NBA 76er's Samuel Dalembert Visited Earthquake-torn Homeland

Popular NBA 76ers center Samuel Dalembert made a brief trip to earthquake-devastated Haiti Tuesday as part of the Medishare Project. The Canadian NBA player who was born in Haiti and spent 14 years of his life in the poor Caribbean nation pledged $100,000 to help the earthquake victims and promised to raise more funds for the displaced people of Haiti.

"I tried to be strong," said Dalembert, who visited his earthquake-torn homeland with former NBA star Alonzo Mourning as part of Project MediShare. He watched people having surgery on kitchen tables, observed a leg amputation and saw how quake survivors struggled to find water amid the wreckage left by the quake.

"There's no recovery room (after surgery), forget about that," Dalembert said. "You hear screaming. They're numbing people down. There's not enough alcohol. There's glass (from broken windows) everywhere. People haven't had water for days.

"The people there are so strong. I salute them all. God is watching over us, and will help us get through this." Dalembert did not join his team in Tuesday's practice to make a quick trip to his home country with fellow NBA player Alonzo Mourning. He came back in time for his team's game with Portland Trailblazers Wednesday night.

"He's a great person. He's doing a lot for his country and a lot for his teammates," 76ers teammate Allen Iverson said. "He's got a lot on his shoulders, but he's carrying the load."

Dalemmbert's father is still in Haiti trying to help the earthquake victims. "I know I'm not going to save the whole country, but I know deep inside that we need to do more," he said.

"Maybe we can save some lives, and make others just a little bit better.

(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )