Forward In Health

FIH Clinic Update from Audrey Hunter

2012-01-23T15:12:00.001-05:00

Forward inHealth continues to make headway towards completing Phase I of the healthclinic in Fonde Frede, Haiti. Walls areup, permanent stairs are being installed, there is talk about doors and windowsbeing installed soon, and plumbing and electricity add to our optimism about avision for a permanent clinic providing healthcare to the Les Cayes area ofHaiti.

We are veryfortunate to have Hal, who brings his expertise in construction to FIH and hastaken time out of his personal life to live in Haiti and oversee theconstruction.

I lookforward to my next trip to Haiti to be present when the first clients walk throughthe doors to receive much-needed services. Having been to Haiti on medicaltrips with FIH both prior to and after the earthquake will make this futuretrip especially exciting.

Stay tunedfor the progress,

AudreyHunter

Landmark Relationship

2011-12-14T15:06:00.001-05:00

Monday December 12, 2011 the Forward in Health board made a unanimous decision designed to both complete the first phase of our mission, bringing healthcare to the people of Fondefred, Haiti, and also ensure our future. FIH is proud and excited to announce the signing of an agreement and relationship with Seven Hills Global Outreach (SHGO). Seven Hills Global Outreach, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation , has partnerships in seven third world countries, including Haiti. They bring both a passion, knowledge, and expertise about how to make lasting changes in developing countries with an eye toward sustainability.

During his presentation to the FIH board Dr. David Jordan, president of Seven Hills Foundation and a professor at Clark University in Worcester, Ma, stressed that non-profits organizations such as Forward in Health cannot sustain themselves relying on donations and fundraisers. These forms of financing have a place, however organizations relying on these forms of funding are not sustainable.

Dr. Jordan, along with Ashley Emerson-Gilbert, director of Seven Hills Global Outreach, traveled in October, 2011 to Fondefred, Haiti with FIH president Dr. John Mulqueen. They spent time learning what FIH has accomplished and short term plans. They also had meetings with the mayor of Les Cayes, the Les Cayes Chamber of Commerce, and 15 leaders of the Fondefred community. Dr. Jordan was able to identify a service for FIH that he believes will ensure a steady financial stream to FIH as a means of supporting the medical clinic and also be one source of financing for future construction.

Under the agreement SHGO will provide FIH with an experienced management team in the US and in Haiti, along with personnel to aide in marketing, finance and budgeting. Just as important will be the expertise and visionary skills of Seven Hills president Dr. Jordan.

The future of Forward in Health, and therefor the future of the impoverished people of Fondefred, has never been brighter. Adding this alliance to our recently completed five year strategic plan and dedicated and passionate board is a recipe for success for FIH "for today, tomorrow, and a lifetime!"

FIH Truck filled with supplies

2011-11-11T15:30:00.001-05:00

Paul Demeo, John Mulqueen, and Bob Hurtubise

Gardner High Haiti Club Packs the truck

Sunday November 11, 2011 a truck filled with construction items, medical supplies, and clothing will leave Gardner, Massachusetts for Miami, Florida. The 24 foot box truck will then depart on a cargo ship for Haiti. Word has spread that Paula and John Mulqueen are sending supplies to Haiti in a box truck. The truth is that John and Paula could never accomplish all that has been done to fill and ship the truck. It has taken a mix of people, most who have never been to Haiti, who have volunteered their time and donated money and supplies.

The story begins with Matt Robinson, brother of our board member Audrey Hunter and the president of Industrial Packaging Supply. Matt contacted Steve Robinson of Apple Truck and Trailer Sales of Auburn, Ma. Steve had a box truck for sale. After Steve went through the truck and fixed what needed fixing Matt Robinson, a long time generous supporter of FIH, bought the truck for FIH.

The truck was picked up by members of the Gardner Lions Club Steve Cormier and John Mulqueen Senior. They drove the truck from Auburn to Gardner where space to store the truck was provided by Bob Hurtubise, Gardner Lion and owner of 101 Storage.

It was now time to gather construction items needed to complete construction of the FIH medical clinic in Fonfrede, Haiti. Number 1 on the list was a cement mixer. Up to now cement has been mixed with a stick on the ground. Money for the cement mixer was donated by the Woonsocket, R.I. Rotary Club. FIH board member Sr. Theresita belongs to the Rotary and they were accepting applications for an international project.

The next big item we needed was a 4 wheeler for Hal Seifert who is overseeing construction in Haiti. If there is extended rain Hal cannot reach the clinic site on his motorcycle. Terri Langlois, a nurse at Heywood Hospital in Gardner who has traveled with FIH to Haiti, spoke with the people at Cycle Design in Athol, Ma. They had a used 4 wheeler and the money to purchase it was donated by FIH board members Audrey Hunter and Sandy Hartnett.

Donations continued to come in. Some were financial like donations from the Fitchburg and Westminster Lions Clubs after Gardner Lion Paul Demeo put the word out. Paul also obtained 7 new combination windows from J & R Glass and has provided invaluable knowledge time purchasing plumbing supplies.

14 new sinks were donated by Brian Gauther of Bub's Plumbing in Gardner. The sinks are Caribbean colors. He has had them for years because no one liked the colors. We do!

Electrical supplies have been donated by Joe Favulli from Favulli Electric in Worcester, Raborne Electric, Bob Anderson, and John Ghones.

Members of the Gardner High Haiti Club have volunteered twice to help with loading items into the truck. FIH board members Paula Mulqueen and Gerry McGuire provided leadership loading the truck. Tools have been donated by long time supporters Scott Huntoon and John and Addy Shinnick.

Finally we needed to find a shipping company that goes to Haiti and a driver to get the truck to Miami. Annie Reynaud from Global Panel Solutions provided invaluable assistance finding a shipping company and how to get the truck quickly out of customs in Haiti. Bob Hurtubise found our driver; Templeton firefighter Doug Wheeler. Doug will drive the loaded truck to Miami for FIH.

Clearly this has turned into a community effort. This again proves that FIH is a group effort. The work of the many supporters of FIH should be proud of the many hands involved to help raise the health care of the people in Fonfrede.

Lunch with Troy Brown Raffle

2011-10-11T16:23:00.001-04:00

It is that time of the year again and thanks to the generosity of Narragansett Beer, Troy Brown, and Jimmy Kraskouskas of Anthony's Liquor Mart in Gardner FIH is proud to announce our second raffle for lunch with Troy Brown. Only 500 tickets are being sold at $25 each. Proceeds this year to benefit FIH wing Forward in Hope supplying food, clothing, and help with education to 30 destitute boys in Fondefred.

First prize is one of a kind:
Lunch for 4 with former New England Patriot wide receiver Troy Brown courtesy of Narragansett beer, plus
San Diego Chargers official game helmet autographed by Gardner High graduate Jacques Cesaire and by Corey Liuget the 2011 #1 Draft choice of the Chargers, plus
2 tickets to the Patriots/Colts game Sunday 12/4/11.

Second Prize:
4 tickets to the Patriots/Chiefs game 11/21/11 at Gillette Stadium plus
4 passes to the Dana-Farber Pre Game Tailgate Party.

Third Prize:
2 tickets to the Patriots/Chiefs game 11/21/11 at Gillette Stadium

For tickets contact FIH at jmulqueen@forwardinhealth.org or call FIH at 978-632-6900 and leave a message.

Sister City Golf Tournament

2011-09-15T21:43:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is the first Sister City Golf Tournament at the Gardner Municipal Golf Course. This kicks off and celebrates the inauguration as Gardner, Ma and Fondefred, Haiti become Sister Cities. FIH is the proud recipient of the proceeds. Over 60 golfers, an Octoberfest Dinner, and many donated auction and raffle items complete the celebration.

Thanks to all who have worked so hard, especially Jimmy Krasouskas owner of Anthony's Liquor Mart who inspired the Sister City idea and Golf Tournament, Debbie Orre co-chair and tireless worker, Ben Eagan of the Gardner Golf Course, and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke.

Items needed for Supply Truck Going to Haiti

2011-09-11T16:15:00.004-04:00

Forward in Health has received a generous donation of a 24 foot 2001 Sterling box truck. Matt Hogan, president of Industrial Packaging Supply Co. of Auburn, Ma., became aware of the need for a box truck by FIH and pledged to either find a donated truck or pay for one himself. True to his word Matt paid for the truck. Obtaining the truck was greatly facilitated by Steve Robinson, owner of Apple Truck and and Trailer Sales of Auburn, Ma.

We have comprised an extensive list of supplies needed to complete construction for phase 1 of the medical clinic. Once completed the medical clinic will provide access to life saving medical care to 15,000 currently trying to survive without.

We are in need of supplies to fill the truck before shipping. If you have ever desired to help with construction of the FIH medical clinic from afar please look at the list below for needed supplies.

The truck is located in Gardner at 101 Storage and supplies
can be dropped off at their office or email FIH at paulamulqueen74@gmail.com for a scheduled pick up. The truck will ship to Haiti in the middle of October.

12-2 wire - 1000 ft.

14-2 wire - 1000 ft.

150 plugs (outlets)

50 switches

400 amp panel

200 amp panel

100 amp panel-2

Breakers to match the panels (same manufacturer)

24 and 32 foot Aluminum Extension ladders

Rebar cutter/bender

20 42 inch ceiling fans

Plumbing fixtures.

Skill saw, extra blades.

12 Electrical wire strippers.

12 Utility knives.

5 Electrical testers.

2 ½ yard diesel cement mixers.

12 Rain coats.

2 four wheel vehicles.

2 bicycles.

Small and medium sized motorcycle gloves

Electric grinders (2) with extra wheels

Medium and large Mucking Boots

FIH Update

2011-09-05T21:30:00.003-04:00

It has been too long since our last blog and update. A lot has been happening. Here are some of the highlights.
Hal Seifert has been home but returns to supervise construction in Haiti October 8th. We are anxious to complete phase 1 of construction and we are still on target to open the doors of the clinic by June 2012.
FIH is fortunate to avail ourselves of the expertise of Legion 13 . Legion 13 is a firm comprised of marketing specialists with big agency backgrounds. They have agreed to help FIH move forward and find ways to get our story out.
FIH is talking with the global outreach arm of Seven Hills Foundation . We are sekiing areas where we can combine our efforts to help the people of Haiti.

2011-06-01T21:40:00.003-04:00

Forward in Health has been fortunate to have the architectural skills of Paul Fallon provide his expertise in designing the FIH medical clinic and living space. Paul was in Haiti last week and met with Hal Seifert at the construction site. Three hours later all of the details that are difficult to sort out from different countries were sorted out. Construction will continue for another 2 weeks and pause while Hal spends 2 weeks in the US taking care of family matters and earning a few dollars so that he can return to Haiti and finish the construction.
Hal has assured us that even though the walls may need a large number of sticks right now to hold them up, the clinic will stand without the sticks once construction is complete. :)

Hal in Haiti: Finding Scneider

2011-05-25T15:38:00.004-04:00

In April 2010 the surgical team from Forward in Health noticed a newborn with a birth defect. It was determined that the protrusion in on the middle of his forehead was filled with cerbrospinal fluid. We promised the mother that we would try to find a way to her son. We have been trying and are getting closer. Now we needed to locate the child who lived in a village outside of Les Cayes. The following is Hal Seifert's story on how he found Schneider.

Finding Scneider

Last Saturday Evens, Zico, and I drove our motorcycles to an outlying area, towards a very well put together town- Camp Perren. Our goal for the day was to locate a boy (we thought at the time we were looking for a girl) that had been born a year ago, almost to the day. Forward in Health was doing a clinic in Les Ceyes and delivered Schneider, a healthy baby, with the exception of a unicorn type growth between his eyes. It was determined at the time that the growth was in fact spinal fluid.

For most people living in Haiti, disappearing into the slipstream is the norm. We had a number for the family, but in time it was lost. So off we go, dropping into full detective mode. It didn't take long for the road to go from paved to dirt. This means dirt biking at it's best-mud, gravel, oncoming dump trucks at warp speed, all a great work out for the adrenal gland. As the road became a trail, we starting inquiring about the whereabouts of our child. It's funny how our minds work, initially people drew blanks, then the more we talked the brighter the light bulb got.

Eventually we came to a small rustic house in a beautiful setting. The family poured out, bringing all their chairs with them. We had the right family, including Grandma. We called the father in Port Au Prince and made arrangements for us all to meet at Grandma's the following Saturday. So yesterday we headed back out, except this time Evens was on the back of my bike, and the boy needs to start exercising. Much as I love him, handling those roads was much more challenging. But we got there in one piece, and Schneider was there.

The first thing that struck me about him, wasn't the fact that, indeed, he had a unicorn growth between his eyes, but how sweet he was. He appeared lethargic, but in fact is shy. He also appeared to have a fever and lung congestion, which he suffers from chronically. The more I held him, the more he wiggled, he could not get over the hair on my arms. The boy and his father were obviously quite close. The father has been trying to resolve this for some time, he had x-rays and reports. We took every scrape of information we could glean, everything. We also took measurements of his head, which was challenging because he really became the wiggle worm then, and lots of photos.

