WEBSITE

Hi everyone,

From today on, I will be updating the blog in our website directly! So, please make sure to visit People For Haiti for updates, pictures, etc.

thanks so much,

Guiga

ELKS oF NEW PORT RICHEY

Hi everyone,

Another day counting pills, putting in bags and getting ready for our next trip!! Things are really happening... we met with the ELKS of New Port Richey this evening to receive the check of $3,000 dollars they donated for People for Haiti... there are not enough Thanks to tell them, and specially Brenda!!! We really really appreciated!!

Getting ready for March trip

Hi everyone... few more days, and we will be leaving to Haiti!! I am so excited... can stop thinking of what we will see, experience... what can I do make their lives a little "easier".... thousands and thousands of ideas!! My mind will not stop!!! As I sat down to count pills, packing, doing an inventory - I realize how HAPPY I am for doing this... it has been a while since I felt so "good" about myself! Not too long ago, I was telling Leo that, even though I was very luck, had a wonderfulfamily, great kids and husband, good health... I still felt an "emptiness" inside... and when all this happen, unexpectedly, People for Haiti was created, people start offering help from all kind of fields... when we need the money to pay for the medicine... I would come home, and a donation check was waiting for me!! Things are all falling in place!

donating $5 dollars or $500 dollars, but the constant email that I get everyday, offering to come and help with counting pills, packing the bags, organize "baking sale", running to get supply.... it is unbelievable!

It is now 3am... and here I am... my mind is going crazy!! After the busy day on Tuesday, I think I was starting to feel "sick"... but nothing that a couple of "magical pills' won't take care... Have about 6 long/good hours of sleep, and feel ready to start all over again!

My family room is looking like a factory! As a lot of you guys know, I am a "little" OCD (okay... a lot!)... have everything organize, lable with the medicine name and directions in Creole, divided by the # of clinics.... etc! A lot of work, but will be easier when we get there, and also, if this system helps.... will be easier in the next trips!!

Tom Launder and I are working together to have our website go LIVE before I go to Haiti... so I hope we can get it!! It will be awesome... and again, thanks to Tom, who not only offer his service to help us, but has been an outstanding work!!

Here are some pictures of us in my house getting ready for our next trip!! And don't forget... if you are interested in join our team, in the one of upcoming trips, June (7-12), August (16-21) and October... email me with your information! I am already getting request for the June Trip!! I hope, one day, you can experience what I am experience as the days approach for our trip!!

FUNDRAISERS

HI everyone,

Yesterday we had a great event at XL360.

.... 80 kids were running, playing, having fun.... with the help of friends, we had a very successful baking sale, air b

rush t-shirts, and we also sold many People For Haiti shirt... the profit was great!!!

Today we spend 5 hours at SAMS club... thanks Nicole, Sharon (again), Annette, Janet and Jill... for coming help me... the girls were a HUGE success.. at one point they were singing "We are the World"... who would resist 5-6 little

girls charm????? All the baking items were GONE!!!!! AGain, another successful fundraiser event!!!

ELKS oF NEW PORT RICHEY

HI Everyone,

Hope everyone is doing great!!

We are getting busy and busy... and we love it!! Donations are arriving all the time, and people are helping... as always!!

Just got a wonderful news... ELKS of New Port Richey will donate $3,000 to People For Haiti... there are not enough words to thank them!!!!!

I was also contacted by a person who wanted to donate 12 Bycicles to Haiti... with Magical Charters help and also Agape Flights, the bycicles are now in Haiti.... great team work!!! Thanks!!! This is why I always say: TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

Also, we are looking for someone that knows how to create a Website.... this blog is great... but a formal website, now that we have a LOGO, would be easier and great!! The person that had originally offer, got a new job and wont' be able to help now... anyone??? I have NO idea how to do this... but I am sure I can learn....

