NOTE: The beginning of the blog starts with the last entry at the bottom.
As I think back, I am truly grateful for the versitility, expertise, and stamina of our team. They are tired of hearing how wonderful they are by now, but I will go on. It literally took months of preparation to touch ground in Haiti. The team first had to secure time off of work. Then, the real work began: getting passports, airfare, immunzations, raising funds, research, attending general training, basic life saving training, media events, and so on. The team sacrificed so much of their time, money, energy and heart into this relief project. Because of these efforts, The UNA-USA Haiti Relief Team was able to touch the lives of around 450 people. The traveling team includes:
Dr. Bruce Douglas -Oral surgeon, USA
Amy Miller -Nurse, USA
Greta Pemsl -Nurse, USA
Annalisa Dick -Nurse, CA
Juanita Tripplet -Respirtory therapist, USA
Jessica Johnson -Public health, CA
Mike Ladner -EMT, USA
Mike Theis -Chicago Police Officer, USA
Dr. Jaqueline Frausto -Chicago Police Officer, USA
Randy Nichols -Chicago Police Officer, USA
Rich Rizzo -Cook County Sheriff, USA
I would also like to give a special thanks to Carline Destine our interpretor who was truly instrumental in the planning and as our cultural liason. I also would like to thank Dr. Tin Depotke and Dr. Keith Price who joined our team when we arrived in Haiti. Good work, everyone!
Erica Green
Haiti Relief Team Coordinator
Public health, Psychotherapist, USA
Kudos to the UNA of Chicago for an excellent work done! Many people received treatments and would have probably died from their illnesses outside the work of this team. I offer everyone my heartfelt thanks for saving these lives.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would suggest this team sharpens its human relations’ skills prior to its next visit to Haiti. It is true the Haitian people are poor; I assure you, nonetheless, their self-esteem is not. A group of local nurses and security personnel who had to leave their children at home to help with your project was not even fed and asked to leave for raising concern. Many of them felt disrespected and dishonored as they were offered twenty-five US dollars for their long week of work. In fact, one particular helper got two US dollars for working the generator for a whole week. These are people whose only misfortune is that they homeland has been violated by nature vis-à-vis a terrible earthquake. They are people with courage, prestige and self-esteem.
If you’re coming to help a people in crisis, please take the time to first love them. You may find out your love is the best care you can provide.
Kudos to the UNA of Chicago for an excellent work done! Many people received treatments and would have probably died from their illnesses outside the work of this team. I offer everyone my heartfelt thanks for saving these lives.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would suggest this team sharpens its human relations’ skills prior to its next visit to Haiti. It is true the Haitian people are poor; I assure you, nonetheless, their self-esteem is not. A group of local nurses and security personnel who had to leave their children at home to help with your project was not even fed and asked to leave for raising concern. Many of them felt disrespected and dishonored as they were offered twenty-five US dollars for their long week of work. In fact, one particular helper got two US dollars for working the generator for a whole week. These are people whose only misfortune is that they homeland has been violated by nature vis-à-vis a terrible earthquake. They are people with courage, prestige and self-esteem.
If you’re coming to help a people in crisis, please take the time to first love them. You may find out your love is the best care you can provide.