Operation Hope for Children of Haiti, Inc. | OHFCOH

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NEW!  NEW!  NEW!

Follow Dr. Eddy in his own personal blog.  Keep track of what's new at Operation Hope's headquarters and what projects are taking place. 

Also, get a feel for what's going on in Haiti through the eyes of one of the country's most courageous and knowledgeable advocates.

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MOBILE CLINIC AT FORT LIBERTE, NORD EAST

August 3, 2011

Our trip, to Fort Liberté in the North East of Haiti, was delayed due to the late arrival from the US of two VIP providers; Jenny Delaleu ANPN/ANPC, Operation Hope Executive Secretary and Joanne Delaleu ANPC/ANPC, Operation Hope Coordinator of Affairs; both daughters of Operation Hope Founder and President Dr. Eddy Delaleu D.D.  It was in essence a Medical Mission filled with love and emotion to watch the father daughters interact as we travelled the almost 9 hour trip to Fort Liberté. 

Dr. Eddy, early on, decided not to travel the mountains of “Pilboro” at night for security and safety reasons.  We made a rest stop in Gonaives around 8:00 PM where we had a chance to shower and sleep for about 5 hours.  Wake up call was at 3:00 AM and within an hour we were on the roads heading for Fort Liberté.   Travel the mountains at sunrise was graciously amazing.  There was a sense of peace and purity not found in the main cities of this impoverished country.  Every site was stunning with an everlasting imprints of sweet memories.  We watched the landscape change as we travelled the different departments and communes to finally arrive at Fort Liberté around 10:30 AM where we found close to 100 patients awaiting our mobile clinic medical staff.  We set up immediately in an elementary school and without wasting any time, we began working.

The sleeping conditions there were not the best however, we were happy to have a place to sleep.  As we were told, wanting to serve requires that we leave behind all our biases, prejudices and forget our lifestyles.  Serving is to have the ability to be willing to adapt to any situation and we did just that without any complaints.

The second day was considered an extremely light day with only 54 patients.  Dr. Eddy took advantage of the moment to tour the city of Fort Liberté which we found to be filled with history.  We specially spent some times visiting the ruins of Fort Saint Joseph with an outstanding three sided ocean view and even had time to take a plunge in the clear blue tropical waters of this beautiful city. 

Most of the medical cases were similar to what we have seen throughout the country, anywhere from chronic conditions like diabetes, hyper tensions to minor ailment to heartburns, skin rashes and cough.  We also observed some babies who would be considered extremely ill in the US but were considered a little sick there.   We mostly provided medications for acute and chronic problems with follow up with Dr. Leslie Archer, our Medical Director or referrals to nearest hospitals, for the most serious conditions. 

When better organized and fully supplies, we are sure that we would be able to help many more thousands of the Haitians people in far to reach areas of the country.  We were very impressed but not surprised to witness our mobile clinic staff showing so much love and compassion to the locals that are probably not accustoms                                                                               to being treated like that.  Dr. Eddy and his daughters had times to interact and play games with the kids to name a few like “Gwo Lombrik, Ti Lombrik and Ti Krass Lombrik”(Named after the size of their herniated umbilical). 

This initiative by Operation Hope to conduct these mobile clinics is found to be of a great importance to reach communities that are not near emergency aid clinics or hospitals.  

Going back to Port-au-Prince was as beautiful as when we were headed north east however, we were extremely tired but happy we got to be part of a great Medical Mission with Operation Hope. 

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MOBILE CLINIC IN CAP HAITIEN

July 22, 2011

A recently new set of young medical Haitian Staff Volunteers went on their very first Mobile Clinic with Operation Hope to Cap Haitien for a 3 Day Mobile Clinic from July 19 to July 23 2011.  We had to cut the trip short by one day due to lack of patients as we were estimating to see an average of 500 a day.  We saw a total of 304 patients the first day and only 36 on the second day. 

We later found out that the people of the area were misleading due to a non intentional racially motivated message.  The people from this community were told that they will be visited by a Foreign Medical Staff and by that they believed they were going to be seen by a “White Medical Team”.  It was certainly something we have heard before but never experienced.  So, we have much more work to do as we continue working with these communities and working with each other.  The level of care they need to know is the same regardless of the color of the provider.  They also need to know as well that Haitians do care for Haitians and that not all blacks are Haitians.  As far as the 340 people we have seen and treated, they were very pleased and wishful of a follow up return to the area.

Our team had a wonderful time serving the people of the community and was very accommodating and willing to work and live in any condition.  We had the time to visit Milo a historic place in Haitian History and drove on the northern boulevard of the city with a dazzling ocean view. 

