October 2013
Duval is a small town just south of Port au Prince, Haiti, in a region known as Bellevue Mountain. The people live from subsistence agriculture, on small plots of land which they cultivate by hand. The closest medical facility is Baptist Haiti Mission, which is a one hour drive over unpaved roads. None of the people of Duval own a car, or have running water or electricity.
I work as a physician in Philadelphia. I go to Duval twice a year, to hold a general medicine clinic. They have no other access to medical care. Many patients have high blood pressure, so I bring them enough medication to last for six months. Other problems are more typical of tropical areas, for example intestinal parasites. One young patient returned to inform me that after he took the pill I gave him, all the worms came out!
During my last trip in August 2013, a woman came into the clinic with a completely prolapsed uterus, which she had for 7 years! We took her to the Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital, where she was treated for anemia, and then was able to get the surgery she needed. To think that she suffered with this condition for 7 years because she could not afford the surgery! I cannot fix the complex social and political problems of Haiti, but I can help a few people who have no other alternatives.
I work closely with the pastor, Guito Pierre. He was born in Duval, and at that time, there was no school for him to attend. At age 18, he walked two hours every day, to start first grade. He eventually moved to Canada and then to the United States, and completed degrees in social work and community development. He could have had a comfortable life in the US, but he felt compelled to return to Duval. He started an elementary school which now has 150 students. I could not work in Duval without Pastor Guito’s vision and leadership, and his commitment to improving the lives of his people.
My purpose in going to Duval is primarily to support and encourage the local church, and the surrounding community. This is done through several projects:
Development of agriculture and small businesses: Coffee grows well in this mountainous area. Recently about 5,000 coffee plants were purchased, and given to the local farmers.
Many of the adults in this area cannot read. They are therefore very reliant on the biblical teaching that is given at the church. We want to help those in the church who are teaching God’s word to have a solid foundation themselves, and the resources that they need to teach others.
A school building has recently been built. One daily meal is provided, which is the children’s main meal that they receive. The teacher’s salaries sometimes go unpaid. There are few supplies. There are many needs in this area.
We provide scholarships for young adults to further their education. One very talented young man, Larry Pierre, was the church choir director. He told me that he wanted to study electronic engineering. Through our connections, he is now studying at a college in Dublin, Ireland. For a young man from rural Haiti, this is a life-changing opportunity.
In the long term, would like to build a clinic that could be staffed by a Haitian physician, and also provide dental and eye care.
Thank you for your support of this mission.
