Do Something

As I sat at the reception desk awaiting a learner for our Literacy Volunteers drop-in center, two men I had never seen before approached the desk.  When the Good Neighbors Health Center is open, it is not unusual to have a few confused patients wandering around.  But, these two men wanted a tour of our facility.  One of the men was the father of a volunteer who is involved with ministry in Haiti.  The other man was a Haitian pastor.  It is their dream to open up a free/reduced cost medical clinic in Haiti, outside of Les Cayes. 

If you ever come to the Good Neighbors Health Center in the East Side of Buffalo, NY, you immediately see the need.  Our clinic, is first come first serve; it is not uncommon for someone to stand in line 1-2 hours before we even open.  During the winter months, it can be especially cold.  But, for those without insurance, it is one of the few affordable options for adequate health care. 

The two men previously mentioned were telling me that they fully expected those needing medical attention to walk the 7-8 hour walk from Les Cayes to the medical clinic about to be constructed.  While Buffalo and Haiti have different needs, this really puts a new perspective on the sacrifice some people make for medical care.  The doctors of Good Neighbors make a sacrifice/donation by giving time in order to give medical services for free.  However, the more we all sacrifice, the less the empoverished few will have to sacrifice.  If we were able to provide more affordable health care, less and less people would need to walk for hours or stand in line for hours to see a doctor.

This issue can seem overwhelming for anyone (including me).  How do we bring structural change to the health care system?  How do we bring about enough change to make people healthy and able to take care of themselves?  A few Harvest House volunteers watched mayor Corey Booker speak at the UB Center For The Arts.  Mayor Booker's message was simply, "Do Something."  Through the consistent small acts of individuals, much can be accomplished.  This is evidenced by Good Neighbors as well as Harvest House in general.  Individual professionals are giving 3 hours a week to bring care to those who would not have it without them.  Many are waiting for you to contribute. . . DO SOMETHING.