“Haitian Inspiration Tour” Takes America’s Hearts

We wanted to share this lovely message we received from a member of the Project Medishare for Haiti staff:

“What a great and busy few days Team Zaryen has had! The trip included: a halftime exhibition at the DC United vs. Portland Timbers game at RFK Stadium in DC, a live taping at Fox News CT, a meet and greet with the Governor of Connecticut at the State House, scrimmage and soccer clinic in Stamford, a re-union with Ralph Gedeon who was an ISTAT (International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading) Medivac patient from the earthquake, a NY Red Bulls Pre-Game exhibition and a meet and greet with the team, an appearance on Fox and Friends’ national morning show followed by a tour of Times Square and the surrounding area, a Soccer Clinic in Astoria, and finally a shopping trip in Newark, New Jersey’s Wal-Mart where they shopped for their families with such care.

Suffice it to say that the past week has been nothing short of magic! With their sincerity, humility and big hearts; the members of Team Zaryen captured hearts and inspired those wherever they went. It has been my privilege to be part of this team for the past 21 months and I am most grateful. The team wanted to extend their thankfulness to everyone affiliated with Project Medishare and the Knights of Columbus. You all would have been so proud of these incredible, resilient and spiritual men and women as they shared their experience, strength and hope not only with the Wounded Warriors but everywhere they went.”

Team Zaryen in their Nike Soccer donated uniforms

Project Medishare for Haiti would like to once again thank Nike Soccer, Perry Ellis and of course the Knights of Columbus.

Team Zaryen meeting with members of the NY Red Bulls

We also wanted to send a special thank you to everyone that came out to meet and support Team Zaryen during their Inspiration Tour, without all of you this would not have been possible.

Team Zaryen in Times Square

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Haitian Inspiration Tour

Team Zaryen, Haiti’s amputee soccer team which is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Project Medishare, will be participating in the Haitian Inspiration Tour in the United States from October 16-October 22, 2011. The team will host soccer clinics for wounded U.S. soldiers, perform exhibits for Major League Soccer halftime shows and scrimmage against Connecticut high school students. A website featuring Team Zaryen’s Story, Tour schedule, Team information, Mission statement, News and Photos was just unveiled and you can check it out here!

The Team Zaryen Haitian Inspiration Tour schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 17, 2011:
Washington D.C
1-3pm: Amputee Soccer Clinic with service members (Walter Reed Army Medical Center)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011:
Washington D.C
10:30am-12 noon: Soccer Clinic at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium
12:15-1:30pm: Demonstration Game Team Zaryen vs. American Amputee Soccer Team

Wednesday, October 19, 2011:
Washington D.C
10:30am-12 noon: Soccer Clinic at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium
8pm: D.C. United vs. Portland Timbers (Team Zaryen performs at half-time show)

Thursday, October 20, 2011:
Stamford, Connecticut
10:30am: Team Zaryen is welcomed to Connecticut by Governor Dannel P. Malloy
2pm: Demonstration with students at Trinity High School in Stamford, Conn.
Harrison, New Jersey
8pm: New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union at the Red Bull Arena (Team Zaryen performs at half-time show)

Friday, October 21, 2011:
New York City Media events

We want to wish Wilfrid and Team Zaryen a successful tour next week. As always, please be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter feeds often to get up to date information on all things Project Medishare.

Thank you to Nike Soccer and Lynn Merritt for donating the awesome uniforms to Team Zaryen and to Perry Ellis for outfitting the members of  the team off the field!

This would not be possible without the help of the Knights of Columbus, thank you for your continued partnership with Project Medishare!

Team Zaryen

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The Miami Dolphins Give Back

The Miami Dolphins organization has been incredibly charitable and supportive of Project Medishare. This week at practice was no exception. As you may recall from a previous post the Dolphins helped to reconnect three young boys, displaced by the 2010 Haitian earthquake, with their family members in Haiti. These boys were all MedEvac’ed out of Haiti with serious injuries following the earthquake and received numerous surgeries at Miami Children’s Hospital. 10-year-old Peterson suffered a serious head injury and a severed ear and required 16 surgeries, Junior, a 17-year-old high school student sustained a serious leg injury, and 10-year-old Belix also had a head injury and multiple surgeries.

On Tuesday, August 9^th, 2011, Aventura Worldwide Transportation Services picked up the boys and their family members in Miami and drove out to the Miami Dolphins official practice facility in Davie, FL. There they were greeted by coach Sparano’s wife, Jeanette, Ilona Wolpin, Senior Director of Community Relations and Michelle Beck of Community Relations. They were brought to the VIP section of the stands and enjoyed a fun afternoon of watching the Dolphins practice while eating lunch, playing and laughing with each other. The boys were all given Dolphins merchandise including a banner. When the practice was over, the boys were brought down to a special area where they were able to meet many of the players as well as Head Coach Tony Sparano and received many autographs on their banners!

