July 2007 Medical/Student Trip
From July 14-21, 2007 two doctors, four registered nurses, and 10 college and high school students under the supervision of a youth trip director visited Haiti. The purpose of the trip was a combination of a medical trip to conduct pediatric clinics and cultural exchange for the students.
Three separate pediatric clinics were held. The highlight was a day of clinic at Fond-Frede held on the land purchased by Forward in Health and the future home of our medical clinic. Our director in Haiti, Roudy, had a makeshift clinic made out of branches and leaves before we arrived. The pharmacy was set up under a set of trees. As a cooling breeze blew throughout the day through the open clinic 94 patients were seen.
The six year old girl diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis seen in March came for follow-up. She was still taking her Motrin and doing much better. She was walking without pain. We were able to leave 4 large bottles of Children's Motrin donated by Barber's Beyond Dawn in Gardner, Massachusetts so that she could continue her treatment.
The students met with a youth group from Les Cayes. They exchanged information on each others' country, combined on a service project at a local nursing home, and held a talent show in Les Cayes.
The students had an eye opening and valuable experience. All expressed a desire to return. Their enthusiasm and wide eyes at everything that they saw was contagious and uplifting to everyone on the trip. This large group of students begins an exciting new chapter for Forward in Health.
