Professor Makes a Difference in
Haiti
Recently, Dr. Erin McDonough of the Psychology
Department traveled to Kenscoff, Ouest, Haiti to volunteer through
an organization called Chances for Children, which provides
shelter, food, clothing, and care to orphaned children ranging in
age from weeks old to teenagers. Dr. McDonough traveled with a
group of volunteers from across the U.S. with varied professional
backgrounds. While in Haiti, the group completed various
construction projects as well as an organization project of all the
donated supplies. Most importantly, the volunteers spent time
playing with the children; their favorite activities included
making animals and hats out of balloons and singing songs.
For Dr. McDonough, the experience was an
opportunity to see not only the effects of poverty, loss, and
abandonment, but also the resilience of the children. They smiled
often and laughed gleefully in circumstances that for most
Americans are unimaginable. The strength and warmth of the Haitian
people were evident in their gratitude and generosity of spirit at
the Sunday church service, which was a highlight for the
volunteers.
“Two things struck me most: the first is how
little humans really need to survive, and the second is that ‘more”
is not necessarily ‘better’,” said Dr. McDonough. “The Haitian
people are rich in culture, faith, and gratitude for all that they
do have.”
The trip was also an opportunity to see how
both physical and mental health issues are addressed in a country
where many people struggle to survive. Medical care and mental
health services are in short supply, especially in the more rural
regions of Haiti. The earthquake which led to illness, injuries,
deaths, losses, and trauma highlighted the scarcity of adequate
healthcare, which many organizations are attempting to address in
the aftermath. The experience was a call to Dr. McDonough to become
more involved in organizations that seek to address the inadequacy
of health services in third world countries.
Dr. Raymond DiGuiseppe said, “Dr. McDonough’s
trip to Haiti is consistent with the mission of the University to
provide services to the underprivileged, not only in our own
communities, but also across the world.”
In theory, this was a trip meant for Dr.
McDonough to be of service to a greater cause, but she received so
many blessings in return. It is her fervent hope to visit Haiti on
service trips many times in the future, perhaps with St. John’s
psychology students!
For more information, please contact Dr. Erin
McDonough, by calling 718-990-3236 , or via e-mail at mcdonoue@stjohns.edu