One Year Out from the Quake in Haiti

One year ago today, the earth shook. At 4:53 pm, Haiti experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands and forever changed the lives of those who survived.

In the days that followed, we at Hospitals of Hope thought and prayed about our response. Calls poured into our office from supporters wanting to know how they could help and if we were going to send any disaster relief teams.

We decided that the best way Hospitals of Hope could contribute was by helping to build medical infrastructure, much of which was destroyed by the quake. As we talked to other organizations on the ground in Haiti, they told us, "We have enough doctors. We just don't have anywhere to work."

When we announced what we had decided to do, our supporters and the Wichita community were quick to respond. Volunteers poured into our office to help with construction of two "Clinics in a Can" -- self-contained clinics built in shipping containers. Area businesses donated building materials and medical supplies, and cash donations flowed in. Within weeks, the clinics were finished and ready to ship.

On the day the first clinic opened, it saw nearly 200 patients.

Since then, we have sent a third clinic to Haiti, and we're in the process of building a small hospital, constructed from three shipping containers.

Haiti has a long way to go. Many are still living in camps, cholera has taken thousands of lives, and the birth rate has tripled in the last year, leaving children abandoned by desperate mothers.

But Hospitals of Hope, the organizations we partner with, and countless others remain committed to making a difference in Haiti, one life at a time. Thanks to you, our clinics are offering quality medical care to many Haitians -- a vital step in the process of rebuilding.

The problems in Haiti won't disappear overnight, but we remain committed to our work there. The new hospital is due to ship this spring, and we will be sending a volunteer team this summer. For more information about how you can help, call our office at 316.262.0964 or send us an email at info@hospitalsofhope.org.