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Subscribe to RSSIn a powerful episode of Dateline, Ann Curry travels to the remote hills of Haiti, following a group of American volunteers on a risky rescue mission as they take a giant leap into the unknown to save lives and transform the village of Medor. Airing Sunday, January 9th at 7pm/6c, Curry reports on how the fight to save this village is also a fight against time. Dateline cameras follow this group of brave volunteers as they parachute into Medor, treat more than a thousand people suffering from cholera and other diseases, and build an airstrip on tough, impenetrable terrain in the hope that it will help connect this isolated village to the outside world. With the odds against them, they must complete their mission in just 12 days.
A story of courage and selflessness, these volunteers battle against extreme conditions to help as many patients as possible and bring a glimmer of hope to a forgotten people. Throughout the hour, viewers will learn why this mission is so personal to these volunteers, including the mission leader Stan Brock. A humanitarian and life-long adventurer with 25 years experience leading medical missions to poor areas, Brock knows the risks and obstacles facing his group of tireless volunteers— but he also knows their work is critical to Medor's survival.
"There's no sanitation. There's no electricity. There's no running water. There's no way in in a vehicle. There's no way in by air. And, now, you've got a cholera epidemic and people are dying. So, the only way to describe it, is extreme."
Watch Ann Curry's preview of 'Rescue in the Mountains' below:
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Incredible. "The Greatest Generation" steps up again.
I joined the RAM organization for a weekend in 2010 to treat people in a small VA town. Most of the employers had left the area and the citizens were left with no jobs, no money for medical care...and, worse, no hope.
There is no fluff; there are no luxuries in the RAM group...everything is for the patients.
Doctors, supporting staff and volunteers, especially Lions Club volunteer students and staff at Southern Virginia University were absolutely wonderful, kind, caring and giving.
Stan Brock, a true hero, is at the head of and in the midst of it all, an ordinary person doing extraordinary things on a life's mission to help those in need.
Can't wait to go again.
Wish more would join us.
Dr. Lynn Evangelista, Philadelphia Non-force Chiropractic
I was so impressed with Stan on Dateline. What a wonderful human being and so is his wife. I would love to help to carry on what he does... I can't jump out of planes or things like that but, I am a doer like he is. Know how to get in touch with him to carry on his work?
There are many things you can do to help. Contact RAM via their Website. RAM Air (the airborne section) is but a small part of the RAM family.
You don't have to jump out of an airplane to be a member of the team and the family.
I have volunteered with RAM about every other month for several years. They are based in my home town and it is always a privelage to work with such dedicated people. Stan Brock sets the example living a completely Spartan life. Read his biography if you get a chance. It is inspiring. I wanted to go on this mission but work prevented me. I hope one day I can find an employer who is more understanding.
Frank
If they had a landing for parachutes, why did they not use a helicopter? You do not need a runway. This aide is good but does not do anything long-term. They will still have no water, no power, etc. Again, build water-desalinization plants and pump the water inland through hydro-electric power plant. This will give them fresh water and electricity. Waste water treatment plants and sewers would also help them get cholera problem.
Why don't both government and NGOs do something like this? It would end most of the dire need for help. For Haiti and other countries where this can be implemented.
It would end or greatly reduce poverty, too.
that should say : help get the cholera problem under control.
They jumped in because the DC3 can't land there yet. It takes an insane amount of time to drive the short distance up crazy goat-trails called roads. And the "roads" don't go all the way to the village; they have to pack everything in on the backs of people.
So they dropped air bundles with the required tools, supplies, equipment, etc… and then jumped in after them. They started clearing the land of rocks, trees and holes so the plane can eventually land there.
They also got the clinic up and ready for the doctors arriving on foot.
Your assessment of what is needed shows that you don't understand the situation there. Basic care and supplies are non-existent everywhere. There is no way to get what you think is necessary up to these villages. RAM is a citizen group that saw a need, and put their life at risk simply to help others.
Why not use helicopters; because helicopters don't have cargo and long distance capabilities. RAM's planes do. And once the airstrip is finished their planes, with cargo and doctors, can land there.
The volunteers from RAM have paid out of pocket to travel to Haiti. They have taken time off from work to go to Haiti. They sacrificed time from their families during the holiday season to go to Haiti… Just to help people they have never met before.