We would like to thank Bishop Isaac Albert and Pastor Monaster Fenelon for their kind assistance in accommodation and a space to work on their church ground.  Our thanks go as well to the Operation Hope Representatives in the North for the coordination of the visit, mainly Louis Austin and Genal Robillard.     

 FROM NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

July 11, 2011

All the way from Northern and Southern California (Alturas and Ventura to be more specific) to Haiti on a Medical Mission on a land in great need of good hearted people like Dr. Matt Farson, Shirley Collins Clay RN, Joy Evans Teacher, Marie Therese Jean Pierre RN, and Stacey Jean Pierre RN.  For Stacey and Marie Therese, that was déjà vue as they continue to return and support Operation Hope’s mission as well as encouraging others to join.

One can imagine how overwhelming it was for Shirley and Joy on their first visit to Haiti, to witness a striking resilience of a people full of hope.  Their inability to help as many as they could on a short mission trip and their wondering mind on how long then it will take to help even a small community of deprived children was to them the hardest thing to accept to leave with.   Sometimes we have to learn to temporarily change climate to relieve the stress of many mission days as they did at the Operation Hope HQ in Marin and on a Southern Beach of the country after a 3 day Mobile Clinic in Artibonite, enjoying the simplest things many of us take for granted; drinking fresh coconut juice, barbecued fish or simply a walk on the sandy beach.   

We strongly recommend to all volunteers to do the same wherever they may go in the world.  Returning home to your family and friends should not be a psychological burden of only negative images and painful memories it should be a joyful feeling knowing that you have played your role however small it may be, you have touched and helped someone who will be forever grateful. 

It is our hope that this wonderful team from Southern and Northern California will join us again in a not too distant future.   

 BIBLE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINERS NEEDED

 June 28, 2011

Recently, we were visited by Deb Range with whom we spent a wonderful time while we remembered the life of a very good friend.  One particular subject Deb discussed with us was: “UNE VIE RENOUVELEE”, a healing program based on 8 principles from the “Beatitudes”; a balanced biblical program designed to overcome our pains, our bad habits and complexes. 

This is a program she had the opportunity to start in the “Plateau Central” of Haiti with a group of pastors whom she hopes will take this knowledge to train their church members, friends and families.  As I glanced to the book she graciously gave me, I quickly realized how this book could help so many of us grow spiritually and especially I, as I faced new challenges every day.

She further mentioned the need for bibles, preferably in the French or Creole languages.  It is my hope through this article we will find donors willing to donate as many as they possibly can.  The people of Haiti are thirsty for love and spiritual independence.  BIBLE STUDY as an educational base along with VOCATIONAL TRAINING could be a great step towards spiritual and economic freedom.

Operation Hope is appealing to all who can and willing to teach and supply the following classes: BIBLE STUDY, CARPENTRY, PLUMBING and ELECTRICITY to join our Volunteer Bible and Vocational Team. 

Consider volunteering for a week or two, your services are greatly needed.    

REMEMBERING: WENDY SEIDLITZ

A VISIT FROM SHEBOYGAN WISCONSIN

June 14, 2011

 Operation Hope was blessed by a visit of a small delegation from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  A visit somewhat expected and wished for that brought us so much tearful joy as we celebrated the life of our departed friend Wendy Swedberg, a  true American with so much love for Haiti.We were honored to have Wendy’s family with us at our base Camp in Marin, La Plaine Haiti.  They were Nick and Faedra, (Wendy’s daughter and son in law), Valorie Schultz, Nan Minster, Rachel Minster and Deb Range. 

They were accompanied by Pastor Sainclair an old friend with whom we worked in the past at Marche Canard in the Central Plateau of Haiti, on an overnight Mobil Clinic mission.  Wendy, that wonderful, cheerful and loving human being will be forever remembered as compassionate and a true optimist whose sign manifested always where and when other people thought there was no hope.  Wendy, of course was the object of that visit and without a doubt was in everybody’s mind.  

Though I do not have a true recollection of her, but at the site of her picture and her majestic beautiful smile, my heart went racing as if I have met and worked with her before.  This is a true and unexplainable feeling I experienced and for some unexplained reason I wanted to remain convinced that we did indeed meet and work together some times after the January 12, 2010 earthquake that left such a physical and psychological scar on the heart of every Haitian and friends of Haiti. This visit at our humble base camp revitalized my commitment to continue this work I started some seventeen years ago.  Deb’s speech to the nursing staff on duty, on behalf of the family, has linked together Wendy’s ardor and that of the new young volunteers which we hope to begin compensate by August 2011. 

