Clinicians of the World
Clinicians of the World
Making a Difference in Haiti A Year Later
In This Issue
Deworming Program in Haiti: A new initiative
Stories from the Heart: A nurse's touching experience in Haiti
Mission trip to Haiti: A Doctor's reflections
My Haiti Trip: 'How I was inspired...'
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Sponsors: Thank you
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Poverty
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Town of Thoman celebrating the opening of their 1st public bathroom

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Local Mayor 

officiating the event

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February/2011

Surgery2011
Dear Rowlens,

The Clinicians of the World Hope for Haiti Team just returned from its 3rd mission trip to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake.  Our multidisciplinary team consisted of 28 medical and non-medical personal working together to help Haiti transition 'from relief to self-reliance'.   

 

We are currently operating in a small town of about 20,000 people 3 miles from the Dominican Republic border, called Fond Parisien.  We collaborate with the local community and our Haiti-based organization, Haitian Christian Mission. During our January 2011 Trip we were able to accomplish the following:

  • Dewormed over 1331 men, women and children
  • Built a 4-seater latrine in a small remote village (Thoman) 
  • Performed over 20 life-saving operations 
  • Delivered more than $47,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment.
  • Provided education on sanitation and hygiene in the village of Thoman.
  • Provided medical relief to over 600 patients in mobile clinics in remote villages where there is no access to medical care.

Most of the diseases we treated had poverty as a common denominator, including, malnutrition, cholera, typhoid, tetanus, malaria, HIV infections, TB, hypertension, scabies and intestinal worms.


We could not have done what we did without the financial and spiritual support of people like you. From our hearts, the Hope for Haiti Team  thank you for helping us make a difference
 
Sincerely,

Rowlens
 
Rowlens M. Melduni, M.D
President and CEO
Clinicians of the World
 
"Things will get better only if someone like you cares an awful lot." Dr Seuss

Clinicians of the World kicked start its Deworming Program in Fond Parisien, Haiti in January 2011

According to data from the World Health Organization, more than two billion people around the world live with unrelenting illness due to intestinal parasites. Parasitic infections deprive the poorest of the poor in countries such as Haiti, of health and well-being, slow their economic progress and contribute to social marginalization. As you might also agree, this situation need not continue. Unfortunately the governments of low-income countries such as Haiti do not have the necessary resources to manage alone. The WHO also agrees that partnerships provide the best approach for applying the knowledge, skills and resources needed to achieve long-term success in the endeavor to reduce and control morbidity.  

Poor_sanitationIn partnership with local community, Clinicians of the World has devised and implemented a Deworming Program in Haiti aimed at improving children's health status and long-term productivity. Public health experts have determined that the best way of eradicating intestinal worms in an impoverished community is to improve sanitation and public health. 

  
Clinicians of the World Deworming Program is safe, simple and cost-effective. Our Deworming Program involves:

1. Building Latrines in the community for safe disposal of human waste.
2. Building wells to provide clean running water.
3. Treating children with anti-helminthics to eradicate parasitic infections.
4. Distributing rubber sandals to help prevent reinfections.
5. Educating the community to foster self-reliant health behaviors.

Stories from the heart:  A nurse's touching experience in Haiti

"Human touch and care may be all you have to give at times...we do it with love."  Alexis R. Ruegg, RN

 

Our trip to Haiti was my first medical mission trip experience. I have traveled and seen quite a bit in the past, but nothing could have prepared me for an experience such as this. It was undoubtedly the hardest, most intense, emotional, spiritual, heart wrenching, learning, seeing, doing, improvising, smiling, crying, loving, caring, cultural, frustrating, aggravating, beautiful, devastating, rewarding, motivating, humbling experience I have ever had ... and then some. Words can only skim the edges of what the trip meant and what I learned during my time there. I did everything from delivering a 28-week baby with minimal resuscitation equipment, to watching a patient die after spending 2 days caring for her non-stop, doing our best with inadequate resources. Essentially going from birth to death.... life in all its forms. 

When sickness and dying seemed to be the only dominant features of the day, I found my smile return to the sound of school children singing from the courtyard. It was a trip filled with highs and lows that somehow made a whole. The people we met, the families we cared for, the smiles received in return, were the highlights of the trip. While we gave all we could while we were there, we were also was left searching for better answers and solutions to the past, present and future plight of the Haitian people. Being able to donate one's time and skill to the health of a nation on life support is a rewarding experience, but I am also left wanting and seeking for ways to provide more sustainable, consistent care, care with continuity and progress. 

