This month’s Newsletter is full of good news and hope! Our first post-pandemic medical trip to Dominican Republic was a success. St. Joseph Clinic received needed medical supplies and medications to help them fight the current cholera outbreak and maintain their high level of care. The Superbowl Squares fundraiser was fun and brought in $2750 to support Medical Missionaries projects.
Read more about these and others stories in this month’s Newsletter.
Medical Missionaries Team Visits Dominican Republic and Haiti
Dr. George Bazaco and 10 team members flew to the Dominican Republic in late January for a journey that took them through the mountains and villages of the DR. They held medical clinics every day and administered to over 700 patients. The last two days they saw patients at the DR and Haitian border, which allowed Haitian patients to quickly and safely cross over and be seen.
This successful trip is evidence of the large need for medical treatments in underserved communities. Aside from prescription medicines, the team gave thousands of vitamins to children and adults. They also gave over the counter medicines to help with fever and stomach issues.
We are looking to plan another trip in November. Medical Missionaries is always looking for over the counter vitamins for children, adults and pregnant women. We also need fever reducers like Aleve and Advil. Lastly, medicines such as Tums antacids are always in great need. Medicines need to have an expiration date later than 2023.
Read about the team’s experiences and stories.
St. Joseph Clinic Update
The 102 boxes of medicines, medical supplies and other items sent to St. Joseph Clinic in November, via Nativity Parish/Food for the Poor Program, arrived safely in Cap Haitien. The Clinic staff was able to pick up the boxes, which was quite a feat given the lack of fuel and the current government breakdown.
St. Joseph Clinic has treated more than 110 cholera patients since January, and currently have 10 under treatment. The Clinic staff has heard that the nearby town of Hinche is seeing a large rise in cases, which may mean that the number of infected patients may rise again.
In Haiti it is common for multiple family members to bring a sick patient to the Clinic and stay with them. St. Joseph Clinic has a housing unit that was built to segregate cholera patients from the general population. The below pictures show several patients being treated for cholera and their family members.
The Importance of Klorsafil
Medical Missionaries has been recommending the use of Klorfasil as a simple, point of use intervention to treat water in the homes of Thomassique since 2008. It is an easy to use, locally produced granulated chlorine solution for treating water in the central plateau of Haiti. The success of this product was backed by research done by our Global Health Fellows in 2010. Its use continues in importance to this day, especially with the current cholera outbreak. it has been proven to be effective to reduce transmission of water-borne diseases and incidences of diarrhea. Medical Missionaries will be increasing its budget for this much needed product’s use for Clinic patients..
A Successful Super Bowl Squares Fundraiser
Thank you to all who participated in our Football Squares Fundraiser 2023! We took a chance and put up two boards this year! Thanks to all the enthusiasm around the country.
Medical Missionaries raised $2750! Each and everyone of you gave from the heart and the hearts that receive from this fundraiser will be full!
Request for Food Donations
Every month, in our newsletter, we send out a request for food donations. This month is no different, except the need is more acute. As you may know, for the last few years, the government provided additional Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the poor. This additional allotment ended March 1 and we are seeing a higher need throughout the community.
We are particularly in need of items such as baby formula and diapers, as well as canned goods like vegetables, fruits and soups for the Rocklick Food Pantry in Grundy, Va. In addition we are in need soap, washcloths, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Your donation of these essential items can make a big difference in the lives of those who are facing food insecurity.
We understand that times are tough for many, but we believe that by working together, we can make a positive impact on our community. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated, and we thank you for any help you can provide.
We keep our donations web page up to date or items can be dropped off at the office.
Supplies and Equipment In and Out
Haiti Container: The Manassas office has been busy collecting, packing and transporting 200 boxes of medical supplies and equipment that will be shipped to St. Joseph Clinic and to Food for the Poor projects throughout Haiti. The boxes are brought to the Nativity Parish, Burke Va. drop-off which are then shipped by the Food for the Poor Program via container to Haiti.
Donation of Wigs: Four beautiful wigs were donated by Call2sisters. The wigs on their stands were packed up and mailed to Pink Heart Funds in Missouri, who have a wig donation program for cancer survivors.
Family Donation: Medical Missionaries was visited by these 3 boys, who dropped off medical supplies at the office. Medical Missionaries is always in need of over the counter medicines.
It’s Good News!
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Lenten Project
The very kind parishioners from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Lake Ridge, Va. have chosen Medical Missionaries for their Lenten Giving. They wish to specifically support St. Joseph Clinic in Thomassique, Haiti in this endeavor. We are very thankful to Betty Maher, the coordinator of their Human Concerns Ministry, for setting up their Lenten Giving Tag Trees. We are very grateful for their partnership.
Parish Twinning Program:
Medical Missionaries participated in a zoom conference with David J. Siler, Executive Director of the Parish Twinning Program based in Nashville TN. The gathering offered a chance for partners to connect, share updates on twinning relationships, review the conditions in Haiti and Latin America and encourage one another’s ongoing missions.
Mr. Siler just returned from a trip to Haiti and offered his thoughts on life in this much challenged country. He was very encouraged by what he experienced and recommends travel to these countries again, especially Haiti. Medical Missionaries is honored to be their long-standing partner.
