Five Years after Earthquake, LiveBeyond strives to Transform Haiti Community
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) January 09, 2015 -- The 2010 Haiti earthquake crippled a country and took the lives of more than 300,000 at 4:23 p.m. on January 12, 2010. David Vanderpool, M.D., CEO and founder of non-profit organization, LiveBeyond (formerly MMDR), was a first responder to the disaster to provide immediate medical care.
Dr. Vanderpool and his family traveled to Port au Prince, Haiti with his non-profit organization, Mobile Medical Disaster Relief (MMDR), two days after the earthquake to perform emergency surgeries and provide preventative care. After spending 12 days seeing horrific injuries, performing countless operations and the desperate need of this country, Dr. Vanderpool and his wife, Laurie, felt called to truly help the Haitian people and provide a lasting impact in this country.
Today, Dr. Vanderpool and Laurie permanently live in Thomazeau, Haiti where they have established the LiveBeyond Base. The organization exists to provide medical care, clean water, maternal health care, community development, education and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to care for the people in this region of Haiti.
“The fifth anniversary of the Haiti earthquake gives us the opportunity to remember the lives of the thousands lost in this tragic disaster,” said Dr. Vanderpool. “More importantly, it provides us with a time to shine a light on how much this country continues to suffer and the extensive needs of the Haitian people.”
Since the organization established a long-term presence in Haiti in 2012, more than 2,000 Americans have traveled to the LiveBeyond base to serve on mission weeks. In 2014 alone, Dr. Vanderpool has led mission teams to provide medical care for more than 10,000 Haitians and led the building of a medical clinic on the base. LiveBeyond is currently building the town’s first operative hospital and OB/GYN clinic to further improve the health of generations to come.
“It is a privilege to serve some of the neediest people in the world, but to expand our impact, we need people to join us in our mission and calling to serve the poor,” said Vanderpool.
To learn more about LiveBeyond’s impact and ways to get involved, visit LiveBeyond's website.
About LiveBeyond
LiveBeyond is a faith-based, 501(C)(3) organization bringing medical and maternal healthcare, clean water, orphanage support and rural development in Thomazeau, Haiti. David Vanderpool, M.D. is the founder and CEO, and resides in Thomazeau, Haiti to oversee daily operations of LiveBeyond.
J'Lyn Emerson, LiveBeyond, http://www.livebeyond.org/, 6153004928, [email protected]
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