The next step is to try and get Scneider, and hopefully his Mom or Dad medical visas. There is a surgeon from Boston that has agreed to do the surgery. I suspect finding a plastic surgeon won't be hard.
A great day indeed.

Hal in Haiti: Compassion

2011-05-22T22:35:00.001-04:00

Compassion

The project of building a medical clinic in rural Haiti is proving to test just about everything I've learned along the way working my way through Life. The people here do things the way they do them because it's what they know and have always done. Uh-oh looks like somebody is riding in really fast on a white horse, yep, just what I was afraid of, an American. Don't get me wrong, I'm American, and am very proud and thankful to be. You have to admit, we think we know what's best, and in many cases we're right. We've been blessed with constant progress, innovation, and being able to pretty much shape our own destiny. Sometimes that has been a hindrance, but mostly it's allowed us to find better solutions to our problems. We've been brought up to believe if we have a problem, it's within our ability to find a viable solution. Sometimes it turns out very different than we thought it would, but the point is believe we can better ourselves.

Haiti has a very different mindset. They have been oppressed since they were brought to this island as slaves. Even after they won a long and bloody war of independence, they have been exploited. Their natural resources have been stripped to serve the needs of people very far away, who had little or no regard for the Haitian people's well being. Few schools were built, few medical facilities, nothing that they could count on to be sustainable. The forests were literally stripped bare, top soil tumbling to the ocean, ruining streams and rivers in the process. So they've been swimming upstream for sometime now, 1804, to be precise.

People come here from all over the world to help, and help they do. There are people trying to improve every aspect of life here, education, water quality, agriculture, medicine, spiritual awakenings, all aspects of life, many of which we've come to take for granted. Education, for example, when we were galloping across the US heading west, when we stopped to settle in, the first public buildings were schools and churches. We take for granted getting an education, whether we agree with it or not, that all of our children will go to school from 5 to 18 years of age. Not so, here in Haiti. I'm not sure the ratio of schools versus children, but my guess is there is less than half of the kids have a school to go to, never mind being able to afford it. Kids here have to pay to go to school, on top of having to buy uniforms. Even if there was enough schools to go around, people have no money to pay for. Most people don't have enough money to feed themselves or their families.

A by-product of not going to school is the lack of development of critical thinking skills. Even if we aren't paying attention in school, we learn how to figure things out. One of the frustrating things people from other lands complain about here is people just don't get it. The majority of people haul their water, from a young age, don't have a clue what a toilet is, don't have electricity, don't even have the word leftover in their vocabulary. All of these facts can make it very frustrating for people with the same values as ours. If you loan something to someone, it now belongs to them. Hey, where's that wrench I loaned you? Huh? We look at them as thieves, they look at us as confused and misguided.

In spite of many of these gaps there is progress being made. The clinic I'm building is designed and engineered by Americans. If I turn my back for two seconds they go right back to what they know. The minute I assume they are getting it, they disappoint me. I constantly have to adjust my expectations. The thing is they are inherently really good people, incredible workers, many of them working through the day with little or no food. They are tough yet compassionate. Many of the problems they have really aren't their fault. All of us working here have to bite our tongue and embrace the broad spectrum of wonderful qualities these people have.

Posted by Hal Seifert at 8:44 AM

2011-05-20T09:19:00.003-04:00

Evens, our head translator and Hal's right hand man, recently wrote the following on the FIH Facebook. This is Evens in the raincoat from earlier in the month.
"Work is progressing after the post and the doors; we will go to the roof which will be a major step towards achieving that dream cherished sine many years. Together, hand in hand we're going forward"

Construction Progressing

2011-05-15T20:52:00.007-04:00

Construction of the FIH clinic in Fondfrede is progressing at an excellent pace, Hal Seifert's report this week was as follows.

"Things are going well. Walls are going up. Half of the window headers got poured yesterday, the rest Monday."

Hal and his right hand man in Haiti, Evens, traveled to Camparen to try to locate a 1 year old boy with a birth defect. The FIH surgical team was there when he was born in April 2010. He has a protrusion on his forehead that connects to the cerebrospinal fluid around his brain. He requires neurosurgery to repair this. Hal and Evens did find the boys grandparents and will return next Saturday to speak to the parents. If the parents agree FIH would like to arrange a medical visa to bring him to the US for the surgery. Hopefully more news to come.

2011-05-10T20:53:00.002-04:00

Last fall Forward in Health was the beneficiary of a raffle, top prize lunch for 4 with favorite former New England Patriot Troy Brown courtesy of Narragansett Beer. The raffle was limited to 500 tickets. Well lightening has struck twice. Troy has agreed to a raffle for FIH paid for by Narragansett Beer. This year the number of tickets will not be limited. There will also be consolation prizes; not Troy Brown, but hard to find treasures none the less. More details as they become available.

Winchendon School Interview

2011-05-10T17:36:00.005-04:00

Two key participants in our recent Medical Trip to Haiti are Alex Magay and Jacques Delorme. They are faculty members at the Winchendon School and were interviewed for the school upon their return.

Alex Magay relaxing with some of his new-found friends.

Were you prepared for what you saw when you arrived?

Alex Magay: I did not have any preconceived expectations for what we were about to experience. We had seen many images of Port-Au-Prince through the media, but seeing it in person, smelling and tasting it, left us feeling shocked and amazed, as one might feel the first time they enter a war zone.

Jacques Delorme: I guess I was prepared from watching the Forward in Health video. We also met as a group, and they gave us specific details to pay attention to.

What shocked you the most?

AM: Definitely the day-to-day living conditions for the common man, which includes lack of appropriate shelter, shortage of clean water, and the abundance of rubbish and pollution.

JD: The most shocking thing is the smell. Nothing prepares you for the smell of so many people living in substandard living conditions, rubbish everywhere, open sewers, and people.

Describe a typical day:

AM: Wake up early eat breakfast, put our scrubs on and travel to a clinic that would have over 100 people waiting patiently with tickets under a hot tent all day to see Forward in Health for free medical assistance.

Our clinics had five different components: first we had the patient waiting area and we had one man there for crowd control, the second station was patient intake station-where we would screen each patient with the help of an interpreter to acquire personnel information and a description of their medical problems. In the third station, patients’ blood pressure was taken. The forth station was the doctors treatment area and in the fifth station was our pharmacy.

After a long hot day we would ride home in the pack of a pickup truck, on a motor cycle, or a van to our hotel were we would meet as a team and discuss how the clinic went and how we could make the next one better. Then we have a dinner usually rice and beans and chicken.

What was the hardest thing to deal with?

JD: At the end of the day, to say no to people, especially young kids with parents, who did not have a ticket and were desperate to receive medical attention.

AM: Yeah, having to say no to patients that arrived after we had treated the scheduled 150 patients, and we had to say no to needy patients because we had to stick to our schedule to get to our next location on time.

What is something that you will never forget?

JD: How friendly Haitians are despite living in horrible conditions...and the fact that that some of them(especially men) do not seem to care about it. How fantastic it is to work with people who share the same passion, where HARMONY replaces Egoism. Quite a feeling!

AM: Playing soccer with the children in the orphanage in the hot sun on a rocky field in the country and seeing the children’s excitement on their face when we gave them our school’s left over soccer balls. Despite the hardships that were everywhere in Haiti, I will never forget the incredible human spirit, dignity, and pride displayed by the majority of Haitian people we met on our trip.

Would you ever go back to Haiti?

AM: In a second, I hope that I can return soon to continue our work, and I know that Mr. Delorme feels the same way.

The Winchendon School's web site can be found here.

Construction Progressing

2011-05-07T21:40:00.005-04:00

Construction of phase 1 of the FIH clinic is progressing under the supervision of Hal Seifert. Engineered to be earthquake resistant under the guidelines set forth by John Thomsen and Brian Twomey from the engineering firm Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger. As you can see there is a lot of rebar being used. It is also all tied together horizontally as seen in the first picture.

Today Hal emailed us, "Work is progressing very very swiftly. We will be close to forming the second floor by end of week or next, I think. Things will slow down a little around the doors... the blocks are up to and into the windows."

Hal in Haiti

2011-05-04T17:07:00.003-04:00

Rough Roads in Haiti

Last week the medical team returned to resume their lives in the states. When they left I thought I was allergic to something, my lower lip was quivering. The week was spent organizing, pouring over the engineers plans, meeting with the foreman, trying to figure out how to get temporary housing for the orphans we are caring for, and generally preparing for getting the clinic in the air. The children were evicted from their house and are living under a tarp, AND, it's raining a lot. We are trying to re-register the orphanage, the most recent one expired. Our goal right now is to house them within the walls of the clinic site. There are many NGO's offering transitional housing, we just have to connect with the right one. We met with an attorney who is helping get the correct papers filed.

This week we are at the site, with 12 workers, working on laying the bricks for the walls. The crew is really quite competent and efficient. Paula sent down gloves for them all, first they fought over them, then when they figured out they all get a pair, they were happy happy. The laborers laugh all day long. The masons are a little more serious.

I go there at 7 to open things up, at about 9 a local woman comes and sells bread with peanut butter and coffee. Getting there this morning was particularly challenging, slipping and sliding in the mud, I buried the rear wheel almost to the axle. At least I know my adrenal gland still works. Ah, all roads are rough in Haiti.

Hal

Hal Seifert, overseeing construction in Haiti

2011-05-02T21:37:00.004-04:00

Medical Team

A group of people, including two docs and six nurses, from the greater Boston area, Gardner (Gadna), Worcester (Woosta), Westminster (West Minny) and others, recently returned to the states. They were here to conduct clinics in several locations, many of which were far from any definitive care. Some patients had never set foot in a clinic. The way it worked was: there was an intake table, usually staffed by two people, each with excellent translators, the patients each got their vitals taken, weighed, then off to the diagnostic center, four stations, two with docs and two with nurses, then they went, with their intake sheet, complete with diagnosis and treatment, to the pharmacy, and a fairly complete pharmacy it was, drugs on wheels, their order was filled along with soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins, and suckers for the youngsters, they then went to see two more nurses with translators to explain to the patients what and how to take their meds, then off they went.

This is a great start, but it doesn't offer any continuity of care. And THAT is the point of building the clinic and surgical center in Les Ceyes, to offer follow-up care to these wonderful people. For many people, when their medicines are gone their condition will revert, and THAT is really unacceptable.

We also went out into the true middle of nowhere to see the orphans we are care taking of. They are now living under a big tarp, having been evicted from their home by the Department of Health for substandard living conditions. They did a musical/dance performance that was nothing short of amazing. The music was provided by a lone trumpet, a bass drum and a snare drum, played with two sticks. Their ages ranged from four to eighteen. After the performance every child was looked at and treated accordingly.

I am trying to track down some transitional housing kits, which are in evidence all over the country since the earthquake and put them up on the property of Forward in Health. We can get by with two or three, and hopefully we obtain them before it starts raining too much more. They will be living in a mud puddle if we don't. We'll see.......

The crew of people were great, we got along like extended family. We ate and played well together, laughed a lot. The docs and nurses had about two hundred years of experience between them, an incredible level of competency. It was a privilege working with them.

Medical Team Leaves at 5:30 AM for Haiti

2011-04-18T21:40:00.002-04:00

The bags are packed and loaded on the bus. Just waiting for 2 AM when everyone should be here to leave for the airport. A team of 15 doctors, nurses, computer engineers, FIH executive director, and faculty from The Winchendon School comprise the latest medical team to help the people of Haiti.
About this time I always feel a combination of anxiousness and excitement. This team is a bit different in that the majority of the team is made up of "newbies", first timers to Haiti. It is rejuvenating to see Haiti through their eyes as they experience all that makes up the experience in Haiti. There will be a mix of initially giddy excitement as we fly into the country. By the time we are part of the way out of Port-au-Prince the clicking of cameras will likely die down as the poverty that does not end starts to sink in.
Hal Seifert is returning to Haiti with us. He has committed to seeing the completion of phase 1 of the clinic, the first 1/3 of the eventual project. This will get us up and running seeing patients by this time next year.
We plan on treating approximately 800 people on the trip and never quite know what we will find. What I do know is that we will follow the teaching of Mother Teresa, "Do small things with great love." Wish us luck, John Mulqueen

Thanks to Spirit of Hope

2011-04-17T22:02:00.002-04:00

Today members of Forward in Health attended a concert, "From Broadway to the Met", a fund raiser for Spirit of Hope. Spirit of Hope, located in Worcester, Ma., has already helped Forward in Health by paying all of the expenses of 2 doctors who traveled to Haiti over a long weekend with the sole purpose of pinning the fractured leg of a young man injured in the earthquake. The concert featured 3 outstanding vocalists, Rochelle Bard, Nicole Bard Lian, and Jacqueline Noparsak. Over 2 hours the 3 talented singers, backed by a large choir, took the audience on a journey mixing together well known songs from Broadway and the opera.
At the conclusion Forward in Health received $10,000 from Spirit of Hope to pay all of Hal Seifert's expenses while he is in Haiti overseeing construction of the first 1/3 of our medical clinic. A 15 member medical team travels with Hal to Haiti Tuesday April 19th. We will conduct 4 days of clinics while in Haiti.
Thanks to Rochelle, Nicole, and Jacqueline for sharing their impressive talents, and to Spirit of Hope for recognizing the work of Forward in Health and sponsoring Hal Seifert.

