We've begun our Spring MedCAPs/VetCAPs recently, completing two just this week. For those not aware a MedCAP is an quasi-impromptu medical civic action that we hold to treat basic illnesses, distribute health and welfare items such as toothbrushes, anti-parasite medication, vaccinations and to teach basic health and hygene classes to both adults and children. The VetCAPs treat the people's livestock.



The great news is that in addition to the health care and supplies normally provided to the public, thanks to the efforts of my mother and everyone else that pitched in with either time or money to help with Operation Flintstone, we were able to provide a month's supply of children's chewable vitamins to over 2,000 Afghan children so far. Additionally, we have given hundreds of mother's vitamin drops for their infant and toddler children. We still have some left to give out on MedCAPs in the near future but I got some great pics and wanted to share them with everyone that contributed and waited so patiently while we all learned the difficulties of shipping health supplies to the needy through the military system. ;)



The vitamins came loose in bulk boxes of 25,000 each, so we had a vitamin-packing party and filled dose packets with 28/ea. to individually disperse them.

I can't tell everyone how thankful and appreciative everyone here is to have these. Thank you so much for your participation and support, and a very special "Thank You" to my mother, who made this all possible.

The shipments came in three different waves, but we finally got it all. Some of it has already been distributed to the children around the PRT that have vitamin-difinciency diseases, like rickets. However, I was out at the time and was unable to take photos of the distribution.

Everything came in a few weeks ago, but I wanted to get a team photograph with the supplies in front of the PRT sign and with leave and travel, we didn't have everyone back together until last week. We took the picture this morning.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed. You are making lives better. Rickets is a MAJOR issue here due to the burkas preventing any sun exposure causing vitamin D dificiencies for mother and unborn child.

We'll be conducting medcaps in the next few weeks and I'll have lots of pictures of distribution soon. Thanks again.

After Steve posted the need for medical supplies, I set about researching the possibility of shipping goods in quantity. The flat rate boxes available for Care Packages are great for sending personal items but rather inefficient when sending paper, crayons, medicines and cotton balls in quantities that would make a difference!
I have located a non-profit group out of Abilene, Healing Hands, which specializes in shipments of educational and medical supplies internationally. They are willing to assist us in this effort. I am excited about coordinating such a project and am presently working out the details as far as cost of shipping, size of containers, etc. However, I need to know if and how you want to participate.
So, here's the "call to arms!" The Healing Hands organization has sources to purchase medical supplies at 10 cents on the $1! Obviously monetary donations are the most cost efficient for purchasing goods as well as defraying the cost of shipping should that be necessary. ( I'm looking into sources for free shipping, but that may slow down how soon it would get there considerably.)
If you wish to donate products instead, we will include them in the shipment. In that case please post via the "comments" on the blog what and how much you are sending. I know some of you already have things you have gathered to send.
Don't forget educational supplies are needed also. We have a quantity of crayons we have been waiting to send until cool weather.
I would like to get your input as soon as possible so I will know how and when we can proceed with the shipment. I will post further information on the blog as it becomes available.
It is heartwarming to me as Steve's mom, and I know to Steve, the response you have made to his requests. I hope we can really make a difference in assisting in the accomplishment of the goals of this mission and in the lives of many Afghan people.

The following is a reprint of an original post from 6 August 2005 on the main site. So much interest has grown around this effort that I felt it needed its own page to help everyone communicate to make this project as effective as possible. ~Steve

Virtually ever village we visit has the need for basic medicines and, more importantly, nutritional supplements. I've received many offers to help from many friends and family and have been trying to work out a way for people back home to make a real difference in people's lives. So, I talked it over with the "Doc" here at the PRT and have compiled a list of needs that either the Coalition or the Afghan government is not providing or is not providing in adequate supply. Many of the items might seem commonplace and simple from our perspective but based on our assessments and that of our medical personnel, these are the high-impact items that can be purchased over-the-counter and will improve the quality of life of the Afghan people that I share a home with. I've denoted the more important items with an asterisk ("*").

Multi-Vitamins*
-Children's Chewable or Liquid
-Pills
Liquid Tylenol/Motrin*
Diaper Rash Ointment
Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Iodine
Antacids
Cotton Balls
Antibiotic and Analgesic Creams
Tylenol
Anti-Bacterial soap
Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Flouride Rinse* (sample sizes prefered)
Insect Repelent* (prevents malaria, a big killer here)
Bandaids
Cotton Swabs/Cotton Balls*
Pool Testing Kits* (to test chlorine levels in water)

Generics are obviously fine. One request is that like items be packaged together for easy identification and sort. In other words, it would be optimal to pick on thing on the list to send and then clearly mark the box as to its contents. *For those wanting to send small quantities, send boxes to:

MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Log. Cell South
PRT (Jalalabad) or (J-Bad)
APO AE, 09354

Thank you all for your interest in helping me help the people of Afghanistan and thank you in advance for your help.

*NOTE: There will be additional information forthcoming pertaining for those who have large quantities to ship.