Change.

Change is inevitable.  Seasons change, years go by, and people come and go.  There is not a single thing any of us can do except learn and accept this reality.  Margaret Mead, a famed 20th-century cultural anthropologist, said of change: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  Now that we are home from our latest trip, I find this quote quite poignant.  Not that I think AAMMR is going to change the world or even Haiti as a whole, but I do see the dedication of our members and those that support us bettering the small "world" of Haitians we encounter, and for that, I thank the entire AAMMR Team from the bottom of my heart.

 As always, there will be a lot of reflection regarding this trip, both as individuals and as a group.  We, as individuals carry to Haiti our "world", be that our home life, work lives, or just own thoughts and worldview.  Haiti has the ability to alter your perspective regarding those things. It's unlike any place one can experience and Being there allows us to see things in a different way, gain a different and more broad worldview.  It's up to us to interpret this for ourselves and find how we can incorporate it into our lives.  What I have realized is that even after spending time in Haiti over the last 12 years, I don't understand Haiti at all.  I am still learning and continually humbled by what I take away from these trips.  Unfortunately, some will take what they learn, see it as a negative, and run from it.  Be it their first trip or their hundredth, theyll say, that while they appreciate the experience, they would never go there again; never again experience the possibility of growth and wonderment that immersing yourself into this culture can be.  As much as we may see things in Haiti that remind us of home:  cell phones, cars, music we recognize, no one should ever think that Haiti is the United States.  It's an easy lesson to forget. Words and actions here that are perceived a certain way carry a whole different meaning there.  It is for this reason that it is imperative that we continue to learn and grow.  It doesn't mean they are wrong and we are right, or vice versa.  It is that we all have things to learn about each other.  It is this way that small groups from different cultures can come together and enact change.; analyze our differences to find common ground and let those lessons strengthen us. 

We are already seeing the change that is possible when AAMMR and ALOM work together.  We saw this in the construction site of the new clinic.  We saw this in the excellent care provided at both the fix and mobile clinics.  We saw this in meetings with the clinic leadership in which we discussed the future and how AAMMR can provide support.  We see this in the dedication of the members of AAMMR and their families; we have such a strong and dedicated group that love our work and respect one another, especially the sacrifices we all have to make to do this work.  
So, as this trip ends, we start thinking about the ramifications, the lessons learned and we look both ahead and we look back.  We all will have our own thoughts and come to our own conclusions as to what this trip meant to each of us, but I know that this group is dedicated and will take the lessons learned from this trip  and affect change in their own lives, as well as in the lives of those whom we have vowed to help.  So again, thank you Team AAMMR... thank you.  Your work is amazing and appreciated more than you will ever know.  The love you show Haiti is beyond description. I hope you let our trip be a chance for growth in your lives and for the life of our mission. Likewise, all of you that follow us and read these blogs, thank you for your support.  We can't do this work without all of you.  I would also be amiss if I didn't thank the AAMMR board members that stayed at home this trip:  Nick Wagner, Tanya Day, and Leah Hill.  Thank you for hard work behind the scenes.  Until next time...

Warmest regards,

Team AAMMR

Inner Light

Happy Easter from Pwoje Espwa and AAMMR.  Today represents transition and new beginnings for Christians around the world.  What began as scared men and women hiding in fear because their leader, their teacher had been executed, transformed into a worldwide phenomenon.  These same individuals became vocal evangelists all thanks to what happened today over 2000 years ago.  They shone with a light that came from within and it was infectious.  I can't help but think of this every time I visit Espwa.  These children, staff, and volunteers shine with this same inner light.  In the poorest nation in our hemisphere you can't help but see there are smiles here, joyous celebration, and the nexus of this inner light...love.   

We ended our visit to Espwa with a day of rest and plenty of time with the children.  We began by talking a soggy morning walk, thanks to a constant gentle rain, from the orphanage to the beach.  We got to see fields and small groups of homes with Haitian children getting their Sunday best on for Easter.  The beach was beautiful.  The gray sky was highlighted with rays of the Caribbean sun trying to burst through.  It's amazing that a trash strewn beach could look so amazing.  You can see these pictures on our Facebook page.  We then were treated to a soccer match and impromptu dance party in the boys village followed by a "Spektat".  This is a series of dance and singing performances that the children put on for visitors.  Quite impressive.  Tomorrow we load up and head back to Port au Prince.  We will end our journey there, where we began last week. On Tuesday we will have a mobile clinic at the new clinic site...giving us a taste of what is yet to come, before heading home Wednesday.  

Goodnight from Team AAMMR. 

A Sad Little Boy

A Sad Little Boy

Beyond those haze, there he was, sitting alone
Loneliness was with him, like an obedient companion
Understanding and being understood, like those cloud and rain
Different yet connected

Those big brown eyes, blinking, as if tried to shake out reality
Staring farther away, beyond those haze
Wondering what would be there, behind those curtain of particles
Would there be happiness?

