Dr. Paul E. Farmer
Dr. Paul Farmer, one of the founders of an organization called Partners in Health which works for the cure of tuberculosis, is a physician and an anthropologist. Working in Haiti taught him poor health may be caused by poverty, inequality, and political unrest.
His newfound knowledge of the problems in Haiti helped him realize his disdain of America's plan for fixing the Haitian economy because the principles of the constitution were being applied in a country that had no legal system. Even through his dislike for the economic plan for Haiti, Farmer always put the health of the people around him first. When he approached Captain Jon Carroll, American Special Forces captain in Haiti, his first question was about the health of Carroll's men, then, after he was told that no one had any serious health issues, he asked about the economic policy.
One of the branches of Partners in Health, Zanmi Lastane pioneered the treatment of tuberculosis and HIV in Haiti. Farmer helped found the World Health Organization's Working Group. Farmer reminds us "as members of the world community, we must recognize that we can and should summon our collective resources to save the countless lives that were previously alleged to be beyond our help." He has the faith in others to help him seek his goals in curing tuberculosis and saving the world from disease. To him, these goals are not just something to strive for, but a moral responsibility.
When he received the Global Exchange International Human Rights Award Dr. Farmer was asked about his own personal heroes to which he responded "The real heroes are the people who have to struggle to get by and still save time for thinking about other people." Dr. Farmer embodies what faith in the world is, he doesn't give up his goals because he believes that people will always strive for them. His faith in the world inspires others to follow his example and become a hero by Dr. Farmer's definition instead of giving up the hope. Farmer himself falls into the category of what he calls a hero, giving of himself to save others.
