Mountains beyond mountains Ernscie Augustin  Kidder, T. (2003). Mountains beyond mountains. Westminster, MD: Random House Inc.  Retrieved from:

One doctors quest to heal the world Mountains beyond mountains is a non-fiction biography about Dr. Paul Farmer’s journey to change the medical world. The two primary locations of his works is in Haiti and Boston. Year 1994: Tracy Kidder went to Haiti report on American soldiers to reinstate the democratic government. On his flight back to America he met Dr. Farmer and learned about his mission in Haiti. Two clear sides existed in Haiti- the forces of repression and the Haitian poor(vast majority). At the time there were 9 Haitian soldiers governing 150,000 people! In Haiti, Farmer is known as the “poor peoples” doctor because he helps all that are in need.

Dr. Farmer’s life Dr. Farmer grew up with six siblings and parents in Florida. They were very poor. They lived in a trailer park with no running water. When they could not afford to live in the trailer they had to live on a bus and a boat. His mother worked at a grocery store and they picked fruit with Haitians. They survived and made the most of what they had. Despite their financial struggles, Dr. Farmer succeeded and attended Duke University for his Masters and Harvard for his medical degree!

Health Partners(Zanmi Lasante) Mirebalais, Haiti is a rural city on the mountains. Dr. Farmer found more poverty as he went deeper and deeper into the mountains. Living on the mountains meant a lack of resources and transportation. Mirebalais: where Zanmi Lasente(translation: Health Partners) is located and started by Farmer. Zanmi Lasante Resources: built schools, houses, vaccinated children, reduced malnutrition and infant mortality. Programs for prevention of aids and for women’s literacy. Funding through partners in health in Boston.

Mirebalais, Haiti location on the map

Cultural Factors and patients health There were cultural factors Farmer had to take into consideration when providing services. Haitians are detail oriented and many religious. Some of the paitients believed the reason they were sick was due to “voodoo”. Which is when someone casts a spell on another. He did not understand why some of the patients thought that way. Throughout a year he had a conversation with one patient. She believed in voodoo and medicine. She explained to him it is the same in America and Haiti there are people that believe in God and medicine. This allowed him to gain a broader perspective. The culture has evolved in absence of effective medicine. Cost comparison example: Tuberculosis patients in Haiti $150-$200 in the U.S.A $15,000-$20,000.

Health and social justice Dr. Farmer did not want anyone to be turned away. People traveled afar to visit the hospital because there were no hospitals in the area or some of them were unsanitary. Example: a man traveled by donkey to bring child. Millions of peasant farmers relied on Zanmi Lasante(rural areas). There were “donkey ambulances” that brought patients to Farmer. Farmer was determined to cure his paitients that he made personal sacrifices. He believed everyone should have health care. There was violence and harsh politics. He could have lived in luxury instead he lived amongst the people. According to the text, he had little sleep each day, no investment portfolio, no hot water and no family around! He did not know how much money he had in his account as he donated most of it and funded programs in Haiti’s medical system. He made a difference to cure the world, bring social justice, and health.

Recommended for YDP? I would recommend “Mountains beyond mountains” for youth development professionals. Health is important when we study youth and human development. We have studied health in the WDR text chapter 5 on growing up healthy and this read provides an insight on culture/affordable health care. This book focuses mainly on health and human rights(not a big focus on youth). When I began to read I thought this may be a text medical students would read but it is important for everyone to learn more about the health issues around the world as it plays an important role in every society.