A New Dawn for One of Haiti's Most Notorious Slums

On January 12, 2010, the earthquake in Haiti ushered in a new relationship between the health clinic GHESKIO and the Village of God slum.  Prior to the earthquake, sick individuals from the Village of God made their way across the street to GHESKIO, but over the past year, this relationship has become two-directional.  

The focus on Haiti’s slums spurred from a deepening public health catastrophe due to the cholera outbreak after the earthquake.  A year ago in February, GHESKIO, with government support, started a door-to-door cholera vaccination and treatment campaign. Though the GHESKIO staff were initially reluctant to enter the Village of God because of its reputation of gangs, violence, and disease, the relationship between GHESKIO and the Village of God quickly strengthened.  One year after beginning GHESKIO’s outreach campaign, the tension that historically welcomed visitors into the slum has been replaced with gratitude, pride, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. 

Though the cholera vaccination campaign is done, GHESKIO’s presence in the community remains strong.  Every day a small army of community healthcare workers continues to travel into the Village of God to distribute chlorinated water and cholera treatment, supervise clean-ups, provide primary care, and refer patients to GHESKIO. 

Read the full Miami Herald article here .