Why Haiti?

Why am I raising money and going back to serve in Haiti?  Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.  When the earthquake happened, 220,000 people were killed and more than 300,000 were injured.  1.5 Million people became homeless.  Two years later 650,000 people still live in tent cities.  Conditions are crowded and unsanitary, leading to outbreaks of communicable diseases, including the cholera epidemic.  Access to healthcare is limited and one in ten kids will die before the age of five.  Can you even imagine?  This is not some place worlds away, it's a mere 90 minute plane ride from Miami.

The first time I volunteered with Project Medishare was shortly after the earthquake.  They were operating as a field hospital in tents.  The second night we were there the Peds tent caught on fire and we had to evacuate everyone into a field where we took care of the patients overnight.  The hospital was staffed by volunteers that were flown in every week.  Things were very primitive.

Now, Project Medishare has relocated their facilities to a free standing building.  They have Haitian doctors and nurses working at the hospital, and fewer American volunteers every time I go.  They are creating sustainable change by empowering the people of Haiti to be able to one day operate the hospital on their own.  They have the only critical care capabilities in the entire country, including the only PICU and NICU.  Things are still basic, but they have come a long way and they're making incredible progress.  I've been proud to work with Project Medishare and to be a small part of the big impact they're making in Haiti.

With such limited resources, a small donation can make a huge impact.  $5 covers the cost of treatment for a child with cholera.  $20 provides medical care to newborn babies.  $100 supports a child with HIV/AIDS with medication and education.  Your donation really will make a huge impact.  To help please check out my fundraising page.