Psyc Evaluation Day

So we took a few of the kids in for their evaluations today. What happens is before a child can be proposed- which is what they call matching the children here to an adoptive family somewhere- they have to have certain paperwork finished. Blood work done, psyc evaluation done, etc. Today, we took 4 kids in for their psyc evals.
Now this may seem like a fairly simple task, but lets walk through it. 4 kids. The oldest is 25 months. There was also another child going to the eye doctor. So on the ride down the mountain, we have 5 kids being held by 3 of us, 2 volunteers and a staff member. There is no such thing as car seats in Haiti, that is why they bring us volunteers along. 3 of the 5 kids have never been in a car before. Have you got any idea how scary it is getting into a car with the knowledge that it is not only possible but probable at least one kid will be throwing up. Car sickness, motion sickness, nerves, basic fear.... Who knows. So you climb into a car, take note of where the barf bags are(literally), remind yourself that the kids all have an extra set of clothes in the bag. Mentally smack yourself for not bringing your own change of clothes. THen we begin our trip down the mountain.
It takes a while to get down the mountain. There are big (big by Haitian standards) Mack trucks rumbling down the road. It has no lines, there are pedestrians everywhere, the tap taps(Haitian bus system, I think I explained them in a previous post) stop whenever a passenger tells them to, the road is curvy, and it is not by any means paved and groomed to North American standards. There aren't road rules like there are back home, if you are passing, give a coulpe toots on the horn, I've yet to see a speed limit sign, and have counted a total of two stop signs in the month that I have been here.
So we make it to the doctors office with no major incidents. No sick kids, which is in itself pretty miraculous, and they are all in fairly good moods.Our second daunting task. Now we have to take 4 kids into a waiting room for up to two hours. One at a time the staff member takes the kids in while we keep the others entertained. It is amazing what you can find for a child to play with when options are few. A pair of sunglasses, a hello kitty off a back pack, and single toy car manages to keep 3 kids entertained and happy. After sitting there and managing those three without an issue, hardly even a temper tantrum, I feel like I can handle anything!
The evaluations went really well. Amazingly well. One of the kids is my little guy that was sad with life and not doing so well when I first arrived. Well since then he has blossomed and he passed with flying colors! I am super excited because now maybe there is a chance that he will be matched with his family while I am here! So amazing!
The trip back was a little tricky as it was nearing lunch. We pulled out bottles and by the time we pulled in the gate, we had 5 sleeping babies and a very successful day!

Here are some photo album links
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5840&l=3fff0&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5803&l=145c4&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5386&l=b78d1&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5188&l=a19d9&id=509833092
Hope that works