04.01.10

Asalaamu Alaykum, My name is Raihan Dakhil and I just got back from my one week stay in Haiti. Going to Haiti was definitely a life changing experience for me. Personally, I have never witnessed poverty on this level before. Everywhere I looked, I saw destruction and people inflicted with disease and famine. Every inch of the streets was covered with garbage, rubble and little makeshift tents made out of random materials. The people lacked basic necessities such as clean water, food, shelter and items for personal hygiene.But I have to admit that I am absolutely amazed and inspired by the people of Haiti. Despite their poor living conditions, they were so full of life and optimism. I'm amazed by their spirit, their perseverance, and their rare ability to find happiness in even the smallest of things. They were the most hospitable people I have ever come across. I personally feel a bit guilty because I feel that I benefited more from them than they have from me.

I owe these people for the rest of my life. Being amongst them and interacting with them was definitely a privilege and I would like to thank Helping Hand and all the volunteers who put forth their best efforts into making this trip possible. I plan on utilizing my experience to raise awareness about the situation in Haiti and the plight of its people. I highly recommend everyone to support this incredible cause. This initiative truly is a step forward for Muslims and for humanity.

- Raihan Dakhil

04.01.10

Asalaamu Alaykum, Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I joined the relief efforts and worked in mobile medical clinics to mitigate the burden of disease. Helping Hand USA operated mobile medical clinics through the different neighborhoods of Port au Prince. It was my responsibility to assist in, setting up the mobile clinic infrastructure, maintaining an inventory of medical supplies, and to assist in the restocking of medical supplies. Most importantly, I assisted the physician directly by recording the treatment plan and personally dispensing the appropriate medications to the patient. 

By working on the frontlines I learned of the different medical conditions that were prevalent in disaster stricken areas. Furthermore by speaking with the refugees in and around Port au Prince I became aware of the challenges of everyday life. Basic amenities that we take for granted are nearly impossible to access for the Haitian people. There is homelessness everywhere and hunger is widespread. Even a simple task such as locating and using a restroom is a difficult and sometimes dangerous undertaking. I came away from this experience feeling duty bound to spend time and volunteer in future disaster relief efforts. Serving people in their most vulnerable state is a distinct honor. I must say that I enjoyed working with every member of the Helping Hand relief team and I made many new friends along the way.

- Mohammad Ahmed

04.01.10

Asalaamu Alaykum, I thank Allah that He gave me the opportunity to go and help our brothers, sisters and families in need. I witnessed so much and yet at the same time there is a lot of work to be done. The victims of this earthquake have shown patience and resilience though they live in the height of poverty. Despite the damage that has been done to their lives their hearts are still intact, this is evident in their sharing whatever little they have with their local people. . Unfortunately, diseases are spreading rapidly and a majority of the patients that I assisted the doctors with were prescribed medicine for high blood pressure, lack of essential vitamins, the flu, scabs, and many types of skin infections.

Our daily trips include the ever so permanent view of people are so living on the streets, sleeping on the sidewalks with nothing beneath them for comfort let alone a blanket to cover themselves with. It rained when I was down there and all I could think of were the children that had to sleep outside hoping to find a place where they can protect themselves from the severe weather. Life there is a simple, and being there was a great experience. I wish I could have stayed longer. Haiti is a beautiful Island it reminds me of Syria and Nigeria because of the mountains and the towns and houses on the mountains and just the way they live life. I loved it and can’t wait to go back

- Alhussain Yusuf

03.11.10

There is a common saying that everything happens for a reason. I don't know how the earthquake in Haiti fits in God's master plan for all of us, but I am certain there is a reason behind the destruction of life that occurred here on such a large scale. There has to be...
Half the country is crumbled into pieces; the people here have lost family, friends, jobs, houses and much more. They are at the verge of losing hope, and soon will, should the world not come to their aid.
We could deduce that maybe that is the reason behind such devastation. God wants us to realize how selfish mankind has become and how we have consumed ourselves in greed and luxurious lifestyles.

WWorking with Helping Hand over my spring break assured my belief that man is a social animal. No matter how selfish one may be, there is a huge part of an individual that wants to give back and help others. Helping Hand is providing a great opportunity for students and professionals to do exactly this. They are helping to build a stronger Haitian community and give hope to Haitians. Over the past few days our team of 'youth'(as the elders in the program call us) have setup medical clinics at five different locations in and outside Port-au-Prince, where we have assisted an average of 150 Haitians daily. These clinics will become regular over the next few weeks. Also, Helping Hand has promised about 100 shelters for a community in Leoganne(35 km south west from Port-au-Prince). 

There is still so much work to do. I feel it may take Haiti more than 10 years to get back to how things were before the earthquake. Which is why  Helping Hand has long term development goals in Haiti. I would highly encourage students to get involved with Helping Hand, where they can be part of  an organization that is giving hope and a strong sense of optimism to the ones who need it the most. 

- Taha Kazi

3/11/10

True heroism is very undramatic. This is because true heroism is not the desire to surpass all others by any means, as we unfortunately see all to often. Instead, true heroism is the desire to serve all others, by any means. By this definition, heroes are in no short supply in Haiti. I've seen them here everyday for the past week. I've seen them come from all nationalities, working for all types of
organizations, with a common goal in mind: to aid a country in its darkest hours. Helping Hand is one of these organizations.

For the past week, I have had the immeasurable honor of working with these individuals, setting up mobile clinics in refugee camps all over Port-au-Prince.With them, we have seen an average of 150-200 Haitians in need everyday. We have provided much needed medication to those who otherwise would have no access. We assured them that they were not alone during these times, that they were not forgotten.

Needless to say, the people of Port-au-Prince are deeply appreciative for the support and help that Helping Hand provides. When they speak about rebuilding, with the help of organizations like Helping Hand, there is an optimism in their voice that assures you that the human spirit can survive any tragedy.

There is much more work to be done. Tomorrow we will not only set up a clinic, but begin building shelters for families, who are currently crowding into tents stacked almost on top of each other, to move into. The rainy season is coming, and time matters more then ever.
Organizations like Helping Hand need continued support, so that they can continue to provide much needed services here in Haiti.

- Umair Javed

California:

Islamic Center of Inland Empire
9212 Baseline Rd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
P: 909-944-1836
Ashar Shah: (909) 297-8856

Florida:

Syed Yousuf: 407-431-5396

Illinois:
Helping Hand USA Office
9999 Roosevelt Rd
Westchester, IL 60154
Mushtaq Saleemi: (630) 748-8969

Virgina:
ICNA Islamic Center
2913 Woodlawn Tr.
Alexandria, VA. 22306
P: (703) 660 1255

Michigan:

Helping Hand USA Office
12541 McDougall Street,
Detroit, MI 48212
P: (313) 279-5378
Shahid Hayat: (347) 400-1899

Maryland:
Iqbal Malik: (240) 855-4777
iqbal.malik@yahoo.com

Georgia:
5265 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 1442
Norcross, GA 30093

Al-Hidaya Islamic Center:
968 Powder Spring Street.
Marietta, GA 30064
Hafiz Amjad Saeed: (678) 469-8319

New Jersey:

Brunswick Salvage
118 Waynewood Park
Plainfield, NJ 07060
P: 908-756-1493
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm

Islamic Learning Center
180 Ege Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07304
By Appointment ONLY
Altaf Choudry: (551) 998-1127

Texas:
ICS Shipping Co.
6160 Westview Dr.
Houston, Texas 77055
Maaz Adil: (281) 468-2238
Khurram Iqbal: (281) 793-8455