About New Reality International
New Reality International (NRI) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to helping those who are victims of extreme poverty, disease, and injustice access heath care and vocational training.
We are a small organization with a very big heart and even bigger dreams for the future of the world's poor and suffering.
These dreams include:
Providing medical and dental services to the most poverty stricken regions of the world through country level cooperative partnerships
Educating, assisting and enabling local healthcare providers in nations suffering from extreme poverty
Building orphanages for children as well as safe houses for young victims of sexual slavery
Assisting those who have suffered from torture and rape access rehibilitation and vocational training
Creating an aviation program that will enable us to reach some of the most remote regions of the world with medical and dental aid.
Board of Directors
Debra Mattson DDS
Kirstin Fox BS MPH
Jonathan Visscher DDS
Lara Landon Singer/Songwriter
Joel Mickelwait DDS
Wisam Haddad MD
Executive Director
Laila Mickelwait BA MPD
Medical Director
Erick French MD
Financial Information
New Reality International files form 990-N with the IRS. NRI did not gross more than $25,000 annually from 2007-2009. NRI's tax year ends June 30. NRI does not pay staff, volunteers, directors, or board members any wages. All who work for NRI do so on a compleately voluntary basis. This ensures that donations go where they are truly needed. It also ensures that those working for NRI do so with a willing heart and have correct motivations. NRI operates with little to no overhead cost, spending less than 3% of undesignated donations on overhead expenses.
A note from the Director
Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for your interest in this organization. Helping the poorest of the poor has been a dream of mine for many years and I am so excited to see this dream becoming a REALITY. I know that I am not the only one with this passion and that is why I am sure if you are reading this note you and I have a great deal in common. I want you to know that I value every idea, comment, donation, or word of encouragement and you can be sure that with NRI your voice will not get "lost" in the shuffle. I also want you to know that your donations will never get swallowed up by big bureaucracy, excessive salaries, or administrative costs. We all work as volunteers for NRI and we run this organization with little to no overhead costs. That is why you can be sure that every donation goes to help those who truly need your support. I would love to hear from you with any ideas, suggestions, or comments you may have. And don't forget, "how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
Yours Truly,
Laila Mickelwait
Executive Director/Founder
"Share bread with the hungry, shelter the homeless and poor,clothe the naked,
and hide not from the needs of all flesh and blood."
-Isaiah 58:6-7
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NRI is seeking volunteers on an ongoing basis.If you are interested in any of the available opportunites please fill out our volunteer application form by following the link below.
HAITI IS NRI'S SOLE FOCUS FOR 2010
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT OUR VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM
Now Needed
Upcoming Trips 2010
Info
Most relief trips are between 7-14 days. Housing, food, and transportation arrangements are taken care of by NRI and trip costs are tax-deductible. Our trips are not for pleasure or sightseeing but solely for the benefit of those suffering from extreme poverty. Be prepared to work hard and serve hundreds of people, the satisfaction of helping those in need is well worth it!
Mailing Address
1420 Roosevelt Ave. Ste 7
Mount Vernon, W.A. 98273 USA
Physical Address
969 Talcey Terrace
Riverside, C.A. 92506 USA
Phone:+1(360) 830-6741
Fax:+1(360) 428-0927
info_newrealityinternational.org
Donations can also be mailed to:
New Reality International
1420 Roosevelt Ave. Suite 7
Mount Vernon, WA 98273 USA
When you choose an orphan simply click "sponsor" and specify the name of the child in the designation.
The cost of sponsorship is $420 and will cover the cost of education and shelter for 1 year.
Buy Now
All Proceeds From Album Sales Go Directly
Toward NRI's Medical Relief Efforts
Lions Gate Hospital medical team pitch in to help heal Haiti
By Tracy Sherlock, Vancouver
Sun, April 22, 2010
February 19, 2010
CD Compilation to Raise Funds For Haiti - Press Release
Several Artists have composed songs of hope and together are releasing a 12 Track CD entitled Haiti. . .Unto The Least of These This compilation was intended for one purpose in mind, to help the earthquake-torn nation of Haiti. Over the past few weeks people have donated resources, time, and talents to see this collaborative project come together. From the studio time, to the reproduction of the CD, to the printing and promo, this work has been a labor of love on a national level.
