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URGENT APPEAL – Passionist Clinic in Honduras Desperate for Medications

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St. Benedict’s Clinic in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is desperate for additional funding for medications as staff continue to treat an average of 200 patients a day while the dengue epidemic worsens.

Two days ago government sources in Honduras reported the deaths of six more people due to dengue, a disease that has claimed at least 50 victims so far this year.

According to a report by the National Commission on Certification of Dengue, five of the victims were between 15 and 21 years old and lived in Tegucigalpa.

During 2010 the deaths of 43 people have been confirmed, but another 10 deaths were reported, to be certified in the coming days.

According to official figures, the hospitals have received 33,628 cases of dengue fever and about 7,000 hemorrhagic variant suspects.

Sources at St. Benedict’s Clinic believe that the Honduran government is under-reporting the number of cases and deaths and that the actual numbers are higher. The epidemic is receiving little or no coverage in the international press. We are saddened to learn that employees of St. Benedict’s have lost family members to the disease.

According to the World Health Organization, Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Symptoms appear 3—14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever affects infants, young children and adults.

Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. Doctors at St. Benedict’s treat dengue with acetaminophen, IV fluids for hydration and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children.

The situation looks to get worse before it get’s better. In the coming months, when the rains will be more constant and intense, there will be more breeding grounds for the mosquitos that carry the disease.

The Honduran government has developed a program of spraying in 20 areas of the capital and has urged citizens to eliminate as many sources of standing water as possible.

There is a series of photos taken at St. Benedicts on July 26 at: http://www.thepassionists.org/St_Benedicts_Clinic.html

Please consider an emergency donation to purchase medications for St. Benedict’s Clinic. Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website.



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Meet Passionist Volunteers International’s 2010-2011 Honduras Volunteers

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Last week you met our new volunteer team headed for Jamaica. This week meet the new team that will serve in Honduras!

Rosi Trichilo: Born in Springfield, MA, grew up in Enfield, CT; 2010 Graduate, Holy Cross, Worcester, B.S. Biology and Pre-med with concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies.  She is an avid reader with a keen interest in music and dance of different cultures. Extensive Volunteer experience in inner city Worcester; has traveled to visit family in Italy, language study in Spain and two immersion programs in Nicaragua; co-Chaired Students for Responsible Choices—a peer education campus group for educating about drugs and alcohol abuse.  Rosi’s immersion experiences in Nicaragua solidified her plan to volunteer internationally as she came to feel, “that I had not only a moral obligation to serve others but rather a responsibility to do so.  I would not describe this as a decision so much, but as a logical culmination to everything that I have learned and started at Holy Cross.

Brooke Lahr: Was raised in Indianapolis, IN; 2010 Graduate, Bellarlmine University, Louisville, B.S Biology with Minor in Psychology; immersion experience, Guatemala; member of THE EDGE OUTREACH for applying global education and assistance towards pure water and sanitation.  Interests are: people, social justice, biology and photography.  As Brooke looks ahead to serving with PVI, she reflects, “I realize that I cannot fix the problem of growing poverty that exists in the world, but I can do my part to work towards improvement.   However I don’t just want to help the suffering with service work and donations; I want to respect their culture, enjoy their traditions, feel their struggles, and acknowledge them “face to face.”  I want to come to know the people through solidarity and love.

Andrew Fitzpatrick: Grew up in Drexel Hill, PA; 2010 Graduate University of Scranton, B.A International Language and Business; enjoyed two studies abroad: Guadalajara, Mexico, and Beijing, China; Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Cookville, TN; Friends and family are his principal interests.  Andrew sees service as a way “to give back— for the people that may not have been in the same position I have been in my whole life.  After taking a plethora of courses that focus on Central and South America, and having studied Spanish for so long, I came to the conclusion that international service would not only benefit the people I help but also teach me first hand about what I’ve only read about.”  Andrew chose a faith-based volunteer program in order to “deepen my own connection with God not only through prayer at home and Mass but through action in the world.”

