March 2010

This year, March is a special month in Haiti. This month, the country braces itself as it emerges from a balmy spring into the rainy season when more than half of the people affected by the earthquake are without a roof over their heads and without drinking water. The Sathya Sai Organization stepped up its ongoing humanitarian activities in Haiti by focusing on potable water and shelter in addition to medical services.

Potable water was delivered to the local neighborhood around the Sathya Sai operations base using a 6,000-gallon water tanker and well-designed network of pipelines. This water delivery system was able to serve about 500 families. Arrangements were made to have 6,000 gallons delivered every day.

Food was prepared and distributed to patients seen daily in clinics. In addition, food, cooking stoves and utensils were lovingly given to 200 families in surrounding communities. Clothes were distributed to children attending the clinics as well as those in a nearby orphanage. Several large tents and crutches were donated to those who needed them.

Medical services were provided in the premises of two churches. Over 10,000 patients were seen during the month for acute and chronic illnesses. Since the earthquake had destroyed medical facilities, many people had not had any medical attention or medications for their chronic illness since January. In addition, due to a lack of public health, water-borne and food-borne diseases were on the rise. In anticipation of these changes in the epidemiology of illnesses, several cartons of medications were taken with Sathya Sai volunteers and several containers shipped to Port-au-Prince for patients at the medical clinics. An ophthalmologist provided meticulous eye-care resulting from corneal injury due to rubble debris and dirt. Vision testing was done and over 300 pairs of prescription glasses provided.

A psychiatrist and a psychologist were available for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of the patients requiring counseling were sleeping outside afraid to go in their homes in case another earthquake occurred. With calm confidence they were reassured to go back inside their homes if they were structurally intact. Guidance was provided for future aftershocks. Patients who were deeply traumatized were identified. Such patients had been trapped for hours to days being unable to move, often having helplessly witnessed a loved one die slowly and painfully next to them. Many of these patients returned the following day for more one on one counseling and they reported that they were able to get a good night’s sleep for the first time after the earthquake. Students from the State University of Haiti came as observers and nine of them received training in counseling techniques so they could continue this work.

Sathya Sai young adults interacted with the local young adults daily encouraging them, motivating them and guiding them to do good work to improve themselves and their community. The young adults worked together to clean, removed litter and rubble from streets in the neighborhood.

In summary, the month of March has prepared for the changing seasons and disease profiles while providing food, shelter, water, medical care and social services to enable continuing loving support and care for Haiti.

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