Cholera in Haiti

I already posted this on Facebook but I know that not all of my peeps (HA!  Just humor me on that one...) are friends with me on Facebook.  An outbreak of cholera has been confirmed in Haiti and is specifically affecting the norther and central areas, including Mirebalais which is the town in which Conleigh was born and where her orphanage is located.  14 people in Mirebalais have died.  Cholera is water bourne and is a result of contiminated drinking water. In a country like Haiti, where 10% of people have access to clean water, an epidemic can quickly errupt.  It can be treated but those affected need access to medical care which is spotty at best in Haiti.  Port au Prince, which was affected most severely by the earthquake and has the greatest number of people living in tent cities, has not yet been affected as the river which is being connected to the outbreak farther north.  This article provides a good summary of the current situation. 

Things like this impact our family because it serves as a reminder of just how blessed we are in the U.S. and while I don't think you can discount the loss that adoption represents for our kids, there is no doubt that a benefit of adoption is being able to avoid exposure to things like cholera.  It is very humbling to consider that your child, who is happy and healthy and has access to great health care, is laying asleep in his or her bed with no real threat of cholera claiming his or her life while hundreds of Haitians are not so fortunate.  It's heartwrenching to watch events unfold and think, "that could have been my child."  It also serves to remind me that both of my kids have family in Haiti who will probably deal with all of this head on.  It's easy to insulate yourself from the worries of the world but these things jolt me back to the fact that I have no idea of how these events have impacted my children's birth families.

Consider how you might help support Haitian families by partnering with groups that work to provide clean drinking water in Haiti.  Operation Blessing , which is connected to the CBN television network, has specifically set out to address the issue of clean water in many countries, including Haiti.  Real Hope for Haiti is always one of my most recommended ministries in Haiti simply because they are such a great example of what the love of Jesus looks like on a very practical level.  In a country such as a Haiti, a small monetary gift can often do amazing things.  Conleigh's orphanage is anticipating needing to provide essential health care to the town of Mirebalais and is looking for a nurse who could travel to Haiti.  If you are interested in such a venture (or if you know someone who might be), the contact information is listed on the HCH blog.  Of course, please pray for Haiti as the country moves forward after the earthquake and as it deals with this latest public health crisis.