First FIH Building is up

2011-04-13T16:03:00.006-04:00

FIH is pleased to announce that our first usable building is up. While Hal Seifert has been home in the US until April 19th the construction crew built a large depot. This is where building material will be safely secured during construction. As a bonus the FIH medial team traveling to Haiti from Aprl 19-26 will use the building as a makeshift pharmacy. Although only a small step, seeing the building up and using it is exciting for those of us who have been working for 5 years to get to this point.

Hal in Haiti Back Home

2011-04-02T15:11:00.001-04:00

Hal Seifert has returned home for 3 weeks. He will be returning to Haiti with the next FIH medical team April 19th.

Back

We left Les Cayes yesterday morning at 7, arrived about 40 minutes later in Port au Prince. Two props, two pilots (Latin), probably 20 passengers. Beautiful mountains and farmland. Farms that are so isolated, no roads, just trails, a long way to market, fertile, verdant land. Listening to Adele, her beautiful voice wrapping around deep sentiments. After landing we tried to rush to the airport in time to catch an 8:50 to Fort Lauderdale, fat chance, so we waited for the 3:45, which was late of course. A group of people sat with us from Atlanta. They were part of a tech school in Les Cayes, which is exactly what the boys at Espwa need when they finish school, to learn a trade and be able to make a decent living with dignity, which is what we all want, no? Turns out flying was a lucky move because manifestations (demonstrations) were starting, not for the anticipated announcement of the election results, but the sharp increases in gas prices. Whew, made it.

It's only about a two hour flight from PAP to FLL , but we were in the air a long time, turns out we had to land in Miami, take a bus to FLL. All said and done the day ended at midnight. Fort Lauderdale is humid and humbling, seen better days. Now I feel silly for writing all this, heck I'm in Haiti anymore, kind of in the hinterland. Ok, bye, bye

2011-03-27T20:18:00.003-04:00

Audrey Hunter, R.N. has been traveling with Forward in Health since the very beginning. She was a member of the first disaster team which landed in Haiti 1 week after the January 2010 earthquake. Audrey is also on the FIH board of directors. Helping the people of Haiti is never far from her thoughts. She celebrated her birthday this past Friday with friends and family. John and Paula Mulqueen, co-founders of FIH, were only too happy to join in. At Audrey's request, any money which would have been spent on a birthday present was to be donated instead to Forward in Health. FIH received $1,010 from those in attendance. Audrey obviously speaks often about FIH and is proud of her own self-less giving to the poor of Haiti. Whenever she would introduce Paula or John to her friends and relatives the response was usually the same. "I recognize you from pictures Audrey has shown us." FIH is equally proud of Audrey and wishes her nothing but the best on her birthday!

Hal In Haiti - Coastal Cruise

2011-03-27T16:36:00.003-04:00

Hal Seifert from Lopez Island, Washington has volunteered to spend the next 6 months in Haiti working for Forward in Health. He is in charge of construction of the clinic. All of his expenses are being paid for by Spirit of Hope based in Worcester, Ma. (spiritofhopehaiti.org) The following is from his blog Hal in Haiti (http://halinhaiti.blogspot.com).

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Coastal Cruise

Today was a most excellent day. I met Evens and Zico out on the main road at nine. They thought one of them was going to drive my motorcycle, HELL no. We headed west toward the beach for a few miles then headed north on a dirt road. The road was like a river bottom full of softball-sized round rocks. Sometimes there are trails, sometimes not, sometimes they create a quicksand effect, but you always have to drive slow and cautiously on a motorcycle. Plus, it was so dusty, at times I had to slow to a crawl. We were headed out to place that we could have a clinic for a day. I think it was a French run church. Not really sure of the particulars, except they agreed and we are doing it for a day. They will provide lunch and let the community know to come that day. It took about an hour to get there, and on the way I gave a woman a ride, just her and I on a dusty road with land mines everywhere. I was a little nervous, but getting the hang of driving a motorcycle in Haiti. Most people have entire families on their bikes.

After we solidified our plans we headed back to the main road and proceeded to the beach. Now this was the best part, not too much traffic, wide smooth road, 5th gear baby. Saturday is market day, so women are carrying their wares on their heads. As we came to small towns, with the market in full swing, it was like driving through a crowd milling about outside Safeco Field. Weaving and dodging, but everybody is calm like they know what's going on.

Then the road started to climb into the mountains, smooth, curvy, lined with palm tree, still little traffic, so this why people ride motorcycles so much. Bicycles are cool, but this is really something. As we climb in altitude the road narrows through small villages, people everywhere, all staring at me because I am white. Along the way I kept getting impressions of past experiences, California, Nicaragua, I tell you it was like a dream. At the summit you could see for just about forever, the ocean was turquoise, like those houses painted that color on the way to the coast, that you thought nobody in their right mind would paint their house. There it was-the Caribbean. Tranquil and beautiful. Sliding down the mountain, very few houses and people, quiet and peaceful. Rounding the last curve we entered Port Salut. Cobble stoned streets, walls on each side hiding mansions, luxury hotels ,a coastal resort town.

We arrived at a public beach packed with mostly young Haitians enjoying the sun, beers and seafood. There were a few Europeans, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to UN soldiers here from Uruguay. Though they live in South America and speak Spanish they look European. We spent the day swimming, talking, eating, and resting. Then we returned the way we came and it was just as fun. This is definitely a different Haiti this time around.

Hal: Flyin with the Friars

2011-03-23T17:35:00.002-04:00

This weekend a group of Americans arrived for a week long stay. That's fairly common, what wasn't common was the arrival of two Fransiscan Brothers. Brother Robert and Brother Maximillion. I didn't know what to think at first, both in impecible white habits. I had never been around men in habits before, men with habits I know about. I thought stiffaroony. Boy was I wrong. We right away started eating and drinking our way to silliness. Holy cow, no pun intended, well maybe a little, we had so darn much fun. Robert is from Ontario and in his wild past life was a hair dresser and managed 5 restaurants in Canada.

On Sunday we went for, what I thought at the time, was a short stroll to check out a job site. Scott, a great fellow from Long Beach, CA. , the two brothers, Peter, another great guy, whose been here managing construction projects for many years, and myself (obviously). We started out, two men in habits, dragging on the ground, what turned out to be a four hour hike. We started out on a trail passing through trees next to a canal, which passed as a stream. People were doing laundry, washing motorcycles, swimming, bathing and just hanging out. Story has it that the French built these canals in the 20's. At any rate, they are very effective in enhancing simple lives. I say simple without judgement, whose to say all the complications of our modern is any better. These people seemed well fed and content. Decide for yourself. The entire time we're strolling, not only are we white, we are with two men in dresses. Nobody made more fun of them than the Brother's themselves. The people we encountered were warm and embraced us.

We walked almost all the way to Les Cayes, but not quite enough to keep going and make a loop home, we had to backtrack. On our return we were able to revisit our new friends. From an American perspective, the people we encountered were poor and uneducated. But we really didn't have any way of knowing that. They seemedhttp:/halinhaiti:blogspot.com perfectly happy and well adjusted. Funny thing, it's all in how we look at things. They could have been very well educated, for all we knew.

On the way home the Brother's couldn't stop talking about things they were going to drink, some not do desirable After arriving without any voodoo spells on us, that we were aware of, we proceeded to watch the sunset from the roof drinking a few cold ones. I never thought I'd see the day, but I did.

The next day we went to town to buy motorcycles, more on that next time....................

Happy Spring, Hal

Sr. T carrying the FIH message to California

2011-03-22T07:58:00.004-04:00

"The luck of the Irish along with Laurie and

Doug Bauer lead Forward in Health to a pot of Gold!
And Sister T was there to collect it!"

On Thursday March 17th, St Patty's Day Laurie and Doug Bauer hosted a Caribbean St. Patrick's Dinner Party. Their house was filled with aroma of Haitian food and sights of shamrocks and green plants as over 30 friends and neighbors were introduced to Forward in Health through the eyes of Doug, Laurie and Sister T. There efforts were able to raise over $6,000 for the clinic. Anyone interested in hosting an afternoon/evening, tea or dinner, wine tasting or... with friends, co-workers, family and have Sister T come and speak to the group, feel free to contact her at 508-873-6404 or sistert@mudturtle.com . She would be more than happy to help set you up!

Hal: Settling In

2011-03-20T16:47:00.000-04:00

I've been gathering so much information recently my brain is swirling. I need to let things settle out, then I can regurgitate it coherently, or at least in my own words. Many of the things I felt and witnessed on my last trip here are proving to still hold their validity. In many ways Haiti hasn't really improved that much since they won the revolution in 1804. For example; plumbing is still a foriegn idea to the majority of people here, toilets, what are THEY?, running water inside their homes, only when it rains, electricity is also unfamiliar to them, and everything that goes with it, lights, switches, all of that plus refridgeration, unheard of, all food is eaten or it spoils, fresh milk, in a box, no fresh dairy. There are many more examples. People come here from other parts of the world, especially the States, and they are quickly confused and angered by the Haitians dumbfounded responses to their expectations. As the country is slowly developing the people are gradually grasping what we expect of them.

Another part of the problem is Haiti's educational system is lagging behind, really, the rest of the world. Most kids don't have the opportunity to go to school. They start working, for example, fetching water, as soon as they can carry a bucket. It costs money to go to school here, also they need to buy uniforms. Many families aren't sure where their next meal is coming from, let alone having money for school. One of the negative by-products of this is the inability to critically think. We take it for granted. When we run into a problem that we don't immediately have the answer to, we begin to think of ways to find resources to solve it. Haitians don't have that mindset. As more kids are given the chance to go to school, they'll figure out how to figure things out.

Water is another thing we take for granted. Most villages have a pump spigot, but it can be miles from people's homes. If you've ever lived for a time without water, you know how much energy has to be put into just getting it to the house. Many people on Lopez remember those days. The difference is we all knew it was temporary, for many Haitians it's the only life they know. If there is a river nearby everything happens there, bathing, laundry, all garbage including dead animals, in extreme cases, humans, goes in the river. These are examples of the inability to critically think, I think. Another huge factor is malnutrition in the developing years. I think the key to getting along with will be patience and compassion, keep showing them the way over and over and over again.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have supported me in these adventures of mine. I think of all of you and really really appreciate your support, I wouldn't and couldn't do it without you. Thanks, Hal

Hal in Haiti

2011-03-19T09:26:00.003-04:00

Hal Seifert from Lopez Island, Washington has volunteered to spend the next 6 months in Haiti working for Forward in Health. He is in charge of construction of the clinic. All of his expenses are being paid for by Spirit of Hope based in Worcester, Ma. (spiritofhopehaiti.org) The following is from his blog Hal in Haiti (http://halinhaiti.blogspot.com).

Sunday, March 13, 2011

First days in Haiti-second round

We arrived in Port au Prince early in the morning on Thursday March 10. Pam Reidy, Paula Mulqueen and I came from Boston through New York. The evening before I had met with the engineers and architect going over the progress at the clinic Forward in Health is building in Fondeford, this is a very rural area outside the city of Les Ceyes, in the southern region of Haiti. Wort had been started on the walls, they were up about six courses of block. The plans had been modified to protect the building in the event of another earthquake. Engineers responsibility is to ensure the safety of ALL people. If the workers follow the plans that should be the case, however, if they don't which is the situation, the work has to be altered, and in some cases removed. The photos we received indicated things weren't going well.
Upon arrival, it was worse than we suspected, but we will dig in and get the crew back, all of our subtraction, then begin our addition.

I will be staying at ESPWA, an orphanage very close to Fondefred. There is 800 orphan boys living here so I won't be pressed to find kids to be around. They have a guesthouse that I will share with people coming to Haiti to do a variety of projects here at ESPWA. That will give me a chance to talk to people in my native tongue, which is always nice. We take for granted the ability we have to communicate thoughts, feelings, and technical information. Learning a new language is like going back to 1st grade, very trying and frustrating.

Paula and Pam left today, the 13th, after Paul and had done a ton of duties getting things in place to get going again, opening a bank account, looking into buying motorcycles for myself and Evens, my translator, just a multitude of things.

