If you talk about it, it's a dream, if you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real. – Anthony Robbins
Every one of you reading this testimonial has a bucket list, right? At this time, please find that wrinkled piece of paper that has been hiding underneath the dusty “To Do” work pile or open that Word Document which embarrassingly has last year’s time stamp next to it since it was last edited. Now that our Bucket Lists are in front of us, lets begin …
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014, was finally here. To the readers, this was an ordinary workday compacted with traffic, meetings, paperwork, and stress. To the fifteen volunteers of People For Haiti (PFH), this was a significant dot on our Life’s Timeline with a powerful caption. To some, the caption was a continuation from prior Mission Trip experiences. To the first timers, this was an empty text box waiting to be filled with memories, photos, and life’s lessons.
Gathered in Tampa Bay’s airport on that Wednesday morning, volunteers were quickly welcomed into the PFH family. Although the majority of us had never met each other, the group naturally found “hidden” friendships within minutes of conversation after handshakes and introductions were given. These same introductions and handshakes would turn into tears and goodbyes five days later.
Port Au Prince is located on Gulf of Gonâve overlooking typical clear, blue Caribbean water surrounded in the background by fertile valleys interspersed between mountain ranges. From the plane, these views were a classic Kodak (now, Instagram) moment. On the decent, the flight attendant calmly informed the plane, “please buckle your seatbelts, we are about to land.” Quickly glancing back to the window, the once beautiful landscape from above changed as the wheels connected with the runway. Welcome to Poverty.
The PFH Team collected 30+ checked bags from baggage claim with No Bag Left Behind. Dressed like tourists, we easily passed through Customs unscathed. Outside waiting for the PFH family with all smiles and love were Mike (Head of the Orphanage), personal undercover security, and the translators. Strangers to whom we have never met welcomed us into their Country as if it were a family reunion. Each hug, handshake, and smile expressed an underlying “Thank You” which was unaccustomed considering we had not seen one patient, treated one urinary tract infection, or extracted any teeth. That non-verbal “Thank You” would be the exact reason why 15 volunteers from PFH had “Do a Mission Trip” on their Bucket Lists.
A tap-tap, Haiti’s version of a taxi, drove the team 45 minutes to Cabaret, where the orphanage was located. That lengthy drive redefined the word “Poverty.” Pungent street smells emanated from piles of trash littered along the roadside, malnourished animals drank from open water canals full of human waste, and children played outside of what they called “homes.” The vivid scenery of Third World brought tears to the strongest men and women of the group. A basic Life lesson was learned at that moment.
“Never take anything for granted.”
Close your eyes and imagine 50+ boys and girls darting through a dirt filled courtyard with open arms, whitest of smiles, and screaming gaily as the Tap-tap enters the Orphanage. What a peculiar feeling? Your body overwhelmed with a warm sense of importance and self-love while looking at these children’s response to your presence. Before you can internalize more of this emotion, a child nests in each arm with four others wrapped around each leg. Welcome to Cabaret Orphanage.
Sunday, March 10, 2014: Day of Departure
Three full days completed, over a thousand patients treated, lifelong friendships formed, People for Haiti was finally packed for departure as the roosters sang in the background. There was a chilling silence amongst the group. It was an understood silence. Fifteen volunteers quiet for the first time, each one rewinding and analyzing their own Haiti Trip movie reel. Looking out from the back of the tap-tap was a beautiful landscape that was initially scene as “Ugly” from the runway. Within five days, the People of Haiti convinced me the most beautiful people in the World are found in such terrible conditions. Their non-verbal “Thank You” was finally understood. We gave them Hope.
“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”
Matt Koepke, DDS (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Resident Physician)
Review from Guidestar
I served alongside the dedicated staff of People for Haiti around the Cabaret community in Haiti. As a volunteer, I witnessed hard working medical staff identify life threatening illnesses and make arrangements for life saving surgeries and treatments. The energy level of the leaders was matched by their compassion, organization skills, and dedication. Although they do not receive any money for their work in Haiti, it becomes apparent that their career work as a lawyer and nurse are used to fund their passion for the work in Haiti.