What have you done?
All of Haiti is in shambles. I'm a member of RAM and was there with Stan after the earthquake. We treated thousands of trauma victims. We are indeed working on a water treatment system for Medor and the landing strip was a necessity unless you want to walk 8 miles up a mountain. RAM already has a plane (we don't have helicopters) to take critical cases out to a hospital, which was impossible before this began. Our next trip is in February and you're welcome to sleep outside in tents and treat everything from cholera, lice, malaria, wounds, scabies, diarrhea, etc., in horrible conditions. We plan on changing the mountain. As Stan says, you save them one at a time. You can donate at the RAM website at www.ramusa.org. You'll never understand how truly lucky you are until you've been there. Try to make a difference.
I saw this story and want to comment how true it is to what we typically do on our regular medical mission trips to Haiti. I've led at least 20 different teams to the same village over the years and i have to say that this story was very well done and accurately captured the struggles that the patients and teams face with each trip that we take to Haiti.
THANK YOU for reporting the plight of the most desperate poor so close to our own borders. The story to be told is LONG overdue! You did it justice!!!
I just want to add: Why is there no hospital ship or other US Naval aide for both Port-au-prince and the remote areas of Haiti? I mean Haiti is in our own backyard and the people are suffering needlessly. But then again New Orleans is not in great shape either.
Uhmmm, these was. Where are you getting your information?
www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-03-10-comfort10_ST_N.htm
why did stan decide to help in medor?
He helps all over the world. There are multiple missions run within the USA, Centeral America and the outlying islands.
Check out the Remote Area Medical Web page and you'll see how many people he and his volunteers help.
This is a good piece about the cholera in Haiti. The power of this peace in Haiti, People can do anything once they put their minds to it. Seeing that how it is done in by strangers and people who care about humanity, and fits the profile of someone who is deeply cares for Humanity. This piece shows the determination of human power.
Thank You for this piece about my country.
why did stan choose this area to help?
E148-000--We (my church, unfortunately not me, wish I could!) are BUILDING THEM A RUNWAY (as well as donating them a Med-Evac plane. People will now be able to get to them to give aid, and they can now get people out for aid. And donating a rescue plane.
How can you possible say that it won't make any difference longterm?
I agree with you, no question, something more should be done and that your ideas are excellent. Wish you could have found a way to leave out, "This will make no difference," though, since it is wrong, and I know firsthand.
Before Haiti ever had an earthquake, our church partnered with them, helped them sanitize water (yes) and are continuing to, and helped them build a school, where kids k-12 can now learn, and get the only hot meal a day they get. It does make a difference.
But if it seems like not enough, you are right, because it is a drop in the bucket, compared to the ocean of need. Perhaps you would like to donate to Our Lady Queen of Peace's Medor, Haiti program, or RAM, so that we can collect enough money to do the excellent things you suggest.
I love the "Starfish Thrower," story, and live my life by it... there are hundreds of starfish on the beach, and you cannot save every one of them.... so it is quite tempting to see it as futile: "It makes no difference." But for that one child whose arm the doctor saved, for those people who did not die of cholera? For those kids who get fed everyday now?
It makes all the difference in the world.
What a privelege to have served with a group of loving individuals in Haiti last year. Hoping to return fo sure. If anyone anytime has the opportunity to serve....do it....so spiritually rich..
This is so true! I worked with RAM several years ago on a medical mission trip in Guyana. Stan Brock is an amazing human being. I am proud to have had a chance to meet him and work with his wonderful team.
This is a good piece about the cholera in Haiti. The power of this peace in Haiti, People can do anything once they put their minds to it. Seeing that how it is done in by strangers and people who care about humanity, and fits the profile of someone who is deeply cares for Humanity. This piece shows the determination of human power.
Thank You Anne for this piece about my country.
Extraordinary work. Can someone give me the contact information on Stan Brock's organization?
www.ramusa.org
we here at 3A2 (tazewell,Tn) did the repair work on the red/white maule tail dragger shown in some of the scenes, it is good to see they made it down to Haiti and are putting it to good use, Stan Brock is a good man, wish there were more like him out there.