Artists are represented from the GMA ( Gospel Music Association ), C.S.M.I. ( Christian Songwriters and Musicians Intl.) and Indieheaven, and will be raising awareness throughout the year at their venues The CD features 11 artists to include. . .Lara Landon, Bill Petty, Diane Di Stasio, Gene Schmidt, Paul Berkus ,Deanna Loveland, Remnant, Joshua Scott, Naima Johnston, Jason Wyatt, and Holly Hartz.
I ached at the thought of seeing elderly people not being cared for and mounted on thin uncomfortable cots, left in soiled clothing, and out in the hot sun. Children wondering aimlessly looking for their parents, wounded people with no pain killers to numb their pain. writer Gene Schmidt from Watertown Wisconsin said, I knew I had to do something, and for me that was to write a song that encourages others to help carry the burden in a practical way. The chorus reads; Lend a hand where hands are torn and scarred, be a friend to a child with a broken heart, give to those with less then you and me, who will hear the cry, . . . of Haiti.
Singer/songwriter Lara Landon, co-founder of New Reality International and one of Christian music's top new artists, collaborated with producer Chris Omartian to produce two heartfelt songs for the album. Chris Omartian, son of legendary pop producer Michael Omartian, has produced tracks with pop stars such as Pink and Hilary Duff in addition to teen pop band Jump 5 and popular gospel group 4Him. The song "Look Up" was written shortly after Landon's recent relief trip to Haiti this past November and was inspired by the resilience and determination of the Haitian people. Landon hopes that the album will not only raise awareness and funds, but will also stir the spirit of compassion in listeners bringing them closer to the heart of God and the heart of the Haitian people.
Two organizations that have been actively providing emergency aid for Haiti and who will be recipients of the funds collected are; New Reality International and HarvestSeed Intl. For more information on these two organizations visit;
http://www.newrealityinternational.org
http://www.harvestseed.org
CDs can be purchased online at http://www.csminetwork.com by going to the Haiti CD link or by sending a suggested donation of $15.00 or more to the Haiti Relief Fund, P.O. Box 581, Watertown, WI. 53094 . Look for the Haiti Relief Posters while you shop and consider helping the Haiti Relief Fund. All checks are to be payable to the Haiti Relief Fund where proceeds will be divided to the prior mentioned organizations.
February 2, 2010
"A Well-Received Debut Album and Deep Ties to Haiti Make Lara Landon One to Watch As One Of Christian Musics Most Promising New Artists"
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
NASHVILLE,TN (ANS) -- At the age of nineteen, Lara Landon left her home in southern California to study music business at Belmont University, and from there worked to make industry connections while honing her skills at local shows.
Landon, who is a singer-songwriter, is one of 2009's most promising new artists, kicking off the new year with one simple goal: to make a difference.
Last week, Landon joined Michael W. Smith and dozens of artists at Belmont University's Ocean Way Studios in Nashville to record "Come Together Now," which will be made available for sale soon with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts in Haiti.
But her relationship with Haiti is much deeper than one single evening in a Nashville recording studio.
Landon is the co-founder of New Reality International (NRI), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who are victims of extreme poverty, disease and injustice access free healthcare and vocational training.
The song "Better" from Landon's debut album, Beloved (Bema Media/Provident-Integrity Distribution), is the organization's theme song.
Just two months prior to the devastating earthquake, Landon spent a few weeks in Haiti assisting in ongoing efforts there to bring medical aid to a country in desperate need. NRI is currently in the process of mobilizing several teams to return to Haiti this month to aid in the relief efforts there.
"During my previous travels to Haiti, I realized what a wonderful country it has the potential to be," says Landon.
"The people are so full of life and beauty. The children there truly stole my heart and when I saw the recent re-devastation of the country, I knew that God had been preparing me to respond through our organization NRI.
"We are dedicated to helping Haiti recover and rebuild. When the world's attention has faded away we want to still be there making a difference in their lives. I feel very tied to this place now."
"Beloved, the debut release from Lara Landon, is, like most beloved things, a thing of beauty," declares NewReleaseTuesday.com.
The album has received stellar reviews since its release in September, with additional high marks from Focus on the Family's Plugged In Podcast, ChristianityToday.com, Soul-Audio.com, HigherRockMusic.com, CrossRhythms.co.uk, AlphaOmegaNews.org, ChristianMusicReview.org and many others.
"The real star of this album is Landon's voice," states JesusFreakHideout.com, comparing her to the likes of Sarah McLachlan and Leona Lewis.
