Latest Blog Entries

  • January 2012 team ready to go!!!!

    As we are sitting here in the airport, I can not believe we are going on our 13th trip.. it is like a dream come true!!!

    I really hope to had another successful trip… and i am sure it will be!!!  Pls keep us in your prayers and I will update the site and Facebook as much as I can!!!

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    Here is our wonderful doctors!!

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  • Why help Haiti when America has problems of its own? (by Dr. Robert Ferreira)

    Why help Haiti when America has problems of its own?

    As one of the co-founders of People For Haiti, I get this type of question not infrequently.   Please allow me to share my opinion.

    The people in Haiti, like other places in the world, by no fault of their own, need help.  Eighty percent of the population in Haiti is in poverty and thirty percent in abject poverty.   Their only “mistake” was to be born on the wrong continent.  As to this writing, I have been to Haiti seven times.  I have seen the desperation on their faces.  I have seen the filth they live in.  I have treated children with open, oozing sores on their bodies because they are homeless, sleep on the ground and are being bitten by insects every night.   Because they are not Americans I should turn a blind eye?  As I see the pleading look on a mother’s face as she bring her sick child to me, I should turn my back because she does not speak my language?  I should “save” my help for people who were born on the “right” continent?

    Ponder this:  Whose act of kindness is greater – someone who gives or helps a person in need because they feel some type of connection (like living on the same continent) or someone who gives or helps a complete stranger without any prejudice of where that person was born?

    One of the great things about being American is the freedoms we enjoy.   Even if you don’t pay your taxes, even if you are homeless, in America, you can wander into the nearest ER and get state-of-the-art medical care – for free.   People in other countries do not have that luxury.  Actually it is not free.  We, other Americans, pay for that right to medical care.  So, in a way, we are all giving to our fellow Americans.

    Yes, I give of my time, expertise and thousands of dollars per year to providing medical care to people in Haiti.  But it is unfortunate that that one aspect is all someone from the outside would see.   Like most of the people I know who serve God’s children in other countries, we serve EVERYONE.   I have patients in my practice that have been with me for 10 years and then lose their insurance.   I down-code to my lowest code – about $31 for services that I would normally charge $130 to $180.  This is a DAILY occurrence (especially in this economy).   I give to Americans EVERY DAY.

    Do we have need in our own country?  Yes.   Are there poor in America who need help?  Yes.   Are there the same in other countries who do not have the infrastructure like we have?  Yes.  Should we “discriminate” against them because they are not American?  Absolutely Not.  As Americans, we have to be above that.  We have to show the world the love we have as a people – not as government or a specific religion or with some political agenda.   Americans help people whoever they are, wherever they are.  We help them because it is the right thing to do.  We help those in need wherever we find them.  That is our privilege and obligation.  If they do not live in America, that’s OK.  We help Americans too.

    Robert Ferreira, MD

    Co-Founder, People For Haiti

  • 2nd Anniversary

    PFH – ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE

    Two years ago today, a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake turned an already fragile Haiti into a land of utter devastation. On the tail of the 30-40 second earthquake, 52 aftershocks ensued…over 300,000 lost their lives, another 300,000 were injured and over 1,000,000 became homeless… An already starving country became famished and most, helpless.

    Helpless… That’s how Dr. Leo Vieira, Guiga Vieira and Dr. Robert Ferreira felt… They knew they wanted to help, but they encountered many roadblocks in trying to get to Haiti with various organizations offering aid.  While Guiga worked tirelessly gathering medicine and supplies, Dr. Vieira and Dr. Ferreira found a path to Haiti.

    Within two weeks of the earthquake, Dr. Vieira’s feet were on the ground in Haiti and Dr. Ferreira arrived the next week.  They provided medical care to hundreds in dire need while Guiga continued drumming up support and donations at home.  Though the three were on separate missions, their hearts were united and within them arose a dream … A BIG dream…

    And on January 28, 2010, People for Haiti was born.  What was started by 3 led to 13 completed missions to Haiti by 97 missionaries, hundreds of supporters, over 10,000 patients treated, 34 surgeries and over $150,000 in donated goods… and counting!!!  People for Haiti is a dream come true, not just for its founders, but for the people of Haiti.

    Today, People for Haiti travels to Haiti every other month for medical and surgical missions.  On our missions, we employ local translators, many of which are now enrolled in nursing school. Our volunteers have sponsored approximately 75 children, allowing them to attend primary schools.  We raised approximately $13,000 to assist with providing a water filtration system to an orphanage and surrounding village… And we formed a family, not just of our volunteers, but of our friends in Haiti.

    Though the earthquake in Haiti may be a faded memory to some, it is vivid in the minds of our missionaries. Once your feet stand on the ground in Haiti, your mind struggles to comprehend how they are forced to live, your eyes are opened, your heart pours out, and your life is forever changed. The people of Haiti have given us a richness greater than monetary wealth and they taught us compassion and love on a whole new level.

    To the people of Haiti, we thank you for welcoming us into your country and your lives, and for teaching us what life is really about.  People for Haiti vows to continue in our mission to provide free medical care to the people of Haiti and we look forward to adding new members to our family along the way.

    Today, we pause to honor the people of Haiti…. We love you and we will continue to be there for you!!!!

    ~Tammy

  • September 2011 Team is BACK – 1512 patients + 4 surgeries = SUCCESS!!!!

    We are back… what to say???  I am speechless… did not think it would be possible to see more patients that we had already seen in previous trip… but guess what… People for Haiti Team does not get tired to surprise me…. 1512 patients and 4 surgeries in 3 days of clinics… and LOTS, LOTS of fun…. and so many other emotions… can not wait to share with you all the testimonials… hopefully soon, as I gave the team a few days to “settle down” all the emotions and get it to me… so keep follow up on us… we will be back!!

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  • July Team ready to go!!

    In few minutes we are heading to the airport to meet our July team!!

    I can not express how happy and excited I am… it seems like an eternity since last time I was there in April!!!

    I will try to update the website, as well as, PFH Facebook page, as much as the WiiFii permits….

    Please keep your prayers for our team… and we hope to touch another 1000+ lives!

    thanks for all the support,

    Guiga

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