Departure

Six months ago, the world witnessed one of the greatest natural disasters to affect human civilization: the Haitian earthquake. As the death toll rose to 300,000 and those displace from their homes were counted in millions, There was a tremendous out poring of support. You couldn't buy a latte, without being encouraged to give something to the effort.

Volunteers poured into the small island nation to deliver emergency medical services and erect tent cities for the numerous without homes.

I was very moved by this event. Why this over others? Tsunamis, mudslides, fires- all painfully tragic in their own right. Still, something about this disaster reached inside and beckoned.

I began to research organizations with whom I could travel. I rallied friends, family and patients to join me in supporting a relief trip to Haiti. In spite of a growing recession, people were generous. $900 in cash was donated, bags of medication, hygiene products, orthopedic braces, and much more.

Large organizations such ad Doctiors Without Borders, Red Cross & Mercy Corps struggled with where to place a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist. After a number of months I finally found an organization with whom I could serve: Acupuncturists Without Borders. AWB sends its 8th team to Haiti today, I am part of that small group. I currently sit in the Miami International Airport trying to retrieve the very rusty French I learned in college. Departure for Port au Prince is just hours away.

Six months ago a earthquake of hit Haiti and devastated an already impoverished nation. In recent months you'd have to search hard to find word of the slow repair that country is seeing. Today, you'll find it in the headlines again, as President Clinton pays a visit and everyone asks the same question: where'd all the money go?

My journey will be smaller and less televised, but I suspect richer. Follow me as my AWB team visits hospitals, homeless camps and other relief sites. We'll be treating hundreds of patients daily with acupuncture. Our itinerary includes The General Hospital (same as seen on CNN this morning), Matthew 25 (a Catholic charity that now hosts one of Port au Prince's tent cities, the University, as well as other homeless encampments.

Please join me in this adventure.

Rebecca Provorse ND, LAc
glowhealthcare integrative medicine