Loads of Hope for Haiti
by David Darg
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Today we had the official Tide Loads of Hope handover ceremony at the general hospital. Operation Blessing has been working with the “Loads of Hope” program to help them bring washer/dryer machines to Haiti and completely revamp the laundry facility at the hospital. Tide also donated washers and dryers to Zanmi Beni children’s home which were also installed this week.
OBI has a strong partnership with the general hospital through past projects including the installation of X-ray machines and water filters. At OBI’s suggestion, the “Loads of Hope” program decided to focus on the hospital’s dilapidated, non-functioning laundry room. OBI worked on all of the logistical aspects of the project in Haiti, including customs clearance. We also implemented all of the electrical and plumbing work that needed to be carried out in preparation for the new machines.
There was a bit of a tense moment today when it came time to fire up all of the washers and dryers. As with anything of this nature, there is always a chance something will not work right away! Fortunately, everything worked perfectly and there was a huge sigh of relief and cheers from the women who will be operating the machines. It was a great moment for OB Haiti project manager Eric Lotz who has worked tirelessly to get the project ready. Eric and the OB Haiti staff even worked alongside the Tide crew to do an “extreme laundry makeover” with new paint and ceiling tiles in the laundry room.
The project is especially welcomed by the crew of 12 strong and ultimately brave women who have been hand washing all of the hospital laundry for the past several years. The 700 bed hospital is the largest in Haiti, and with 700 beds comes 700 sets of dirty (sometimes very dirty) linens. The laundry load was such that the women would struggle to keep up with the demand, and patients would often need to be checked into a bed still covered in used linens.
In the U.S., a patient knows they will get into a clean hospital bed. I can’t imagine being sick and having to get into a dirty bed; it certainly wouldn’t offer much hope for a speedy recovery. Now, thanks to the Tide Loads of Hope program and Operation Blessing, every patient will have clean sheets and hospital gowns—the type of basic care they deserve—and a much more hopeful and dignified start to their recovery process!
Tags: Caribbean, David Darg, General Hospital, Haiti, Laundry, Medical Aid, OBI, Operation Blessing, Orphan Care, Port-au-Prince, Tide, Tide Loads of Hope, Zanmi Beni Children's Home
Entries (RSS)
September 13th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I think that this is wonderful! I am so happy to hear of this since I was
already aware of how the people have to wash their clothes by hand.
I am so happy to know that you are helping these people in Hiati. It seems
incredible that help only seems to arrive through the church and that the
governments of other countries don’t seem to be able to make anything happen for these poor people.
God bless you OB!
September 16th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
It never even occurred to me that a hospital would be without washers and dryers and that these precious and dedicated women were having to hand wash the linens for 700 beds on an ongoing basis! Just unimaginable! But God knew and as usual, He has met their need. Thank you to Operation Blessing and Tide for your generosity and for having listening ears and willing & obedient hearts. We hear of Hollywood stars who so graciously come out to use their celebrity to help in these dire situations and I think that’s wonderful…but Christian organizations such as CBN and Operation Blessing (as well as other organizations) don’t leave when the cameras do…they stick around 24/7 to be a continual blessing to the hurting people who have such ongoing needs. God’s blessings to them! If you have a desire to help, I can attest to the integrity of Operation Blessing! Give freely what your heart tells you to give. It will be used wisely to help and to bless.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
HALLELUJAH I AM REJOICING WITH THE PEOPLE OF HAITI. THIS IS A MIRACLE
COME TRUE. THANKS TO LOADS OF HOPE FOR YOUR MERCY OF COMPASSION. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
BE BLESSED
September 17th, 2010 at 9:57 am
God has blessed this wonderful team with the wisdom, skill, knowledge and understanding to simply love and to simply give; and oh the wonders it works…
September 20th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
AWESOME!! GOD BLESS YOU!
October 4th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Praise the Lord; while on a recent one week missionary trip to Haiti, I had to wash my clothes by hand, I cannot imagine these ladies having to wash clothes for an entire hospital by hand. Hope for Haiti shines on.
October 7th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
That is sooo wonderful!!! It used to break my heart when I visit with the children there. Now good sanitation and proper washing will certainly help the recovery of so many. Thank you for being a blessing.
Be blessed
January 27th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
And this one of the many Reasons I’m a CBN Partner. They do the most Good with my Gift every month
God Bless
January 30th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I am so proud of my son Ross and his part in this project. He has given us a different view of the tragedy in Haiti. We are excited to be able to help and continue our support. Thank you to Operation Blessings for all that you do.
February 1st, 2011 at 1:29 am
WOW! I am excited! OBI and Tide give millions of reasons to believe, thank you from the bottom of my heart!