Five years ago today, Haiti shook. Many died, many were injured, many went hungry, and many fell ill. I watched the situation in Haiti unfold with a strong sense that I should be *doing* something. But I was a new grad at the time, and too inexperienced to be of use. So I stayed busy in my own community and studied & prepared. I read & re-read a book about the founding of of Partners in Health - an amazing NGO started in Haiti. And I prayed each night for the over-worked, exhausted Haitian health workers. Im really not the praying type, but (other than sending what little I could afford) it seemed like all I could do. Exactly five years later, Im preparing to deploy to West Africa with Partners In Health; the same NGO that I studied during the crisis in Haiti. Ive learned & grown a lot in the past five years, and while it might not be possible to be completely prepared for what lies ahead, I feel a deep and peaceful sense of clarity around this decision. Different people in my life have responded to this decision in different ways. Most have been supportive, and others less so. But Ive explored this decision, and taken every concern into honest consideration. If youre one of the people who doesnt want me to go, please know that your worries have not gone unheard. I have meditated on them, taken an honest assessment of my strengths and weaknesses, and processed through each concern with people who I trust. My decision is made, and I feel 100% comfortable with it. Now is the time to support me, or to hold your peace if you can not. I will leave for New Mexico early on the 29th, where I will be leading some workshops . From there, Ill go to Boston for 5 days of training, and then directly to West Africa. PIH only asks me to contract for a month at a time. At the end of that time Ill be asked to extend my contract. I dont really know how long Ill be gone - Im not attached to a specific time frame. But I dont really expect to be gone for more than three months total. A lot of you have asked how you can support me. Here are a few things you can do. 1) Donate to PACH. You all know how sacred the clinic is to me, and I wont be making another fundraising ask until my time with PIH is done (it would feel like a conflict of interest). If youre already a donor, you can help with fundraising until I get back. 2) Be there for Emeka. Ill make sure he has enough money for food, but Im counting on others in the community to make sure he has a ride to the grocery store and people to talk to. 3) When people talk about the Ebola response, turn the conversation back to the amazing health workers who are from the effected countries. Too often, communities that are the target of international responses are mischaracterized as passive recipients of aid. Nothing could be further from the truth. West African doctors, nurses, and community health workers have fought valiantly for almost a year. Theyre exhausted and dangerously understaffed, and begging for backup & solidarity, so off I go. But they are the heros of this story, and the narrative needs to revolve around them. 4) Come to my going away party at my house on Saturday the 24th. Everyone is invited. Thats all for now. Thank you all for your support and understanding. I have total confidence that I can come home safe, and I look forward to seeing you all when I do. Love & solidarity, --Jason
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:20:17 +0000
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