Kingston Humanitarian Returns to Haiti

Published on: 2010/07/29 - in Featured News

Kingston’s Tammy Babcock has returned again to the Cité Soleil slums of Port-au-Prince in Haiti, where she has been providing medical and other humanitarian aid since before the devastating earthquake in January.

In a message sent to Facebook supporters, she described arriving in the country at an airport crowded with luggage carts pushed by hot and frustrated travelers.

Later that day, Babcock’s enjoyment at seeing how construction has progressed on her new medical centre was tempered when informed of the tragic news involving two Haitians she became close to in earlier visits.

Patrick – a trusted friend and security guard hired by her charity – has been immobilized with an undisclosed fatal illness, and a young girl who Tammy had arranged financial support to attend school in September was killed earlier this month.

A woman looks on as Tammy treats her injured foot

Her Facebook letter also described an encounter with two young, unfamiliar gang members, which was later resolved by their leader. And although the manner in which it concluded was harsh, it also established to other members the friendly relationship they have with Tammy’s charity – who bring much needed aid to the often ignored and dangerous Boston Sector of Cité Soleil.

The update concluded with news that the security wall around the medical centre’s property is mostly finished and soundly built, and construction efforts will soon turn to the clinic itself.

In earlier travels to the country, Tammy has often weathered aftershocks and heavy rains in a tent, but is fortunate this trip to have access to a nearby house equipped with air conditioning and a hot shower.

Tammy is expected to spend about three weeks in Haiti involved with construction of the medical centre as well as checking on the water tower her charity built before January’s earthquake.

You can learn more about Tammy’s work in Haiti by visiting her charity website at: HelpingHaiti.ca . (URL Updated)
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Photos courtesy of helptammyhelphaiti.com