In Haiti it is easy to focus on the difficulties and disease that you see, smell and hear from the moment you arrive. BUT . . . there is incredible beauty here. The mountains and ocean are breathtaking. Interestingly, I am not convinced that we are truly any happier here in the U.S. with all […]
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A Hectic Day at the Clinic
Today felt more like an emergency department. We saw some serious conditions. One of my early patients of the day had walked a long way on a bad diabetic foot. She had a toe amputated about two weeks ago but the foot was bleeding and very painful. After treatment, she walked home. It is difficult to […]
A First-time Volunteer Story
This is my first trip to Haiti. Just getting here was a test of my commitment and endurance. The September team was to leave for Haiti on September 9th. However, Irma got in our way. She shut down the Miami airport and we were unable to leave the US for Haiti. We made another attempt […]
Forming Lifelong Bonds
Out to crowd, make selections, see and treat. This is the cycle of the clinic day. Most of us start the morning going to the 3rd floor balcony watching the sun rise over this beautiful creation from God. The sun always looks like it is right behind the mountains until you look behind you and […]
Evidence of Our Love
“You can give without loving, but can not love without giving.”–Robert Lewis Stevenson What does that mean? John 3:16 states, “For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his only son.” Those that decide to come to Haiti to work at clinic usually all are moved by some passion or desire to genuinely help […]
Looking Forward to the Week
Today was day one of our trip at the Friends of the Children of Haiti Clinic. Seven out of the 13 of us were newbies. Fortunately, we have great leaders in Jenna and Chrissy helping show the ropes. Clearly, the clinic is well known in the neighborhood – people were lined up to be seen starting […]
Room for One More
Desi, a young Haitian girl, arrived at the FOTCOH clinic along with a friend really in the morning during a FOTCOH hosted Dental Clinic. She came by tap-tap from 30 minutes away, her and her friend having just enough money for the round trip ticket and nothing more. Desi and her friend waited patiently in […]
Providing Care and Compassion
I am an emergency physician and had the opportunity to volunteer with FOTCOH during my residency. When we had some time off while we moved from California to Texas, I thought it would be a great time to volunteer again. My wife surprised me by immediately volunteering to go as well. I sent off the […]
A New Perspective
It’s funny how you can look out one window at the clinic and be overwhelmed by the stunning scenery…the sapphire blue ocean, the majestic palm trees and almond trees, the clear blue sky. Then you look out another window upon the dozens of poverty-stricken people lined up, desperate for help…whether it be for their high […]
It’s Easy to Love a Child
It’s easy to love a child. They are vulnerable. They’re small, often helpless, and totally dependent on others for survival. It’s written in our DNA to help and love children. This instinct transcends time, place and culture. It’s easy to love the children of Haiti. Each day here at FOTCOH, I see many children–some doing […]