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Midwest Haiti Partners Conference
The March 20, 2011 conference was a great success. There were over 38 different organizations that attended. Plans are now being worked on for the next conference and the website is under construction. Pictures are available on our Facebook page.
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December News Letter
Haiti Needs You December 2010 Newsletter
www.haitineedsyou.com 616-430-9875
Your prayerful support and financial contributions make a huge difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters suffering daily in Haiti. Haiti Needs You is an organization which I started focused on improving the quality of life for people in need of basic drinking water, food, shelter, and medical attention. With over 10 years of experience in Haiti and over 20 mission trips there, I can assure you that Haiti Needs You now more than ever in the wake of devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, disease, and destruction. Following are some of this year’s highlights.
Through the generosity of so many of you, our 25-member earthquake team treated over 7,000 people at four clinics in Port au Prince. We were able to dress wounds, set bones, provide primary care, and offer comfort to so many in desperate need. Many media reports and other comments are on the blog which you can access through haitineedsyou.com. Listen to the words of some of the earthquake medical team members.
“Our team just returned from Haiti ...we are all 'tired' but came away so very blessed by the spirit of the Haitian people. Words just do not do the situation there justice.. and my heart was 'crushed' over and over again as people came in with broken bones.. severed legs.. feet.. toes.. hands which have been crippled. They shared stories of their survival which sound like they can't be true...but they are! Haiti will need our help for years to come...we can't forget them. They again and again asked us "please don't forget us", so remember Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.” Beryle Silvernale RN
“I heard stories of how large organizations were challenged to help coordinate their resources with those in need, yet our relatively small medical team provided care for 7,000. It was a reminder of what a dedicated and unified group of people could do.” Jim Cwengros
“Home in the USA. We take so much for granted here. I thought my trip to Haiti would help the people in need there and I know it did, but it also helped me. My vision is clearer now on what is really important in life. The Haitian people are amazing. I awoke each midnight to them singing praises to Him, for the glory of another day. They are so thankful. Waiting in lines often for 8 hours, yet smiling and thanking us for being there. The faces, images, smells, and sounds will not soon fade. I look forward to my return. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.” Dr. Bruce Murray
“Downtown Port-au-Prince was devastating. As we pull up to the National Cathedral, a little baby sits in the water, naked. The water was dirty. Bodies lay up the hill in the cathedral where the water comes from. This baby just stares at me. No one is around. The baby is covered in dust. My heart hurts for this baby still. * My heart is broken for these people. They have lost so much. As we pull away a man riding on the back of a motorcycle yells and waves, “Thank you for coming!” Sarah Jo Ashley RN
There are more than 7,00 heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories ranging from major help given for a 9-year old who lost her whole family and came in with a compound fracture to the simple joy of a little girl after doctors glued her broken doll back together.
From this medical mission, we came in contact with another in Jeremie west of Port au Prince with whom we shared our remaining medical supplies and sent another medical team in March to help treat the local residents and some of the 125,000 displaced people from the earthquake.
“One of the first patients today was the little baby from yesterday that was septic, and he was doing SO well today! God answers prayers. He was feeding vehemently from his mother, had no fever, and was breathing great! A little IV antibiotics did this little buddy wonders. Jan and I almost started crying with happiness because we really thought the little guy was on his way out yesterday. The mother was just grinning from ear to ear. * Very soon after our little happy high, another mother brought her 2 year baby Ally in who had pretty advanced hydrocephalus-- swelling in the brain caused by lack of folic acid in pregnancy. She looked like she was having almost continuous petit mal seizures. Even though I've worked hospice for a couple years now, this case just ripped me apart. It was heartbreaking because this mother (who is all of 80lbs.) struggled to even carry this child with a very large head and she is 7months pregnant. We had to take a little break after we saw them because of the tears that started to flow.” Kate Westrate RN
Haiti Needs You started efforts to help 2 year old hydrocephalic Ally get the shunt she needed. We partnered with a member of our medical team and a local organization to get help for her. She was able to make the 10 hour bus trip to and from Port au Prince for the operation. Unfortunately due to complications, she died a month after the operation which deeply saddened all of us. Through Ally’s life and the contacts we made, we will be able to get help earlier for children in similar situations.
After seeing so many people living under bed sheets, we were able to collect over 550 tents and tarps with the help of many local volunteers. These were distributed to Haitians still living under bed sheets and blankets six months after the earthquake.
I had the privilege of participating with another dental team in October in Seguin, Haiti where Holy Spirit Parish has traveled for many years. While there two major medical cases were rushed to our clinic. A 14-year old had fallen into a pan of boiling oil and burned her face, and a lady had been in labor for five days. We transported them to the hospital, but the baby died. This is every day life in rural Haiti. If we had not been there, the burn victim would have been treated with toothpaste and the lady may have died because there are no doctors.
Looking ahead to next year … in January we are taking our daughter on her first medical mission. In March we are involved with planning a Haiti Conference at Aquinas College with Dr. Alexander who was the U.N. Ambassador to Haiti. In April I am leading a high school mission trip. I am presently working on putting together dental teams in northern Haiti and in Port au Prince.
Once again, your support is very appreciated. The more you give, the more we are able to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Haiti! They are so grateful to all of you! Thank you for your continued support!
Tim Ryan Haiti Needs You Director