Medical Assistance
Many people in Haiti have no access to trained doctors, medicine, or medical equipment. This is primarily a significant issue for children and the elderly who are in higher-risk categories of need. A combination of malnutrition, poor housing, and limited healthcare access creates an environment where simple-to-treat sickness can become a life-threatening medical emergency.What We Do
Many Hands provides medical assistance to hundreds of families through our Love in Action initiative. We also serve hundreds more annually on a case-by-case basis through our work in the community.
We believe every family deserves medical care
Through our programs, we find those in desperate need and intentionally walk alongside them. We identify the cause of their medical issues, find the best solutions to treat them, and then look to educate patients on preventative measures to reduce the risks of further problems.
We believe every mother should survive birth
Haiti has almost no available services for prenatal and neonatal care. This means simple medical issues for new mothers can turn fatal. Working with local partners, we strive to get new mothers the care and information they need to safely deliver their child.
We believe every child should see their fifth birthday
With the average income at less than $2 a day, many in Haiti cannot afford to feed and care for their families. This leaves many children facing death or a lifetime of stunting. Starting with the first 1,000 days of life, we provide access to programs and tools that address the root causes of child mortality in Haiti.
Medical Checks and Education
The medical problems in Haiti are stark. In 2018, half of the population was undernourished, 22% of children in the country were chronically malnourished, 10% underweight, and 66% of under-5s suffered from anemia. (World Food Programme – 2018).
To combat this, we ensure all children in our programs receive ongoing medical checks, new mothers receive prenatal and postnatal care, and mothers and children receive adequate nutrition. Trained nurses visit with almost 400 families active in our programs in three different geographic locations. We identify the cause of their medical issues, find the best solutions to treat them, and then look to educate parents on preventative measures to reduce the risks of further problems. With plans to grow into new areas, we have invested in the foundations of our programs, piloting new ways to strengthen families and help children thrive.
Mobility Carts & Medical Care
Partnering with Mobility Worldwide in Leighton, IA, we distribute Mobility Carts to give freedom and dignity to the lame. These hand-cranked devices are built to withstand the difficult dirt roads in Haiti. Mobility Carts bring these once-isolated people some independence and allow them to become more active members of their communities.
Our Impact
Massive reduction in the infant mortality rate. Country average of 46.7 deaths out of 1000. Our average is 11 deaths out of 1000.
Massive reduction in child stunting rate to 1.2% for children in our programs. GHI reports an average of 21.9% of children are stunted by age 5.
No child in our programs has been placed in an orphanage or mysteriously disappeared to a larger city.