One of the things we did was visit an orphanage that Forward of Hope, an offshoot of FIH, is overseeing now. There are 34 boys and a director. The director, David is there out of the kindness of his heart. He has a college degree in music, so the kids play music and sing like angels. In the plans for the orphanage Paul Fallon has designed a performance space for them. They had enough food for the next three days, that's it, so we went to the Sister's of Charity, which is Mother Teresa's organization and they were kind enough to give us about a weeks worth. This wonderful place houses and takes care of terminal and handicapped patients. There must be 200 patients, all terminal and abandoned by their families, getting as much food, care and love as anywhere in the world, all done with love and compassion. I tell you, it stopped me in my tracks, emotion flooding me, not knowing what I felt. Truly an amazing place. Getting back to the orphanage, I always thought I would build one, and one needs to be built for these boys. In the mean time they need to eat and go to school, with food and an education they have a chance to lead full and productive lives. So the battle goes on.

Pam, John and Paula Mulqueen are all doing really good things for the people of Haiti. And this time around I am having a very different experience, they are all taking great care in ensuring I'm safe and well cared for. For that I am very very grateful. Until next time, take care, love, Hal

Hal in Haiti

2011-03-18T20:14:00.007-04:00

Hal Seifert from Lopez Island, Washington has volunteered to spend the next 6 months in Haiti working for Forward in Health. He is in charge of construction of the clinic. All of his expenses are being paid for by Spirit of Hope based in Worcester, Ma. (spiritofhopehaiti.org) The following is from his blog Hal in Haiti (http://halinhaiti.blogspot.com).

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Post Paula and Pam

My support team is back in the states now, but I'm not alone. It seems people living in 3rd or 4th world countries stick together and help each other out. The place where I'm staying, ESPWA, have been very helpful. My right hand man here, Evens, is an excellent companion. We walked around Les Ceyes yesterday, stopping in at the bank, motorcycle shop, and his house. The motorcycles won't be here for a week, wink, wink. We'll see. His mother is very nice and family is friendly. I'm still taking baby steps with Creole.

This trip feels very different, it's like I'm more connected to the people without trying as hard. With 800 kids around it's not hard to interact with them. The weather is warm and sunny, but not stifling hot. I'm going out to the clinic site later today, then we'll see how I feel about the heat. I'm going to meet the man who has overseen things so far and the crew, to go over the particulars of this project. This time around I'm hoping things will be different. We have an excellent architect and a team of engineers to answer to. The first order of business will be undo, how shall I say it, less than exceptable work. But we'll do our subtraction and get on with our addition. Hopefully this time next week we'll be on our way. Alrighty then, until later, Halhttps://facebook.com

Building it right

2011-02-02T16:18:00.006-05:00

Forward in Health has pledged to construct a permanent health clinic in Haiti, and to make it as earthquake proof as possible. Our land is only 6 miles from the fault that runs through Haiti. We will be able to achieve this and have the most well constructed building in the Caribbean thanks to the expertise of Paul Fallon our architect and structural engineers John Thomsen and Brian Twomey from Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. Engineers from Simpson Gumpertz & Heger traveled to Haiti after the earthquake and studied construction practices in Haiti; what stood up after the earthquake and what fell down. Although significantly more expenses to build, FIH is confident that visitors traveling to Haiti with FIH will be safe and secure.
As construction proceeds pictures will be taken almost daily and be emailed to Paul, John, and Brian. They will study the pictures and correct any mistakes for immediate correction. Our system of ensuring proper construction has already paid off. The pictures taken after the second day of construction showed 3 errors. Correction will take place before construction resumes.
Hal Seifert from

Construction Resumes!

2011-01-26T19:43:00.004-05:00

FIH received a phone call from our director in Haiti Lex. Construction has resumed. The last hurdle was making 2 cell blocks instead of the standard 3 cell blocks. The structural engineers here made it clear that this was the best way to go to make the building as earthquake resistant as possible. We are thrilled to see progress as we work to bring a permanent health clinic to Fondefred.

Looking Back on 2010

2011-01-23T20:40:00.004-05:00

Forward in Health Newsletter, January 2011

2010: A Year In Review

It is only fitting that the first newsletter for 2011 from Forward In Health is presented to its supporters on the anniversary week of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Although it may seem longer, it has only been one year since the spotlight of the world illuminated the shocking poverty and appalling conditions in Haiti. Anyone associated with Forward In Health over the years have known, and many of you have seen first hand the effects and the conditions of the poverty in Haiti. Even with this knowledge no one could have imagined the death and destruction that the Haiti Earthquake of 2010 would cause. Universally those traveling with Forward In Health would comment that conditions in Haiti could not get any worse. How wrong we all were!

Hearing the plea of our directors on the ground in Haiti, “Come Now! Forward In Health, along with the entire community showed what can be accomplished with a little luck, faith and the sheer determination of everyone working together. It only took one week for the first medical team from FIH to land in Haiti even though they had to land on a country road which replaced the airport landing strip in

Port Au Prince. Of particular note is the fact that FIH was on the ground working in Haiti one day before the U.S. Marines arrived. The team consisted of nurses, physicians, an EMT, and a lawyer who ran the pharmacy. The entire team volunteered, within days of the earthquake, to leave their families and jobs to respond to what has proven to be the worst natural disaster in our lifetime and to aid the Haitian people. Within four weeks of the earthquake a second disaster medical team made it's way to Haiti. A third team, comprised of medical and surgical professionals, traveled to Haiti in April 2010. This team and its trip was notable making it the first time that members of an FIH team worked at the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti, performing surgeries late into the evenings in orthopedics, obstetrics and an unexpected case in urology. A special follow-up 3 day trip in July 2010, on behalf of FIH, saw orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Fabian and family practitioner Dr. John Harrington traveling to Haiti. The sole purpose of their trip was to revise a fractured leg of Andre, a father of twin boys. Andre was injured in the earthquake, his leg was set as well as possible but when x-rays could be obtained the fractured bones were not together and he could not walk. We are proud to say that as a result of the surgical revision, Andre is now walking.

With news of the 2010 earthquake publicized through every medium imaginable, many family and friends but most notably acquaintances and strangers all made their way to the FIH home base with their donations both large and small. An incredible outpouring of donations of money, food and medical supplies were delivered by the smallest of donors, Dr. John Mulqueen's patients, to the adults in the surrounding region, all just expressing a desire to do something to help. The donations quickly overwhelmed the FIH home base making it necessary to find additional storage areas both at the conference rooms at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, and an entire bay at the South Gardner Fire Station.

Money from donation were hand delivered to our directors in Grande Goave, Haiti to help them rebuild their orphanage, the Mission of Hope.

Forward In Health was scheduled to begin construction of the first 1/3 of a permanent health clinic in Fondefred, Haiti the week following the earthquake. Although construction on the project has had several false starts since the earthquake, this past year has demonstrated the continued determination and fortitude of all the volunteers that make up the Forward In Health organization. As a result of the disaster teams travels to Haiti, it was decided to add an operating room suite to the original clinic plans. FIH architect Paul Fallon has designed the addition to the original clinic.

In July of this past year, FIH was honored to escort members of the Gengel family to Haiti for their first trip as they began their healing process after losing their daughter Brittany in the earthquake.

As a result of our growth and the increased demands of running the organization, FIH has created it's first Executive Director position in the United States. Michael Metzmaker was appointed to the position in September 2010.

The Board of Directors of FIH has authorized a feasibility study for a 2 year 3 million dollar campaign to begin in 2011. The FIH Board has obtained the services of Peter Dubay of Fund Raising Advisors of Cape Cod to conduct the study.

Forward In Health is please to announce the first offshoot of its organization, Forward In Hope. FIH members discovered an orphanage near the FIH land in Fondefred, Haiti. This orphanage was made up of 30 boys who had been left without a sponsor, a place to live or sources of food. Although we were not intending to open an orphanage, we were unable to look the other way when the need presented itself. FIH members, Debbie Orre and Sarah Fabian have taken on the orphanage, forming “Forward In Hope” and have initiated plans to build an orphanage on the FIH land next to the clinic.

Structural engineers from Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger have traveled to Haiti and consulted free of charge on the proposed FIH Clinic and orphanage. Construction changes were recommended and adopted by FIH regarding the construction of the clinic which will make it as earthquake resistant as is possible.

FIH had been contacted by Hal Seifert of Lopez Island, Washington with the desire to oversee and help with our construction project in Haiti. He spent an initial two months in Haiti and will be returning to Haiti in February.

FIH has begun collaborating with other organizations working in Haiti including Partners in Health, sharing their vast experience with construction in Haiti and also Spirit of Hope which has funded both the expenses of the physicians who traveled to Haiti in July and Hal Seifert's expenses.

It would be an understatement to say that 2010 was an eventful year for Haiti and Forward In Health. We are convinced that the best is yet to come and the clinic will be open servicing patients in 2011. Haiti has always been a country of challenges, none more so that 2010. As we have said continually as we worked toward our goal, “If it was easy everyone would do it.”

The Birth of "Forward In Hope"

A recent visit to Haiti brought a group of young boys to the attention of Paula and John Mulqueen. These children were found in a warehouse in Les Cayes on the verge of being evicted and in need of a place to stay. The Mulqueens were instrumental in finding temporary housing for the boys and as a result "Forward In Hope" was born.

Sarah Fabian and Debbie Orre took on the daunting task of getting the orphanage up and running, sharing the same site as the Forward In Health Clinic project. They recently returned from a visit to Haiti this past November where they met the boys and gathered first hand knowledge of their current living situation.

Much has happened since Sarah and Debbie's initial visit last November. Building plans are being developed with the architect and many fundraising efforts have already been scheduled. Sponsors have come forward interested in not only providing the children with musical instruments but also to develop a music program for the school they hope to build as part of the orphanage. It is their hope that the music program will be taught by college music interns and culminate with a program performed for the entire community.

Pictures of their trip and information on each of the boys is available on the Forward In Hope Facebook page. Just click here: Forward In Hope

Forward In Health Student Group

As many of you who are local know, there is a student organization affiliated with Forward in Health called Forward In Health Student Group (formally known as Project Haiti). This group is made up of high school students at Gardner High School who are committed to a variety of fundraising events throughout the school year,with all the proceeds benefiting Forward In Health and the people of Haiti. Many of the students over the past few years have had the opportunitey to travel with Forward In Health to Haiti on their student trips during school vacation, an experience they all say is "life changing."

2010 and the devestation caused by the earthquake in Haiti proved to be an exceptional time for this group of approximately 50 students and their two advisors, John Gardella and Cindy Taddeo, both members of the teaching staff at GHS. This group was able to rally the school community, involving not only the high school but the middle and elementary schools, as well as the community at large collecting supplies, donations and helping to pack the teams for their trips. When the tally was finally in, Forward In Health Student Group was responsible for approximately $13,000.00 in donations between their regular fundraising contributions for the year and the additional donations received when the earthquake struck that could be directly attributed to them.

Now almost halfway through the 2010-11 school year, this years group of approximately 50 students is continuing the Forward In Health Student Group tradition of fundraising to help establish the medical clinic for the people of Haiti. The next fundraising event for the FIH Student Group is the "Teacher Talent Show" scheduled to take place on Thursday February 10, 2010 at the Gardner High School auditorium. We invite everyone to come and enjoy the show while supporting a great cause! Hope to see you there.

To check on the FIH Student Group upcoming events click here:http://www.forwardinhealthsg.org

Stay up to date on the efforts of Forward in Health by connecting to the Forward in Health Facebook page.

Receive the latest FIH news by following us (@FIHealth) on Twitter

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Forward in Health Capital Campaign

2010-12-06T10:18:00.004-05:00

It is with great excitement that Forward in Health announces plans for a 2 year capital campaign. The goal is to raise enough pledge money to complete the entire construction project including an operating room suite, medical equipment including a lab and radiology room, a pharmacy, and furnishings for the clinic and living space.

After completing two very successful fund raisers spearheaded by Jim Krasouskas and Anthony's Liquor Store, FIH has the money necessary to finance a feasibility study by Peter Dubay of Fund Raising Advisors Cape Cod. FIH president John Mulqueen said, "We have come a long way with local fund raisers and donations. We have been able to purchase 3 1/2 acres of land, built a 10 foot high wall around the entire property, had a complete set of architectural plans drawn by Paul Fallon a specialist in design of hospitals and medical buildings, utilized the advice of structural engineers to be sure that the building is earthquake resistant, and had the foundation for the first third of the building finished. However to take the next step we need to find additional sources of funding and our board is confident that this is the way."
In part the Forward in Health case statement outlines plans for construction and costs:

Phase I - $1 million

· 10’ wall around 3 ½ acre site, foundation, shell of building and water wells - $200,000
(already funded and underway)

· Building will be 5,000 square feet, two floors - $300,000 (includes all planning costs)

· First Floor - Clinic space to serve area of 20,000 people

· Second Floor - Living space for director and 12 visitors

· Alternative energy- solar, wind, etc. - $150,000

· Furnishings and Medicine - $150,000

· Supply Transportation Costs - $100,000

· First Year Operating Budget - $100,000

Phase II - $500,000

· Operating Suites - 6,000 square feet. Forward in Health has been contacted by OB/Gyn physicians, orthopedic, trauma, and general surgeons with a desire to spend time in Haiti. The need for such doctors is extreme, yet a facility for them to work is lacking.

