Living with the Threat of Cholera
By Mark Ottenweller, M.D.
Dr. Mark Ottenweller in Port-au-Prince, Haiti reported the following to Hww's CEO:
Singing with the church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti at exactly the time and date of the earthquake one year ago. We just read Matthew 11:28-29 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. It is moving, inspiring and encouraging to be with all the members of the church. God is amazing and he has done amazing things to “bind up the broken-hearted.”
Members of the church in Port-au-Prince gather together in prayer at the exact
moment that the devastating earthquake struck just one year ago.
Despite their good cheer, Haiti still faces some great challenges. Many of it’s people must ask these questions every day:
Do I drink this water?
Do I eat this food?
Do I shake this hand?
Do I take communion today?
In Haiti, all these activities can bring one uninvited guest - Cholera.
Every day, all over Port-au-Prince, all over Haiti, everyone asks the same questions:
Will I be the next? Will I get cholera? Will I suffer and die like the others?
The CDC estimates that 3,700 Haitians have already died and over 176,000 citizens have already gotten sick from cholera. The United Nations estimates that there will be over 650,000 cases by the end of May 2011.
Symptoms of cholera include:
Severe abdominal cramps
diarrhea
thirst
weakness
dehydration
severe weakness
coma
Haitians ask themselves even more questions:
Can I get to the doctor?
Can I find clean water to drink?
Can I get medication and treatment?
Will I make it to the hospital?
Will I die from cholera like my friends in tent cities and tent hospitals?
The Psychosocial Support Team trained by Soletchi Seya from HOPE worldwide has spoken to lots of people here and they are more afraid of cholera than earthquakes because they have to live with the fears and the risks of cholera every day, every time they eat, every time they drink. Cholera is a simple bacterial disease to treat and prevent. It only requires boiling water, cooking food, and washing hands. Although this seems easy, riots and barricaded roads, collapsed clinics and hospitals, massive tent cities, open latrines and sewage in the streets make everyday tasks almost impossible.
HOPE worldwide began massive education campaigns from Day 1 of the cholera epidemic in Haiti. Anael Hyppolite, HOPE worldwide Haiti country director, and his team are doing a fantastic job in preventing cholera among the church members and their families. By the grace of God we have not suffered cholera-related disease, sickness, or deaths despite the fact that one of our partner churches here in Mirebalais is near the epicenter of this epidemic.
After all the epidemics of cholera, hurricanes, and earthquakes our friends have suffered, they continue to ask for our prayers. Every day they suffer and worry about what to eat and what to drink and everyday our prayers can help relieve those needs.
Let's pray for them every day before we eat and drink.
Thanks for all you've done and continue to do for Haiti. "We thank God every time we remember you.”
Visit us at www.HOPEww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.
To read more articles from HOPE worldwide on Disciples Today:
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