I just got word that we've received another $1000 to help support a classroom in Pestel!
In celebration of that gift I put together a quick video that shows how much fun and delight there is in giving to these kids and their teachers!
Ben
--
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Suspense!!!
Hi All,
Sorry about the link not working. I contacted the IT department and got it worked out (hopefully!). You should be able to click on this:
If you look closely you'll see the top of my head prominently displayed throughout most of the lecture (as well as Jen's sometimes!). You can also see us during the standing ovation AT THE BEGINNING of the talk :) What a kicker.
This is another link if you have trouble with the above. It should bring you to a catalog. You can find the video under Penn State Hershey Medical Center-->Global Health Center
Enjoy!!
Ben
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Dr. Farmer's talk
Hi All,
Here is a link to the talk that was given yesterday. The photo was taken at the medical center in the auditorium. Several of the people standing with me and Paul (we're on a first-name basis :) are medical students--several of the key students who have been instrumental in moving Global Health forward on campus. Enjoy the video!
Photo
I know you've just been waiting eagerly to see real evidence of me with Dr. Farmer
Ben
--
My Blog
http://haitimedical.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"I will NEVER wash this hand again!"
So I not only got to shake Dr. Paul Farmer's hand, but had the opportunity to eat lunch with him and several students, AND have my photo taken with him (you just know that photos will be posted soon!).
For those who don't know him, Dr. Farmer is one of the leading experts in Global Health. He has been advisor to countries, the World Health Organization etc etc. His accomplishments are truly inspiring and amazing. And he's only 49. Some of his early work in Haiti has been well-described in a wonderfully written book, Mountains Beyond Mountains (by Tracy Kidder).
The audience in attendance was over 450 people, and that doesn't include the folks who watched him up at Main Campus via video-feed. One of the surgeon's (Jack Myers, the surgeon who does many of the heart surgeries for the kids from Haiti) mentioned to Dr. Farmer that in his 30 years at the medical center, he has never seen the auditorium filled with that many people.
You can watch a 60 Minutes clip on him here
This was a very inspiring talk. He was very kind, gracious, and stayed to sign all the books that came in front of him (it was a long line!). Ben
Friday, April 17, 2009
Just got this photo...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Praise and prayer request for Haiti
The International Donors meeting for Haiti has wrapped up and this is the news:
http://haitimedical.blogspot.com/
"International donors have agreed an aid package of $324m (£218m) for Haiti, to help the country recover from hurricanes and food shortages.
The pledge comes after a meeting of more than 20 countries and financial institutions in Washington.
The World Bank agreed to provide $20m in aid, while the US said it would offer a further $57m."
This is WONDERFUL news!!!
And furthermore, if Haiti can stay on track, they may be eligible for debt forgiveness within the next year. To put that in perspective, Haiti currently pays out $3 million per month toward debts (I believe largely built up during the Duvalier reign-of-terror). That's $3 million per month that could go toward improving their infrastructure, building roads (!) and supporting schools, doctors and nurses, feeding the hungry....and the list goes on.
Thank you to all who are praying about these things. We should continue to pray that the government of Haiti acts wisely and honestly, and that they continue to make good-faith steps so that they can get their debt canceled.
Oh! Also, I have an opportunity to speak at another local church about Haiti! I'm really excited about that as well!
Ben
-
My Bloghttp://haitimedical.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)