In January 2010, two groups of local community members will be traveling to Haiti to provide medical and dental care there. This is the fifth year that the community has supported medical mission trips to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The first team leaves on New Year’s Day and consists of a doctor, dentist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, three nurses, one licensed practical nurse, four teenagers and assorted other laypeople. The group will be joined by two Haitian doctors and one Haitian dentist and will set up clinics in villages near Les Cayes, Haiti. Most members of this team will return home on Jan. 9.

Four team members will remain in Haiti, work the following week, and then join the second team on Jan. 15. The second team is made up of similar medical professionals: a doctor, dentist, two physician’s assistants, two nurses, four teenagers and others willing to pitch in to round out the team. Once again, two Haitian doctors and a Haitian dentist will join the team and similar clinics will be provided.

The clinics in Haiti consist of doctors treating patients for common ailments such as infections, head and body aches, stomach problems, etc.

The doctors also find ailments for which the Haitians can be referred for further care (funded by the Haiti group).

The dentists pull almost 100 teeth a day. Everyone who comes to the clinic gets de-worming pills and vitamins.

Young mothers get formula and instructions on how to properly feed and care for the baby.

Children are taught how to brush their teeth and receive a toothbrush, toothpaste and a Fluoride treatment.

Wounds are cleaned and dressed; individuals are treated for scabies.

A complete pharmacy distributes medicines prescribed by the providers.

The Haiti team members are very grateful to the community for their outstanding support during fund-raising efforts this past year: multiple soup and spaghetti suppers, and many brat sales; a quilt raffle; golf tournament; two huge rummage sales; etc. The group has also earned money by parking buses at Cranfest, serving meals at the Christian Motorcycle Association’s convention in Tomah, etc.

And many individuals, organizations and businesses have been extremely generous in their giving to this endeavor. Thank you to all.

The group still has a few more needs before departing on New Year’s Day. Those needs are:

* Toothpaste - donations of individual tubes of all brands and sizes are needed.

* Powdered baby formula.

* Large suitcases -- the group uses the large suitcases to bring donations to Haiti (quilts, medicines, supplies). The suitcases are often left in Haiti for the missionary’s use.

* Transportation to and from Chicago O’Hare Airport on the following days/times: Friday, Jan. 1 - departing Tomah mid-morning (17 passengers). Saturday, Jan. 9 - arriving at O’Hare at 8:15 p.m. (13 passengers). Friday, Jan. 15 - departing Tomah mid-morning (13 passengers). Saturday, Jan. 23 - arriving at O’Hare at 9:25 p.m. (17 passengers)

Some individuals have volunteered to drive but do not have a vehicle large enough to carry more than a couple of people. If individuals or organizations have large vans they are willing to loan for these trips, the Haiti group can find drivers. All expenses will be paid -- gas, tolls, and meals. The group will travel together, so if a potential driver isn’t sure how to get to O’Hare, they can follow another vehicle.

Anyone interested in helping in any way can call me at 343-7039 or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 372-4758.

Laura Bishop, Tomah, is a Haiti Mission Team Member