Haiti... Exciting news update!
In 2016 we journeyed several times to do dental work in Port-Au-Prince & Gressier, Haiti. We worked with two different organizations, Believe in Haiti & Respire Haiti. One of those organizations, Believe in Haiti, for whom I serve on the board as Medical/Health Director, has requested a last-minute trip next week and it’s super exciting!
Believe in Haiti has been working in St. Roch to build a Community Center. We had plans drawn up for the building. The local government recently approved it! Next Tuesday, January 24, myself, Justin Henwood (Co-Founder of Believe in Haiti), Chuck my brother, & Beau my son will meet with a local architect and different construction groups. The building will break ground this February and be completed in fall 2017.
This is HUGE for the local community!
The Hope Community Center is being built for Computer, Sewing, English, and Cooking classes, as well as for educational and economic opportunities. Local crops can be canned in this building. The village will have their first oven for the entire community! The lower floor of the Hope Community Center is designed to be used as a Health and Dental Clinic!
This Sunday, January 22, Justin Henwood, Chuck, Beau, and myself travel to Haiti for 4 days. Justin and Beau will provide the construction leadership as we meet in Port-Au-Prince and up the mountain in St. Roch with architects, local builders, and construction support people.
On Monday afternoon I will have the privilege of meeting with Dr. Samuel Prophete, Dean of The University of Haiti Dental School. Thanks to my friends at the American Dental Association Foundation, leaders of International Humanitarian Dental Service, who helped make this meeting possible. Dr. Prophete seems to be very friendly! Our goal is to involve local dentists in our service.
In addition, we will meet with four dentists from the Boston area working with and for the St. Roch Foundation. Two Haitian dentists work with them now. It is a miracle that we will all be in Haiti together. Coordinated efforts will be to everyone’s benefit. We will meet with the St. Roch Foundation’s leadership that’s will be in country.
This is my first trip to Haiti without dental patient responsibilities It’s a short trip, but an important trip from a strategic perspective. I’m excited to see more of the vision of how we can impact Haiti long term and help the community flourish.