He was all alone, listening to the rhythm of nature
Neither hurting nor entertaining
Like those cloud that swiped away by the wind
Go they away as the wind blowing
Those clouds neither be happy nor they would be sad
They wouldn't, he thought

He felt the wind blowing
Brushing his delicate skin, caressing it like he was theirs
He would smile, imagining what would be like to be loved
Those wind wouldn't say a thing to him, yet he heard their whispers
As if they were trying to reach him
He thought they were

That stone he sitting on, felt cold
His bare skin flinched reluctanly
Yet he sat on it like it was a soft comfy chair
He had no where to go, nor anyone care of him
That cold stone, those loneliness were all he had ever had

by Shemsi Elsani

Sacrifice

Easter is a season of sacrifice.  We sacrifice during Lent, letting go of those things that we think have value. For many this may be a favorite food or a vice we think we can't be without.  For others, it may mean a new or renewed dedication to something, a time for developing new positive habits.  As we move into Easter Sunday I want to thank all of the AAMMR Team in Haiti as well as their families.  All that are here have sacrificed.  Each individual has sacrificed time with their families, all have sacrificed their treasure to be here, and have taken their many talents to use them for good here.  Beyond sacrifice, they have dedicated or rededicated themselves to the people of Haiti.  They have given of themselves to better the lives of others.  Likewise, all of their families have sacrificed to have them here.  So I thank all of you.  The people of Haiti thank all of you.

Today was a good day.  It was a mix of work of the hands and work of the heart. We started the day with clinic.  We, in one day saw 93 patients, many were the children of the orphanage.  The kids here are amazing.  They are all well nourished, very happy, and are well taken care of physically. There are a lot of smiles and laughter, but they are still kids without the support and love of a traditional family.  We saw this in the afternoon when we visited both the girls' and boys' villages.  We were treated to many hugs and wonderment at our foreign skin, hair, and surprisingly our tattoos (for those of us that have one...or more than one).  We were greeted with shout of "Blan!", which can mean white, but more literally means foreigner.  These shouts were shortly followed by swarms of little arms clamoring to be the first one picked up and held.  These kids adore contact with loving adults, and there was no lack of attention given to these sweet kids, but it is work.  It pulls so hard at the heart strings and it's not easy to put them down to just walk away.

We ended the day at the Easter Vigil, said and sang entirely in Creole.  Creole is an amazing language that mixes French and many African dialects.  It became something so intertwined that native French speakers can't understand it and vice versa.  Tomorrow will be a 2 hour hike to start the day followed by a water balloon fight with the kids.  That will end our time a Pwoje Espwa.  It was time well spent.  Monday will be a long trip back to Port at Prince to end our journey.  We will come home only to continue our support of Haiti.

If you are willing to sacrifice during this Easter season for our cause., please consider visiting our website at www.aammr.org.  Click on the donate link, because many hands lighten the load.

Warmest regards,

The AAMMR Team

Rick, Marcie, Ryan, Kristin, and Lori

Home Sweet Home

AAMMR has been in country for three days and we have been experiencing home coming after homecoming.  We spent our first 2 days in Cabaret and were able to visit our friends and family.  We were able to visit the current and new building site.  Check out our Facebook page for pictures.   

Today we traveled eight hours to the southern coastal city of Les Cayes.  Lori and I "came up" here.  This was our first location we visited in Haiti, the place we learned about Haiti and mission work.  Espwa in the Haiti branch of the North Carolina charity Free the Kids.  AAMMR was able to donate $6000 to post Hurricane Matthew Relief.  It is definitely not the same place I knew 10 years ago but feels like home none the less.  We were greeted and are settling in for the next few days.  More to come later.  No lectures on Haiti tonight, maybe tomorrow... 

The AAMMR Team

Rick, Kristin, Marcie, Ryan and Lori.  

Operation Hope for Haiti by Ronald Hess - GoFundMe

Ron is an ardent supporter of Haiti an has been for many many years.  His passion is a community in the hard hit area of Jeremie.  This area was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Matthew.  Ron is there now assessing the damage and has set up a GoFundME page to help rebuild this community.  Please consider a donation to Ron and the village of Carrefour Sanon.  I have been there an worked.  The people who live there are beautiful and loving.  Right now they have great great need.

-Ryan

Haiti faces a 'major food crisis', its interim president says - BBC News

We all knew this was coming, yet you hear nothing about it outside the internet.  This is what always always happens with Haiti and national disasters, the world is focusing to watch the drama of the destruction, yet once to cleanup starts and the drama is over, the Haitians who were promised for the world to help are left facing food shortages, disease, and despair.  There isn't enough drama in seeing what cholera does to someone or watching the slow death of starvation.  The news cycle moves too fast to care.  So, please keep the Haitians in your thoughts and prayers as they try and rebuild.  As they try to survive.

Plea...

Many of you know that our annual fundraiser, Hops for Haiti is coming up on 11/5/16.  For those who have ordered tickets, thank you!  For those that haven't, please do so ASAP.  You can visit our store page at www.aammr.org to purchase tickets online.  If you are interested in more information, please email us at aammrinc@icloud.com.  Your ticket will get you dinner and two free craft beers from the Indiana City Brewing Co.  All proceeds will go to Haiti, 75% will go to our clinic building fund and the remainder to Pwoje Espwa, an orphanage that was devastated by hurricane Matthew.  If you can't make it but wish to help Haiti, go to www.aammr.org to donate today.  