Miami Dolphin Reggie Bush with Junior, Belix, Kristian and Jeanette Sparano. Photo credit: Kelly Gavin

It was an extraordinary day that these Dolfans will surely never forget!

Miami Dolphin Jake Long with Belix, Junior, Peterson & Wadner. Photo credit: Kelly Gavin

On a side note, it was very heartwarming to see some of our special friends, Kristian and Xavier Jack, reunite with Jeanette Sparano and Benny Sapp. They all became very close last year after a tragic event occurred in the Jack family. Xavier and Kristians brother Quentin and their sister Ashleigh moved to Georgia but all of the children formed lasting relationships with Jeanette and Benny.

Head Coach Tony Sparano, Xavier Jack, Miami Dolphin Benny Sapp, Jiovanni & Kristian Jack (front). Photo credit: Kelly Gavin

Special thanks to the Miami Dolphins, especially Ilona Wolpin, Senior Director of Community Relations, Coach and Jeanette Sparano, Michelle Beck, Community Relations and Eric Knowles, Senior Director of Government Affairs. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Aventura Worldwide Transportation Services and Scott Tinkler for providing transportation for the day.

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Three Young, Displaced Haitian Earthquake Survivors

Three Young, Displaced Earthquake Survivors Reconnect With Family In Haiti

On Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Project Medishare was able to reconnect three young boys, displaced by the 2010 Haitian earthquake, with their family members in Haiti thanks to the Miami Dolphins. They are only three of the roughly 200 critically injured young children who were medically evacuated from the battered nation and transported to South Florida for life-saving surgery immediately following the earthquake. Only a few of their parents and siblings were able to come with them to the States, leaving the rest of their family members behind in the devastated capital of Port-au-Prince.

The boys arrived at Sun Life Stadium and were given an exclusive tour around the facility. They were able to walk on the field, see the team locker rooms, and an up close look at the team trophy case. The boys were then taken to a room where through teleconferencing technology, each was able to participate in a video chat session with their family members in Haiti.

The first child to be reconnected with his family in Haiti was Peterson who was joined by his mother Armenise. 10 year old Peterson suffered a serious head injury and a severed ear as a result of the quake and required 16 surgeries. Peterson was able to speak with his older sister for first time in over a year. Junior, a 17-year-old high school student sustained a serious leg injury, “I’m just waiting to see my family because I was missing them a lot”. Junior and his older brother Wadner were both able to be reconnected with their father and brother. Lastly, 10 year old Belix and his father Prezner were reconnected with Prezner’s sister and his three youngest children.

Laughter filled the room as the families reconnected. Emotions were also high as the family members shared tears of joy from being able to see each other for the first time in over a year. It was truly a touching moment and it was hard for the families to say good-bye, but the families are optimistic about being reunited once again in the not so distant future.

To see a brief video of this special day, please click here for a Channel 7 News report.

Belix, Peterson & Junior at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins

Special thank you to the Miami Dolphins for opening your facility to these boys & making this a day they will not forget.

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My Project Medishare

By Ginger Gorham-Hart

Trying to sum up my time spent in Haiti with Project Medishare is almost impossible. I have made two trips with Project Medishare and just arrived back from my third stint last week.

Ginger Gorham-Hart at the Project Medishare Field Hospital

Working at the Project Medishare tented field hospital after the earthquake was the hardest, most grueling work I have ever done. I spent 14-16 hours a day in the operating room. The Haitian patients would walk for days from their small towns just because a surgeon would be at the field hospital. How could we say no? How could we be too tired? We were there to help and so we did.

I would spend my “free time” in the pediatric tent with a sweet, little Haitian boy named Andre. We read books, Andre would teach my Creole and we would laugh all night. At the end of my stay during my first trip, I went to his cot. Andre looked really sad. I asked him what was wrong. He looked up with his big, brown eyes and asked if I was going to be leaving the next day. I responded with what every volunteer says: “yes I am leaving but of course I will be back.” Tears began to appear in his eyes, he grabbed my hand and said “but I love you and will miss you too much.” I have never felt so much emotion at one time as I did at that moment.

I knew after my first trip that I would volunteer again to go back to help in Haiti. I returned to Haiti with Project Medishare, this time to Hospital Bernard Mevs. I was reunited with Andre.

I came to Haiti to be able to help the people after the devastation they faced from the earthquake. However, I can honestly say they have helped me more than I will ever be able to help them. I look forward to returning again to continue My Project Medishare experience.