Will keep you posted of the great news and the "getting ready for our next trip" events....

thanks

Guiga

Getting ready for March trip

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we had our 1st meeting for our next trip in March... we had 5 of the 10 members together... and it looks like it will be an awesome team!!! Everyone is very excited and can not wait to get there... I will keep you all posted... today Leo and I went out, got a lot of the stuff we will need to separate the medicines, food... and Jim, Susan and Janet also went crazy on the dollar store.... look how many baby dolls, toys, flip flops, balls, matching cars... is incredible!!

The support that our community, friends and family are giving... it is overwhelmed!! I also left a list of meds that we will need at Target Pharmacy and CVS... will soon start purchasing those!! We will be busy the next few days, putting the medicine in small bags, organizing the bags, etc.... but the best of all... everyone is helping out.... This next weekend, we will be busy with our fundraiser on XL360 with the kids, Saturday we will be selling our shirts at SAMS door, and Sunday we have our Yoga Fundraiser... Uah!!!

I also ordered our shirts today... so get ready and order yours (send me an email to peopleforhaiti@gmail.com).!!! Thanks so so much for everyone help, donations, and prayers!! And like I always say.... TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Another publication about People For Haiti

There was a nice article about People For Haiti on the Trinity Neighborhood News, February issue!! Thanks so much for Anne Bromberg and Kim Thomas for all the publicity!!

LOGO

Hi everyone,

Today we got our LOGO... and there are not enough words to thanks Nick from the SANS SERIF GRAPHICS... they donated their time, their experience, their work to create the logo for our cause!! Thanks thanks thanks!! If anyone needs any logo, webpages, etc... get in touch with Nick... and remember to thank them to help us!!!

The logo means everything we wanted to:

1. showing diversity of people (black, white, etc)
2. showing the outreach to adults and children
3. showing the outreach to the community (see the houses between the people)
4. show the friendliness of the organization with the use of a friendly type font and use of color.

Now, we are looking for a business to donate white shirts with the logo on it for our team, and for us to sell to raise money.... if anyone knows any business that would be willing to help... please let me know!!

Everything is happened for a reason!! And this is why I always say: "Together we can make a difference!". Our team is full, more people keep contacting me daily,and unfortunately, I can not bring everyone.... at least not at this trip... but soon, I will have the dates for our next trips in June, August and October!!

We are counting the days.... thanks everyone for everything!!

Guiga

HELP US, HELP THEM!!!

Dear Friend,

Our third trip to Haiti is in the calendar! On March 28, a new group will go to Haiti to spend a week at the Cabaret Orphanage. Our goal is to see 300+ patients a day and to provide assistance to over a 1,000 people in the community.

In its short existence, People for Haiti has helped hundreds of Haitian citizens who are still suffering the consequences of the January earthquake. We’ve helped get thousands of doses of medicine to people in need, delivered hundreds of tents to the displaced and provided emergency care for many Haitians.

But our work continues and we need your help. Our trips are funded by each individual traveler. This means that those who choose to volunteer in Haiti pay for their tickets, take their own food and do not get paid for a week of missed work. Your donations do not cover our expenses. Rather, they go to a most important cause: to get vital supplies on the ground.

At this time, one of the most basic vital needs in the community we are helping is access to clean, safe drinking water. Because of the damage to the wells, salt intrusion is making the water undrinkable.

Our goal is to purchase a 10K-gallon water desalination system that will provide an entire community with fresh, clean water for years to come. The filter costs $15,000. And while it’s an ambitious target, we hope your generous support will help us reach our ultimate objective: to help the people who need it most.

Any contribution is welcome, whether it’s forgoing a latte and sending us $5, or helping fundraise for larger amounts through your networks of friends and family.

Our paperwork is at the IRS – and they’ve cashed our check, which means the wheels are turning! As soon as our non-profit status is cleared, we hope to provide everyone with retroactive tax-deductible receipts.

Please help us help them. Contributions can be sent to the below:

People for Haiti

2132 Flameflower Court

Trinity, FL 34655

And stay in touch with us through our website www.peopleforhaiti.com so you can see how your help is directly impacting lives on the ground.

Mesi!

Leo & Guiga Vieira

Next Trip - 3/28 to 4/2

Hi everyone,

We have another team leaving to Haiti 3/28. So now, we are working hard to raise money to purchase medicine. Help us talking with your friends, having a fundraiser in your work, .... any amount of donation is appreciated! People can donate here in the site!!!