· Operating Suite Equipment and Furnishings will be purchased from vendors of surplus goods in the United States. Costs includes transportation.

Phase III - $500,000

· Complete the clinic building and living quarters. An additional 5,610 square feet will be added to complete the project.

Endowment - $1 million

· An endowment fund will be needed to help cover on-going operating costs.

Peter Dubay's work begins Monday December 6, 2010 with the interviewing of Forward in Health board members.

Delay in Construction

2010-12-05T21:55:00.003-05:00

Uncertainty and civil unrest in Haiti, and Les Cayes specifically, has delayed the resumption of construction of our clinic in Fondefred. According to one of our most experienced and best translators in Les Cayes, Evens, blockades and burning tires were seen in the streets of Les Cayes. Some of the unrest in the area centers around the governor of Les Cayes. People are also worried that the uncertainty of the recent elections. Some are worried that they will be declared invalid, others protesting that they should be nullified. People are on high alert for further unrest once the results of the presidential elections are made known this coming week. Until things settle down Hal Seifert will be staying with our directors Lex and Renee Edme at Mission of Hope in Grande Goave. Now is not the time for him to move outside of their care. Even Lex and Renee are nervous about what will happen in the upcoming week.

3 Week Senior Project in Haiti

2010-11-28T20:11:00.003-05:00

Providence College senior Jeffrey Anderson is preparing for a 3 week trip to Fonfrede, Haiti leaving December 26, 2010. This will be his senior project and focus on interviewing some of the 15,000 people of Fonfrede. He will be gathering information on health in the area such as access to clean drinking water, immunizations, nutrition, knowledge about hygiene and food preparation, barriers to health care, and beliefs about traditional medicine vs Voodoo and the "leaf doctor." The information Jeff collects will be valuable as we plan on services needed at our clinic including health education. We are proud to say that Jeff has traveled twice to Haiti with Forward in Health; 2007 as a high school senior and 2009 while in college. Best of luck to Jeff as he prepares for this ambitious and unique senior project.

Construction to Resume!

2010-11-21T21:58:00.004-05:00

Construction of Forward in Health's clinic is set to resume full force the week of November 29th. Additional rebar has been placed into the foundation and cemented in with an epoxy. This will make the building as earthquake proof as possible.
Hal Seifert from Washington state, with the financial support of Spirit of Hope, is working with our director Lex and the local Haitian construction crew.

2010-11-21T21:57:00.002-05:00

Forward in Health wine is still available at Anthony's Liquor Mart, 12 Pearson Blvd in Gardner. Both wines are from Chile, a white Sauvignon Blanc and red Malbec. The wine costs $12.99 and FIH receives $2.99/bottle. Great addition to the Thanksgiving table. Do not show up for Thanksgiving dinner empty handed.

FIH provides oppotunity to help with construction

2010-11-01T21:09:00.004-04:00

Construction of the first 1/3 of the Forward in Health medical clinic in FondeFred, Haiti resumed today. To make the building as earthquake resistant as possible the foundation that is already in place will have additional rebar placed and sealed into the concrete with an epoxy. This will need 2 weeks to be as hard as possible before construction then resumes.
Forward in Health was contacted by Hal Seifert from Lopez, Washington. Hal was interested in spending 6 months in Haiti helping a group with construction. Hal recently made his way to Haiti and is spending 2-3 weeks in Grande Goave with FIH directors Lex and Renee to become acclimated to Haiti before moving to FondeFred. A recent email from Hal said:

Hello John,

Things are going well here. I've mostly worked on Lex's projects, but have checked on the clinic in Les Ceyes, we hope to get started soon. I really like it here. Thank you for this golden opportunity.

My best,

Hal

Thanks to Pam Reidy and Spirit of Hope for helping Hal with his expenses.

FIH Benefit Raffle!

2010-10-12T14:16:00.004-04:00

Tickets are just $25!
email Mike Metzmaker for ticket purchases at metzmn6@gmail.com!

First Prize

- Football autographed by Troy Brown and Tom Brady
- Lunch with Troy Brown Sun, Nov 14th 12pm at Waxy O'Connors in Foxboro
- Four tickets to the Green Bay Game Sunday Night December 19^th

Second Prize
- Football autographed by Troy Brown and Tom Brady

Third Prize
- Two tickets to the Green Bay game Sunday Night December 19^th

**Only 400 tickets total will be sold, so buy quick before they run out!**

2010-09-25T02:17:00.000-04:00

2010-09-21T17:36:00.000-04:00

2010-09-17T21:42:00.005-04:00

‎Lions District 33A $5 car wash Saturday 9-18 to benefit Forward in Health.

Saturday September 18, 2010 8-3 at 101 Car Wash Parker St. in Gardner.

Food, DJ, and muscle cars!

Sponsored by 101 Car Wash and Mini Storage

Anthony's Liquor Mart

2010-09-09T13:32:00.002-04:00

Revealing our new red and white wines on Sept 25th at Anthony's Liquor Mart in Gardner, MA. Come on down and grab a bottle, and meet Patriots cheerleader and Troy Brown, former Patriots WR! The two Forward in Health charity wines are from Chile. The white is a Sauvignon Blanc, the red a Malbec. This is a limited edition wine. The cost is $12.99 available only at Anthony's Liquor Mart. Help FIH out and enjoy a bottle of wine at the same time!

5th FIH trip after the earthquake is back

2010-08-05T10:16:00.015-04:00

Paula Mulqueen at the ruins of the Hotel Montana

Band and dancers at an orphanage in Fonde Fred

Paula and John Mulqueen traveled to Haiti for 4 days, the fifth Forward in Health trip to Haiti since the January earthquake. They escorted members of the Gengel family, Cheryl Anne, Bernie, and aunt Jodie. The Gengel's 19 year old daughter Britney died in the earthquake at the Hotel Montana. The Genegls made their first trip to Haiti and visited various orphanages and the FIH land in Fonde Fred with the vision of building an orphanage in Britney's name.

In addition architect Paul Fallon and his son Andy were on the trip and are staying an extra week to help build houses in Grande Goave. Paul and John spent time with Lex, our director in Haiti, finalizing construction plans which are set to resume. The group brought down epoxy and hammer drills needed to resume the project. Construction is set to resume within 2 weeks.

Surgery a success

2010-07-31T02:00:00.003-04:00

Forward in Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Fabian and family practitioner Dr. Harrington traveled to Haiti to surgically repair a man's leg fractured in the earthquake. Andre is the father of infant twin girls. His left lower leg was fractured in the earthquake and surgery was performed by Dr. Fabian in April. We were unable to obtain an x-ray until several weeks after the surgery.
The x-ray showed that a second operation would be necessary to be certain that Andre could walk and return to work as a mason.
Dr. Fabian returned to Haiti and Dr. Harrington served as his anesthesiologist. This surgery was felt to be a 100% success.
Nicola, a medical student from Scotland working with Dr. Fabian, was also on the trip.

2 New Wells

2010-07-06T20:06:00.004-04:00

Drilling rig is in Fonde Fred and drilling 2 new wells scheduled to begin today. This will provide clean water for our clinic, visitors staying on site, and for any future expansion on the far end of the compound. Thanks to Foundation Good Samaritan in Action and the Rotary Club of who funded this important project.

Trip off for now

2010-06-20T21:27:00.001-04:00

Paula Mulqueen's trip to Haiti is put off for now. Haiti expects up to 4
inches of rain by tomorrow afternoon. With the threat of mudslides and
roads and bridges washing out FIH directors Lex and Renee are concerned that they may not be able to pick the group up in Port-au-Prince or travel to Les Cayes.

Paula Mulqueen traveling to Haiti

2010-06-19T22:31:00.001-04:00

Paula Mulqueen is hoping to leave Monday morning for Haiti. She will be bringing supplies needed to resume construction of our clinic and make it earthquake resistant. In addition she will be traveling with a Massachusetts family interested in building a clinic on our land in Fonde Fred. Only issue now is the likelihood of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of mudslides hitting Haiti as they arrive.

Possible addition of an OR to the clinic

2010-06-19T21:51:00.002-04:00

Forward in Health is looking into the possibility of adding an operating room to our clinic plans. After working at the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes it has become clear that the need exists for our own operating room suite. Our surgeons and OR nurses worked 12-14 hour shifts and felt that many patients who needed surgery were left for another surgeon and another day.
In addition Forward in Health has been contacted by several orthopedic surgeons with a desire to work in Haiti. If we are able to complete this part of the project we would likely have rotating surgical teams, including orthopedics and OB/Gyn doctors, spend a week at a time every 1-2 months in Fonde Fred. The possibility is being looked into by our architect Paul Fallon.

Jason's Trip Comes to an End

2010-06-19T21:12:00.004-04:00

Jason Defuria has been forced to abandon his effort to bike across the United States to raise awareness and money for Forward in Health. Jason developed knee pain while biking. He rested for three days but the pain immediately returned when he attempted to resume his ride. We thank Jason and applaud his efforts. His final update can be found on his web site.

End of Day 4 there was room at the inn

2010-06-06T15:45:00.003-04:00

Jason Defuria finished day 4 of his bicycle ride across country as a guest of The Walpack Inn, Route 615, Wallpack Center, NJ. Wapack Inn general manager Russell Pagano spoke to Paul Demeo of the Gardner Lions Club, "Jason is here having dinner with us as we speak. I have him staying in our guest house this evening. He will be well fed and well rested. I'm sure he will enjoy the accommodation's." Thank you for supporting Jason and opening your inn to him.
Follow Jason on Twitter and on Jason's web site .

Thanks to the Bicycle Depot

2010-06-06T11:14:00.003-04:00

If you are ever in New Paltz, NYplease stop in at The Bicycle Depot . Jason was having problems with the gears on his bike. Lion Paul Demeo, who is in contact with Jason and working 4-5 hours each day providing support, located The Bicycle Depot. They fixed his bike and sent him off with some extra bike supplies for free! We are indebted to their generosity and kindness.
Jason is on his way to New Jersey.

Jason Defuria's story on NECN

2010-06-06T11:03:00.003-04:00

You are currently able to view Jason Defuria's send off from Gardner, Ma by clicking on:

Jason on NECN .

Jason Defuria finishes second day

2010-06-03T20:50:00.001-04:00

Jason Defuria has finished the second leg of his trip, 134 miles from home, and is in Amenia, N.Y.

Dr. Mulqueen honored with selection as finalist

2010-06-03T20:35:00.003-04:00

Gardner resident Andy Langlois nominated Forward in Health co-founder Dr. John Mulqueen for the People Magazine Major League Baseball All-stars Among Us contest. He is now one of three finalists for the Boston Red Sox. Dr. Mulqueen said, "This speaks to the work that the members and supporters of Forward in Health are doing in Haiti, not to one person's accomplishments."
If he receives enough votes John and a guest will be honored at the 2010 All-star game in Anaheim, Ca. July 13th. To vote go to http://mlb.mlb.com/peopleallstarsamongus/, click on the Red Sox logo, and vote daily.

2010-06-03T19:45:00.005-04:00

Jason Defuria, a 2006 graduate of Gardner High School and 2010 graduate of U. Mass Amherst, left June 2, 2010 on a cross country trek on his bicycle for Forward in Health. Jason was moved to do something after the January 12th earthquake. He has joined the Gardner Lions Club and his trip is supported by the Lions Club. His trip ends August 18th in San Francisco. Along the way he will receive food and shelter from fellow Lions Club members. He plans on raising $30,000 for the Lions Club goal of $75,000. His trip can be followed on Twitter and at Jasondefuria.com. Donations can be made by check to Lions Haiti Fund. P.O Box 483, Gardner, MA 01440 or through the Forward in Health web site. Send an e-mail note to FIH noting the donation is earmarked for Jason Defuria. Follow and support Jason!

Second day of travel

2010-05-03T19:43:00.007-04:00

The groups second day in Haiti was dominated again by travel. The 90 mile drive from Grande Goave to Les Cayes usually takes 3-4 hours. However traveling in Haiti is always an adventure. In Haiti simple tasks, such as finding gas or ice, takes longer. Our transportation, the Forward in Health bus, had overheating issues several times on the trip. This involved looking for a source of water along the road to cool the engine. 95 degrees and humid on a bus without air conditioning made the trip feel even longer.

After 6 hours we arrived at our destination, the Hosanna Mission House. A quick meal and the 2 teams split up. The medical team unpacked, sorted, and repacked the 30 hockey bags of medical supplies in preparation for the next days medical clinic.

The surgical team made its' way to the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes to consult with the local doctors and prepare the surgical patients for the next day. The local orthopedic surgeon had an ample supply of patients requiring surgery and was grateful for the help to come.

Riding from Grand Goave just outside of Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes, many on the team commented on how relentless the poverty was. Although the number of displaced people living in tent cities and pancacked buildings disappeared the further we traveled away from Port-au-Prince, the "usual" poverty never stopped. Certainly in the 3 months since the earthquake there has been no noticeable improvements in Haiti.

