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