Also, if anyone know an Ophtalmologist "eye doctor" that would be willing to join our team... they need desperately an Ophtalmologist over there... it would be AWESOME!

We still have 2 space in our team... if anyone is interested in joining us on this journey, email me at peopleforhaiti@gmail. Every volunteer have to be responsible for your trip cost... at this time, all the money donate at People For Haiti, goes to buy medicine and medical supplies!

Will keep you post it!!! Thanks so much,

History of Haiti

Did you know that in 1788, Haiti's exports totaled more than everything the US produced? They were responsible for more than 1/2 of the World's cotton!!

Click below to read a very informative article about Haiti's history - where they have been, and why they are where they are today.

"French leader brings reconstruction plan to Haiti"

Donations/ next trip

Hi everyone,

As you all know, we are trying to put a team together to go to Haiti next Saturday... but due to the short notice, not a lot of people can make the commitment... so, I will know for sure, by the end of today, if we will or not be able to make to this trip. If not, I am already working to get dates for future trips... so if you, or someone that you know, is interested in join us in one of our trips, please email me your information asap (peopleforhaiti@gmail.com).

Another good thing is that I found someone able to store items for donation... like clothes, food, etc... this company called

Magical Charter

14328 Black Lake Rd, Odessa, Fl, 33556 phone 813-892-0378 and you can speak with Kassie. She will have the items transport to another airplane agency, who is flying the donation to Haiti. This is a great help! Thanks Kassie!!

I will keep you post it if we will or not have a team leaving 1 week from today; and if not, when will be the next one!!

thanks so so much for all your support!

NEXT TRIP - 2/27 - 3/5

Hi everyone,

We just got the news that the orphanage will be able to accommodate another relief team during the 1st week of March. I am trying to set up a medical team that can go in such a short notice.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please contact People For Haiti at peopleforhaiti@gmail.com ASAP.

Thanks!

Guiga

Let's keep up!!

Hi everyone,

Now that the application for the Non Profit has been mailed to the IRS, the only thing we can do is wait.

In the mean time, we can start fundraising, and hope to get our 501C3 number soon. A lot of people are emailing me to ask how they can help, so here are some ideas:

* You can make a monetary donation here on our blog. All the money donated is used to purchase medicine/medical equipment. (Any amount is greatly appreciated and can be tax deductible)

* You can tell your friends to join our Face Book Cause. (click on the Face Book area here on our Blog and you will see the "cause" ad on the top) - we need more people to join our cause... our goal is to have about 1,000 by the end of February. Face Book allows you to invite 60 friends per day... so HELP US HELP THEM!

* If you know anyone affiliated with the media (Newspaper, TV, etc)... tell them about us. Now that it has been 1 month; Haiti is no longer on the front of the newspaper or on the news. We need to help others stay aware of their on going devastation and their daily situation due to this horrific earthquake.

* IF you have a business, or know someone that does, please ask them if they would like to hold a fundraiser for "People For Haiti". Once we have the 501C3 number, we would be able to provide the business a letter for tax purposes.

* Are you or do you know an Accountant that can help me keep up with all the donations, expenses, etc????

* And of course, Any and ALL Prayers needed!

The items listed above are just a few examples of how you can continue to help me make "People For Haiti" a success. Any help is really appreciated!

Leo is constantly in touch with his contacts in Haiti trying to set up the next trip. We are still not sure if it will be this month, next month, etc. Before going we need to make sure we have all the logistics ready so the trip can be effective. I will keep you all posted!

I also get a lot of calls asking if we are accepting clothes, food, etc... and unfortunately the answer would be "NO". For a couple of reasons. One: I don't have space to store all the donations. Two: We have to make sure we will have a "way" to send this to Haiti. One of the major problems now is that nothing is "arriving" where it is supposed to. Three: Monetary donations give us the flexibility to negotiate a better price for any items they may need, such as medicine, tents, etc.

