Off to Haiti

11 May, 2010

Tomorrow, Wed 12th May, 2010, I'm off to Haiti. I'll be volun- teering with Medical Teams International. I'll arrive exactly four months after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake of 12 January, 2010. It is estimated that a staggering 220,000 people were killed and over 300,000 injured.

I'm not sure what to expect--we're told that we may be sleeping in tents in a muddy field (it's the rainy season), or in a guest house with running water. We may be based in Port-au-Prince or in Léogâne, or possibly in Les Cayes, way out on the southern "claw" of which Port-au-Prince is at the base. We'll either have Internet access or we won't. (If the later, I guess this will be my only blog entry). Medical Teams says wisely that flexibility is key. I guess I'll start my stretching exercises on the red eye to Miami.

What I do know is that it will be hot--between 95 and 100 degrees during the day. And wet--the rainy season is in full swing, with thunderstorms daily. We'll be seeing lots of people still living in muddy fields after being displaced by the incredible destruction of the earthquake. And we'll have only very basic medicines and equipment. Much as I'd love to, I have no illusions about being able to make a large and lasting difference in the lives of these people. But I hope to help alleviate some pain and suffering, at least in the short term. And to give what comfort I can. That may be the most important thing I'll be able to do.