Ali and Jodie, in Mrs. Coro’s fifth grade class, interviewed Dr. Jolie Pfahler about her upcoming trip to Haiti. (interviewed Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Leaving on Saturday, January 23, 2010)
Q: Are you nervous about the trip to Haiti?
A: Yes. It is far away, and I am nervous. They just had a bad earthquake, and so there are some dangers.
Q: Why are you going?
A: I am going so that I can hopefully help injured people.
Q: What do you have to bring with you on the trip to Haiti?
A: Two different kinds of things: Things I need for myself, like my own food and water, only 3 pairs of clothes for 7 days. The second thing is medical supplies for the citizens of Haiti.
Q: How many bags can you take, and what size can they be?
A: I have to pack everything for myself, like all my food and clothes, in only a small carry-on bag. (a small backpack) It depends on what kind of plane we are taking for the amount of medical supplies I can bring.
Q: Have your friends and family supported you on this trip, and if so, what have they done?
Q: After the recent aftershock, a huge 6.1, are you nervous? Has that changed how much you want to go on this trip?
A: The aftershock has not made me more nervous, but I do wonder if I will have more aftershocks on the trip.
Q: Where will you staying, and are you going to be sleeping on the floor?
A: We are staying at an orphanage in Port Au Prince. We are going to sleep in tents on the ground.
Q: Where are you going to be working?
A: Mostly taking care of the kids in the orphanage, and hopefully going to other places. It depends on how much gas there is left in the truck.
Q: With whom are you going? Do you know who they are?
A: Some doctors and other people from my church, called Calvary, and a relief organization. I don’t know who anyone that I am going with.
Q: How long are you going to be gone?
A: A week.
Thank you for reading this article. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to ask Ali. She will ask her mom for you.
Dr. Jolie Pfahler will have all the remaining information, and keep your eyes open for more news and pictures about Haiti and the trip.
Dear Dr. Pfahler,
ReplyDeleteI really admire the courage and compassion that you are demonstrating. You have always impressed me. Your commitment to your family, the school, and to your profession is truly remarkable.
I have some things to donate. Is there a collection site at school?
Much love to you,
Mrs. Yollis
Dear Ali & Jodi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for a terrific interview. I was very impressed with your thoughtful questions, and I look forward to the follow-up interview upon Dr. Pfahler's return from Haiti.
Thank you for sharing her story with us, and bringing to our attention yet another hero that lives among us in our Chaparral community.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Coro
Dear Ali & Jodie,
ReplyDeleteYou picked some really great questions for a really generous person. I'm glad you did this interview with Dr. Pfahler because it answered a lot of my questions too. How long did it take to put this post up?
I also think it is amazing how much Dr. Pfahler cares about the people in Haiti. She said she would be staying at an orphanage in tents, on the floor. Is the orphanage still standing? If so that would be very interesting since they just had an earthquake and a 6.1 after-shock.
Your classmate,
Danielle
Dear Danielle,
ReplyDeleteIn responce to your question, ask Mrs. Coro since she was the one who posted this interview. But, if you want to know how long it took to interview her, it took fifteen minutes. I hope this answered your question!
~Ali Pfahler
Dear Ali And Jodie,
ReplyDeleteI think the is interview is great! You guys did a really good job coming up with questions.I also think that Dr.Pfaler is very brave to go their after the 6.1 after shock. Hope all goes well!
Sincerely,
Isabel B.
Dear Ali and Jodie,
ReplyDeleteThat was a great blog post. The questions you asked were very straight forward and it was a very interesting interview. I found it astonishing that Dr. Pfahler was going on the trip to Haiti.
Sincerely,
Rockey
Dear Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a nice post! This post didn't take too long. I agree that Dr. Pfahler is very generous and kind person, as well as a fantastic doctor. Ali and I are not sure if the orphanage is still standing. We will ask Dr. Pfahler to come on and post.
Thanks for reading,
Jodie
Dear Dr. Phahler,
ReplyDeleteI admire your strength and bravery to help the victims in Haiti. I hope you find more people under the debris and help them survive. Hopefully, there are no aftershocks and enough medical supplies for everyone.
-Matt
Dear Dr. Pfahler,
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing thing to go to Haiti to help injured people. You inspire me to help others, and I hope someday I will be able to help people around the world just like you.
Sincerely, Lee
Dear Dr. Pfahler,
ReplyDeleteI admire you so much.You inspired me to help others,and to work harder. I hope you can save the people in Haiti. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Payvand
Dear Jodie & Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful post! Dr. Pfahler says yes, the orphanage is still standing, though it has been damaged from the earthquake. I know Dr. Pfahler will help many children and adults. She is very compassionate, friendly, funny, and caring. Good luck!
~Ali Pfahler
Dear Mrs. Coro's Class,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words of encouragement! I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond. It has been a busy week! I had so many things to do to get ready for the trip to Haiti. For example, I had to have several immunizations to protect me from some of the infections that might be there. I had dpT (diptheria/pertussis/tetanus), typhoid and hepatitis A shots. I bought medication to protect me from malaria because they have many mosquitos there that carry the disease malaria. I also bought an antibiotic in case I get diarrhea. Diarrhea is very common there because the water is not very clean.
I also had to buy some special supplies to take. I bought a mosquito net to sleep under so the mosquitos can't bite me at night. I bought a light-weight shirt and pair of pants that will be cool to wear (it's very hot in Haiti) and that will dry quickly if I have to hand wash them. Because we each have to take our own food, I bought some MRE's (Meal-Ready to Eat, sometimes used by the military and backpackers) that are edible after adding water. I am taking many protein bars and some nuts and some peanut butter. I am sure I will be hungry for some fruit and other fresh food when I return!
This week I also helped sort and pack the medical supplies we are taking on the trip. It is expensive and difficult to transport supplies to Haiti so I want to make sure we have just what we need. I anticipate that we are going to need to supplies to treat wounds (clean or suture them) and that some of the wounds will be infected so we need antibiotics. I expect that some of the people, especially the young children, will be dehydrated from not having enough water and may need special IV's to give them water. Whatever kind of medical need there is, I hope we have the right materials!
Although I am very excited about the trip, I have some fears. I worry that there will be more people to take care of than I can help. And I am afraid that I will REALLY miss my family. But I will do the best I can to help anyone I can in Haiti and I know my family will be fine without me.
Thank you again for great messages. All our friends at Chaparral have been amazingly supportive!
Dear Mrs. Coro"s Class,
ReplyDeleteDr. Pfahler has returned! She says she had an amazing and life changing time. She told me that her the pateint that brought the most emotional feeling was a young boy named Jerri. "Jerri was so young," says the doctor. "His mother brought him in because he had his skull fractured." Thank you for reading and keep your eyes opened for the follow- up interveiw and more stories.
~Ali