Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Volunteers in Suriname

The first day of work in Suriname was marked with celebration as the USS Iwo Jima Commodore Thomas Negus participated in opening ceremonies alongside Suriname’s dignitaries at a chosen medical site in Paramaribo.

Commodore Negus talked a bit about the eight-nation humanitarian mission and the importance of the non-governmental organization participation. “The great thing about Continuing Promise is that number one, it is a equal partnership mission,” says Commodore Negus. “We go into these counties on their invitation, use the elements and capability of our government, our international partners and our strong civilian non-governmental organization participation like Project HOPE. We have a strong partnership with Project HOPE, they have been leaders in every (Continuing Promise) mission we have done. We might be approaching a hundred different volunteers on this mission alone."

After the opening ceremonies, the medical site went into full gear.

A girl who was so excited to have a tooth removed that she had little to eat all day, felt a bit light headed after her tooth removal. HOPE volunteers Kerry Decker, a nurse from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Dr. Ruth Hart, a physician from Manlius, New York, came to her aid.

“We gave her some fluids, took her blood pressure, and provided some liquid Ibuprofen for the pain. She feels a lot better right now,” said Dr. Hart.

Other Project HOPE volunteers are doing overnights in Suriname including Dr. Mona Khanna, a physician from Chicago, Illinois, who is doing a four day stay at a medical site.

As the first day came to a close, volunteers are enthusiastic for their continuing work in Suriname.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

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