Jinpa administering treatment to young girlDear Friends, (Please forward to others you think would be interested)

I am writing to let you know of an amazing opportunity I’ve been given to help with recovery efforts in Haiti, and to ask for your help as well.

I have been invited to participate in a Naturopathic Relief Clinic [www.haiti.citronica.com] for Haitian earthquake victims. The clinic was established shortly after the earthquake this January, by the Venerable Thupten Jinpa, a Haitian-born Tibetan Buddhist monk, with the help of my friend and colleague, Julia Graves. In addition to the healers who came from France and the U.S., the clinic has been able to hire and maintain a salary for a Haitian herbalist, bonesetter and midwife named Oliama. This traveling clinic provided help for hundreds of people each day. The Clinic was able to reach into the heart of devastated and impoverished areas where the larger allopathic clinics could not go.

We will be raising money and gathering natural medicines supplies to bring to Haiti and will work there with other natural health practitioners to support the health of the people. In addition to a second intensive clinic this September, we hope to raise enough money to also hire Oliama’s sister of similar background and skill, so that they may continue the work after we leave.

We will be returning in September with five highly trained natural healers who can each see about 150 people per day, joining two Haitian healers to offer a clinic for about 8,000 poor people, most of them destitute children.
-- Letter from Jinpa, June 24th, 2010

As you may know, even before the earthquake Haiti was the poorest country in the world. The levels of poverty and devastation are beyond comprehension to most of us in the US and other "first world" countries. While we will not be able to heal all of Haiti’s hurts, we may well be able to heal some wounds, and bring relief of pain and some of the suffering. We also intend to teach simple methods to residents so they may in turn heal others, creating an exponential wave of assistance. The stories of recovery from the first clinic after the earthquake [haiti.citronica.com/patients] are beautiful and inspiring. In addition to bringing herbal and homeopathic medicines for physical ailments, we are also bringing flower essences, massage and deep compassion for treating people’s Spirits.

For my own part, I intend to raise enough money in donations to cover my share of travel expenses, room and board, translators and drivers. This money will provide four Haitians with employment while we are there for three weeks. I will also need to cover my bills here in Minneapolis while I am away. For this I will be offering special service packages for advance payments. Please watch for notices of fundraising events and specials! (You could even host your very own fundraiser! Contact me about this option.)

Supplies that are needed are outlined in a wish list available on the website [haiti.citronica.com/help], and an additional short list at the bottom of this letter. Please let me know if you can fill any requests, but please be sure to contact me before sending any supplies.

The clinic is still working on creating a formal non-profit organization. For now, donations may be sent directly to me, Cynthia Thomas, at the address below. These monies will go immediately into a savings account to be used exclusively for the Haiti trip. In order to buy tickets and supplies, we hope to have most funds raised by August 15th.

I feel blessed and called to be of service in this way, bringing natural medicines, hands and heart, to Haiti’s people. I sincerely hope my trip via your donations will enable many of you to feel connected and of help to the people of Haiti in a personal way. Help me to bring love and healing from all of you. Please be generous if you can, and know that any size contribution is welcome. Thank you in advance for your support.

Cynthia with black cohoshLove and Blessings, Cynthia

Cynthia Thomas
1512 E. 37th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612.991-2717
cynthia@sacredjourneyhealingarts.com

Wish List [full wish list available here: haiti.citronica.com/help]: