Just recently Todd returned from a 12 day medical aid to Haiti through MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL along with his co-worker Dan from Tualitin Valley Fire and Rescue.
These are a few pictures of the Haitians they treated, where they stayed and what the villages, town and cities look like now a year after the earthquake. So much poverty. So much sickness. Such humble people.
Todd is asleep as I am posting this.....so if I am not accurate in my writing, forgive me Todd and Dan!
This was the street where their accomodations were. It was gaurded by this man with an AK22 or whatever it is! Yikes! Not knowing what to expect, these rooms were nicer than he thought. They had a cook, but he still managed to come home 2 belt holes smaller. What is with being a guy!
Each day supplies from MIT along with the crew of one Physician, 3 nurses, Todd and Dan were driven out to this "tent city" site to see patients who would line up. It was all open air and hotter than anything...and Todd is a sweaty guy. He said it was a freak show when he started to sweat!
They treated diseases from Cholera, Malaria, ringworm, skin lesions, malnutrition and std's to name a few.
Some of the children they were treating along with Todd's favorite nurse. (Just kidding!!!!)
Todd showed us this one toy this young boy had. It was a plastic ring that he pulled on a string all around and just watched it bounce over rocks and skip along. It was all he had and he took such pleasure out of it. I hate what our kids do today! Electronics and toys that they bore of in an hour or less!
This is an example of a "tent city" that is what all these white structures are, covering this valley floor. This is what they live in :<
Here is one up close that happens to be made out of cinderblocks, most aren't even that insulated. That has to be a 3 ft by 8 ft house. Can we even imagine??
Earthquake damage to a nearby building
Driving through town Todd captured images through the car window. Not exactly a tourist snapshot with the locals type of destination. Behind this dumpster is a river but you can't see the water due to the GARBAGE! It's just a floating canal of garbage. Although is it even floating? Todd says they have no sanitation systems so to get rid of trash they'll just set these dumpsters on fire. Ahh, the smell!
Dan is standing in one of the other locations they were seeing patients. This one had a larger "pharmacy" and more equipment to do more triage. Am I spelling things right? Dan and Todd were able to use all their skills and then some.
Another floating river of garbage
The team was given a day off and taken to a nearby coastline. Todd was grateful to see this beauty or else he would have thought the whole of Haiti was a complete dump.
The doctor, nurse, a director of MIT and they guys.
Another pile of dirt just mounding up along the side of the road.
This mother brought her infant in and after doing an assesment, after getting med/fluids into her, she turned a corner. Todd told me more I can't recall!
These are the interpreters that traveled with them every day. Todd said this group was so awesome and so humble.
Some of the medical supplies at one of the sites
More garbage strewn in front of a local merchant market
Dan with one of the local children that came for treatment.
13 comments:
Wow!! That is so crazy and so sad! What a great experience and opportunity for Todd!
It was very interesting to see Todd's trip to Haiti.
wow. what an experience.
Amazing story - thanks for sharing it. Loved the pictures. Todd is awesome!
Holy smokes- that is amazing after one year that it is still so primitive. Tent city- oh my. But the coast- beautiful! Tell Todd he did a great service.
What a great experience for him...we do have it really good!
Hi there - great blog! I work for Medical Teams International and was hoping we could share this story and photos, maybe on our website or in a newsletter. Could you let me know if that's ok? Thanks,
Megan Streng
What a wonderful service for him to give. It breaks my heart to see people living in such conditions, but am glad Todd could help give them some relief.
Good on you Todd! Way to be a humanitarian. That is so wonderful!
Bundy and I just sat here with our jaws dropped over those photos. It makes me sick how Haiti has alreayd been forgotten. That river of garbage!! I cannot fathom. Those mothers, its not fair that they have to see their children suffer so much. We all have it so good and after seeing this post it makes me realize how much we can all take it for granted. The only thing that gives me hope is that these Haitian people will be way better off when judgement day comes, and I think that is only fair.
What a humbling experience. I'm sure that Todd and his friends did a lot of good and felt a sense of accomplishment knowing they had made a difference. I wish we all could do more to help. I think ongoing donations to LDS Humanitarian aid would be a good way to stay involved from here. I'm proud of you Todd!
Great Job Toddy! Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with us!
Amazing trip! I'm sure he won't forget the experience. So many in this world live without even the basics. We do indeed live very blessed lives. I'm grateful to those who have talents to share that can make even just one person's load a little lighter.
Post a Comment