Potent Experiences in Haiti

Prior to my first trip to Haiti I considered myself a fairly seasoned traveler but I had never experienced a place like Haiti. The sights, sounds, and smells were intoxicating and the depth of poverty faced by so many difficult to fully comprehend. Despite the fact that many of the friends I made literally had nothing, their spirits made them amongst the richest people I had ever encountered.





I first had the opportunity to travel to Haiti during my first year of medical school at the University of Wisconsin with a fantastic group of medical providers working with the Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin. We travelled to a town near the Dominican border called Thiotte to provide medical care to the community. It was during this visit that I began to truly understand the disparities that exist between the third world and home and was an experience that shaped my career. For so many Haitians it is a daily struggle to find the next meal or have access to a clean water supply. I was fortunate to be able to return to Haiti on 2 separate occasions before graduation- travelling and working in Thiotte, Port au Prince and Aquin.

When I learned of the earthquake I feared for the lives of friends in Haiti and those living in already difficult conditions. As I prepare to return in a few short days I'm filled with so many different emotions and pray that those desperately in need of aid are being reached.