Project Street Wise helps the poor with first-aid
BY MARIA PREKEGES
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Mohammed Ali
Ali’s words are mentioned not only to honor “The Greatest” after his passing, but to remind people that there are many ways to give back in today’s world. Inspired by what he’d seen abroad, one Hailey man did just that.
Jim Herbert started his journey to simply discover what certain countries were all about. He wanted to focus on foreign countries and really ‘see’ them through the eyes of his camera, and not the typical tourist brochure. What he ended up seeing, and doing for the people of these countries, would not only impact them, but himself as well.
Herbert, a photographer and videographer, always wanted to see Vietnam.
“I was in the Navy during the war, but the last year I did a special project in Antarctica,” he said. “When I got back, there was a lot of propaganda, so I decided I really wanted to see the other side of the story. That was my original reason to go.”
And go he did, logging more than 10,000 miles on his motorcycle.
“During these trips I was always drawn to the real poverty areas as I felt maybe I could, in some small way, make a little difference. These areas also provided excellent opportunities for photographing and filming beautiful people who, by our standards, have nothing. Yet, they have the most incredible smiles.”
Over the past five years Herbert came across numerous accidents. As a retired firefighter and medic, he carries a first-aid kit with him at all times. He said people in these areas rarely have resources to take care of injuries.
“I’ve lost count of the number of accidents that I’ve stopped at and done patient care. I ethically have a difficult time passing, so I stop,” he said. “It’s definitely something that is needed.”
After seeing this need firsthand, in 2014 Herbert created Project Street Wise – using his own funds – and began giving away first-aid kits to schools and villages in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The kits contain bandages, compresses, wound care supplies, splints and other items.
“I started working on Project Street Wise here in the Valley, but it was for the purpose to go to Southeast Asia.”
Now, due to lack of funds, Herbert can’t continue to make the kits. However, he still plans on returning to Asia to teach and educate the population about health and first-aid.
“If I could get funding, I would continue the program with the kits. It takes money to do it, and I just can’t continue to fund the project,” he said.
Herbert will go back this October and re-evaluate the program.
“Even though I can’t continue [to fund the program on my own], I will count the small successes and remember the children’s smiling faces and the thanks from those who were helped. I will return and continue to teach for free. It’s what I have left.”
For more information contact Herbert at n606xe@gmail.com.