I was particularly fascinated with Faedra’s connection with her mom.  Through her eyes and through her genuine smile and laughter, I saw Wendy.  For those moments, I could feel her spirit among us as we all experienced so much joy and goose bumps speaking of her and the work she enjoyed so much.  I found Rick, Faedra’s husband, to be a quiet man who is very supportive, caring and a loving spouse.  He was in my opinion a bit shocked by the despair and the slow beginning of a reconstruction process that should have taken place at least a year ago.  Haiti as I see it through his eyes and those of Faedra ‘s still remains a beautiful country way beyond the destruction, the rubbles, the garbage, the polluted environment and the striking poverty and living condition of a resigned people.   Oh! What a cheerful friend Valorie is.  She was so charming and so bubbly.  Her never mind hand gestures in the air as she speaks, were so natural that they created so much laughter.  And what about Rachel who listened with so much attention as if she was reliving Wendy’s short passage on this land she loved so much.  I could not stop myself from noticing how hard she was trying to withstand those joyful tears from pouring despite her beautiful smile behind which she tried to screen her pain.  

Nan reminded me in one of her e-mails that “Wendy is now dancing with Jesus”.  As we all walked Operation Hope shaded yard with the wind blowing and fanning our mango trees, I thought of her skipping, hoping, singing and amused.  There was a true feeling of Wendy’s presence in the air and a true sentiment of her passion as the wind whistles through the trees. There was a sense of peace and serenity as we bonded together in prayer before we said good bye.

I had the opportunity to work with Cindy Gallo a Registered Nurse, good friend of Wendy, who shared with me Wendy’s enthusiasm and her love for Haiti.  She approached me with the idea of naming the Pharmacy after Wendy which I thought was a wonderful idea.  The more we spoke of her, the more we learn to love her and more Wendy became a household name.  In her memory, we named the Clinic “Operation Hope/Wendy’s Clinic”.  It is our buoyant prayer that her spirit will continue to dance with Jesus and inspire many others to learn to care for the needy while she continues to watch over her family, her friends and the people of Haiti she cared so much for.

On behalf of “Operation Hope / Wendy’s Clinic”, I would like to thank Wendy’s husband, Richard Seidlitz, for his patience, love and understanding in sharing openly and unselfishly Wendy’s passion for the people of Haiti.  I would like also to take this opportunity to thank him for his generous donation and continuous support.  Our thanks go also to all Wendy’s friends and family members who sent in their cash donation along with those well crafted beautiful children clothes and dolls.

We will remember Wendy as we celebrate her life.

Dr. Eddy Delaleu, D.D.

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Earthquake Relief Efforts

Haiti had undergone a tragic earthquake on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, essentially destroying most of its capital, Port-au-Prince and killing thousands of men, women and children. Operation Hope's founder, Dr. Eddy Delaleu has been working tirelessly with a limited crew of volunteers, but cannot maintain these efforts alone.

Financial assistance is desperately needed for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Program (HERP)

Please assist the victims of Haiti, first and foremost, by donating monetary funds.  

Any form of monetary aid would be greatly appreciated to assist in our long term operational costs in assisting the Haitian community abroad. 

Thank you for your generosity!

Operation Hope is a 501 (c)(3) organization.  All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Operation Hope is also recognized in Haiti and has been granted the status of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO).

          VOLUNTEERS!  

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Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Mission Statement 

Service and Commitment Above Self! 

Operation Hope's mission is to provide food, treated water, shelter, health care and educational programs to underprivileged street children of Haiti, disadvantaged children of our immediate communities, orphans and forgotten children of the poorest of the poor areas such as Cité Soleil, Belair, Grande Ravine and more, by promoting their well being, health and basic education needs while preparing them to become self supporting and productive members of society.

Tell me more... 

Operation Hope is an international humanitarian organization, committed to helping the deprived and forgotten street children of Haiti. Operation Hope is also committed to working with families in poor communities especially Cité Soleil, in which the Founder, Dr. Eddy has taken a special interest to improve the lives of many children and teenagers who are socially at risk and also at risk of unwanted accidental deadly confrontations. It is one of Operation Hope's objectives to

achieve lasting victories over striking poverty plaguing Cité Soleil, Grande Ravine, Belair and so many other areas of Haiti.

Founded in 1994, Operation Hope began its crusade from a home office and a garage space in Long Island, providing relief to underprivileged children in our local communities and abroad with a special interest to homeless children of Haiti. Through repeated clothing and food drives, Operation Hope has been able to make incremental differences in the lives of many young boys and girls.

 In January 1997, Operation Hope became a federally recognized charity in the U.S. and was granted the status of a non-for-profit organization and soon became a trusted vehicle for the kindness and openhandedness of many caring individuals like you.  Ten years later in 2007, Operation Hope for Children of Haiti was granted legal status in Haiti as a Non Governmental Organization.