South African journalist invited to cover Haiti medical mission

Award-winning journalist, Stuart Rothgiesser

Rothgiesser has been asked by the Mission to record and write about their activities from the ground. Mission founder Davey Smith explains the rationale: "As a new agency, we need to establish a media presence. To this end, we want an experienced journalist whom we trust under the very trying conditions of Haiti to experience first-hand both the challenges and the successes of our missions.” Rothgiesser and Smith are brothers, the latter having changed his name.

According to Smith, the next mission will last nine days and incorporate four phases. “We will set up the operational base at the Canaan Orphanage, where we successfully started a field hospital in February. From there we will be hiking in to the villages of La Rochelle and Gresseau, elevation 4000 feet, to provide emergency first aid to communities which have not yet seen received medical attention. The Mission will also be completing the set-up of the field hospital on the orphanage grounds, repairing a well water desalination system, and giving emergency first aid in the township of Cite Soleil, on the western side of Port au Prince.”

Rothgiesser needs to self-fund his trip and is calling for corporate and individual sponsors to make the budget of R26,000. “The main reason for my going would be for me to write about what I see and publish these works on the Internet and in magazine and newspaper articles to encourage more help and raise funds for the people of Haiti. To do this, I need to cover the costs of my plane ticket, inoculations and expenses on the ground (communications, pre-packaged food and water, mostly). I will not be earning any money from this. If 100 people could each give R260, it would cover all the above. Bigger sponsors (of R10, 000.00 or more) will get mentioned in articles written about the mission as official sponsors. And I'll provide a full report upon my return,” said Rothgiesser.

Those wishing to contribute can contact Rothgiesser on: or 072 496 2483 or 021 426 0192.

People can also follow the mission on Facebook: Join the “Send Stuart to Haiti” group for photos, articles and updates.

Stuart Rothgiesser is an award winning journalist, researcher and editor whose work has been published in the Mail&Guardian, the Cape Argus, The Property Magazine, MindShift and Sawubona - among others. He writes mostly about development, the environment and business.

For more information, visit www.stuartrothgiesser.com.