Team arrives in Haiti

2010-04-29T12:49:00.008-04:00

President's Palace (White House) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The 3rd Forward In Health medical team arrived in Haiti Wednesday March 21, 2010.

We were driven through earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince. The tent cities are endless. People have constructed tin shacks along the cement median of a main road in the city with concrete blocks and tires on the side of the road to prevent cars from hitting them. Mounds of rubble line the sides of the road. A large church, thought to have been the cathedral, is in ruins. The President's Palace, the "White House" sits collapsed with an idle bulldozer in front of it. There are no obvious signs that work has been started.

Around all of this life tries to go on. Stores and outdoor markets are open. The streets are becoming more congested. However there are no signs that the demolition and removal of destroyed buildings has even begun.

The team arrived in Grande-Goave at Mission of Hope with our directors Lex and Rene Edme. The team will be sleeping outside in tents or on a cement patio. Tomorrow we travel to Les Cayes, about 90 miles away, a 4 hour drive if all goes well.

Everyone is excited about beginning but especially those who have never been to Port-au-Prince are stunned by the poverty and destruction.

Team is home after a great week in Haiti

2010-04-29T09:22:00.003-04:00

The medical team returned Wednesday night after a week in Haiti. The trip was a success in many ways. We did not have any internet access and updates will be posted soon. In brief we sent a medical team and surgical team. Both were busy and significantly helped those that we saw. Unfortunately there has been little improvement in the conditions in Haiti since the earthquake. People have had to try to return to a life as normal as possible while living in tents and makeshift shacks, some even along the median of the road! Schools in Port-au-Prince are open if they remained standing and the university reopened this week.

Trip Preparation Packing Continues

2010-04-16T22:13:00.005-04:00

Packing continues for the medical trip leaving Wednesday March 21st. 19 people will be carrying a total of 38 hockey bags of medications and supplies into Haiti. Each bag weighs 50 pounds, so we're bringing down nearly a ton of supplies! This is in large part due to the generosity of the many organizations and people who have provided support to Forward in Health since the earthquake. Tomorrow, Saturday, the students from the Forward in Health student group will help finalize packing. Currently our garage and entry room are filled with supplies and packed hockey bags.

Thanks today to John's Sport Shop in Gardner for delivering "The Mother of All Hockey Bags" to carry down crutches. Also special thanks go to Girl Scout Troop 30619 from Hubbardston for delivering supplies and cash.
Dr. Michael Gaudet from our board acquired $10,000 of testing supplies to diagnose Malaria and personally purchased additional tests to be used to detect Typhoid fever.

Finally Oakmont High School held a dance for Forward in Health and collected $369. This money is crucial as there is always a need to buy medications in Haiti or obtain labs/x-rays at the hospital.

Thanks to Haverhill Elementary Schools

2010-04-08T19:45:00.003-04:00

A huge thanks to the students and teachers of Tilton and Pentucket Lake Elementary Schools in Haverhill, Ma. Each of the school's students and staff worked together to raise $1,000 each for Forward in Health and our work in Haiti. The donations have already been used to buy medications for the upcoming April medical trip to Haiti. The students devised various ways to raise the money including bringing in spare change and buying days off from homework. John Mulqueen met with the students and staff of each of the schools to accept the donations. A special thanks to the principals of each school; Diane Connoly at Pentucket Lake Elementary and Mary Beth Maranto of the Tilton School.

April Medical Mission

2010-03-18T20:26:00.002-04:00

The airline tickets have been purchased and the 20 person medical team from Forward in Health is prepared to travel to our home area of Les Cayes, Haiti. The medical team will travel from April 21-28, 2010. For the first time Forward in Health co-founders Paula and John Mulqueen will be traveling together along with their 13 year old son Conor. The team consists of eight doctors (largest number of docs to ever travel with FIH at one time), five nurses, one wound care specialist, one paramedic, and five lay personnel.
Plans are underway to have full use of the operating room at the public hospital in Les Cayes. Among the group of medical staff are an anesthesiologist, orthopedic surgeon, OB/Gyn physician, and surgical nurse.
The rest of the group will be conducting medical clinics in the area including on our land in Fondfrede.

Flooding in Les Cayes

2010-03-03T21:17:00.004-05:00

The natural disasters continued in Haiti as the Les Cayes area of Haiti was battered by rain causing flooding. Reports were that the prison in Les Cayes had flooded and prisoners needed to be evacuated. The nursing home that Forward in Health services was damaged by water. The residents were moved to a chapel.
Les Cayes has been stressed by a large influx of refugees displaced by the earthquake. The medical system is severely stressed and there are food and water shortages. Infectious diseases, including Shigella and typhoid, are spreading. Forward in Health is in contact with the minister of health in Les Cayes and hoping to send a medical team to the area at the end of April.

Maverick Street Band Concert

2010-03-03T20:42:00.003-05:00

Thanks once again to the talents of The Maverick Street Band for performing a benefit concert Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. The concert was hosted by the Rotary Club of Fitchburg and its District 7910 area (54 clubs).

The concert was organized by The Maverick Street Band founder Dennis Banville. This is The Maverick Street Band's third benefit concert for Haiti.

Final thoughts from Team B

2010-02-14T13:18:00.004-05:00

Team B has returned after a week in Haiti. The level of acute trauma has decreased but there are still many people affected by the earthquake. Haiti now has a population of amputees, people with poorly healing wounds, and an incredible number of displaced families without a home to return to.
Areas that were not as severely damaged are now feeling the affects. People from the Port-au-Prince area have moved in with family members in areas such as Les Cayes, the area of southern Haiti where Forward in Health has primarily worked. We have received reports of a family 8 cramped into a small home now trying to accommodate a total of 40 people. Food, water, and medical care in Les Cayes and the surrounding area is in short supply.
Forward in Health is planning a response by sending a medical team of 18 at the end of April. This will depend on commercial flights flying into Haiti. We will coordinate care with the minister of health in Les Cayes to know where our efforts would be best suited. Our directors in Haiti Lex and Renee Edme are will begin planning work this week.
Finally a subtle change in how white Americans are greeted in Haiti. Whenever a pickup truck of white people would be seen driving through town children would always shout, "Blanc, blanc," Creole for white. It was never meant in a mean way, just pointing out that white people, a rare sighting, are driving by. Since the earthquake the shouts of "Blanc, blanc" have changed to shouts of "Thank you" and "God bless you."

Joy in the Midst of a Refugee Tent City

2010-02-06T16:51:00.006-05:00

Forward in Health's second medical disaster response team, dubbed Team B, spent a day at the church and severely damaged orphanage of Mission of Hope in Grand Goave. This was a busy day with many patients still needing care of wounds from the earthquake.
In the middle of the camp was a 4 day old baby girl. She was born in one of the makeshift tents. The infant had not yet been named. Trip leader and FIH co-founder Paula Mulqueen offered some suggestions. Unfortunately the mother quickly rejected the name Paula and so other names were offered. Paula and FIH translator Alexis approached the mother with Gabriella which means God is my strength. After some thought the mother agreed.

Day 1 in Haiti for Team B

2010-02-06T16:05:00.004-05:00

Team B flew from Santiago, Dominican Republic by charter landing on a road in Leogonne, Haiti. They immediately traveled to a village 45 minutes away to work out of a tin roofed chapel. Among the patients to arrive was a 53 year old woman injured in the earthquake 3 weeks earlier. She was brought to the chapel in a wheelbarrow by her husband. She had a bandaged leg and it was determined that she had a fracture of her femur, the long bone in her leg. The leg was casted, however the orthopedic surgeon on the team, Dr. Marshall Katzen, determined that her best chance for a full recovery was to have a metal rod surgically placed in her leg. Team B made contact with US army personnel and started plans to have the woman transferred to the USS Bataan hospital ship. All paperwork was completed for future transfer when space became available on the ship.
The team saw a mixture of patients including wounds, some healing better than others, and many with infectious diseases such as colds,, coughs, and intestinal diseases.

End of first day in Haiti for Team B

2010-02-01T19:37:00.003-05:00

Received a quick call from Paula Mulqueen. Team B arrived at about 10:30 PM in the Dominican Republic after a long day of travel. Up early they were flown into Haiti and immediately went up the mountain to St. Etienne. Conducted clinic where the most talked about person was a 53 year old woman brought in by a wheelbarrow pushed her husband. In the earthquake she sustained a fracture of her femur, the long bone in her leg. After the evaluation it was determined that she requires a rod to be surgically placed in her leg or she would never walk again. The team has made arrangements for her to be transferred to the hospital ship Comfort.

While the team was touring the visitor center at the beach house of Mission of Hope destroyed by the earthquake, the sailors camped on the beach asked our team for help. They had come across a 13 year old girl with a badly infected hand from an open wound sustained during the earthquake. The team determined that the hand would need to be surgically opened and drained. The navy again made arrangements for her to have the surgery on the ship Comfort.

Paula has been traveling to Haiti since 2002 and has made over 15 trips. She is in shock at what she has found, particularly the number of tent cities seen while flying in and the condition of Port-au-Prince. The entire soccer stadium in Port-au-Prince is a mass of displaced people. The need in Haiti is far from over as the number of people displaced from their homes without a place to go is tragic. Medical need will likely change but continue as infectious diseases and malnutrition takes off.

Watch Forward in Health's Pre-quake Mission Video

2010-01-31T18:45:00.002-05:00

In August 2009 a medical team from Forward in Health, accompanied by 3 talented members of C.2k Entertainment, www.c-2k.com, traveled to Haiti. The result is this video which is an introduction to Forward in Health. Copies are available by sending an e-mail to chronor2@gmail.com.
Since the earthquake of January 12, 2010 our ultimate mission of building a permanent health care clinic in Haiti has not changed but has been delayed as we respond to the disaster. Now more than ever medical care is needed as conditions have worsened. Haitians will need access to doctors and nurses to care for amputations, wounds, malnutrition, and infectious diseases as a result of the earthquake.

Team B on its' way

2010-01-31T16:12:00.002-05:00

Medical Team B departed today for 6 days. The team is traveling to Miami and then to Santiago, Dominican Republic. Like Team A Team B will fly into Leogonne and be centered with our directors Lex and Renee Edme in Grand Goave.
Renee told us yesterday that people are still showing up 18 days after the earthquake with fractures and wounds that have not been cared for.
The team is lead by Paula Mulqueen and Jan Shepherd. We are fortunate to have 3 doctors; a family practitioner, anesthesiologist, and orthopedic surgeon. In addition the team is comprised of two additional nurses, a student nurse, physician's assistant, and 2 EMTs.
Thanks to everyone who has made this second trip possible; the many donations of medical supplies and money has been overwhelming and makes our emergency work possible.

Support from Gardner's Jacque Cessaire

2010-01-28T22:56:00.006-05:00

Gardner native and current San Diego Charger Jacques Cesaire has endorsed the efforts of Forward in Health. Jacque's parents are Haitian born immigrants and his dad Carmy traveled with Forward in Health in January 2010. An interview with Jacques, his father, and the San Diego Chargers can be found at
http://www.chargers.com/news/article-1/Cesaire-reaching-out-to-Haiti-/378f6b48-6f98-4e11-b50b-c3c83f70eb9f .

Team B hoping to leave soon

2010-01-27T21:31:00.004-05:00

Having returned Team A from Haiti (NECN article at (http://www.necn.com/pages/landing?blockID=169572 ), Forward in Health is quickly packing and planning to send Team B. The 10 member team of doctors, nurses, and EMTs is ready and standing by. The need is still great in and around Gran Goave, our present home base.

The only problem is getting into the country. Commercial airlines are still not flying into Port-au-Prince. The charter company that was flying from the Dominican Republic into Haiti has had to stop for financial reasons. The group has looked at all options including a bus from the Dominican Republic to Haiti and a ferry. At the present time we are on the waiting list to fly into Port-au-Prince with Missionary Flights International out of Florida. They will give us 48 hours notice to be in Florida ready to go. The bags are being packed with supplies and Team B has its' exit interview Saturday with Paula with the hope of being in Haiti by early next week.

Team A Home

2010-01-24T22:13:00.004-05:00

Team A has returned home. We left the Dominican Republic at 3 AM and arrived in Boston at 10:30 AM. Physically and emotionally exhausted we are all grateful for the opportunity to use our talents to help those in desperate need. This could not have been accomplished without the generosity of many in the Worcester area and beyond. It was a privilege to work in Haiti.

Team B to be lead by Paula Mulqueen is forming and likely to be in Haiti in 1 week to continue what will be a long recovery for the people of Haiti.

Final Clinic Day the Most Intense

2010-01-24T21:27:00.007-05:00

The final day of clinics began unsure of exactly where we would end up. Planned to follow up at two different refugee camp sites. Called instead to the heavily damaged city of Petit Goave. The pediatric, maternity wards and one OR at the hospital were heavily damaged and unoccupied. Doctor's Without Borders had set up on site but were moving southwest to an area not damaged but where people were relocating.

