An example of the difference the community health workers, supported by Haiti Foundation of Hope, are making in villages in rural northern Haiti:
One night during the recent cholera epidemic, a community health volunteer received a phone call saying that someone in the village had cholera. The volunteer went quickly to the home and found a man on a mat in a corner of the house while the rest of his family was on the opposite side of the room. They were concerned but too afraid to touch him for fear of getting sick themselves.
When the community health volunteer went into the home, he first explained and educated the family about cholera. Then he went to the sick man, put his hand on him and offered comfort. The family was amazed. Next he said that it was necessary to bring the patient to a clinic for treatment. No one had the money so the volunteer provided his own money to help. At the clinic the patient received IV therapy and recovered.
The community health volunteers were invaluable during the cholera outbreak, and we are so proud of the work they are doing.
Learn more about the beginning of the community health program.