In the final months of 2009, Landon appeared on numerous television programs including JCTV's new concert series 1 Music Village, Lesea Broadcasting's Live from Studio B, FamilyNet's Mornings, Good Morning Arkansas (ABC affiliate, Little Rock), Live at 9 (CBS affiliate, Memphis), Atlanta Live and the nationally syndicated mainstream morning show Daytime.
In addition, she's currently featured in promotional spots for Gospel Music Channel.
Websites:
www.laralandononline.com
www.myspace.com/laralandon
January 16, 2010 - Skagit Valley Herald
"Area Couple Returns to Haiti to Help Quake Victims"
By Aaron Burkhalter
Laila and Joel Mickelwait visited Haiti just two months ago.
Through their nonprofit, New Reality International, they took a team of dentists, doctors and other medical professionals to bring dental and medical care to the most impoverished neighborhoods.
The newly married couple, which operates Mickelwait Family Dentistry in Mount Vernon, went from a comfortable dental office to the difficult streets of Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital, where they saw 500 patients and performed 800 procedures.
Now theyre preparing to return to the Caribbean nation much sooner than they had expected. With tens of thousands dead or missing in the area and many more injured, the Mickelwaits and a team of medical professionals will join the throng of volunteers helping people heal and recover from Tuesdays devastating earthquake.
Laila Mickelwait was shocked by the news Tuesday that Port-au-Prince was all but destroyed. She said the city in November was already weighted down by poverty and failing infrastructure. She said 99 percent of the people they treated there had never seen a dentist before.
It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Mickelwait said. Thats why we chose to go there. Even when we were there, we were seeing the way buildings were stacked together. We said, If theres ever an earthquake here, its going to be a huge disaster.
In November, the medical facilities lacked basic supplies. Mickelwait predicts they are completely nonexistent now.
We would be woken up in the night with screams, just because they didnt even have anesthetics, she said.
While there, the Mickelwaits and other volunteers were hosted by Haitian Christian Ministries, a nondenominational Christian nonprofit that operates churches, schools and orphanages in and around the nations capital.
Immediately after reading news about the earthquake, Mickelwait began sending e-mails to everyone she had worked with.
She has only heard from a handful of people she knew in Haiti. One doctor logged onto the social networking Web site Facebook, but phone contact is still impossible. She has contact with Haitian Christian Ministries and is working to determine what kind of help the group needs and when theyll be ready for medical volunteers.
Mickelwait has heard from many people hoping to volunteer through New Reality International. Shes had about 150 e-mails from doctors, nurses, dentists, filmmakers and construction workers hoping to follow her and her husband to Haiti.
By Friday, Mickelwait had volunteers lined up from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
Shes putting together an application to make sure volunteers are trained in the appropriate fields and are prepared for the emotional weight of serving a crippled community.
Mickelwait said shes not even sure what to expect.
Ive never been in a situation like that, she said.
Once they have clear lines of communication established with Haitian Christian Ministries, New Reality International will set up bi-monthly trips for as long as help is needed.
They dont have the resources to recover from something like this without massive aid, Mickelwait said.
• Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or aburkhalter_skagitpublishing.com
March 10, 2010
Local Doc Back From Haiti: Humanitarian Mission Brings Relief
By Sari Zeidler
Back from Haiti for less than a week, Dr. Richard Nauheim recently experienced culture shock in the Long Island communities where he has lived and worked all his life. For the ophthalmologist with a practice in Merrick, spending four days on a mission to the tiny, impoverished nation changed the way he sees his familiar surroundings.
From the moment his flight landed in Port-au-Prince, site of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked the country in January, causing massive destruction, Nauheim knew the disaster was worse than he could have grasped by reading about it or watching the TV news from the comfort of his home.
"To come back here, you go through reverse culture shock," Nauheim said, thinking back on the starving and needy people he left behind. "You go to Pathmark and you cry because there's so much food."
Joined by 11 other doctors on a humanitarian mission organized by the nonprofit organization New Reality International, Nauheim said he was overcome by the unbearable heat in Haiti, and he worked in constant fear. His plane landed amid a sea of overcrowded tents where diseases like tuberculosis and malaria were spreading among desperately hungry people. His mind, he said, wandered frequently. He thought of four Americans who had been killed only days before his arrival, and of a nearby prison that had been obliterated in the disaster. Security guards guided Nauheim and his fellow doctors to a dilapidated school bus, which took them on an hour-and-a-half drive to the Haitian border town of Fonds Parisian.