We saw many crush injuries and some general medical patients. Worked until early evening primarily cleaning and dressing wounds and applying casts to fractured arms and legs using sedation.

The day unfortunately ended with sad but for Haiti not uncommon patients. One was a 12 year old boy who had an open fracture of his leg from the earthquake 10 days earlier. He had been seen but the leg had become infected and needed to be amputated. His mother had died 2 years earlier and after the earthquake he and his dad were sleeping in the streets.

A second child was seen for a second degree burn over about 20% of his body 2 days earlier after soup fell on him. The wounds needed to be cleaned and dressed under sedation.

After leaving the hospital we were called back 1 hour later as a mother had a breech delivery and the child was stuck and could not be delivered. Having an obstetrician and pediatrician with us members of the team raced the 15 minutes it takes to get to the hospital. Dr. Blake delivered the infant saving the mother. The newborn however never had a heartbeat or started breathing. Dr. Mulqueen and EMT Kevin Casey attempted to resuscitate the infant but were unsuccessful. The parents were grateful for our work and felt some comfort that we were available and tried to help.

The day ended on a graceous note at the UN compound with the Sri Lanken soldiers and Sri Lanken food.

The team spent the rest of the night talking about the stressful day and making plans to travel the next day to the Dominican Republic. A child lost his leg but this was necessary to save his life, a severely burned child had his burns cleaned and dressed to help them heal and prevent infection, and parents felt some comfort that their newborn died but doctors were available and tried everything they could to save their child.

Haiti Update

2010-01-22T07:06:00.005-05:00

Finished a second day of clinics yesterday. 2 nights ago and yesterday felt a few pretty good aftershocks. Only lasted 2-5 seconds but one once strong enough to take notice. Other than that can feel light rumbles like a truck going by.

Spent yesterday morning seeing patients at Mission of Hope's church and where their orphanage is. A tent city has popped up in the courtyard for the orphans and others. By the end of the morning we were starting to see less ill people although the last boy of the day was diagnosed with malaria. During the day treated lots of wounds and some orthopedic problems. Our orthopedic Dr., Dr. David Fabien, relocated a dislocated hip and casted a fracture of a femur under sedation.

After lunch traveled to Lex and Renee's visitor home by the beech. The navy landed there today and is setting up shop. The home there is destroyed.

The afternoon we traveled along the road and stopped at 2 different tent/refugee camps. Needed to treat 3 people for broken bones that has still not been casted and then many wounds, some worse than others.

Will be returning to the camps today as they let people in the mountain area know we will be there.

2010-01-20T16:22:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

"Team A" Close To Their Destination

We received word just a little while ago that the 14 members of "Team A" representing Forward In Health have safely made it to Santiago, Dominican Republic. Due to the fact that there was not much daylight remaining and the Jacmal, Haiti airstrip has no lights for the planes to land, the Team was forced to stay the night in Santiago. They are bedding down for the night in a local school. Word came from Haiti today that roads had been blocked off in Leogane but it turns out that the roads were blocked off for the landing of our Team. The Team is schedule for an early start in the morning(Wed.) with a schedule 7:00am departure to Leogane on military helicopters. They will be landing right on the roads that were blocked off and will be picked up by or director in Haiti, Lex, and brought to Grand Guave and the Mission of Hope. The Team will hit the ground running providing medical care to those in need. They will be in for a long day!

Just finished first day seeing patients

2010-01-20T14:21:00.004-05:00

Our medical team is in Haiti only through the help of many people unknown to us a few days ago.
Many thanks to the crew on the American Airlines flight from Boston to Puerto Rico. Our layover in Puerto Rico was tight, only 40 minutes to begin with and our flight was delayed almost an hour as the plane needed to be deiced in Boston. The American Airlines crew called ahead to our connecting flight and begged to have it held. The plane in Puerto Rico agreed to hold the plane for 30 minutes. After loading us up with extra cups and Orange juice the American Airlines crew had the rest of our plane wait as we departed first. We want them to know that because of their kindness we made our flight to the Dominican Republic.

We arrived in the Dominican Republic and spent the night as it was too dark to fly. Our landing strip ( a road) has no lights. A group Go Mission is accumulating medical supplies and offered them to us, fed us, and allowed us to stay with them for free.

As we were about to leave shorthly after 7 am for Leogone, Haiti we felt a tremor. Grand Guave, the home of our directors, had a 6.1 earthquake. We were allowed to leave and landed on a road.
There is no phone service and our directors were 1 hour late. They finally arrived and are OK.

We traveled 45 minutes and saw patients in a remote area that has yet to see medical professionals. It has been 8 days and what we saw is incredibly sad. Broken arms, legs, ankles that have not been cared for. Open wounds that are now too old to repair. A little boy has a dislocated elbow and cannot bend his elbow at all. It has been too long to be reduced without anesthesia. If not fixed he will never be able to bend his elbow and his arm will be held straight out.

At the end of the clinic we met a doctor from Doctors Without Borders. They are setting up an OR tomorrow in Leogone and we will be able to have him seen there.

Need to go for now. Some areas are so incredibly sad, yet the spirit of the people we have encountered is not broken. In the saddest times the grace of God is still found.

Leaving for Haiti

2010-01-18T21:26:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting, but the past day has been hectic as we have finalized plans to travel into Haiti. Our medical team is now up to 14 including 2 Haitian born nurses, an orthopedic surgeon, pediatrician, family practitioner, and obstetrician/gynecologist. We have nurses, a founding board member of FIH, and paramedic.

We leave tomorrow from Logan Airport, land in Puerto Rico, fly to the Dominican Republic, fly to Jacmel, then helicopter into Leogonne, and travel by truck to Grande Guave. We will conduct 4 days of clinics. We are prepared as much as we can be for a variety of medical conditions, not actually sure what we will find.

Thanks to the many who have made donations, offered their best wishes and prayers, and inspired us to do what we are doing. Many have stepped up. Paula Mulqueen has put together a trip most thought impossible to organize from little Gardner, Massachusetts in just a few days. She is the driving force for behind this trip and its' success.

Awaiting Departure

2010-01-16T22:59:00.001-05:00

Forward in Health Team "A" is packed and ready to deploy...Waiting for Westover Air Force Base to give us our 24 hour notice.....Medical Team "B" starting to pack....Thanks to all who helped in these life saving missions.....response has been wonderful...Gardner and the surrounding communities came to the aid of the Haitian people in a big way!

Medeical Supplies, food, and monetary donations

2010-01-15T23:10:00.004-05:00

It has been 36 hours since Forward in Health received an emergency plea from our Haitian directors Lex and Renee Edme, "Come now." In 36 hours a medical team of 11, including a registered nurse from San Francisco, has been mobilized.
$4,656 has been raised through online donations via our web site.
FIH has received $10,000 in donations from student and faculty at Gardner High School, employees at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, and people dropping donations off at our home or pediatric office. A gentleman handed us $500 in cash plus a $20 bill he won on a lottery scratch ticket. He insisted that the $20 be used to buy candy for the children at the orphanage. He refused to give his address so that we could send him a thank you note.
Heywood Hospital, Health Alliance Hospital, and University of Massachusetts-Memorial Hospital have donated medical supplies. Heywood Hospital has discounted medications through their pharmacy. Packing begins tomorrow at 1 PM for the trip.
The Michael Carlson Memorial Fund donated all of the money to buy the medications purchased through the Heywood Hospital Pharmacy.
Our home looks like a Peace Corps center with many boxes and bags filled with everything from bandages to vitamins, to peanut butter to tuna fish to protein bars. Food has been in short supply in Grande Guave, our destination.
Medical trips usually take 4-6 months of planning. The same will be accomplished this time in 3 days thanks to many helping hands and generous people. Our original plan was to provide help in some small way to the devastated people of Haiti, people who had very little who now have nothing. If nothing else by the time we leave they will again know that people in the United States care that they are in trouble and will have provided them with hope.

Medical Team Mobilized

2010-01-15T09:03:00.003-05:00

Forward in Health is responding to the earthquake disaster in Haiti by mobilizing a team of 12 physicians, nurses, and a marine medich/EMT. We will be working in Grande Guave, the home base of our directors Lex and Renee Edme. The area is 30 miles from the epicenter and was hard hit.
We are flying in on Delta Airlines Tuesday and returning Sunday. Our focus will be to triage patients in the area and treat people depending initially on severity. When we arrive we will have a better understanding on what the need is. We are unable to have much communication with Lex and Renee, but we are confident that they are already coordinating plans.
For this trip we will be bringing freeze dried food and water as the basic supplies are already running short. We will also bring protein bars, tuna fish, peanut butter, and other sources of protein for the children in the orphanage.

FIH Medical Team Mobilized

2010-01-14T14:02:00.003-05:00

A medical team made of of doctors, nurses, and a former marine medic who served in Iraq will be traveling to Haiti at the request of our directors Lex and Renee Edme. Renee e-mailed FIH today requesting medical assistance now. The earliest flight we can arrange out is on Tuesday January 19th. We will return the following Sunday.

Donations made at this time through our web site will be used first to defer the cost of the trip and second to help with reconstruction of the orphanage that collapsed. Several members of the medical team were in Haiti in August 2009 and if possible FIH would like to help them this time with the cost of the trip which is usually $1250. The cost of the airline flight alone is $600.

Forward in Health's Response to the 2010 Earthquake

2010-01-14T07:18:00.008-05:00

Many people have asked how they can help and what the response by Forward in Health will be. As the dust settles, literally, it is becoming clear what can be done at this time.
Physicians, nurses, and EMTs associated with Forward in Health have volunteered to travel to Haiti. If and when there is an organized need we will be able to send medical volunteers. We will not send people into an unsafe situation without food, water, medical supplies, a place to stay, or a place to work out of.
If you would like to donate money or supplies, monetary donations will be used initially to help rebuild the orphanage and visitors house run by our directors Lex and Renee Edme of Mission of Hope. Forward in Health has a close working relationship with Mission of Hope and know that this is a small well run organization doing excellent selfless work.
Medications, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, children's vitamins, antibiotic and antifungal creams can be collected and will be brought down when we travel.

Thanks for all of the good wishes

2010-01-13T21:57:00.003-05:00

Paula and I would like to thank everyone who called or e-mailed with concerns and good wishes. Thanks for donations received. Members of Forward in Health have volunteered to travel to Haiti if and when the ability to travel occurs.
No word about our wall and the people of Fonfrede. We have heard that a few buildings in Les Cayes collapsed and 14 people died.
The Forward in health club at Gardner High School has organized the student body at Gardner High School to wear yellow, the club colors, and the club members are wearing their FIH shirts.

FIH put to use in earthquake disaster update

2010-01-13T21:53:00.004-05:00

Forward in Health recently shipped a bus to Haiti to transport visitors from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. Lex and Renee had visitors and children from the orphanage sleep in the bus the first night. Good idea as much of the orphanage has colloapsed.

News from Rene

2010-01-13T11:28:00.001-05:00

1-13-2010 Today at 11:18am
Hi Everyone.

I lost power and lost the entire note that I'd written. I may be briefer with this one...

Our visiting team, our children and I were at the office when the first tremor hit. It took a couple of seconds to realize that it was an earthquake, by which time I was falling on the floor and screaming for my children (I didn't know their exact location). That first tremor seemed to last forever and it was sooooo violent. It was certainly the most terrifying moment of my life and I am so grateful that the peace of God rules my heart and mind.

Lex was in Leogane at the UN headquarters there when the earthquake hit. That, of course, was heart wrenching for all of us, as there was no way of contacting each other. As he made his way back home (partially driving, partially walking) he witnessed the horror of seeing so many bodies along the street some people severely injured and others already dead. Knowing that we were likely in the office, he was very concerned about the structure falling on us. We were all greatly relieved upon our reunion.

One of our preschool teachers was killed. Many of our staff and students' families lost their homes.

A young girl 2-3 years old, was struck in the head when a concrete wall fell. Her skull was split wide open, but no medical help was available. She was close to death when they carried her away.

The group visiting spent the night in the Forward in Health bus. Our family laid in the yard along with the orphans and the many neighbors that joined us.

Some of the "after shocks" most certainly were earthquakes themselves. It was horrifying in the dark listening to the orphanage crash down behind me.

We are still experiencing tremors and would appreciate prayer for them to stop...permanently!

There must have been something like a small tsunami, because the ocean rose all the way up to our well at the very back of the beach house property...about 125 ft higher than normal. Everything on the property has been destroyed, including all the surrounding walls.

Bathrooms at the orphanage are not accessible so we now have people relieving themselves in the yard. And we don't want people near the buildings or walls, so it's pretty concentrated. Sad, since we've worked so hard to train the Haitians to use the bathrooms.

We have NO food available for distribution. A container of Kids Against Hunger food is expected in about 3 weeks...unfortunately it'll be about 3 weeks too late.

We will use the chapel to house some of the homeless families in Grand-Goâve.

We expect school to be closed for quite some time, as we all dig out and determine where to go from here.

