“You can always help those in need”: Personal testimony of the Haiti medical mission trip

Rose Gbadamassi, WFWP volunteer, on the far left

Editor’s Note: In the last issue, we published a report on a special mission trip to the nation of Haiti from March 14 to 24, 2020, that provided vital medical care and other services to the impoverished local population (read report here). What follows is the personal account of WFWP member Rose Gbadamassi, one of the volunteers who took part in this medical mission.

I am Rose Gbadamassi, a member of WFWP Minnesota and the founder of the Haitian Community of Minnesota, a nonprofit focused on furthering the lives of Haitian families in Minnesota and in Haiti. I received the opportunity through WFWP to join Stand Up to Poverty Inc. (SU2P) for a medical relief trip to Tabarre, Haiti. 

Haiti is very near and dear to my heart because it is where I was born and so I know firsthand information about the development and access issues that are present there at the moment. Also, this trip helps to prove that no matter the state of your condition, you can always help those in need. Personally, I am disabled, and so it was uncertain whether or not I would be able to travel and help. Being that I’ve made it back safely and overjoyed, I can prove that this was both possible and worth it. I also want to share how the current pandemic COVID 19 impacted, yet did not halt, the trip.

Through the Haitian Community of Minnesota, I have experience collecting funds and supplies for medical surgeries in Haiti, providing assistance and support to local families; thus, when I was invited to join the WFWP delegation for this medical mission trip, I eagerly accepted. Fujiko Paul, the president of WFWP Haiti, supported us on the ground, and I cannot ignore the gift of love from WFWP USA and many generous donors that made this trip possible for Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis and myself.  

I left from Minneapolis on March 14th, flew to Miami, and then to Haiti, where I met with the main group of volunteers from New York. On March 15th, the first full day in Haiti, all of the nurses, doctors and volunteers met together for breakfast. We started accepting patients at the clinic immediately. My time at the clinic was spent mostly engaging with patients, assisting where needed, including collecting prescriptions and giving them to the doctors, and translating as needed. While patients were waiting to be seen, we discussed COVID-19 and demonstrated proper hand-washing. We allowed for questions and answers during this time.

Over the course of a week, a team of more than 100 medical professionals and other volunteers — including dentists, surgeons, pediatricians, gynecologists and doctors specializing in diabetes — was able to serve 850 Haitian people with a variety of needs. Quality medical care is not always readily accessible, and some people traveled several hours to benefit from our service. For example, 19 people traveled all the way from the port city of Cap-Haitien, which is about a six to eight hour journey. In addition to the medical services and medication we provided to local Haitian families, the children were entertained with face painting and jump ropes, which brought happiness as well.

Although we had originally planned to leave on March 20th, travel delays due to the evolving pandemic kept us in the country for several more days before we were able to return home safely. The mobile clinic program was very successful and everyone was well trained to serve with each other and provide excellent care to the patients and their families. Families were also very pleased with the care and personal loving attention that was shown to the children.

Thank you to all the volunteers, doctors, hosts and each and every person that contributed to this medical mission trip. Compliments also go to Rev. Juanita, SU2P Founder Astrid Fidelia and Dr. Emmanuel Samedi, who handled the education portion of this mission trip, as well as Dr. Sainteus Avis, Dr. Bruno Jean-Gilles (the medical director of CMCC),  and the president of the Haitian American Veterans Association, Dr. Fritz Fils Aime.

The testimony below is in Haitian Creole, translated through Google:

Mr se Mirielle sainteus Avis pam:  mw te vraman satisfe yo te byen resevwam staff medical you you vraiment gen pasyans ak mounn mw felicite sa apil medikam you bon a[o;  ,w ta[ lpntan a[o; so mpi fe sa cjal ammee Jaoto ;pt service ta renmin nou ajoute pati cardiologue la, Mesi ak Tout staff lan!!

Addressed to Dr. Sainteus Avis: I was really satisfied to receive medical attention. You are really patient with people and I congratulate you on the good medicine [...] thank you to all the staff!! 

The full report with facts and figures, prepared by Astrid Fidelia, CEO of Stand Up to Poverty, is available here: