In
March of 2005, Issa Trust Foundation joined a collaborative
effort with Raymond Blank Children’s Memorial Hospital in
Des Moines, Iowa. The medical team at Raymond Blank
Children’s Memorial Hospital agreed to join forces to treat
children in need in Jamaica for 1 week. This was the
beginning for so many of us and our prayers were answered!
In October of 2005, we held our first medical mission. We
brought in a team of 10 doctors and nurses and treated 460
children in 5 days.
A Life Saved: During the 2005 medical mission, one of the
patients we met was Sabrina who was 2 years old, 9 pounds
and did not have long to live. Sabrina had water on the
brain and the prognosis was not good. With a team of
dedicated doctors and our foundation, we raised money for
her surgery. Tanya, her mother, called and said she is now
eating and for the first time sitting up on her own!
In September of 2006, we conducted our second medical
mission, and enlisted the help of 15 doctors and nurses
along with a Bio Tech Specialist who touched the lives and
treated 700 children in the Ocho Rios area.
In September of 2007, we have decided to broaden our
scope and plan on two medical missions. One week in Ocho
Rios and one week in Negril, enlisting the help of 30
doctors and nurses along with a Bio Tech Specialist and plan
on treating up to 1,400 children. We have been fortunate
enough to partner with Variety Children’s LifeLine and The
Ronald McDonald House to bring children back to Des Moines,
Iowa, at Raymond Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines,
Iowa, for life saving surgeries that cannot be performed in
Jamaica.
2007 Medical Missions Slideshow
"2008 Medical Missions "Slideshow
What we have come to learn is that perhaps one of the greatest gifts one can give is the gift of self. The Providers from the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and providers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) wholeheartedly did just that in September of 2008. In Jamaica, everything was a little different, and families had to have the means to see a doctor. In some areas, clinics were only open one day a month, while in other areas; a doctor may only be scheduled to work in the clinic one day a week. Our Medical Mission served the local population as well as those in remote areas. The medical teams consisted of pediatric hospitalists, pediatric emergency physicians, pediatric neurology fellow, emergency medicine resident, pediatric sedation nurse practitioner, nurses, nutritionist, lab technicians, and a biomedical engineer. All children were screened with weights and heights to evaluate for malnutrition. Children aged 9 months to 2 years of age were screened for anemia. Children diagnosed with malnutrition, anemia, picky eaters, and cerebral palsy were referred to the nutritionist for counseling. All children were given vitamins, provided free medications if needed, free fluoride treatments, a toothbrush along with a toy or book.
The Swift-Purcell Industrial School and Home for Boys
provides care and training for 50 boys whose ages range from
9 to 16 years. It accepts boys through the Child Care
section of the Ministry of Youth, the K.S.A.C. Poor Relief
and from parents who would like to board their boys
privately.
Issa Trust Foundation is working with the head of the
school to refurbish existing dormitory and common areas as
well as building a new cafeteria area. ITF will continue to
work with Swift-Purcell School & Boys Home to update the
computer lab, library and all common areas to enhance to
comfort and learning ability of each student.
Three Hills Primary School is a small rural school that
faces many challenges. Chief among these is the inadequacy
of resources that can enhance the delivery of a quality
education to the 233 students enrolled at the school. This
situation was worsened when Hurricane Ivan in September 2005
struck the island of Jamaica.
Issa Trust Foundation is working towards building a brand
new building to help house all the students currently
enrolled, add a library and computer room and clean and
furnish a safe area for physical education and after school
sports.