Chanel Marin: Born in San Antonio, TX; grew up in a “globe-trotting” military family. After father’s retirement family settled in Killeen, TX.  2010 Graduate, University of Maryland, B.A. Psychology. Spanish is her first language; Semester abroad, Universidad de Valencia, Spain.  By way of interests or hobbies Chanel enjoys reading, painting and photography; deep passion for diverse cooking.  She has long and extensive volunteer experience, particularly in sexual assault and rape crises centers where she is a certified trainer.  Chanel tells us that her original reason for volunteering abroad was “simply to help individuals in what I believed to be more dire conditions than those at home.  Through my community service in the United States I learned that suffering has no boundaries.  There are individuals in every city and country in the world who suffer.   She chose PVI because “it provides a Christian framework which will help me grow in my faith and teach me to live as Christ lived—helping others.  I want to change at least one person’s life for the better and I know that they will do the same for me.”

Melissa Eells: Born in New York City and raised there until her family moved to West Chester, PA; 2010 Graduate, University of Pittsburgh, B.S. Psychology and Latin American Studies; Studies Abroad: participant, Casa de la Solidaridad Inrernacional, University of Central America, El Salvador; two months study, Quito, Ecuador.  Four years volunteered with Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Pittsburgh; Board of Directors, Pitt’s Campus Women’s Organization.  Interested in politically-minded blogs, reading local history and running.  Attracted to Passionist Volunteers through PVI’s mission statement that she says, “really spoke to me and captures why I want to participate in this particular experience, ‘we extend our service…in a spirit of accompaniment.’ I think it’s really unique that accompaniment focuses on a mutual journey rather than roles of the helper or the helped, in the sense conveyed by Lilla Watson, ‘if you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you  have come because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together.’

Molly Beggy: Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH; 2010 Graduate, Miami University, Ohio, B.A. Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, Minor in European Studies; semester abroad, Florence, Italy; Intern for Congressman Steve Driehaus (D. Ohio, 1st District).  Molly’s initial inspiration for international volunteer service was her sister’s volunteer year, 1998, with Fr. Rick Frechette in Haiti.  Interests include global politics; hobby is reading. Seeks personal and spiritual growth through serving with PVI.  With strong international interests Molly views “peace and justice as intangible aspects of our world that are important not only for today but for future generations.  I believe that justice is fairness and equality for all people but it is not achieved without peace.  For peace we must make a concerted effort in understanding people of different ethnicities, cultures and religions.  It is important that we embrace the similarities and respect the differences in order to work towards peace and justice.  I also believe the reverse is true—we cannot achieve justice without peace.”

These young people are generously giving a year of their lives in service to others. Please consider a donation to support their work! Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website. You can use the drop down menu to direct your donation to Passionist Volunteers International.


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Fr. Rick Frechette says, “We need tents!”

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Fr. Rick makes a plea for tents and cots to shelter amputees, provide wound care and to shelter the homeless.

Please consider a donation to help Fr. Rick help the people of Haiti: Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website.

Attention Turns to Rebuilding Shattered Haiti

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A look at the work of Father Rick Frechette before the earthquake. The task now is to rebuild.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBf1oBagcIw

As search-and-rescue teams head home after abandoning the search for survivors in the ruins of earthquake-shattered Haiti, international efforts are beginning to focus on the task of rebuilding the devastated country. Even before the earthquake, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The World Bank estimates that in 2008 Haiti’s annual average income per person was just $660, ranking it 180th among 210 economies.

Fr. Rick Frechette, C.P. has worked in Haiti for over 20 years. He has been instrumental in founding hospitals, orphanages and schools that serve children, the most vulnerable of Haiti’s people.

The quake badly damaged walls at the new St. Damien’s, the only free pediatric hospital in Haiti. The old hospital, which was still functioning before the quake, has been completely destroyed. The orphanage was also severely damaged, but everyone survived. The street schools are in ruins.

Fr. Rick needs our help now to buy emergency medicine, to supply badly needed water and food, to help fly in doctors for the wounded children, and so much more. He will need our help in the months to come as he begins to rebuild.

Your donations will help to rebuild the Fr. Rick’s hospitals, orphanages and schools. We thank you for your generosity and support.