 

It is difficult at best to have the intellectual resources you need at your disposal, while lacking the physical resources to do what needs be done. So you improvise, do your best, treat and help those who you can, and grieve with the families of those you cannot.  Human touch and care is all you have to give at times, and so you do it with love. What stands out in the end is a trip dominated by learning and caring, for those we provided services to, and within our own group.

Mission trip to Haiti:  A Doctor's reflections

 "I learned to focus on what's really important in life: service, compassion, and love."  Martine A. Schultheis, M.D

 

This is my 6th medical mission trip to Haiti and you'd think I'd get used to the pain and suffering of the Haitian people by now, but, that's not the case.  Each and every patient touches me in so many new ways.  I have found that the best way to cope with the disappointment, and everlasting misery is by telling their story to friends and family.  I've learned to keep my spirits high through prayers, laughter and music in order to refrain from crying. Martine and baby How can you explain to a breastfed infant boy that he will never see, smell, taste,

touch, or feel his mother again who was forever gone in an instant?  How can you explain to a toddler that both of his extremities, now amputated, will never grow back so he can freely play, run around and enjoy the happiness of being a child? How can you decide who should live or die when you have one source of oxygen for three patients who all desperately need it?  These were a few of the many questions I asked myself during my trip to Haiti.

This recent Hope for Haiti Mission Trip taught me to be grateful every day for what I have, regardless of its value.  I learned to focus on what's really important in life: Service, compassion, and love.  I give my sincerest gratitude to all of you who contributed physically, financially and spiritually into making this mission trip a success. This world would be a much better place if there were more people like you. 

The Clinicians of the World team was like a family to me.  The connection was immense and I thank each and every one of them for their kindness, courage and inspiration, and most all, for being to the Haitian people the family member they've lost.

 

"A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile." 

My trip to Haiti:  How I was Inspired...

"Everybody can be great because anybody can serve."

LaSonya T. Fleming, RN

 

I understood prior to taking this trip that my life would be forever changed; however, I had no idea to what extent. I can't begin to express the plethora of emotions I encountered after my first trip to this amazing country. The emotions ranged from fear to fulfillment. Fear because I knew the need was great and did not think my contribution would make a difference. Frustration because so much more help is needed. Passion because even at my most exhausting moment, I  could not leave. Compassion because of the abundance of suffering. Pride because of the resilience I saw in each person I met. Love because I was reminded of why I became a nurse in the first place. Lasonya

Fulfillment because a little girl was inspired when recognizing that I looked just like her and I was a nurse. Accomplishment because I am compelled to return, increase awareness and get others involved. I do not know what the future holds for Haiti but what I do know is I WILL be a part of it.

 

Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You do not have to have a college degree to serve. You do not have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love", Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a renewed comprehension of what it means to esteem others above myself.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer with us!

Winter 2012 Hope for Haiti Medical Mission Trip

Clinicians of the World is now recruiting medical and non-medical volunteers Medical Mission Trips to Haiti. The need for good-hearted and service-oriented people who can volunteer their time in Haiti has reached desperate proportions.  As a component of our Deworming Program, we are also seeking volunteers with experience in construction to help us build latrines in  remote villages in Haiti.

 

DATES:  January 13-21, 2012

COST: Airfare + $495 to cover ground cost. Fees will be tax-deductible, and we offer great support to help you raise all the money you need for the trip.  

 

HOW CAN YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THIS MISSION TRIP?
 
Our Mission Teams are typically limited to 25 volunteers.  If you are interested in being a team member on our Winter 2012 Hope for Haiti Medical Mission Trip, please email us. 

Our Sponsors and Supporters: Thank you!

We are infinitely grateful to our sponsors and supporters for making our mission to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate a reality.  Thank you for helping us touch the lives of people in need. We certainly could not have done it without your help.

Contact Us

Clinicians of the World
P.O Box 116
Rochester, MN 55902-0116
Tel: 1-612-353-8632
 
'When people partner together, miracles happen...to them and to those they touch.'  Joel Osteen

 
Partner with us in our Life-saving work.  Help us stop the suffering.  
 
Thank you in advance for your generous donation!
Clinicians of the World | PO Box 116 | Rochester, MN 55903 | 612-353-8632