Quand l’espoir voyage à dos d’âne

In the rugged hills of Boucan Carré, a commune nestled in Haiti's Central Department, whispers of illness grew into urgent cries for help. The diphtheria outbreak, which began quietly in the remote localities of Chico and Décidé, rapidly escalated into a crisis, with over 60 reported cases and five tragic deaths. In a region where healthcare infrastructure is as scarce as clean drinking water, Zanmi Lasante’s community health team had no choice but to respond—whatever the cost.

Here, saving lives doesn’t happen on paved roads but through grueling 12-hour journeys on foot or donkey-back across treacherous terrain. Health workers, armed with vaccines, medications, and an unwavering sense of duty, rose to the challenge. In the past, local communities would generously offer mules and guides to support these vital missions or provide firewood for cooking along the way—an additional burden to an already exhausting task. Today, however, the rising cost of living means these services must be paid for, placing extra strain on already limited resources.

For five days, Zanmi Lasante’s team set up a mobile clinic in Décidé, delivering life-saving vaccines, medications, and health education sessions. They reached over 1,000 people, including vulnerable children under five years old. Yet every step of this mission carried logistical and emotional challenges. Donkeys transported not only medical supplies but also the team’s water—precious and fragile. If it spilled along the way, the situation became critical.

Crossing swollen rivers exposed the staff to physical danger, while the absence of roads and inadequate communication infrastructure compounded the difficulties. But the heaviest burden was invisible: the mental and physical toll on the team. Many returned exhausted, weighed down by the enormity of the task and the suffering of the communities they serve.

Despite these trials, the mission brought glimmers of hope. Parents lined up to vaccinate their children, and community leaders joined the efforts to raise awareness about the importance of immunization. Yet, significant gaps remain. For much of this population, access to routine vaccinations remains a distant dream, limited to sporadic national campaigns or emergency interventions like this one.

Miss Guerline Guerrier, a community health nurse, is at the forefront of these efforts. She and her team embody the courage required to continue this mission. “Every day, we risk our health and well-being because we believe no one should suffer from a preventable disease. However, we cannot do it alone.”

The challenges in Boucan Carré are not unique. Across its areas of operation, Zanmi Lasante continues to fight similar crises. This diphtheria outbreak is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of these communities but also a testament to what is possible when compassion and duty drive action.

When the team packed up their mobile clinic after five days, they left not only with fatigue and empty vaccine vials but also with an unshakable conviction that all these sacrifices were not in vain.

With your support, we can ensure that this hope travels even further. Help us support the people of Boucan Carré. Donate today to help Zanmi Lasante expand its reach, replenish its supplies of essential medicines, and protect the health workers who carry this mission on their shoulders.

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