At the FOTCOH clinic, the health and well-being of our patients is our utmost concern. Having an understanding of what life is like for the Haitian population that we serve greatly influences our decisions as to how we properly treat patients, making sure they are getting the best care possible that we can provide for […]
Posts with the help in haiti tag
The First Patients of the Week
The first two patients to arrive at the dental clinic in May were named Jean Louis and LaVamture. They were friends, and upon finding out about the Dental Clinic that was hosted by FOTCOH at the FOTCOH clinic in conjunction with a Peoria, Illinois based medical practice, the women walked from the mountains of Cap-Rouge […]
1400 Surgeries and Counting
The FOTCOH Surgery Program is a huge part of our work in Haiti. Since its inception, Garron Lukas, FOTCOH’s sole volunteer surgeon, has performed an estimated 1400 surgeries during the regularly scheduled FOTCOH clinics at the nearby Dr. Martinez Hospital in Jacmel. Four times a year, Dr. Lukas travels to Haiti to provide life-saving and […]
Incredible Beauty in Haiti
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]