Return to Haiti

Dear Friends and Family,

I have been volunteering in Port au Prince, Haiti as a Registered Nurse in the Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS ward in l'Hopital de l'Université d'Etat d'Haiti (HUEH) since July 2010. I plan to return to Haiti for another six months or more to continue volunteering. I work Monday through Saturday alongside other Haitian nurses under the direction of an American doctor. Each week there is an average of 40 inpatient Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS patients, as well as hundreds of outpatients.

I am needed in the Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS ward for my knowledge of the importance of oxygen for patients, acting fast for critical patients, educating patients about taking their medication, and encouraging patients to eat an adequate diet with the resources available. I continue to volunteer in Haiti because I get more in return than I give, I have been blessed with the gift of good health and a great education, and I believe that through all of my blessings I have been enabled to serve others and believe that is why I am here. The Haitian people have welcomed me with open arms and I enjoy working for them and being around them daily.

I live at Grass Roots United (http://grassrootsunited.org) where I pay $15 per day to rent a space to put a tent, am provided three meals per day, and internet access. Grass Roots United is a safe, gated compound where I live with other volunteers. I commute to the hospital each morning to work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

As a humanitarian aide volunteer I pay Grass Roots United $15 per day and in return receive a space for my tent, two meals per day, and internet access. My other costs for the next six months are $10 per day for reliable transportation, $5 or less for lunch while at the hospital, $100 per month for miscellaneous items and $300 for a flight home. The total cost for six months is $6,420, with an average of$35 per day, $245 per week.

In order to raise funds for my next trip to Haiti I am hosting a dinner event “A Taste for Haiti” April 14th from 5:30-9p.m. at the Wilmoore, a new restaurant in downtown Raleigh. The cost is $10 per person and this includes food, coffee, and sodas. This event will feature Haitian cuisine along with some favorites from the menu at the Wilmoore.

If you are unable to attend donations can be made to my Paypal account. My blog has a “Donate” link provided: jeannevodickarn.blogspot.com.

I hope you can join me to experience some Haitian cuisine and show your support for the Haitian people. Please feel free to pass along this email to family and friends. Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Regards,
Jeanne Vodicka BSN, RN