PS--A follow up: I did not for a moment mean that OLQP (the church) "is doing it" as in doing it alone. We are phenomenally BLESSED that RAM found us, and we get the honor doing such sacred work with them. Every single dollar, volunteer and prayer helps.
Thanks!
why did he choose this village to help? must have missed that part?
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (www.olqpva.org) in Arlington, VA has been working on behalf of the people of Haiti since the 1980's. Our pastor at the time, Fr. Jim K. Healy (hear his message at www.fatherhealy.com) preached frequently about the poor, forgotten people of Haiti. In the late 1990's the parish began a twinning program with St. Joseph's parish is Medor, a remote village on top of the mountains of Haiti, approximately 30 miles from Port au Prince. We've built schools, latrines, and wells. Planted thousands of trees and provided hot lunches to nearly 1,200 school children each day. In addition, we've provided medical clinics, treated cholera, and given education on the value of clean water. RAM became interested in Medor because of its remoteness and need.
I am a 20 year parishioner of OLQP and am thrilled that others are now seeing the needs of the people of Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. Please consider making a donation at www.olqpva.org!
As one of the doctors on the trip and the Chair of the Haiti Committee at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Arlington, VA I would like to thank Ann Curry and the entire Dateline NBC crew. You did a fantastic job of capturing the the essence of the people of Medor and the trials and blessings of the partnership we have shared with the people of Medor for the last 13 years.
Thirty people from the Haiti Committee at Our Lady Queen of Peace watched the show at our house. We all agree that the show was terrific.
We also send our heartfelt thanks to Stan Brock and the RAM team for your work in Medor
Sincerely,
Sue Carlson, M.D.
Chair, Haiti Committee
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church
Arlington, VA
www.olqpva.org
We also
We're so proud of Heidi here in Northern Virginia. Thank you for showing us how grassroots efforts can make a difference. It may be a drop in the bucket for the greater problem at large, but for each individual whose life was saved or simply improved, it's everything.
Thank you Dr. Carlson!
Thank you Stan Brock!
Thank you Ann Curry!
God bless you and the wonderful people of Medor.
The reason for this trip along with the others RAM does each year is need. RAMUSA.org is the website if you want to donate. The Medor mission is the type of mission RAM (Remote Area Medical) was designed for, going in where others can't or won't. They do about 5 missions a year in TN, one in West Virginia and one in Los Angeles believe it or not in addition to anywhere in the world they are invited. Go to the website RAMUSA.org and if you are not moved to help, you have no soul. They go anywhere the state laws don't stop them from going. It's always free, no questions asked except "where does it hurt?
I salute all the volunteers who participated in the medical mission in Medor, Haiti. God Bless you all. I am very proud that two of these volunteers are my relatives, Rey C. Sampang and his daugther Dr. Heidi Sampang Abiad...
I salute all the volunteers who participated in the medical mission in Medor, Haiti. God Bless you all! I am very proud that two of these volunteers are my relatives from the Philippines, Rey C. Sampang and his daugther Dr. Heidi Sampang Abiad
It has been my pleasure and great honor to have worked on a RAM team with the great Stan Brock several years ago in Guyana. Stan is a hero and one of my mentors in Hands for Humanity, Inc. Much respect and love to all RAM volunteers! They are the BEST! Thank you for sharing this inspirational story.... let it inspire others.
Understanding the necessity to cancel the showing of "Rescue In The Mountains" last night, when is it being rescheduled to be aired?
Thank you, sincerely, Ted
It appears that NBC has posted the video of "Rescue in the Mountain". Here is the link.
#41007053
What a great story of people with a heart..It is a shame that all this money that good people gave to many charities for Haiti and yet Haiti as a whole is still suffering..Maybe the CEO's of these charities should look into their hearts and not their pocketbooks..
why Medor? to find out how OLQP and RAM teamed up -- and were invited to come on this mission by the Medor community -- go to www.olqpva.org. Click on Read More under Haiti, and then see "Article in Advocate Newsletter."
I was happy that Dateline showed the strength, resilience and joy of the Haitians while confronting poverty and disease. They give us, their twin parish in the US, so much. It's always good to see people and organizations working together -- in this case two parishes, RAM and NBC.