Ginger Gorham-Hart with patients in the waiting room at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare

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An Unrivaled Spirit

Wilfred Macena

Twenty-six year old Wilfred Macena was at work welding in a shop when the catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010. Like so many others, Wilfred was trapped under the rubble. He was able to free himself but not without escaping injury. Wilfred damaged his right leg when it was crushed by falling debris.

Wilfred stayed at home with his injured leg for three days before finally getting to Adventist Hospital. He waited at Adventist Hospital for four days but ended up leaving out of frustration as he was never seen by a doctor and went to the neighboring Dominican Republic. Seven days after being injured in the earthquake, Wilfred had an above the knee amputation on his right leg in the Dominican Republic. At first he was very hesitant about the procedure. He asked the doctor what his prognosis would be following the amputation and was told that he would be able to walk again with a prosthetic leg which made him feel comfortable with the procedure.

On April 1, 2010, Wilfred went to the Project Medishare field hospital to have his leg fitted for a prosthetic. Upon his return to the hospital on April 3, the staff explained to Wilfred how to walk with the prosthetic and within five minutes he was up and running! Dr. Barth A. Green, co-founder of Project Medishare, was in the tent and asked Wilfred if he wanted a job with Project Medishare. Wilfred currently works in the Prosthetics and Orthotics laboratory and clinic at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare. He takes measurements for prosthetic limbs and knows how to fix them. He has learned how to speak and understand English while working for Project Medishare. Wilfred is also a mentor to anyone that is facing amputation and for those being fitted for prosthetics. He is the perfect example that life does go on even after amputation and is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. He is playing soccer again with the Project Medishare Team Zaryen Amputee Soccer team. He has a one and a half year old and is expecting his second child in July.

Wilfred’s spirit is incomparable. It takes two hours to get from his tent home to work every day by taking three tap taps. He repeats the same long, treacherous trip to get home each night. He says that he is extremely grateful to Project Medishare because if he did not work there he would not be able to work as he lost everything, including his welding tools, in the earthquake. It is fair to say that the feeling is mutual; Project Medishare is very grateful to have Wilfred as part of our team.

Wilfred Macena at work in the Prosthetics and Orthotics laboratory and clinic at the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare

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NFL Star Visits Haiti with Project Medishare

This past weekend a group of Haitian Americans visited Haiti with Project Medishare. The group consisted of wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, Pierre Garçon, recording artist Phyllisia Ross & DJ Griot. During their stay, the group toured Project Medishare’s facilities in the Central Plateau as well as the Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare in Port–au-Prince.

The group was able to see the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) in Mirebalias, the Akamil Production Facility and the Community Health Program in Thomonde as well as the Community Health Program, Maternal Health Center and staff residence in Marmont.

This was only Garçon’s second time returning to Haiti since the earthquake. After the trip, Garçon said that “the work that Project Medishare is doing in Haiti is inspiring. Witnessing it firsthand just proves how critical it is that they are able to continue performing their lifesaving work.”

The group was also able to spend a day at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare in Port-au-Prince. “I was very impressed and touched by the care the babies in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit were receiving. We were able to see premature twins arrive in the NICU just as we were walking in,” Ross said. “Haiti is a beautiful country filled with the most resilient people. It is truly heartwarming to know that the most deserving people are able to receive advanced health care because of the Project Medishare staff and volunteers.” Hospital Bernard Mevs houses the only Pediatric neo-natal ICU in Haiti.

Below are a couple of pictures that were taken during their trip.

DJ Griot, Marie, NFL Star Pierre Garçon, Medishare's Wilfrid Macena & Singer Phyllisia Ross

Singer Phyllisia Ross with a baby from the NICU at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare

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TeenNick Halo award recipient donates $5,000 grant to Project Medishare

By Jennifer Browning

On Friday, Dec. 10 Herold Charles was honored with a TeenNick HALO Award for his valiant effort to help people find loved ones after the Haiti earthquake.

TeenNick awarded Herold with $20,000. Half would go towards his education and the other $10,000 would go to the charity of his choice. Herold decided to split the donation between two non-profits and provide Project Medishare with a $5000 grant.

On January 12, Herold came home from school and started on his homework. Shortly after 6 p.m. a good friend called Herold to see if he had heard about the earthquake in Haiti.

Herold turned on the TV and saw reports of the 7.0 magnitude quake that had devastated his home country.

“My gut told me, oh my gosh, we in the U.S. aren’t ready for an earthquake,” Herold said, “How can Haiti be ready for an earthquake?”

Herold currently lives in Miami, but his family, including his parents, lives in Haiti. Suddenly, Herold felt a panic that so many others felt. Was his family safe?

“I rushed to my neighbors house across the street and asked to borrow her phone card to call home,” “I called many times and my parents didn’t answer, my sisters didn’t pick up. All of the calls either went to voicemail or it rang, rang and rang.”

