Well another busy day in the clinic. It is pretty intense. All the medical NGOs are working hard as so many medical staff left due to the violence. Then the One Happy Family that housed the Doc Mobile clinic is closed due to the fire. Now, the Coronavirus scare and we are having discussions about [...]
We are caring for the unaccompanied minors and then camp emergencies. These kids are so heartbreaking. They are alone with no relatives, many still housed in the jungle, an unprotected area, because there is no room in the protected sections for them. We see them after fights, stabbings and just sick. They are all hungry [...]
Finally, a clinic day. And not too crazy for a first day. The clinic is urgent care, basically for emergencies but we also see the unaccompanied minors and do wound care. I did triage with Shayee with Zee translating, Debra did wound care. The day started out with a woman and her father who were attacked [...]
Today we went to the north end of the Island where the boats usually arrive from Turkey. We went to get life jackets from the life jacket graveyard to make the SOS Flowers, Key Chains and Scraps of Hope Cards. Lighthouse Rescue, an NGO that helps the refugees come ashore is still working there. Despite the [...]
The trip here went well. Flights were really good. We stayed in a lovely country house in Koropi, very close to the airport in Athens. The family was so kind, offering us free housing on our return because they support what we do. Their house was charming, with several greenhouses where they grow herbs. They also [...]
We leave for Greece tomorrow. Truly into the belly of the beast. It is beyond comprehension - the violence, the politics, the devastation. These refugees are suffering so much. We are going to deliver healthcare, a drop in an ocean of misery. We are being strong, not brave, we are scared. We vacillated for a [...]
Homeno one leaves home unlesshome is the mouth of a sharkyou only run for the borderwhen you see the whole city running as wellyour neighbors running faster than youbreath bloody in their throatsthe boy you went to school withwho kissed you dizzy behind the old tin factoryis holding a gun bigger than his bodyyou only leave [...]
Today was day 5 in Matamoros. Courtnay arrived! Our Hands on Global team is all here, and so excited to be partnering with Global Response Management. Hands on Global facilitated our members to be here, and donated much needed medications, supplies, toys for the kiddos, and an open-sided replacement tent to shield from the sun and [...]
Today was day 4 in Matamoros. Lauren is here! Our Hands on Global team grew to two! Busy clinic day, our gynecologist was in and saw many women, both pregnant and trying not to be. A delegation from the UN High Council for Refugees is here, doing a camp survey and also met with us to [...]
Today was day 3 in Matamoros. Busier day today, lots of sick babies, several pregnant mothers, people with heart conditions and the ever pressing need for better birth control options. Our team is phenomenal. Providers, nurses, medics, pharmacy, interpreters, support staff, all volunteers, all here for different reasons but same mission. It’s important to be flexible [...]