Like I said, I will keep all of you posted. I just want to personally Thank You all for the support. Please don't let time erase Haiti and it's people from your memory... it will take decades before they can be on their own again!

********************

Pics of the area where Dr. Ferreira stayed

Here you can see the blog of the place where Dr. Ferreira stay.... Quisqueya Crisis Relief Center

****

Dr. Ferreira is back

Just want to let everyone know that I just spoke with Dr. Ferreira and he is back in the USA. He will write about his experience soon... but thanks for all the prayers and donations... we hope to continue to have someone representing People For Haiti over there soon....

************

St Pet Follow Up

Pasco doctor wants to return to Haiti to continue giving relief

*********************************

Dr. Ferreira updates . Ferreira

Dr. Ferreira send me a picture of the hospital/clinic where he is working today - pediatrics only!

Aqui esta uma foto do hospital/clinica que o Dr. Ferreira esta trabalhando hoje... so pediatria!

Today at 1:46pm

"Slow today at this clinic. Here is why: a few months ago, a famous religious woman told the president of Haiti that if Haitians did not repent, a catastrophe would happen. Today is a 1 month after the earthquake and in an attempt to make atonement to God, the present has ordered a 3 days fasting and prayer"

At 6pm:

My God! I am doing the pediatric clinic and a nurse rushes out saying a baby is about to be delivered and they can't find the midwife. I walk in and all I see is scalp. Holy crap! Mom is pushing and I tell her to stop as I try to put on the first set of gloves I see. Naturally they are a size too small and mom doesn't speak English so she doesn't stop pushing. The head is delivered and I had no choice but to do the rest of the delivery with my left hand BARE!!! Baby and mom are well. "

Dr. Ferreira updates and experiences

I just got this text from Dr. F... what a day...

What a day!!! The first patient I saw was a pregnant lady who was due Monday. She wanted me to see if I could hear the baby's heartbeat. I found it & she thanked me. I was about to start on next patient when they told me her water broke Monday as well. I was like "say that again?". Once the water breaks u have 24 hours to get the baby out or the risk of fatal infection to mom & baby is very high. I had no choice but to induce labor & start IV antibiotics. Something I haven't done in 11 years. After 3 hours on max dose of induction medicine, she wasn't dilating. Baby needed to be delivered. We packed her into our truck with IV drip going & headed to the hospital. On our way our truck broke down in the middle of the street. Not good. We flagged down a Unite
d Nations van & driver spoke no English. We pointed to the pregnant lady with me holding up IV. She took one look & waved us in. When we got to the hospital, I found a surgeon to do c-section, but they had no one to do the neonatal resuscitation. I told them I would do it. Again, haven't done it in 11 years, but there was no one else to do it. They delivered the baby & baby came out limp. Not good. I did the resuscitation and, thank God, baby perked up. Mom & baby are doing well. On the way back, our team picked us up with 2 1/2 year old girl with pneumonia in respiratory distress. Back to the same hospital who TURNED US AWAY! We drove to another hospital & they accepted her. Now back at camp. I have never looked forward to cold shower more than tonight!!
The attitude and resolve of the relief workers here is amazing. It is really a privilege to work along side them. For those of you reading this on the blog, please open your hearts and donate. Even ten dollars can treat 7-8 children who have intestinal infection, scabies or upper respiratory infections. ANY amount that is donated can improve the lives of the people here. Many of them have, literally, one outfit of clothes and will wake up this morning knowing they will not have enough water to get through the day. All the doctors in the world cannot make a difference without supplies and donations. Thank u in advance and God bless. Txt u soon.

********************

People for Haiti Slideshow

Here is the link for you to watch the slideshow on YouTube.

SlideShow

Dr Ferreira Updates!

Hi everyone... this morning I got this message from Dr. Ferreira:

I am about to start a clinic for the Haitians living on campus. Should be about two hours then we are off to more tent cities the rest of the day.

