Doctors without Borders

A hero to me is someone who sets a good example and makes you want to be like them. They are kind and fair. They always work hard and think about others before themselves. My hero is an organization called Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders. They are there to help people and do not let political, economic, or religious interests affect who they help. They are just there to help. MSF does not take sides or intervene with the countries they are helping. They are brave and work in dangerous places. These doctors could be making good money and living comfortably but instead they are living in harsh conditions and constantly thinking about others. These people are my hero because I think that these people are people that should be looked up to.

In 1971, a small group of French doctors created Doctors without Borders (MSF). Every year about 3,000 doctors, nurses, and midwives volunteer to run projects. There are 1,000 people who are permanently employed staff. 80% of the organization’s funding is provided by private donors.

MSF has helped people all over the world. In 1967 to 1970 they helped in the Nigerian Civil War. French doctors volunteered to work with the French Red Cross in hospitals and feeding people in besieged Biafra. In the South Sudan fighting there was a lack of food and bad living situations. MSF helped 700 children who were suffering from malnutrition, in which some of them had severe malnutrition. The fighting caused people to flee their homes escaping by foot or by truck. In some of the places that the doctors were working, it was hard to find even clean water. Inma Vazquez, MSF head of mission in Sudan said, "The panic was so widespread that no one had time to take anything or to even think of their own family. We are very anxious to hear from some of our medical personnel who could not flee in time." As the attacks continued more people were in dire need of help and more MSF workers were there to help. I think that these people can teach us just how important it is to think of others before ourselves. If everybody followed these people’s example think how much better this world would be.

I chose this hero because I think it is admirable how these people can work together to do great things. Whenever I hear of these horrible things happening around the world, I want to help but don’t know how. This organization has showed me how we can help others no matter how hard the situation is.

MSF are heroes because they help people all over the world and don’t intervene with their opinions when helping other people. They are people that should be imitated and looked up to. I learned that there are ways to help people in countries that have war or disasters. In an interview Dr. Hallam, a doctor that works with MSF, said, "You don’t have to be older and more experienced –where else do you get your experience?"