Physical Therapist
Review from Guidestar
I got involved with People For Haiti shortly after the earthquake. I went on a mission trip that was comprised of some amazing people, both from the medical field, and some not (like myself). I am a television production manager, who helped produce some footage of the volunteer based medical clinics. It was the most rewarding, eye-opening experience I have ever had. It really makes you realize first hand how life is in a third world country. One of our basic human needs that most of us Americans take for granted is healthcare. How would we react if we could not take our sick children to a doctor, or get regular check ups to prevent a serious illness? PFH takes their medical expertise and attention to some of the most remote parts of the country and delivers healthcare and education to thousands of Haitians each and every year. Here are some amazing facts about this charity that will make you feel good about giving your financial support to this non-profit group.
· These mission trips are fully funded by corporate and individual donations
· 100% of general donations are allocated to mission essential expenses, which does not include travel.
Volunteers pay for their own travel and board.
· PFH is entirely run by volunteers and nobody receives a salary
· Missionaries get to personally see the donated funds put to use during medical mission trips
· Our teams are diverse (different ages, cultures, professions represented). Not a religion-based organization.
· With just a $5 donation, we can treat one patient
Any help, whether you can give your time or money, would greatly be appreciated. You will not regret it and can sleep well knowing that every bit of effort goes directly to help the Haitian people!
Review from Guidestar
This is Real!
People for Haiti is a real down to earth “get it done” volunteer organization that assures help goes to the needy children in Haiti. The leaders are volunteers as well [there is no paid staff], and they bring the help (medical, emotional and affection) right to the area of need to personally provide help. The volunteers have diverse backgrounds, and you can even see professionals getting medical certifications to elevate their ability to give.
100% of donations are directed to the missions.
I have seen the pictures and the actual glow of the help and joy that is shared in the mission of giving to the People of Haiti in the greatest need. The medical needs for the children in Haiti is real, and People of Haiti. I am confident that the money I give goes directly to the mission field. I am thankful for the People of Haiti.
I am an Investigator and Manager in insurance claims, and I support this awesome team!
Join me, and know that every $5 helps treat another patient.
Thank you People of Haiti!
B. Kelley
SIU Manager & Donor
Review from Guidestar
I volunteered on several missions with this medical team because they make a huge contribution to the western hemisphere's most impoverished nation.
I have literally watched them save lives of little babies. I have watched them reach into their wallets to pay (with their own money, not the organizations) for hospital visits and medicine.
There is no waste or extraordinary spending. Everything goes to the People of Haiti!
They are life savers.
Review from Guidestar
I have now been on 4 volunteer trips and I can't wait to join again.
PFH is such an amazing organization, small, super efficient, well structured and run by the most energetic, inspiring, fun and unselfish people I have EVER met. Every cent donated goes directly to mission cost and supplies, no huge overhead or administration costs. Everybody involved are volunteers and pays their own way to Haiti.
The three Board members, Christine, Tammy & Lonnie, were the Mission Team Leaders. Incredible people! Warm, welcoming and extremely supportive to newcomers. Already after the first half hour of meeting the rest of the team, it felt like we were old friends. The team consisted of people from all walks of life, young and "older" which was fun. After clinics we had a blast and let off steam - we all bonded on a very special level - there was such a feeling of accomplishment and that we had done it all as a team. What a great feeling!
I was a "Volunteer" meaning a non-medical team member - but the team made me feel as important as one of the Doctors - that was a surprise to me - everybody played an important role. And after the first few hours of working the team was already functioning like a well-oiled machine.
The clinic days were amazing! The Haitians were often "stone faced" at first - but if YOU smiled first, their faces just lit up and you instantly felt their gratitude and warmth and that made it all worth it. The children were so cute and to my big surprise only a few during the entire clinic days were crying during the doctor visits. They were incredibly brave. We got to hand out little toys after their visit to the doctor - wow - seeing the appreciation was amazing.
Before my first trip I was a bit hesitant wondering whether I was going to be strong enough to cope with what I was going to see there, but to my own surprise I was good!! People were indeed poor and living under extremely miserable conditions, but focusing on the job at hand and knowing we were there to improve their conditions helped.