The doctors, traveling with whatever medications and equipment they could carry, turned a church and an empty building surrounded by a stone wall into a temporary home and work space. They slept on the porch the first night to escape the heat, under the protection of malaria tents to safeguard them from mosquitos, and awoke to a crowd of hundreds of Haitians waiting outside the wall.
"There were Haitians in the church, praying and chanting that they'd be seen," Nauheim said. The doctors treated an average of 300 patients each day, but were unable to see everyone who came.
Nauheim said he was touched by the stories of the people he met -- a young medical student who was blinded in one eye in the quake; three young boys whose spirits he lifted with a simple gift of stickers. "We gave them Disney stickers, and you'd have thought we gave them the world," he said.
After four days, Nauheim was exhausted, dirty and suffering the side effects of a diet of nothing but canned food.
When he first landed in Haiti, he said, he wished he could turn around and come home. Now that he is home, his thoughts often return to Haiti, and he said he plans to return.
To learn more about New Reality International, visit www.newrealityinternational.org.
Comments about this story? SZeidler_liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
"It has been a week since I returned from the place that changed my life forever. I know that this is a big statement and how can seven days in one place ultimately transform who you are for the rest of your life? In these seven days, I have been trying to answer that question, trying to find resolution in what took place, what I saw and what I discovered about myself...There is a part of me, deep down, that has shifted. A part of me that I never knew really existed until now, or if it did, it was buried in a place where I was to afraid to recognize my need for self discovery. When a door opens in your life and you are too afraid to walk through it, you dont get to experience the profound possibilities of what is waiting for you. Haiti was waiting for me, God knew this a long time ago, He was preparing me for a time in my life that He knew I would be the most effective, when my heart was ready, when my mind was clear, and when everything I received from my experience would be used for change."
-Nicole Wolf, Photographer , Washington DC
"I arrived in Haiti somewhat concerned about safety issues for myself and our group. Within one day I had no such concerns. By the end of the week, I felt that I had been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Haitian people were nothing but kind, welcoming and a joy to spend time with. The lessons from their loving, positive attitude towards life have changed my life forever."
-Erick MD New York, NY
"I don't know when I'll be going back, but I know that, if I can, I will. It has been the greatest experience of my life; I didn't expect to help at all, but I feel that in some small way, I was able to make a difference in the lives of the impoverished people of Haiti, as were the other wonderful people that came with NRI. I am eternally grateful to them and the people of Haiti."
-Jordan French New York, NY
"Haiti was the poorest nation in the western hemisphere before that fateful day in January of 2010. Now it is not only the poorest, but the most determined and resilient, at least from my perspective. Another interesting word; perspective, something I gained a new understanding of during the last week of my life."
-Christina Mavinic RN Vancouver, BC
I felt very safe in Haiti at all times. Under NRI's experienced guidance and advice, our group was able to complete our mission without incident or risk to our health or safety.
-Richard Nauheim, MD Roslyn, NY
Little Boy
Lara Landon, Advocacy/PR
Nashville, TN
There is a lot I could write about at the moment. Having just got back from Haiti you can imagine- cities made up of nothing more than flimsy sheets stretched across sticks, hundreds of people living in hot tents with amputated legs and arms, a shortage of clean water, hopeless amounts of rubble- all the things we've seen on tv and more. I could tell you about a little girl that was carried in our clinic in a ruffly white Sunday dress almost dead from a sudden attack of meningitis and how we tried to have bigger hospitals (actually just big overcrowded tents with overwhelmed doctors) take her in but they had no room. But I don't want to bombard you with that- I don't want to think about how our work there is just a drop in the bucket. A necessary drop, but a drop nonetheless.
I want to write about a little boy. Last time I was there the kids were my favorite part, but I've never felt like this before. This boy was 10 years old. I spotted him sitting as he watched other kids play basketball with an old deflated ball. The ball hit him and the kids laughed. I asked my young friend Gibson (another of my favorites who speaks some english) to call him over. The little boy limped over and I noticed his shriveled hand. As he sat next to me I looked down at his feet and saw that his toes looked caked with dirt and calloused skin and blood. His skin was dry and dirty. He was wearing torn shorts and a dirty shirt. I asked Gibson "how do you say good?". "Bon" he replied and I said "bon" to the little boy and pointed at him. What could I say? I wanted to tell him he was good even though he was not like the other boys. I wanted to tell him he was handsome even though his hand was deformed, his head swollen, his feet mangled. All I could say was "good".
