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Donations, supplies also needed to help children who survived quake
May 21, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat gives a grim update on the plight in Haiti. “Only a few people have received tents, tarps, or food to sustain them. Many are presently dying of disease, malnutrition, or simply checking out mentally or dying with a broken heart.”
An orphanage and school that Dr. Jean Murat’s foundation helped build were 
destroyed by the quake. Now 800 children attend class under tarps propped up by bamboo sticks--and miss many days due to rains.
Now the East County physician has a plan to bring hope—and help—to children in Haiti. She is organizing new relief efforts, including a drive to find community partners to sell art by Haitian children and young adults at outlets in East County and San Diego.
“What I am hoping for with the art is for galleries, restaurants, or any place where they have a wall to participate in “Angels for Hope,” said Dr. Jean-Murat. Artwork can be displayed along with photos of the young artists. All proceeds will be donated to buy tents and to help the artists rebuild their lives.
On July 4, the children will paint creations at an International Children holiday for Peace celebration. Their art will also be available for purchase online at www.healththroughcommunications.org/art.html . Jean-Murat will travel to Haiti July 1 and seeks art supplies as well as other items to help the Haitian children.
Jean-Murat is founder of Angels for Haiti and a nominee for East County Magazine’s Outstanding Citizens award in the humanitarian category. She also founded the Dr. Carolle's Wellness and Retreat Center for Women in San Diego. The East County physician, who is from Haiti and now lives on Mt. Helix, is also coordinating several other relief efforts.
A volunteer music teacher will go to Haiti next week, bringing second-hand musical instruments to use in a music therapy program that also helps children develop a livelihood. The program began in Haiti in 2001 (http://www.healththroughcommunications.org/musiclhtm ) Additional volunteers are being organized to teach music, music writing, dances, and create an orchestra.
Dr. Jean-Murat is also leading a group of therapists who will train healthcare providers in Haiti in thought field therapy (TFT), a method of teaching people how to deal with post-traumatic stress. TFT has been used successfully in Uganda, Rwanda, and New Orelans after Katrina. “I have used it personally with my patients for many years with great success,” Murat said. “I am communicating with French-speaking therapists as far away as Poland and the UK.”
To further assist quake victims who have been living under tarps or in tents for three months, some getting wet every time it rains, Murat is coordinating a team of students from McGill University to grow bamboo for reforestation, jobs, and use as fences, furniture, and cages for chickens and rabbits.
To make a donation for Angels of Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund or learn more, visit www.healththroughcommunications.org , call (619)741-7261 or visit www.DrCarolle.com. You can also send your tax-deductible contribution to: HTC Foundation, P.O. Box 2348, La Mesa, CA 91943-2348.
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