The medical part of Don's work began a few years ago during the Haiti embargo when the little amount of industry in the country left and went to other islands in the Caribbean. At the time, Don, a construction engineer, was in Haiti to help teach the native people to build concrete-block homes. Don discovered so many people were sick and in need of medical attention that the former Korean War medic decided to help restore heath to the people.
Don devotes a lot of time to patching up burns. Still a builder at heart, he has built oodles of block houses on the mountain sides in Cap Haitien and given them to poor people.
"I get more joy out of building a home for somebody who never had a home. To build it and say, 'here, this is yours for as long as you live.'"
"Our people got appreciation for Mister Don. I got lots of appreciation for Mister Don. He's president of poor people, works by the side of poor people," said Joe.
Joe, who has taught himself to speak English, is Don's right-hand man. When Don is away, Joe is in charge of the clinic. He treats and wraps burns and can stitch abrasions.
For Haiti With Love couldn't operater without the support it gets from "people who love God and want to help," noted Don.
"There's a lot of hope there," Don said with a smile. "It's not all hopeless. I get a lot of satisfaction to see success."
It is the many contributors from the United States, Canada, England and Germany, many sending as little as $10 a month. That supports the clinic and provides food for the hungry, said Don.
The address of For Haiti With Love is P.O. Box 1017, Palm Harbor, Florida, 34682-1017. Or you can e-mail the mission from the For Haiti With Love Website.