Today, January 13th, there are still several tremors occurring every hour. Please pray. Anyone wanting to help with the tremendous financial burden of providing relief to people in urgent need, as well as rebuilding much of the mission, may make donations to Mission of Hope. Checks may be sent to PO Box 176, Merrimac, MA 01860. If you prefer to use a credit card, go to http://missionofhopehaiti.net/donations.htm to make a donation online.

That's the update for now. Again, thank you everyone for all your encouragement and prayers.

Blessings!

Renée

Earthquake Update

2010-01-13T08:57:00.001-05:00

I want to update you about what we know about the conditions in Haiti.

First our directors Lex and Rene are OK. They are about 30 miles from Carrfour the epicenter. They had some damage to the wall around their buildings, but their family, children, and the orphans that they care for are all OK. Rene said today that her worry is food running out although they are OK right now. They do have a group that traveled from the US with them and everyone is fine.

No real word from Les Cayes other than Fr. Mark who has an orphanage just outside of Les Cayes has posted on his web site that they felt the earthquake and the children were frightened but no real damage.

Earthquake devastates impoverished Haiti

2010-01-12T21:14:00.004-05:00

Forward in Health is concerned and saddened by what is likely to be a horrific and deadly earthquake in Haiti. As we learn more we are relieved to hear that our directors in Haiti, Lex and Rene Edme and their children are well. They live in Grand Goave about 30 miles from Carrefour, the epicenter of this 7.0 earthquake. Rene has phoned in and although there was some damage to the wall of the orphanage the children are all well. The buildings of the orphanage, church, and school are intact. We are waiting to recive more information about the Les Cayes area. We do know that the earthquake was felt in the Les Cayes area.
We do not have any current plans for emergency fundraising or travel. The scheduled February trip with students from St. John's and April trip with Gardner High school and Marianapolis Preparatory School in Connecticut are on hold but not canceled.

April 21-28, 2009 Student Trip

2009-02-07T16:11:00.002-05:00

Students from Gardner High School, Oakmont Regional High School, Shrewsbury High School, North Middlesex Regional High School, and Marianapolis Preparatory School in Connecticut will travel with Forward in Health to Les Cayes, Haiti. The 10 students will be accompanied by 4 adults. The students cultural experience will include a day in the city of Grand Guave with Mission of Hope and helping with their 30 orphaned children, cooking dinner for the nursing home residents of the Foyer in Les Cayes, a day helping the nuns of The Missionaries of Charity in Les Cayes, and a wellness clinic on the land owned by Forward in Health and site of our future medical clinic.

2009 Calendar Available

2009-01-24T06:26:00.002-05:00

Forward in Health has published a calendar for 2009. The calendar is composed of pictures from our trips to Haiti in 2008. The calendar is available for a donation of $50 or more to Forward in Health.

Gardner Lions Club Donation

2009-01-07T20:54:00.004-05:00

Since completion of our wall around the clinic land, the next phase of construction was to secure the wall with an iron gate. Thanks to a generous donation from the Lions Club of Gardner, Massachusetts, this is now complete. The gate was made by Evenel, the driver for groups who travel to Haiti with Forward in Health. Our director in Haiti, Roudy, had a local artist paint the logo of the Gardner Rotary Club on the door.

Wall Construction

2009-01-07T20:39:00.002-05:00

In preparation for construction of our clinic to begin in 2009 we needed to construct a security wall. Through the hard work of our director Roudy we were able to complete construction of the wall in July, 2008. The wall is 10 feet high and completely encircles our 3 1/2 acres of land.

October 2008 Medical Trip

2009-01-07T15:07:00.003-05:00

From October 5-12, 2008, a group of 18 medical and lay people traveled to Les Cayes, Haiti. Clinics were conducted on 5 days and a total of over 900 adults and children were seen by doctors and nurses. For the first time adults were screened for high blood pressure and anemia. This was the first medical trip since the devastating effects of 4 hurricanes struck Haiti in august and September.
Due to the flooding gas stations in Les Cayes were all closed. Gas was brought in by barrels, cut in half with kerosene, and sold on the side of the road. Our medical care and presence was appreciated as much as ever.

Worcester Sharks Donate Hockey Bags

2008-09-10T08:52:00.002-04:00

The country of Haiti, by all standards the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been beaten over the past 4 weeks by four hurricanes back-to-back-to-back-to-back. A devastating month for a country with poor infrastructure and ability to handle natural disasters.

A UNICEF press release dated Monday September 8, 2008, before the affects of Hurricane Ike were known, reads in part, “ Flooding caused by rains that lashed Haiti after a recent series of back-to-back hurricanes has affected an estimated 650,000 people, of which 300,000 are children. The aftermath of Hurricanes Fay, Gustav and Hanna, which have passed through the region in close succession over the past three weeks, has forced thousands of people to flee to their rooftops.”

Forward in Health will be sending a medical team of 18 from October 5th-12th, 2008.. The trip has been planned for several months and includes doctors, nurses, and various non-medical lay personnel. Among those traveling will be Dan Moen, CEO of Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Ma. and Lisa Piehler, CEO of The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts.

Members of Forward in Health have had a presence in Les Cayes, Haiti conducting pediatric clinics for a week at a time since 2001. Currently FIH is working to build a permanent medical clinic near Les Cayes for a permanent, not sporadic medical presence. Traveling to Haiti 2-3 times per year has taken a toal on the hockey bags Forward in Health (FIH) has used to bring medical supplies down to Haiti. After the last trip in July many of the bags were held together by duct tape and hope.

The Worcester Sharks have answered an appeal by Lisa Piehler for hockey bags. The Sharks have generously agreed to donate 20 new hockey bags. Each will be packed with 50 pounds of medications and medical supplies. Sharks President and CEO Michael Lehr and Sharks Director of Youth Hockey and Community Relations Michael Myers represented the Sharks in their donation, which was made possible by Mary DeFeudis, Chairwoman of Sharks Charities. Chuck Thuss of Southern Sports Supply and Vinny Ferraiuolo, were instrumental in accomplishing this charitable effort.

John mulqueen, M.D., president of Forward in Health, spoke for the organization. “We have always been grateful to those who have donated their used hockey bag. They have been used until they could not be used any further, usually 3 or 4 trips. We are indebted to the Worcester Sharks for donating new hockey bags. Without the support of the people of Worcester county, we would not be able to do the work that we do for the poorest of the poor in Haiti.”

During the week long medical mission FIH will conduct 5 clinic days seeing 200-250 children each day. Most will be children without medical care except for when FIH travels to Les Cayes.

While in Les Cayes Lisa Piehler will be meeting with the International Red Cross in Haiti, along with working at the pediatric clinics.

2008-03-02T18:09:00.004-05:00

Forward in Health co-founder and board member Paula Mulqueen, RN was recently highlighted in the Mount Wachusett Community e-mail newsletter. The article can be found at
http://www.mwcc.edu/info/newsarchive/news120707.html.

This time we were there

2008-02-16T21:20:00.005-05:00

A medical team lead by John Harrington, MD traveled to Haiti from February 5-12, 2008. The following is the account of the director of Hope for Haiti located in Les Cayes.

Saturday, February 10, 2008

Program Director

Saturday at 2pm Hope for Haiti received a call from an American medical student, Abbey, who is volunteering with Maison de Naissance (House of Birth) in the South of Haiti, that she had met a elderly woman who had been badly burned and who was in need of medical help. The woman had fallen into a cooking fire pit 15 days ago and had 3^rd degree burns along her right ear, shoulder, and upper back. The wounds were bleeding and dripping with puss and obviously excruciating. This elderly woman, also blind and suffering from dementia, was too poor and physically incapable to travel anywhere to receive medical care. She lived in a rural area outside of Torbeck (approx. 30 minutes South of Les Cayes), living in a dirt floor and a banana leaf woven house. Abbey asked if there was anyone who Hope for Haiti could call or a place the woman could go to receive some help. If she was unable to get medical attention, her wounds would eventually become severely infected and her chances for survival would be incredibly low.

Luckily Hope for Haiti knew of a medical team from Massachusetts who was in Les Cayes for the week with the organization called Forward in Health. After talking with one of the doctors from the organization, Mike, and his sister Judy, they offered to go see the woman to offer whatever care was possible. By 3pm, Hope for Haiti’s Operation Director, had picked up the doctor and a collaborative team from Forward in Health, Hope for Haiti, and Maison de Naissance were on their way to the woman’s home with a bucket of clean water, burn cream and bandages, and medical personnel.

Upon arrival, we found a frail looking woman, naked from waist up, who was walking toward us with her burned side visible. Immediately the village community surrounded us full of curiosity and intrigue. Dr. Mike began to evaluate her wounds and her overall condition. The entire top layer of burned skin was necessary to take off in order for the layer underneath to be cleaned and properly medicated. Unfortunately, if this was to be done, the woman would be in need of continued care and it was obvious that she had no means and no one to care for her. The only facility that we could trust where she would receive adequate care without cost was for her to go to Missionaries of Charity in Les Cayes. With that as a possible option Dr. Mike decided to just clean the burned area and dress it appropriately.

We explained to the community that we would be bringing the woman to receive medical attention at the Missionaries of Charity in Les Cayes. We then searched through the woman’s clothes rolled up in a ball in the corner of her house and dressed her in her most beautiful dress. The woman’s first stop was to Hope for Haiti’s residence to receive a proper meal and a well-deserved prestige. Not knowing how to use a fork or spoon, the woman started feeling around on the plate for what she wanted to eat first. She ate as if she hadn’t eaten in days. Handful after handful she continued to eat until we feared that she might make herself sick. After 45 minutes her speed of eating had started to slow… she finished her prestige and prepared herself for her departure.

Arriving at the Missionaries of Charity, the woman received her own bed immediately where she was quick to lay her head down. The Sisters checked her in and assured us that she would receive good care. By 6pm this woman had been washed, medically consulted, well fed and now sleeping for the first time in her life on a real mattress with a real pillow. Abbey let out a sigh of relief knowing that tonight, this woman was safe and in good hands.

Today was a wonderful example of the collaborative efforts of the various organizations working on the ground in Haiti. In just hours a team was able to come together to provide care to a woman who would have otherwise have had no means to survive. Hope for Haiti thanks Abbey for making the call, Forward in Health for mobilizing so quickly, and Missionaries of Charity for making sure that this one woman was not forgotten. When all resources are available and deployed, we can truly make a difference…

First Phase of Construction

2008-01-23T21:15:00.000-05:00

The first phase of construction for an eventual 2 story 10,000 sq. ft medical clinic with living space on the second floor has begun. Construction of a 10 ft. high wall around the entire 3 1/2 acres of property began in January 2008. Large rocks, stones and sand have been loaded by hand onto trucks and transported to our land in Fonde Fred. A shallow well has been dug by hand to supply water needed for mixing with cement to make the concrete blocks. Construction in Haiti is expensive in part because building supplies such as cement are expensive and it is so labor intensive. The wall should be completed by the end of April, 2008.

August 2007 5K Road Race

2007-09-15T19:06:00.001-04:00

Winner of the run Sean Duncan
and of the walk his mother Robin

Supported by Heywood Hospital in Gardner Forward in Health held its' second annual 5K road race on August 4th, 2007. Thanks to our core organization committee from Heywood Hospital and many volunteers the day of the race, Forward in Health was able to find many sponsors for the race. $23,000 was raised. Once again members and supporters of FIH have shown the ability to tell our story and the need in Haiti to motivate people to support our efforts and raise money.

Dr. John Mulqueen felt every bit of the 95
degrees of heat as his son Conor looks on.

July 2007 Medical/Student Trip

2007-09-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

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.

March Medical Trip

2007-08-26T17:26:00.000-04:00

In March 2007 three doctors, five registered nurses, and six support staff saw a total of 634 patients over five clinic days at seven different sites. Two of the days were spent at Fond-Frede, the future home of our permanent medical clinic.

Of note, one very ill child was diagnosed and treated for malaria. Two children were diagnosed with a severe form of Tuberculosis affecting the spine referred to as Pott's disease. The children and their families were referred to a local TB clinic for testing and treatment.

One six year old girl was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. She had not been able to walk for three months. She was treated with children's ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin). Our director in Haiti, Roudy, saw her 2 weeks later. Her mother was amazed that the day after she started ibuprofen she was a little better, and at 2 weeks was walking, although still in some pain.

Thanks to everyone involved on the trip for making it such a success, and we hope everyone will return in the future.

Land Purchased for Clinic in Fonfred

2007-05-06T08:24:00.000-04:00

March 2007 Medical Surveys Land

Forward in Health has been searching for the right place to construct a full time medical clinic in the Les Cayes area of Haiti. Thanks to our director in Haiti, Roudy, and the people of Fonfred the land has been found and purchased. The land is 3 acres and the purchase price of $6,200 was given by an anonymous donor. The clinic will be 2 floors, the first floor clinic space, and the second floor living quarters for up to 16 guests. The next phase is to build a wall around the entire 3 acres for security and drill a well for water.

John Mulqueen and John Harrington in March 2007 on FIH land