Also, we will have a special guest from Alpha and Omega Medical Clinic, Dr. Vladimyr Roseau.  He will give an update on the progress of the clinic and be available to answer any questions.

Big Charities

 https://twitter.com/BetseyChace/status/788381089643585536

The Red Cross. The Gates Foundation.  The list goes on of multi billion dollar organizations that give money to causes including Haiti. However, the proof of this money not reaching its intended targets is evident to the point that average Haitians know they will never feel any results of that aid. Good intentioned people gave their money thinking it would aid the people when in fact it may go to a corrupt government or in an arguably worse case never reach the target country at all. Investigate before you give and don't give just based on name recognition. There are dozens of organizations that give directly to the ground in target countries and have specific programs/projects that your money helps.  

Haitians, Battered by Hurricane, Huddle in Caves: ‘This Is the Only Shelter We Have’ - The New York Times

Interesting article about the ways the Haitians are trying to survive following Hurricane Matthew.  As always, if you feel moved to help, visit www.aammr.org for ways you can.

-Ryan

Haiti’s Natural Disasters and AAMMR, Inc.

Haiti’s Natural Disasters and AAMMR, Inc.

I usually only blog on trips, updates, but I feel compelled to write regarding Haiti’s most recent natural disaster, Hurricane Matthew. Many of you have probably seen this in the news and many realize that there was wide spread destruction and loss of life. There has been an outpouring of support. However, we have already seen the news cycle move on, and what gets lost is the sheer number of disasters that have befallen a land mass the size of Massachusetts. Hurricane Matthew is only the most recent, but if you are like most, we have short memories regarding Haiti. Many may think, “Oh yeah, there was an earthquake and…”, but the number of events is lost. It’s old news as soon as the TV coverage moves on. It’s no one’s fault, our attention is pulled in a million different directions. Life catches up and moves on, with the next brief “Haiti pause” to come when another tragedy strikes. Below are just a few numbers that give an idea of this point. By no means is this comprehensive and it is a mere glimpse of the issues.

Since 1980 alone, only a span of about 35 yours, there have been 17 years that have contained at least 1 event deemed a “natural disaster”, and many of those years had multiple events. In 2005, for example, Haiti was struck by two hurricanes and one tropical storm. In fact, in that 35 year span, the time between the earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew this year, marks the longest period between events called natural disasters. This data doesn’t take into account disease outbreaks like cholera or chikungunya, which claim more lives and cause more suffering in many cases than the events themselves.

So, what’s the big deal, natural disasters occur all the time all over the world and countries recover. Right? Sort of, and in the right conditions. To put things in perspective, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still recovering. Most resources cite a major city taking 20 years after an event like Katrina to recover. The difference? That’s the United States, a super power with seemingly limitless resources. Granted, history will argue as to whether the federal response to Katrina was adequate, but the point is a major US city has not recovered to its predisaster state after 10 years. Now imagine a nation like Haiti. Nine million people, most living on a $1 a day, a central government so corrupt that the UN and other nations feel the need to “nanny” at every opportunity. There is no healthcare to speak of, no economy, no industry, and a a people that are educationally impoverished. They have to rely on outside help to rebuild. There aren’t the resources in country to even make a dent. Further, New Orleans has had 10 relatively disaster free years to work on recovery. Haiti hasn’t had that break. So, the damage, disease, the destruction has been compounded. Destroyed villages without the resources to rebuild are ravaged by disease and then redecimated by another disaster. It is a never ending cycle that just seems to be accelerating.

I really don’t think one can understand without seeing it firsthand or at least talking to others they know that have. One of the most traumatic times in my life was a trip to Haiti for earthquake relief. In a country that every trip has some degree of unease just due to its natural state, a trip driving into a disaster zone adds a whole new level of anxiety. It’s difficult to explain and talk about, and that’s not the point of this writing.

I guess my overarching point is that we can’t forget Haiti. We will, though, as a nation that is what we do. We move on to the next story and all the while, the Haitians dig out and await the next blow. Will it be a hurricane? Earthquake? Likely now it will be disease. It’s what happens. It’s how it goes until next time. People will die, children will be orphaned and we will squander our attention on whatever celebrity divorce is in the news or whatever Clinton/Trump scandal rules the day. Speaking of the Clintons, their history with Haiti is interesting and worth a Google search.

To end, because I will go on forever if I don’t, remember Haiti. Consider giving if so moved. www.aammr.org is of course what I recommend, as we can guarantee the money goes to Haiti. The money goes to people we know and work shoulder to shoulder with. It goes to people and not a nebulous organization that may have a presence in other countries. If you are so moved to give, visit our website, follow us on Twitter @AvekMed, like us on Facebook, email us at aammrinc@icloud.com. We love Haiti, we love the people, and we guarantee all of your support of AAMMR, Inc. translates to support for Haiti.

Warmest regards,

Ryan Venis, MD
Founder AAMMR, Inc.