Frères, Haiti — It was not exactly like any of Jamaica’s private hospitals, but before the earthquake hit Haiti, the Hospital Community of Haiti (CHC) was a private entity charging fees way above what the majority of Haitians could afford.

Since then, while still charging some fees, the hospital has been operating true to the meaning of the word Frères (brothers), opening its doors to all and making its facilities available.

Because of its facilities, most of the international medics flock it, and it’s a miracle they do not collide with each other. However, when the Caricom/Jamaican contingent arrived there on Sunday, it was clear that they were in charge of the areas from where they worked and Dr Ghazzali Ahmad was the darling of the A&E team, finding veins for intravenous fluids, a task that proved difficult for three other medical doctors from three different countries.

In two minutes Ahmad, who works at the Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester, had the needle in, and all other cases were referred to him after.

That is one example of the hope springing from the bowels of the earthquake. But then came the heartbreak.

As the world showered Haiti with a plethora of supplies, thugs from nearby communities robbed the patients in hospitals, while others working as volunteers, translating for the scores of international and regional medics, stole food from the storage.

It was first reported by the Caricom medical contingent, and later confirmed by a doctor working at the hospital.

“Two days ago, this room was filled with donations,” said doctor’s assistant Dave, pointing to a storage room. “What happened was that the volunteers, some of whom we give some food for translation, have been removing the food and giving it to their friends and family without permission. It took us two days to realise what was happening.”

Dave, who is from the US Virgin Islands, is volunteering as a private medic at the clinic.

Jeff, a US Marine in charge of security, had his hands full trying to keep the room safe from thieves.

Josanne was put in charge of the facility but abdicated her responsibilities, forcing a Jamaican to assume the role for the day.

Dave did not want his surname used for the story but was upset that the food meant for them was being stolen.

“Nobody was keeping check of the things going out, because, you see, the volunteers were allowed to go out with them,” he told the Observer. “So we had to put a stop to it. And even then, late in the night, we saw people with flashlights in the room, searching for the stuff. We stopped three of them, with a big box of stuff they were preparing to take without permission.”

Now, new security measures have been put in place, including dispensing time schedules. In addition, a signature is required for all goods removed.

But amidst the heartbreak there were more stories of hope.

On January 12 when the earthquake hit, Giselle Jean-Mathieu was a lawyer. Since January 13, she has been working as a translator and post-op nurse.

However, she could easily be mistaken for a medic because of her dress.

“The day after the earthquake hit I decided to volunteer,” she said. “Nursing services were what was needed most, and when I came into the hospital that was where the majority of the services were required. So for two weeks, I have worked as a theatre nurse.”

Jean-Mathieu and Kervinx Dorcely are among hundreds of volunteers working at the hospital.

Dorcely said he is an orphan, having lost his parents in the earthquake, leaving him with only a sister and his uncle.

“God will take care of me,” he said. “He will provide for me. I have nothing, but I still have Haiti. It is my country, it’s all I have.”