At Real Hope for Haiti, we see countless patients facing not only the challenges of illness but also the harsh reality of trying to reach our clinic. For many, the journey is treacherous. The clinic is located about 7 miles from the nearest paved road, accessible only by dirt roads winding through mountainous terrain. During the rainy season, these roads become slick with mud, making it especially dangerous. With no safety barriers and steep drop-offs, the journey can feel like a risk in itself.
Take Iderson, for example, a 29-year-old tiler and moto-taxi driver. One day, he had a minor motorcycle accident that left him with a small injury to his left leg. What started as a small wound quickly worsened—his leg became swollen, and he developed a fever. Desperate, he sought help from a traditional healer, but his condition didn’t improve. A hospital visit resulted in a painful procedure to remove infected tissue, but his problems persisted.
Eventually, Iderson heard about Real Hope for Haiti and made the difficult trip to our clinic. After just a week of treatment, his leg began to improve, but soon, another obstacle arose: he couldn’t afford the weekly motorcycle rides needed to continue his care.
Thankfully, thanks to donor support, we were able to help cover his transportation costs. Every week, the clinic provided him with $7.50 to make the round-trip ride from Cabaret to Cazale. This assistance was a lifeline, ensuring he could keep receiving the treatment he desperately needed. Without it, he may have lost his leg—or worse.
But this help isn’t given lightly. Our clinic has a careful process in place to decide which patients receive transportation aid. Patients in need submit a letter explaining their situation. A staff member then interviews them, filling out a financial form to assess eligibility. The case is brought before the Finance Committee for discussion, and if needed, further investigation is done. Only those who demonstrate a serious commitment to their treatment receive support.
We often help patients with urgent needs, such as those requiring wound care, diabetics, malnourished children and their caregivers, broken bones, suspected cancer, HIV, TB, psychological issues, or critical hospital referrals.
While we cannot assist everyone, we are able to provide this essential aid to several—thanks to people like you. A $7.50 motorcycle ride or a $20 tap-tap (public transportation) ride to a referral hospital can make all the difference. For more urgent cases, $60 can cover a truck rental, ensuring patients reach critical care in time.
Will you help us continue this vital work? Your donation can cover transportation costs for a patient in need, helping them reach our clinic or other hospitals to get the care that could improve their health or even save their life.
Donate here and make a difference today.
