February 15, 2010
I'd prefer a phone/PDA-based dictionary to a paper one for travel, most of the time.
posted by amtho at 8:15 AM on February 16, 2010
posted by amtho at 8:15 AM on February 16, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you for all the fantastic ideas.
Henry
posted by silsurf at 7:57 PM on February 17, 2010
Henry
posted by silsurf at 7:57 PM on February 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Think_Long at 8:39 AM on February 15, 2010