As the private plane taxied to a stop at the L.F. Wade Airport last night Dana Lovell looked through the window waiting to catch a glimse of her 20-year-old daughter Erin who was returning from Haiti.

Erin was one of the ten-strong team of Bermudian residents who went to the Caribbean Island ravaged by an earthquake three weeks ago.

The team was headed up by local Phillip Rego who runs an orphanage around 40 miles west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and has links to a medical clinic in there.

"We're really proud of her," Mrs. Lovell said. "She is a trained emergency medical technician so she went to help.

"We've been in contact with her by text, but she did manage to use a satellite phone to call us quickly on Saturday. The things she has seen, they have really changed her life."

After reuniting with her family Erin told The Royal Gazette: "The experience was unreal. It is worse than you see on TV, but people are also more hopeful than you would imagine.

"I went to Haiti last year with Feed My Lambs, and then coming back after the earthquake, it is heart breaking to see the devastation.

"We were literally going to tents and taking people who were too sick to move. We put them in the back of the truck and brought them to our medical clinic."

While there Erin did everything from mop up vomit to assisting doctors during surgeries and she encouraged other young Bermudians to do their part and continue to help Haiti

"I was the youngest person there by about 20 years," she said. "Before I left I didn't hesitate, when I got there, there was a moment of 'what have I gotten myself into'. But we helped so many people.

"And even if you cannot get there yourself, just by donating you helped us and the people of Haiti. We couldn't have done it without the support of so many people. People who reached into their pockets, you touched people in Haiti just as much as we did."

Last night Mr. Rego and doctor Stanley James said they were already planning a return trip on February 28.

Mr. Rego's orphanage takes care of 22 children and young people, ranging in age from ten to 22. Luckily, it survived the earthquake.

Mr. Rego and his team arrived with 650 pounds of medical supplies, something that allowed them to hit the ground running.– "We passed several doctors who were unable to work, they didn't have anything to work with," Mr. Rego said. "It was a big help and we have to thank everyone who donated money and medicine — it made a difference.

"And even though we are back the work is still going on. On Thursday four of the Feed My Lambs' nurses are going north to offer assistance to people that have not yet been treated."

Dr. James said Haiti needs as much help as it can get as the people have been left with nothing.

"During the eight days there I treated 75 people and the Haitian doctor I was working with treated 75 people as well," he said. "A lot of time we focus on the surgeries required, but it is also important to remember that general medicine is needed too, people are without their diabetes medicine, basic antibiotics.

"I think Bermudians need to feel proud as we went there with supplies and were able to help people. We have had so much support and donations.

"The Premier sent us private messages to bolster us while we were there. Students at Victor Scott raised thousands of dollars. The plane was paid for by Flagstone Reinsurance.

"Everyone, black, white, rich, poor — everyone helped out. And I think people need to continue to support Mr. Rego's charity as it truly is remarkable, he feeds and educates these children.

"He has them feeding people less fortunate than they are so they learn the value of service and he is respected in the community."

¦ If you wish to help Feed My Lambs, donations can be made to HSBC Bermuda account 010-876795001 under the account name Feed My Lambs Ministry. Visit www.feedmylambsministries.org to learn more.