triumphs / uncategorized From Better Way Moms to Haiti’s Children | Better Way Moms
Today is May 18, 2012

Moms with mojo

Wow. You will not believe some of these moms. Here are their inspiring stories.

From Better Way Moms to Haiti’s Children

Hope Hospital

As many of you know, my six-month-old daughter has decided that she will not drink expressed milk. She drinks happily from me, but refuses to drink the exact same milk any other way. Over the past weeks as this has gone on, I’ve been sick to my stomach as I look at the 300 or so ounces of frozen breast milk that my daughter probably won’t be drinking. It’s been really hard for me to see. And throwing it away is just not an option. It’s liquid gold for crying out-loud.

So last night, as my husband and I were watching the starving, injured and scared children of Haiti, my thoughts started to bounce back and forth between the extreme lack in Haiti, and the ridiculous surplus in my freezer. I started to think about how lucky my daughter has been as I pass on all of the antibodies from my vaccinations and past illnesses — all of those precious antibodies that could be passed on to a child who is starving right now. Right now. A child that may not make it through the night tonight.

I couldn’t take it any more. So I spent all day today trying to figure out how to get this milk to these kids. And I’ve found it: The United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti (USFCH). A foundation that has been operating for over 25 years to support and help the children of Haiti.

United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti

As these things go, I heard that this organization is able to get supplies directly to its children’s hospital, the perfectly named “Hope Hospital” in Haiti. The hospital itself withstood the earthquake, and is structurally sound and operating. You can read about the history of the hospital here: http://www.usfch.org/history.htm

The maternity and prenatal wards were opened in 1998. This is a well-established hospital in the community, and it is being taxed far beyond its limits. They are completely out of supplies.

Pat Finn, who has been deeply involved with USFCH for years, spoke at a church in Los Angeles on Sunday. He wants to let people know that are getting the supplies directly to the hospital. I spoke to Pat today about my idea and desire to get our Better Way Moms involved. He’s thrilled.

As moms, I know we can all imagine what it would be like to watch our children be in need, and know that the supplies were gone. You may read more about USFCH here: http://www.usfch.org/

You may also receive up to the minute updates from the team, and how the delivery of supplies is going on a Facebook group that Pat started:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=249788352945

The hospital, which began as an orphanage, is being run by a wonderful woman named Gladys. You can read more about her on the facebook group page linked above. As roads are getting better, financial donations are greatly appreciated as Gladys can purchase the supplies she needs locally, and not have to sift through boxes.

You can make your check payable to USFCH Earthquake Fund or donate here: http://www.usfch.org/donate.htm

We are happy to announce that wire transfers are back open in Haiti, so the hospital can receive financial contributions much faster than supply donations. USFCH will happily continue to take supplies, and they have asked me to let our Better Way Moms know that financial contributions are a faster way to help.

For those who would like to donate supplies, Gladys has told us that she needs anything a sick child would need:

Formula (she has access to a well, so powdered formula is preferred)
Band-Aids
Neosporin
Children’s/Infant Tylenol

We hosted a supply drive on Saturday, January 23rd to help as many moms as I can bring supplies to these kids. We gathered enough supplies to fill 12 boxes! We were very excited to send them off to the children at Hope Hospital. We will be posting updates and pictures as we can get them.

If you would like to host your own fund-raiser in your own town, please have people make their checks out to:

USFCH (Please put “Earthquake Relief” on the check.)

You may send the checks to:

USFCH
P.O. Box 521171
Tulsa, OK 74152-1171

If you live in Los Angeles and you would prefer to donate actual supplies, you may take supplies directly to these locations:

Los Angeles:
Rubicon Entertainment/Pat Finn
130 South Beaudry Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012

AGAPE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL CENTER
5700 Buckingham Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 348-1250

If you do not live in Los Angeles but you would like to help this organization, you may donate through their website here: http://www.usfch.org/donate.htm

I have vetted this organization very carefully, and many of my friends and family members have known Pat for years. If you would like to donate to a larger organization, that’s great, and I greatly encourage that. And I will also say that what’s great about this organization is that it has a very small overhead and is run mostly by volunteers so the administrative costs are incredibly low. This means more of your money will be used to buy the supplies and get them directly to the children’s hospital.

The next chartered planes for USFCH are continuing to leave with doctors, anesthesiologists and surgeons. The supplies we donate are able to get to the hospital pretty quickly. Now…I just need to figure out how to send that frozen milk. We’re all working on it.

I have been so moved by our Better Way Moms, and I know our huge hearts and generosity will continue. Thank you for everything you’ve already done, and for what you continue to do.

As for my daughter, I had an amazing moment with her as I fed her today. I told her that I now I understand why she went on strike: I needed something to spark this idea. As I looked down at her, she smiled up at me and seemed to say, “Those kids need it more than I do Mom. Make sure they get it.”

And make sure, I will.

Author: Sarah