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Above - FHM's first medical relief team at the Blanchard Clinic after the January 12 earthquake
Medical Relief Teams
with Family Health Ministries
Last team of 7: April 18 – 24 to the Leogane Clinic (nurses still needed)
Family Health Ministries will lead weekly medical relief teams to their Blanchard Clinic in the Terre Noire neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Non-medical volunteers are needed as well to staff the pharmacy, take vitals, do triage, and complete other organizational tasks. Prospective participants should complete the special medical relief team application.
FHM will then match medical and non-medical, experienced and new volunteers to create teams for each week, based on individual availability.
Participants should also complete the FHM liability release form and include it plus a copy of their passport picture page with their application. Also include a CV or resume if you have one available.
Applications may be mailed to 2344 Operations Drive, Suite 201, Durham, NC 27705 or .pdfed and sent to Justin Davis.
Call Justin with questions at 919-382-5500.
Cost: $900 plus airfare (reservation made by each participant) due when matched to a team.
Note: Medical Relief Teams will purchase their own plane tickets and pay an additional $900 for expenses including patient medicines and other clinic supplies, translators, two meals most days, transportation, staff who coordinate, clean, cook and haul water, etc.)
Note: make your plane reservation as early as possible to get the best possible fare.
ALL TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD READ FHM'S MISSION GUIDEBOOK BEFORE PACKING FOR THEIR TRIP
DETAILS
Activities +++ Location +++ Lodging +++ Clothing +++ Food +++ Water
Local Support +++ Health +++ Packing +++ Payment +++ Donations
Activities Details:
Teams will fly to PAP on Sunday and get set up. They will run clinics Monday through Friday, with Wednesday afternoon off for a tour of downtown Port-au-Prince. They will return to the US on Saturday.
  
Location Details:
The Blanchard Clinic is part of a complex owned and operated by the Christian Community Church with Pastor Leon Dorleans at the head. Also in the complex are a school, church, well, and general gathering areas.
The clinic's first floor is operated daily by FHM's Haitian staff of Dr. Yves, Clinic Manager Napeau, public health workers Annaus and Josiane, nurse practitioner Jeanette, pharmacist Marie Virginie, receptionist Eliane, nurse Solange, and cleaning staff Moise and Pierre.
Blanchard Clinic soon after the completion of the 2nd floor in March 2009
Lodging Details:
Participants will live at the clinic. If the weather holds, they may prefer to sleep on the roof. Each participant must bring:
- air mattress
- sheet(s)
- blanket if you want to sleep on the roof when it is not raining
- mosquito net with duct tape and rope for hanging, depending on the type of net you bring
- extra flashlights/batteries
- bathing supplies, e.g. towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, etc.
Clothing Details:
Team members will need a limited wardrobe, and can contribute to the Haitian economy by paying a local woman to wash any clothes. Bring low value US dollar bills for payment. Scrubs are acceptable during the clinic. Women are encouraged to bring a skirt for time spent in the community.
Food Details:
Haitian staff will provide two meals per day, Monday through Friday. Breakfast will vary - bread and coffee, hard boiled eggs and coffee, for example. Supper will be rice and beans, chicken and spaghetti. Do not expect fruits and vegetables, although they could be served. Team members should bring food for the travel days and also for daily lunch, e.g. dried fruit, tuna fish, protein bars, peanut butter.
NOTES:
- Peanut butter and similar substances CAN NOT be brought in your carry-on luggage
- Refrigeration is NOT available, although ice will likely be available for drinks at lunch.
- Bring low value US dollar bills to purchase beverages from local vendors.
Water Details:
Clean water, treated with chemicals will be available for drinking. Team members will help with the purification process using FHM supplies.
Bring a LARGE water bottle for drinking water.
Non-treated but clean water will be available for washing. Team members will take "bucket baths" in one of the four lavatories in the Blanchard Clinic.
Bring towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, etc.
Local Support Details:
Team members will be assisted by Denis, FHM's regular team coordinator, translators, and temporary US medical relief team coordinator, Missy Owen, who also speaks Kreyol and has spent many years in Haiti with FHM and other organizations.
Haitian staff will be paid to cook, clean, and haul water especially for the teams. These people will be in addition to the clinic staff, Denis, Missy, Pastor Leon and possibly his wife Jacky and other members of the local community, and the translators who are also all there for your support.
Health Details:
Every effort will be made to safeguard each team member's health. However, we are in an earthquake zone in a poor country. Participants should bring their own medicines including antihistamines, decongestants, Cipro, sleeping aids.
Check the CDC site for details.
Packing Details:
IN ADDITION TO THE PACKING LIST in FHM's MISSION GUIDEBOOK, each participant should bring:
- air mattress
- sheet(s)
- blanket if you want to sleep on the roof when it is not raining
- mosquito net with duct tape and rope for hanging, depending on the type of net you bring
- extra flashlights/batteries
- bathing supplies, e.g. towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, etc.
- bills in low denominations to purchase soda, beer, and to pay a local person to wash clothes
- additional food for lunch and to supplement the meals provided, e.g. dried fruit, tuna fish, protein bars, peanut butter
- personal medicines, e.g. antihistamines, decongestants, Cipro, sleeping aids
Those traveling from RDU will be asked to carry two 50-pound bags of supplies, including medicines and baby formula. Space will be allotted for some personal items including items that are too large for carry-ons and large creams, liquids.
Payment Details:
Please mail a check to P.O.Box 16725, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-6725 or call FHM with your credit card information (type of card - Visa or Master, card number, expiration date and 3-digit code) at 919-382-5500. You can also pay online.
All expenses, including your plane fare, are tax deductible.
Donation Details:
If you have friends, family, church or other community members who want to donate supplies, please refer them to the list on the front page of FHM's website or send them this list (generics welcome):
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