Welcome to Hearts for Haiti
100% of Donations Directly Aid the People of Calebasse, Haiti
Next Mission to Calebasse, Haiti May & June 2011!!! Please Help Support Our Work!
Update from Dr. Brian Howe D.D.S-November Medical/Dental Mission
Dr. Howe with children of Calebasse, Haiti
I was recruited by one of my patients in Ohio to join this mission trip. I envisioned somewhat of an adventure due to the rustic living and working conditions he
described. What I didn’t expect was the emotional impact the trip would have on me. While the contrasts between Haiti and Ohio are great, the abject
poverty and lack of so many basic things that we take for granted was what really hit me. In the words of another team member, “Haiti is a painful place.”
I saw a total of fifty patients in my time in Calebasse, mostly adults, with gross decay on at least one tooth, several with multiple teeth in need of extraction. Eighty-nine teeth were removed, with several patients turned away at the end of each day. The patients and community were greatly appreciative of our effort and our work done in a primitive setting in a church without electricity or running water. The clinic was open three and a half days, but there is a huge need for recurring return trips, which I hope to facilitate with an entire dental team in the near future.
Brian H. Howe, D.D.S.
Hopewell Dental Care
Heath, OH
Letter and Update from Dr. Kevin Finley-Aftermath of January Earthquake
This past trip to Calebasse in March was very productive. Though our luggage was a day late we got right to work. John headed to Calebasse and I headed to Dumay with DR. Tracee and her team. John started by surveying the damage around the village. Though far up the mountain, the quake was still able to destroy around 200 homes. There was some damage to the church and the school, which was declared unusable. Down around Port Au Prince and Petionville, we drove past numerous openings with tents jammed closely together. Most were constructed with tarps but some were fashioned sadly out of cardboard and pieces of clothing. It was apparent that one nasty storm would be catastrophic. The terrible scent was also a reminder that disease could spread quickly.
The day I spent in Dumay was very insightful. Seeing how Dr. Tracee has set things up there gave me a clearer vision of what could be in Calebasse. We saw 200 patients between the four doctors: Dr. Leslie Miholov, Dr. Marlie Dulaurier, Dr. Tracee and me. It was nice seeing patients knowing that they could follow back up in a week or a month. They have Haitian doctors at the clinic most days of the week. From charting to supplies and how patient flow was maintained I came away with several thoughts about what we will need in Calebasse.
Getting up to Calebasse later that night was very stirring. I was really missing my friends there. It was good to see them smiling. We eased into things the next morning setting up our clinic in the unfinished 2nd floor of pastor Monoit’s home. The space worked well. John worked hard keeping up with the pharmacy while Gladys, Monoit’s wife, checked people in, writing their vital signs and problems on a card. My good friend Ronald, who visited last summer, interpreted for me. We saw 55 people in all that day. A lot of them seem to have stress related symptoms in addition to the usual things we see there.
The next day we went to church and John preached from Philippians, reminding us where our true citizenship lies. We met part of a medical team that was staying at the orphanage nearby. They had been farther east, almost to the Dominican Republic, setting up mobile clinics. The people they helped were not even aware that aid groups were in Haiti. It was good talking to them, seeing others reaching out in Jesus name. John got to pray with a young man who lived close by after the service as he accepted Christ that morning.
After church we saw over a hundred people in our mobile clinic. Caleb, Monoit’s oldest son and his friend Anderson helped with the pharmacy and Gladys checked people in. John went to Ft. Jaque for a special service at the church of our friend Enoch who died in the earthquake. It was bittersweet to learn that Enoch’s wife is expecting. Genel interpreted for me while Ronald took John to the church. Monoit also helped interpret.
The next day we saw people from Zoranje and Groworsh. They walked 12 and 14 hours, respectively. These people are so tough. I told Monoit that one day I would like to hike to Groworsh and see the people there. He told me I would not be able to make it. The same crew was helping and we saw about 110 people when we were finally packing up to leave early the next morning. I was very tired and eager to be home.
This was the hardest trip so far. That was no surprise. I will admit that I am surprised that more people have not asked to go. I know the trip is
costly but there is such tremendous need. When God shines a spotlight on something so horrible there must be a reason. If we are to be His hands and feet, this is one of those times that those hands
should be getting dirty. Please pray about how God can use you for the people of Haiti. Please listen. Please help us to build a clinic there.
-Dr. Kevin Finley
Mission Team Returns to Haiti March 11th, 2010
On March 11th, Dr. Kevin Finley and John Coleman will return to Calebasse, Haiti to assess the damage from the January 12th earthquake, provide medical care to the people in need and determine the
most pressing current and future needs of the community.
If you would like to support this trip, please see below to make a donation. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the people of Calebasse!
Also, Dr. Tracee Karaffa, Dr. Leslie Mihalov, and Paul Hammond of Healing Art Missions, a local non-profit with significant experience working in Haiti will be spending a week in Dumay assisting with
the extensive medical needs and continued trauma response in the country.
To learn more, visit http://www.healingartmissions.org/index.php
You can support the people who need aid most by simply clicking the Donate Button below or writing a check (Be sure to write Haiti Missions in the memo line) to the following address:
Haiti Mission Trip
c/o Centenary United Methodist Church
102 East Broadway
Granville, OH 43023
All proceeds are tax deductible. Thank you for giving generously and please remember your prayers are greatly appreciated, too.
Make a donation
CNN Breaking News--Lelly Laurentus: Calebasse, Haiti
Lelly Laurentus, Calebasse, Haiti, stands in the rubble of his home after the January 12th earthquake, pleading for help from Ms. Gay and Lauren.
Lelly
The beginning of 2010 was bright for Lelly: a husband, a loving father, the manager of the Church and the principle of the school in Calebasse. On January 12, 2010, his world, along with so many
others, came crashing down. He loved his daughters so much that on January 28, he handed Soraya and Leila over to strangers on the promise that they would feed and care for them. Lelly has not seen
his children since that night. He makes the arduous trip to Port-au-Prince often in the hopes of reuniting with Soraya and Leila. Each time authorities turn him away.
Be sure to check out the link to read the story about the troubles our friends are having in Haiti.
Most Recent Update:
Lelly continues to travel down to Port-au-Prince on a daily basis in attempts be reunited with his children. He calls on a regular basis to keep us updated and seems to be in good spirits.
Lelly sitting in the ruble of his home.
Calebasse, Haiti
Monoit and Lelly stand with the elementary school children.
Pastor Monoit Mercilus
A Pastors role in Haiti is a bit different from America. When someone shows up at his door seeking food or clothing, he is obligated to provide. Almost no aid has reached the remote village of
Calebasse. Pastor Mercilus oversees several Churches the schools that operate within the churches. Desperate people are turning to him for guidance and help.
Pastor Mercilus made the decision to dedicate his life to aid and support the people of Haiti. They need his help and he needs our help, now more than ever.
Mission Team returns 4 days before quake
Our mission team returned safely from the remote mountains of Calebasse after providing medical care to over 600 Haitians in January.
Now, the need is even greater. The earthquake's epicenter was just miles from the town of Calebasse, resulting in an urgent need for food, water and shelter.
Your donation will go directly toward serving Haitians in this devastated area. Please give generously to help us provide much needed food and medicine.
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