"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." 
-Mohandas Gandhi
 
Dear Friends and Family,
 
We are Drs. Eunice and Joel Mata, new additions to Phil's list of friends.   We are both physicians here in San Diego and have been volunteering our services throughout Latin America for the past 20 years.  We are excited to be added to your family and hope that together we can continue to build on an already strong foundation of giving and support for others.  Through all of our determination we hope to provide medical services to areas in Haiti which remain particularly in need.
 
This past July we traveled to Haiti with 15 other Friends & Family Community Connection (FFCC) volunteers to help and serve the people of Haiti.  During this visit, we were overwhelmed by the degree of need and general lack of structure and support the people of Haiti endure.  Sadly, Haiti still requires significant help despite the intense international efforts since the January, 2010 earthquake. 
 
There are thousands of people still living in tent cities.  Cargo containers sit in their port of entry for months at a time.  Despite the millions of dollars donated to the relief effort, monies are not reaching their intended targets.  Redevelopment of cities and communities destroyed by the earthquake are taking longer than planned.   In the meantime, thousands of people are desperate for food, water and medical assistance. 
 
We have identified areas, outside of the epicenter, where the relief efforts have yet to reach.  We have met with the Mayor of Gressier, a small city west of Carrefour where the earthquake was centered.  We have garnered his support and the support of some of the city's health authorities to create a medical clinic to provide essential primary care and vaccinations to the more remote townspeople who do not yet have access to care.  The Mayor has volunteered his support and looks forward to partnering with FFCC in our plans to set up a medical outreach clinic in the village of Kabwa.   Medical care is practically non-existent in this region.   It is estimated there is one doctor for every 17,000 people, making general medical care, childhood immunizations and management of chronic conditions unattainable for most. 
 
Our goal is to return to Haiti on January 14 - 22, 2011, with a team of doctors, nurses and volunteers.  Our team will provide basic medical aid, childhood immunizations, health education, referrals of ill patients to the nearest hospital, and general support to the underserved people in the village of Kabwa.   
 
We anticipate our team will include 6 Physicians, 2 Pharmacists, 10 Nurses, 2 Health Educators, 2 data processors and 6 general volunteers.  We will have 18 - 20 Haitian interpreters volunteering and assisting us during the trip.  We will need a lot of support both here and in Haiti.  We will require a variety of medications, support staff and medical supplies in preparation for our mission.
 
We are asking for your help and support.  An informational meeting will be held on:
 
September 20, 2010, 6:30 pm
12582 Via Colmenar, San Diego, 92129
(858) 484-8424
 
 
We hope you will join us in helping the people of Haiti.
 
Drs. Eunice Sanchez-Mata & Joel Mata