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Learn More About Afya's Work
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Dear Afya Supporter,
Pite Pite Na Rive "Little by little we arrive"
Creole
Saying
Last week I visited Haiti a country that is
enduring, in spite of a long and tragic history. While there, I observed the
stark circumstances of life as it has become, and saw the daunting reality of
all that is needed.
 One morning, colleague Deb Tupe and I were being
driven to a clinic in Port au Prince. The trip took four hours instead of
the normal 30 minutes, and we were hot, exhausted and irritated, because
we had hoped to visit a number of nearby clinics. At some point, a quiet,
familiar voice inside my head whispered "Observe, take this time to
observe." At this moment, I witnessed as-of-yet unreported moments of
strength and survival. I wish to share these observations of unimaginable
resilience, demonstrating the Haitian superhuman capacity for staying alive in
the shadow of destruction.
Generations of Haitians have experienced extreme
poverty. On top of this pre-existing condition, now their homes have been
leveled and they are in more dire need of care, food and shelter. In spite of
this, they wake up each and every day and know that somehow, they will
survive. Adaptation and coping with little  at hand is
seen everywhere. Major news stations have shown the world the Haitian
earthquake's devastation: broken streets of rubble, makeshift tented cities and
thousands of Haitians who have suffered traumatic amputations. A tablecloth and
an old metal structure becomes a shelter, a torn piece of fabric is
utilized for street bathing, an obscure object found in the rubble is used for
a game of toss. Life continues...Haitians miraculously hang on.
One morning, I observed an elderly woman sitting
on a beach chair, calmly staring at the crumbled rubble of what remained of her
home. Mothers smile lovingly at their children and hug them tightly in their
arms. Street vendors try to sell their goods. Haitians have chosen to live;
resilience is in the marrow of their bones. Some of the poorest people on the
planet are offering us a powerful lesson in grace and survival.
 Haitians are kind hearted, and they are supremely
grateful for every bit of help. They cherish their families, and understand the
importance of caring for those who have no one else. When my colleague became
ill while driving through one of the poorest areas of Port au Prince, a
thin child reached up to the car window and handed her his only bottle of
water.
As colleagues at Columbia University, the goal of
our trip in was to meet with the staff at Gheskio, in Port Au Prince. We
conducted a needs assessment for rehabilitation services/products needed by the
thousands of people who have recently become disabled. As Occupational Therapists,
this tragedy presents a unique opportunity to apply our years of training to
circumstances that present mammoth systemic and logistical challenges.
There is presently no rehabilitation available to
promote mobility and functional restoration in Haiti. The number of trained therapists is small, and those who are
there, have no supplies. This renders them helpless. Thousands of Haitians have
experienced traumatic amputations. They are developing contractures that if
remain untreated, will require further surgeries.
 Afya's plan is to return to Haiti with a rehabilitation
team of Occupational and Physical Therapists and 2-3 containers of vital
rehabilitation supplies. This will be our Defibrillate Rehabilitation Program.
Our goal is to return people with disabilities to the highest level of function
possible. Using the equipment brought over in the containers, the team will
match supplies to each patient's health needs and their unique set of daily
activities. This healthcare must be appropriately designated and delivered
immediately.
How will a woman who has had her arm
amputated lift a bag of rice onto her head in order to carry it home to her
children? How will a man who has lost both legs be able to stand all day to
sell his wares? How will a malnourished baby eat by mouth without
aspiration? A double amputee will need something to sit on when the heavy rains
come into his tent. With the resources that have been so generously donated to
Afya for Haiti, we can make a difference.
For the more fortunate Haitians, discharge from
the hospital means going "home" to live in a tent. One million Haitians are in
need of housing and this number will continue to rise. A newspaper article that
was published recently discouraged the donation and use of tents, in lieu of
more permanent housing solutions. One needs to spend just five minutes in a
tented city to see why it is critical to collect and send these tents immediately.
Tents have become sheltered dwellings; the most basic need requires the
most basic response.
"Little by little we arrive." We have a
lot to learn from those who have lost everything yet wake up each day
smiling and loving, ready to dedicate themselves to survival. They know
that little by little, their lives will improve. Afya is committed to the
support of this compelling recovery - with heart, compassion and
efficiency.
Since the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Afya
has sent nearly 400,000 pounds of supplies from Afya. We are grateful to all of
our volunteers, every donor, and each individual that makes
our ongoing work possible. Your compassion and grasp of human
tragedy is wrapped around the delivery of every single item in a supply
container.
 Our work is not done - it will take years for
Haiti to establish an environment that supports good health. Financial
contributions, donations of medical and humanitarian supplies and volunteers
are still needed. At this time, we are asking all who are able, to continue to
support our mission. Please visit our website to view our changing list of
supplies needed, or to make a donation via PayPal. If you would like to
volunteer, we will welcome, and be grateful to, all individuals and groups.
With sincere gratitude,
Danielle Butin, MPH, OTR
Founder, Executive Director
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About The Afya Foundation of America
Thank you for all your continued and future support.
The Afya Foundtion of America
510 Nepperhan Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10701
914-338-7034
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