There is poor and then there is POOR. This little one was POOR and seemed mentally handicapped on top of it. I brought him to the front of the line at the clinic and the doctor, Eric, bandaged his toes. I gave him some of my clean socks, a bag of food, and some clothes. He didn't say more than a few almost inaudible words as we tried to find out who he belonged to and how his feet had gotten two broken toes. He quietly responded that his family came there from the mountains and he had fallen. I followed him to a concrete block where his father, an old looking man with a very dirty ripped shirt emerged and claimed him. I gave him $20 as if that would help.
The next day when I went down to visit with the kids again and receive my daily intake of pure and innocent love from them, I saw my little boy again. I gave him a bouncy ball and this was the first time I saw his big beautiful smile. He was good at bouncing it and running after it shrieking with delight. He or someone had taken off his bandages and once again his feet were covered in dirt but he didn't seem in pain as he played with the ball. It was always hard to leave the kids, mostly because they wouldn't let me but also because I wanted to make sure he was ok.
That night I went to church. It was a night time church service that went from 7 pm to 1 am. I wasn't planning on going the whole time, I just wanted to stop in and see what it was like. I saw my little boy and sat next to him. His smile of recognition melted my heart. Seeing him raise his shriveled hand and sing worship songs pushed me to tears, but having him take my hand and put it on his shoulder as he held it tightly and snuggled in close to me was probably the sweetest moment of my whole life. His smile as he looked up at me was the most innocent thing I've ever seen. I've had many feelings in church but none as holy as this. It was pure love. The love I imagine God created.
I don't even know this little boys name but I miss him. I don't know if he will be there next time I get to go to Haiti, but I will always think of him. He is the reason I want to go back. What is it about someone that is completely innocent and completely helpless that breaks my heart and fills it with love at the same time?
There are kids like him, who are smiling so big, who are playing in the dirt in their "tent cities". They don't know how their situation looks to the rest of the world. They don't know they don't have anything- a home, parents with steady jobs, access to schools and medical care. They have no idea. They are innocent. It's such a contrast to the wrecked landscape. They are beautiful against the piles of rubble as they play in the foul water coming up out of the gutter. But how could people so full of promise and life be forgotten in dust and disease?
No shoes, no purse, no fancy meal, no movie, nothing I've ever spent money on has given me as much joy as the smile of that little boy.
And I wish you could go there yourself and put a face to your desire to do good- it would make it so much more real, it would make it so easy to give if a child took your hand in his.
I just spent 10 dollars on lunch and I wonder why I did that when I could have given it to my little boy and the millions of children he represents. Maybe because I think it won't help and I was hungry. But that routine has got to change. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I felt hunger and remembered those kids and put that ten dollars in an envelope marked "Haiti" so I could eventually have enough money to buy a tent, eventually have enough to buy a plane ticket there, and eventually give a tent to a family that is living underneath a sheet as the rainy season approaches and see their gratitude that they will have a plastic floor to lay their babies on instead of a muddy floor this spring. Sending things there does not seem to be cutting it as everything is so absurdly disorganized that supplies get caught up and frozen in customs, red tape, bribes, corruption and never reaches the people that live 20 miles down the busted up roads unless someone takes it their in their own luggage.
Haiti is the popular thing right now for all do- gooders to donate to and that's great. Last time I went to Haiti we flew there in a tiny plane that was 99% Haitian locals. This time is was a huge plane that was 99% foreigners, most of whom were aid workers- I think that's wonderful. But don't give up giving just because other people are giving now. Everyone is just a drop, but we want your drop in the bucket.
I am selfish. And I think every person on that plane to Haiti was trying to save themselves just as much as they were going to save the Haitian people. I don't care why we are helping as long as we are. I'm helping because I'm desperate to do something worthy with my life, so I won't feel guilty and hate myself. I'm helping because I'm addicted to the love and innocence of children who will let me help them. I'm helping because I love seeing them smile and hate seeing them hungry. I'm very selfish in this way and I bet you can be too.
Even here we see that we do good for a personal reward and that is ok.
Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:34-40
You can donate to my mission of getting back to that little boy and bringing with me tents at www.noisetrade.com/laralandon
Love Will Win
"Serve. Love. Live." All Rights Reserved Copyright 2010 Phone: 360-830-6741 Fax: 360-428-0947 1420 Roosevelt Ave. Ste.7 Mount Vernon WA 98273
