During the month of April, the earthquake relief activities continued with vigour and enthusiasm. Free and excellent healthcare was delivered with compassion and love at community clinics conducted out of the two churches. Approximately 4,000 patients were seen during this month bringing the total number of patients treated since the clinics started in January to about 25,000.
Given the rainy season and the increased incidence of water-borne diseases, preventive healthcare was an important focus in the clinics along with treatment of medical ailments. Education and discussions were conducted on safe drinking water, water-borne diseases, food hygiene, hand washing and smoking cessation.
Medical practice was tailored to the evolving needs of the people. Since it has now been 10 – 12 weeks from the major earthquake, there appeared to be a greater prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health professionals in our teams provided the needed counseling and medical management of this problem.
Prepared and raw foods and drinking water are being provided on a daily basis. Freshly prepared food was distributed daily. About 21,000 meals were served in the month of April. Local youths were engaged in productive activities such as street cleaning, community support and planning for the future of their lives.
A cultural program entitled "Give Me a Hand" was organized by the local Haitian youth to celebrate the country’s rich heritage and as a showcase of their talents. The program was celebrated on April 23, 2010 at one of the church clinics. The program began with a choir consisting of children from the orphanage that is being supported by the SSSWF. They sang songs extolling the Grace of God followed by instrumental music. The program also had some individual dances.
Two Haitian youths spoke extemporaneously and passionately about living up to their highest potential and imploring everyone to give themselves to rebuilding their country. They followed this with a song that involved everyone joining hands and singing "lets walk hand in hand" for the greater good. In addition, there were short motivational speeches by Mr. Rony (the local host in Haiti ), Father William from the Church and Brother Guy from the second Church urging those assembled to work together in unity and keep the faith going despite many challenges. All of them profusely thanked the SSSWF.
The children were the epitome of unconditional love as they left everyone spellbound with their charming smiles and talents. Everyone was touched by what had transpired that evening - as the audience waved their little Haitian flags that had been handed out. It was an evening of hope, optimism, joy and laughter, which seemed to drive away any reminder of what they had lived through. It spoke of the resiliency of the Haitian spirit, which undoubtedly seemed stronger than ever fueled by the Unseen Hand! The last song of the evening summed it up …. "He has got the whole world in His hands"!
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