So my original plea for donations at the bottom of this page (which I never thought would even approach being fully funded and completed) was accomplished at about 10 am PST July 3, the week before I leave for Haiti.
I'm keeping the PayPal link up to help with the following (that weren't included on the original list):
- Translations services (
$225). Thanks to Harriet (1.75 days translation support), Leah (2.66 days translation support), Jeannie (4.5 days translation support), Judy (2.66 days translation support), Gail (1.75 days support), Jessica (6 days support) - Airfare at $
140$15 within Haiti and $766 to get to Haiti. Thanks Jennifer (portion of within Haiti flight) and Jan (portion of within Haiti flight).
I don't have the words of thanks for all of you who've been so supportive, in so many different ways, in making this trip happen. I feel so honored to have such support and love with me as I embark on this great adventure. Merci.
[updated July 3, 2010--this list is FULLY funded! Amazing!]
Dear Family and Friends,
I’m writing you to share some exciting news and a wonderful opportunity happening this summer. I am volunteering with a medical mission in Haiti. I will spend an amazing three weeks at a rehabilitation unit in Les Cayes, Haiti from July 10 to July 31, 2010. That’s right; I’ll be celebrating my 40th birthday in Haiti! Or Haiti Birthday, as Andy's calling it.
Les Cayes was not directly affected by the devastating Haiti earthquake in Jan 2010, and because of this the city experienced an influx of injured and displaced persons from Port-au-Prince and other destroyed areas. Because of this migration, the need for rehabilitation is great. The program I’m going with the Advantage Program’s Step Out and Reach Forward to Haiti (affiliated with Lumiere Medical Ministries) have been active in medical and rehabilitation volunteering in Haiti since 2001.
I’m volunteering for this trip, and as such am primarily responsible for the costs of travel and boarding for the three weeks I will spend in Haiti. I’ve been lucky enough to cash in some frequent flyer miles to cover some of the cost of getting to Haiti, but I’m asking your help to support either my in-country costs (transportation to Les Cayes, room & board) or donate to the Advantage Program. That’s right—you can sponsor a day of my work in Haiti!
• $30 to cover one day at a local guesthouse (including 3 meals!) where I will stay near the rehab hospital (needed for 20 days/nights) Thanks to: Lorraine (3.33 days support), Doris (1.66 days support), Lo (1.33 day support), Lisa (2 days support), Nina (1 day support), Jim (1 day support), Phil (1 day support), Paul & Stacia (3 days support), Erin (1 day support), Mona (1 day support), Kathy (1 day support), Marymount DPT c/o 2011 (1 day support), Arlene (1 day support), Shelly (1 day support)
• $25 to cover the departure fee. That's right, you've got to pay to leave! Jessica pitched in, and Mom covered the balance.
• $76 to cover international medical evacuation insurance, because knowing me I would need it if I didn't buy it! Who but a mother would want to pay for travel insurance? That's right, thanks Mom!
• $100 to help me buy a solar charger for my iPhone, allowing me to use the intermittent Wi-Fi to update you all on what’s going on, share photos, and tell some of the stories I’m sure to have Thanks, Andy!
• Water purifier and headlamp Tom & Michelle and Andy are getting me this stuff--thanks!
• $80 to cover my one overnight stay in Miami, allowing me to arrive in time to catch my 6 am flight to Port-au-Prince on July 11 Reuben's got this--thanks!
• $20 ($10 each way) to cover my taxi ride to/from the regional airport in Port-au-Prince for my connecting flight to Les Cayes Reuben to the rescue again--you're the best!
• A donation to the Advantage Program to help cover their costs for administration and organization of the volunteers, their costs for providing in-country round trip flights to/from Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes, and costs with staffing the rehabilitation clinic with Haitian staff. Donations to the Advantage Program are tax deductible.
Some of my students at Samuel Merritt University are donating a duffle to serve as a second checked bag (and associated fees with having a second bag!) filled with items that the Advantage Program has identified as a needed (e.g., tennis shoes, fitted sheets, socks, towels), along with some soccer balls and other games to encourage movement and activity to leave behind at the rehabilitation clinic. Also, I’ve got one friend who’s donating her no longer needed scrubs for me to use and leave behind for the Haitian staff on departure. Thanks in advance to them for their support!
I understand that times are tight, the economy is still in shambles, and finances are difficult. I’m asking your support, in whatever manner you can give. Can’t spare some cash? Send me a letter; send me a pre-Haiti care package; send me an email or Facebook message. Consider it an early birthday gift ("Haiti Birthday"), as my 40th birthday on July 15 will be celebrated in Les Cayes! Don’t want to send your dollars to the Advantage Program, send me a donation (see the PayPal link on my home page) for whatever amount and I’ll let you know what you’ve helped me with. I will not use any monetary donations sent to me for airfare or personal items, and when the items I listed above are fully funded, I’ll either send your donation back to you or offer to send it on to the Advantage Program. Secure, online donations via PayPal.
Want to learn more about this group and what they are up to? You should, that’s the first lesson of informed giving! Visit the Advantage Program’s website at http://www.advantagehaiti.com/. You can also donate securely online via their website (be sure to check the “SFRO: P&O” or “Advantage Program General Fund” if you want to support the physical therapy and rehabilitation services I will be providing). If you choose to donate to them directly, please drop me a line (comment here, message me on Facebook or LiveJournal, email sgorman AT samuelmerritt DOT edu, or call me) so I can recognize your support on the Blog Roll o' Fame (and send you a thank you!).
Anyone who knows me knows I HATE asking for money. I don’t see this as asking me for money, I’m asking you to help support me on this volunteer opportunity! Even $5 can make a dent in the cash costs for this trip. I’m asking you for whatever support, in whatever amount you can spare (yes, I take pennies!) to make this a reality.
Thanks for taking the time to read a rambling request for your support. When in Haiti, the ability to update a website/blog or email is not certain. I am going to try and update this blog and my flickr account as much as possible. I do promise, at the very least, that when I return I will update this blog with photos and share my experiences. I also plan on highlighting my sponsors (“Day 12: sponsored by [insert YOUR name here!]”). That’s right—send me some support, and get a shout out!
I’m excited and enthusiastic for this opportunity, and look forward to hard work for three weeks in Haiti!