As Herold, watched the news, he noticed the coverage shift from that of the quake to those who were starting to look for families and loved ones. The next day Herold went into action.

“The day after I began researching what resources were in Haiti and who was there to help,” he said.

After two days of waiting Herold finally heard from his sister and parents and learned that his family had survived. But there were still so many people missing.

Although he had previously deleted his Twitter account just weeks before, Herold opened a new account and went to work.

Through his Twitter account Herold started asking people to send him their phone numbers, names and addresses of their relatives missing in Haiti. Immediately, his phone began ringing.

Ten of Herold’s family and friends between Jacmel and Port-au-Prince began helping him search for the missing. When his Haiti network returned the information, it was up to Herold to return the call to let those in the U.S. know the information about their relatives. Herold said while he didn’t have to deliver bad news often, when he did, it was very difficult.

“That was the hardest part of the whole thing,” Herold said. “I don’t do good when it comes to tragedy. I started getting chills and I would get sick. When they would tell someone is missing or someone had died…the hardest part was to call the family.”

For the next three months, Herold continued to help in Haiti in a variety of ways. Such as helping organized donated food, supplies and other non-perishable items for those suffering in Haiti.

Herold learned about Project Medishare’s work in Haiti through Twitter.

“I heard so much about [Project Medishare] and their work,” he said. “And whenever we had a need for medical need for someone in Haiti, we would contact Medishare.”

While Herold worked with many organizations, he said he chose Project Medishare because of the medical work the organization provided to the people of Haiti.

“What a great way to help out, but by helping an organization doing medical work in Haiti,” Herold said. “Besides food and water, people in Haiti really need medical help.”

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Six months after the quake: Project Medishare continues mission to empower Haitian medical professionals to improve access to healthcare

Bernard Mevs nurse, Sindy Abdon, goes over a patient chart with Dr. Eric Dehoux, a physician volunteering from Canada. While volunteering over the next two weeks, Dr. Dehoux is working with doctors and nurses in the medical surgical unit to extend their knowledge in treating and caring for those with spinal cord injuries. Those coming to volunteer with Project Medishare are not only here to help treat patients, but also train their Haitian medical colleagues. Photo by Jennifer Browning.

By Jennifer Browning

Six months ago, Project Medishare volunteer doctors and nurses in collaboration with the University of Miami Global Institute, rushed to the aid of those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Since January, Project Medishare have treated over 30,000 patients and recruited over 5000 medical volunteers

Marianna, 15, begins learning how to walk with her prosthetic leg for the first time. Assisting her is Cedieu Fortilus who is training to become certified prosthetic technician.Photo by Jennifer Browning.

Last month, Project Medishare transitioned out of the tent hospital and into an existing community hospital, Bernard Mevs, in a partnership to continue making healthcare accessible to the Haitian people. Here trauma and rehabilitation care are provided and our permanent and rotating volunteer staff are conducting a medical training and education program in critical care, trauma and rehabilitation for the local medical staff.

In addition to joining forces with the Bernard Mevs staff, Project Medishare has hired 82 local medical professionals making our hospital staff predominantly Haitian.

The local medical staff is receiving training in all areas including prenatal and neonatal care, general surgeries, specialty surgeries, spinal cord injury, physical therapy and prosthetics.

Haitian nurses who have never worked with preemies before are learning the intricacies of prenatal and neonatal care, as Project Medishare runs the only PICU/NICU in all of Haiti. Currently, there are five students studying to become physical therapy technicians, and two others are training with a prosthetic orthotist to learn how to fit prosthetics and become prosthetic technicians.

“In Haiti we have a dream that we will be able to learn,” Marie Carmelle Charles, a physical therapy tech student said. “Now with this training opportunity, that dream is coming true.”

As Project Medishare moves into this next level in providing training important funding is needed to continue expanding these efforts as we work toward improving access to healthcare in Haiti. Please join Project Medishare in this important endeavor, click here to make an online donation today.

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Smithsonian looking to restore Haiti’s art

By Jennifer Browning

Headlines, long before the earthquake, told stories of Haiti’s poverty, riots, and lack of healthcare, however many never knew about the talent and art within this tiny Caribbean nation.

The January earthquake that destroyed the lives and homes of many, also damaged and destroyed cultural icons and valuable artwork in its wake.

The Smithsonian Institution has organized a rescue effort for art works damaged during the earthquake. The Smithsonian plans to open a center in Port-au-Prince in June where American conservators will work with Haitian staff members to repair torn paintings, shattered sculptures and other works salvaged from the rubble of museums and churches.

Click here to see the New York Times slideshow Art in the Rubble.

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