1/22/2010 Haiti Update

via cousin Abe van Wingerden

As we begin the first wave of transition of both board members and medical teams at the site (Fresh people arrive on Saturday and Sunday), the positive momentum of Double Harvest and their work continues to spread:

MEDICAL TEAM – through just monumental dedication and investment of time, our medical teams has been able to keep up with the 100s of patients on a daily basis and we have not had to turn anyone away.  On the other hand, they are having to make difficult choices.  Many amputations are needed which puts a ton of pressure on doctors to make those decisions.  Keep them in your prayers.  The team is also having to improvise on tools until the next medical team arrives with more supplies.  For example, the team needed an orthopedic drill, but since they did not have one, the team had to take the cordless drills from Double Harvest and drill into bones.  We could not find any fixators either, so Uncle Joe and Uncle Nick made some from the machine shop.

The medical clinic is so full, the team had to open 3 classrooms for more medical rooms.  The entire cafeteria today was full of people that needed help or care in some way  The front part of the clinic is now being used as pre op and “triage” area.  The team put word on the radio that they have a hospital so they know tomorrow will be busy again.  Infection is the biggest issue on folks coming in….they have had open wounds that needed care for 10 days now……..today alone, the team had to amputate 2 feet and a leg because of situations like that.   A fresh medical team arrives on Sunday night to continue to provide care.

THE LITTLE THINGS HELP – back a few months ago, Vickie van Wingerden collected little cars and dolls for the children at the school…………and they are coming in handy now for those kids waiting for medical care……Frantz reports the toys keep their mind busy for some time, and it even puts a smile on their faces sometimes.

THE NEED WILL INCREASE – The Haitain government is moving homeless people out of the main city of Port-a-Prince and into surrounding communities. One of those communities is right by Double Harvest, so we feel the opportunity to serve even more people will come.

SPREADING THE WORD - Nearly 1,000 people signed up for our Facebook Page in just 2 days.  Keep inviting people.   Today alone, we raised $100,000 in donations – THANK YOU for spreading the word…keep it up.   Donations are both big and small.  For example, our night manager at Metrolina put together a “Throw a Water Balloon at the Boss” event and raised nearly $500 during their lunch break for Double Harvest.   Alana Darby, an 11 yr. old girl, sold hot chocolate last Saturday morning in her neighborhood to raise money for Double Harvest.  The need is great, but the spirit of this group is greater.  Thank you very much.

GOOGLE EARTH - See latest images of Double Harvest on Google Earth.  They were snapped just a few weeks ago, so the much of the new construction that is serving people today is visible.  The Coordinates are 18 Degrees 32.38.87 North and 72 Degrees 11.36.09 West.  That will be on the bottom of your screen on Google Earth (look at the numbers) and it will put you right in the 100,000 Tilapia fish pool. The school is to your north.

FUEL – We are anxiously awaiting word on whether a fuel truck arrived today.   We know it is on the road, but it has not arrived yet.   This is once again causing a dire situation if we don’t get fuel today, so keep praying for safety of the driver.

VOLUNTEERS - If you know of a medical person wanting to volunteer in February, Diane Cable is our person on the ground coordinating volunteers of doctors, medical, etc.   Her number is 1 785 565 1484.   Have your folks call or email her.(cablefamily@hotmail.com)    If you know a doctor, the need to contact Diane to arrange WHEN to go.

THE NEWS – More articles, more News.

CHICAGO Paper -an article on one of our board members who is in Haiti right now.

NASCAR HELPING OUT - Mike Wallace has announced that he will carry the message for Haiti humanitarian relief by promoting www.DoubleHarvest.org on his #01 racecar at Daytona. Donations to this Haitian mission will go to direct and on-going relief.

Since Daytona is still weeks away, donations are needed right now so, for more information on this relief effort contact: www.DoubleHarvest.org