Please consider a donation to help Fr. Rick help the people of Haiti: Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The link for our Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website.


News about Fr. Rick Frechette in Haiti

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The hospital continues to be swamped with patients. We are not able to assess where they are coming from. They are desperate to find medical care. Overall the estimate is 500-700 patients in a hospital which is built for 200. Out of that 700, 200 are children and one third are under 12 years of age.

Approximately 100 x-rays have been performed daily and there are still people awaiting x-rays. There is one operating room functioning at this time for amputation of arms and legs. We are trying to prioritize surgeries, but we still do not have a working system and people are awaiting amputations. Most of the injuries we are seeing are fractures to the extremities, external fractures and wounds that are a couple days old; it is impossible to fix the smashed and soft tissue injuries.

Basic utilities, including water and electricity, are up and running. The pipes to the well were damaged, but they are now functioning properly.

Due to the dedicated staff, we are able to maintain a high level of hygiene, on all levels in the hospital. A truck arrived today from Food for the Poor, which delivered rice and beans, surgical supplies and disinfectants. Also a donation of 2500 family rations was delivered from CVS so that everyone that leaves the hospital has a supply of food.

The hospital grounds are open on some sides due to the perimeter wall falling down and there are slight security concerns but no major incidents. There are security issues all over Haiti and the UN is stepping up patrols with their limited resources.

Most patients are on the ground floor of the hospital. The second floor is empty with no patients. It is clear that the rooms were left in a hurry; there are still plates of food on the tables. People are afraid to go inside the buildings and apparently there are still aftershocks. According to the government’s advice, we are not to be in the building. There has been no assessment of the buildings, only according to eyesight there is no damage. Some of the ground floor rooms are being used for intervention and wound casting and dressing.

The front yard is full of patients that we are trying to move into the courtyards. Luckily, we have not had any rain. Plastic sheets have been set-up to provide shade wherever it is possible.

Today, two people died…one adult and one child, but there were also two births. One boy and one girl. It was delightful to see the physician from Italy running around trying to find a rubber band for the ambilical cord. He then found a band in an office, sterilzed it and used it.

The Italian army is setting up tent offices in our backyard, flattening the land and waiting for their supplies to be delivered. We anticipate they will be attending to patients as well.

Fr. Rick is providing medical care to patients, giving hope and talking with people to re-instill hope. He is providing pastoral care to everyone, including the staff. Among his many other duties, Fr Rick and Fr Peter (American) have also taken medical supplies to visit the injured around the city and performed funeral services at the general morgue.

Doctors from all over the world are coming to volunteer. It is amazing and impressive to see that considering all the languages, people are all working together and working hard to alleviate suffering. Staff and volunteers are sweating like crazy, everyone is tired and exhausted. It is amazing to see that 14-years after I worked here, there are so many ex-pequeños still here along with the staff. Dr Arty was with us all day. She is like Fr. Rick, helping to motivate the staff. She is a great support to the Haitian staff if they have difficulty understanding a volunteer.

At 5 pm, the lights are back on. You can hear the sound of the generator, all the cars have left the compound and the city has lights again. It is quiet where before there were many people yelling and crying in pain.

The local mobile phone service is up and running but still jammed and the satellite service seems to be jammed. We are trying to have a central communication command and we brought our own satellite phones (if they work) but we need radios on the compound to find people. The stores are not open but we are receiving re-enforcements from the Dominican Republic.

The children in Kenscoff are doing well and everyone is safe. There is hardly any structural damage. Currently there is enough food, but they are running low on diesel. Since we have close UN ties, there should not be a problem replenishing our supplies. There are still lots of vegetables, fruits and potatoes in the market, though the prices are increasing rapidly.

Gilles is working in Petionville and Port-au-Prince to help with the external youths, ex-pequeños and staff. Allain arrived today to help with coordination at the home. Martine

(Gilles’ wife) is also helping along with Sr Altagracia.

Please consider a donation to help Fr. Rick help the people of Haiti: Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The link for our Donate Now will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website.