*****************

"First time she has seen a doctor since being born. Unbelievably, she is in perf

ect health. God has smiled upon her. "

And at the end of the day... we got this message from him:

"Back at base camp. Filthy, tired, sweaty and happy. I managed to score a cup of noodle soup and bottled water. I am in heaven. LOL"

"

Robert does not have someone to upload the pictures, like Leo had in his team... this is why we are only getting a few pictures and few texts from him... but it is so good to know that he is okay, working hard... but happy!! Dr. F. keep doing this awesome work... we are proud of you!

News from Dr. Ferreira and updates

Hello everyone,

This morning I had the pleasure to meet with a lawyer who helped me with ALL the paperwork... if anyone needs, please make sure to call Wayne Ekren at wayne@ekrenlaw.com - he is awesome. Thanks Wayne. Now, in few days we will be able to file the application to our 501c3... yeah!!

I also got a message from Dr. Ferreira, who is in Haiti at this time:

From Robert:
Good morning, Haiti. I'm the little orange tent. It seems like a quarter of the relief workers I have met so far have dysentery, intestinal infection causing diarrhea. Being such a germophobe, I have decided to live off bottled water and protein bars. Thank God we packed those. We are going to go over what meds we are going to take, package them, then leave on an hour or so for Delma 6, the tent city. Keep u posted."

"We went to wrong place and just set up shop there. Saw about a 100 patients in 3 hours, some of them, I was the first doctor they had ever seen. Seeing the children is the most heartbreaking. Going to another spot now. Txt u soon"

Here you will see more videos from Leo's experience... will keep you all posted it... and remember: a good way to help is to show your friends our blog... go to www.peopleforhaiti.com Thanks so so much,

************************

Haiti Video

Here is a short video from Haiti... it gives you a pretty good idea in what the landscape looks like... the destruction, the tents... is something unbelievable!!!

On the other hand... tomorrow I am meeting with a lawyer at 10am... and hope that soon, we will have all the paperwork done to file for the 501c3 (Non Profit Organization). In the mean time, the way you can help, is to continue to tell your friends about People for Haiti... invite them to see our blog www.peopleforhaiti.com - they can follow up on our cause, see pictures, videos, donate, etc... together we can make a difference!

*************************

Dr. Ferreira in Haiti

Hi everyone, it looks like Dr. Ferreira made to Haiti.. as soon as I get more information, I will post here in our blog. Here is what he sent to Marietta (his girlfriend):

"Just landed in Haiti. It is a disaster. Flying in, I could see pile after pile of crumpled building. It is so sad. My contact has already picked me up." Lets keep him in our prayers!

****************************

BayNews Channel 9 interview

Hi everyone... just want to let you know that BayNews Channel 9 met with Leo today for a follow up...so make sure to watch tomorrow in the morning news! As soon as I can get the link for the interview, I will post it here!!

By the way... today I got a bank account for People for Haiti... felt so good... and the best of all, we got a lawyer that is willing to assist me on filling for the Non Profit... thanks thanks thanks... as soon as I get the okay from him to post his name, I will.... Another angel in our journey!!

******************************

Their are home

Hi Everyone,

The team is home safe!! Leo had with him about 990 pictures... I selected a few pictures to post here as soon as I could... and I hope they make you appreciated everything that we have... The Haitian People live with almost nothing... but still, find a way to have a smile in their faces, and be thankful for everything is done!! It is definitely a life lesson... later I will post more pics and videos...

******

O armario do time

Os "condominios de casa"

O "supermercado"

a sala de operacao

O equipamento cirurgicop

A energia da sala de operacao

A "ultima tecnologia medica...:'_0

O laboratorio do Hospital

a sala de emergencia

A Cafeteria

A Fonte de Beber agua

A Sala de Espera

O "Caminhao"

A area de triagem medica

As "Casas"

A esperanca deles...

A felicidade com os cartoes que receberam da escola

A Reuniao de trabalho

O Lanche dos medicos

A escola...

O Lanche da Escola

a cafeteria da Escola

com tudo isso... ainda tem tempo de se divertir!!

As ruas

A farmacia

Os records medicos

O laboratorio

O Hospital

O quarto de hospital

A comida...

O escritorio medico

A Arvore de Natal