Dominican Republic: a life worth saving

In communities in the Dominican Republic, children find themselves at small grocery stores like the one above, seeking out a candy bar or a soft drink. The question is how do they do it without any money. They beg. I saw these 2 boys doing that and even from far away, I could sense that the shop keeper, himself barely keeping his little store open with few patrons, giving in to them. They both left with a small piece of candy. gifting from one who little to gift. And that set the tone for all that I've seen here in the DR as I've moved from one MoM project to another. MoM staff gifting from their hearts, using personal funds and resources in addition to those from MoM to help a child.

Like this little girl, a MoM child in a small project in the DR. Clothes, food, healthcare and education. Spiritual growth and most of all love. Gifting from those who gift without taking. But here is the story that takes it all to the heart.

She is 12 years old, and a few months ago, she took ill with an unknown infection, became combative, then losing consciousness and quickly passing away. The project leader took her to the hospital and before even asking MoM for help, the project leader put down a sizable amount of money from her own pocket and that of the other MoM project staff to get the care she needed immediately. This little girl spent 2 weeks in the hospital, slowly recovering. I saw her CT scan and her EEG (brain wave recordings). An area of infection was clearly noticeable in her brain, and her EEG was abnormal. The project director and her staff prayed for her continually and also made sure that funds were available for the care that was needed on a daily basis. Little is done in a government hospital unless you pay up front for medications. I saw the bill. Diapers, IV solutions, medications, and more. All paid for by the project staff. This little girl left the hospital with some mild residual neurologic changes (you can perhaps see that the left side of her face is slightly drooping), but she is recovering more and more of her function daily. I examined her and she is bright, happy and thankful for her life. She gave me permission to share her story and her picture to say thank you to all who care for her.

I came to assess the healthcare programs we've put in place in the DR, Honduras and Haiti. I was struck with the fact that the programs were not only working well, they were being built upon by the projects themselves with self direction and efforts. But most of all, I was struck with the kindness of the MoM staff, and this project leader. To gift to a child, to save her life, is a heart driven act that no "program" can ever match. And isn't that what we are all about? To ensure that all children have an opportunity to experience his or her's God given potential. A child's life worth saving.

In all things give thanks,

David

 

Haiti: What do you hear....

I've just finished an almost 3 day trip from the south of Haiti to the north and then to the east, visiting many of our MoM projects, examining the children and checking on their health care. You want to hear that all is well, that all the children are growing, are healthy, that they are stong, resilient and without illness. Not completely, but pretty close. What you will hear is that the children are well cared for, physically, spiritually and emotionally. You'll hear that they are for the most part holding their own, getting vitamins and meals that are nutritious, and that when they get sick, they are taken to a local clinic, seen and treated. You'll hear that we have some bumps in the road that we are dealing with, but nothing that we can't make smooth. You'll hear that I am pleased to see that the children in our MoM projects are all healthier overall since we came here a while back with a medical team and saw over 2000 of the children in one week. You'll hear that the teachers, the project directors, the regional director, the facilitators, and all of the MoM local staff are committed to ensuring that the health of the children is a top priority. A healthy child is one who will be able to learn, to sing, to play and to live life and be loved . You'll hear that healthcare is process, a determined act of caring and curing. And you'll hear that the MoM children of Haiti are better for what has been given, and for what we will be giving in the years to come. A healthcare system that is tailor made for the MoM children of Haiti, addressing their individual and unique needs. I came here to hear what has been done right and what can be done better. I heard and now you have. It sounds like we've done okay, wouldn't you agree?

In all things give thanks,

David

Dubuisson: A place of want....

When Medical Mercy arrived 72 hours after the Haiti earthquake, we set to work on helping theinjured and homeless. We came across a refugee camp several days into the devstation, where no medical teams had been nor any help at all. It was called Dubuisson. We stayed there for 2 days take care of over 400 refugees. I came back to that locale today and saw how it had grown, and the community had settled. But there was one area that we came upon yesterday that MoM and a partner US church is looking to embrace. What you see is a church without a roof with mothers and children in there. That will be the center of a new MoM project, a Child Development Center (CDC) as we call it for 100 children. I examined quickly about 80 children who were there, and saw that almost half were malnourished, anemic, had bad nasal drainage and pneumonia.These children are in need of health care. These children are in need of nutrition, education, clothes and much more. It is a place of want. We're there to fulfill the need.

In all things give thanks,

David