Our Haitian team members, translators and security, were fantastic and brightened the mood around us. They were so warm, funny and extremely hard working. Never did I hear them complain or slack off - I can't wait to see them again. PFH is helping many of them get education, higher education, nursing school, medical school etc.
My most emotional moment on the whole trip was during a "round talk" after the last clinic day. Each of our local translator team members were explaining what PFH meant to them - Jonathan a translator, just broke down crying and was not able to speak (nuff said !!) - I think we all started crying!!! I realized then the major impact PFH has there, not only on the patients but also how much love and care they have for their local team members!!!
So if you, like me, feel life has become a bit artificial and you need a jolt - go on a mission with PFH - I can now "feel" things again and got the fix I needed. Problem is that I might have gotten addicted and have to go again
Bonnie Bloom
Real Estate Developer
Review from Guidestar
I had the honor of taking part in People for Haiti’s (PFH) 31st medical mission earlier this month. A group of 19 doctors, nurses and volunteers saw 800+ patients over 3 days in makeshift clinics we set up in 3 different villages.
Devastating to see how truly less fortunate the Haitians are - so puzzling to understand how a place so close could be so far behind. So rewarding though to meet and work with the Haitian people who despite their challenges are so warm and gracious.
PFH is a truly special organization. Every dollar and donated item goes directly to delivering what is the only medical care most of the 800-1300 patients they see each mission receive. Christine, Tammy and Lonny have created a well oiled machine in the middle of mayhem - how much time and effort they put in to pull this off is quite incredible. I hope that there are many other lean and dedicated teams doing this kind of direct good in Haiti and elsewhere in the world. PFH also do an amazing job of recruiting volunteers - our group of 19 bonded instantly and each and every member of the team worked their butt off from the moment we landed till we boarded our flight to leave. It is a special thing to work on a team where everyone is so dedicated and selfless - it’s a rare thing to experience. Tammy and Christine do such a great job of making all the volunteers, first timers or veterans, feel part of the team identifying their strengths, and entrusting them with key responsibilities. It is such an honor to be able to take part in an operation where you directly see your efforts delivering for people in need - PFH make that possible.
Special shout outs to the group of translators and security team who are so key the success of the missions. They are so warm and welcoming to the team, professional in their work, and gracious and generous to their countrymen. Only spent days in Haiti, but already feel like I have family there!
This trip was extra special for me to not only join Bonnie (my wife) who now taken part in 4 missions and see first hand what she has been raving (and crying) about the past few years, but also to have our son Tobie along doing some real major good for people not as fortunate as us.
Bonnie and Tobie rocked it - so proud of how dedicated Bonnie has become to the organization - running the pharmacy operation as if she were a medical professional - and so proud of Tobie who dove right into the trenches handling triage personally for 100’s of patients as if he had been doing it for years.
I will for sure be going back and highly recommended volunteering to anyone that wants to do some direct good for people in need. If you are looking for an organization to contribute to where you know your dollars are being put fully to the people the organization serves, PFH is it!. Please visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word.
Ira Bloom
Real Estate Developer
Review from Guidestar
This is truly an amazing organization with amazing people behind it. Their unconditional love for the People of Haiti shines through and through in their efforts to continuously help out. I truly appreciate all they do. Their dedication to the People of Haiti has brought countless man hours and supplies and relief to Haiti. Please continue to support this organization. Through them we are all able to help
Review from Guidestar
People for Haiti has been in existence for six years and has provided care to tens of thousands of people in Haiti. They are very organized, provide a very detailed orientation guide for volunteers, do background checks on all volunteers and respond quickly to inquiries. During the trips, they pay close attention to details, keep the volunteers informed and clinics are very organized. I highly recommend this organiziation
Review from Guidestar
As the President of a non-profit, which has a mission in Africa, I pay close attention to other, similar groups. People For Haiti is one of the finest non-profit organizations I have ever witnessed. The leadership is outstanding; the commitment is pure; and the work they perform for the People of Haiti has long-lasting effects. I am particularly impressed with Tammy Denbo, who is the past president of the organization. She recognized the need for enhanced medical care on her trips to Haiti, so (at her own expense) became a qualified paramedic, so that she could bring medical knowledge to Haiti in addition to food and love.
Review from Guidestar