Continued Progress Toward Clinic's Opening Day
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Forward in Health continues to make impressive strides as we near completion of a permanent medical clinic in Fondefred, Haiti. Everything is pointing toward June 2012 for the grand opening.
Our list of recent advances includes:
- The FIH board has developed a five year strategic plan facilitated by Pam Reidy, founder and president of Spirit of Hope. This will provide our roadmap to success.
- Hal Seifert from Lopez Island, Washington, has returned to Fondefred, Haiti to oversee completion of phase 1 of the medical clinic.
- Architect Paul Fallon and structural engineers from Simpson, Gumpertz, & Heger John Thomsen and Brian Twomey continue to guide FIH to construct a clinic that will not only function well but be earthquake resistant.
- Matt and Laurie Hogan have donated a 24 foot box truck. The truck will be filled with construction supplies and nonmedical items that will be needed in the clinic. The truck will be shipped into Haiti by early November.
- Included in the box truck will be a new cement mixer. This was only made possible by a generous donation from the Woonsocket, Rhode Island Rotary Club.
- FIH had our first golf tournament fundraiser in September at the Gardner Golf Course.
- The second raffle to have lunch with former New England Patriot Troy Brown sponsored by Narragansett Beer is currently underway. Thanks to Narragansett Beer for their continued support.
- FIH and Seven Hills Global Outreach traveled together to Haiti to evaluate the Les Cayes area, the FIH construction site, and to see how we could collaborate to best help the people of Haiti.
- Through Seven Hills Global Outreach talks have begun between FIH and Notre Dame University of Haiti. Notre Dame has an interest in having their medical students train at the FIH clinic.
- During the trip a meeting was held with community representatives and the local Fondefred legislator and FIH. There was an exchange concerning community needs and Forward in Health resources which are limited. Community leaders stressed how important the clinic is to the community and the community will do everything that they can to ensure its success. By the conclusion both FIH and the community leaders had a better understanding of each other and the complete support of the Fondefred representative to les Cayes.
- FIH met with the mayor of les Cayes and he stressed how important the clinic is not only to the people of Fondefred but the Les Cayes community in general. FIH has his complete support and he provided guidance on how we should start working with the Haitian government.
- FIH met with the Les Cayes Chamber of Commerce and it was stressed that if good health care is provided people from even outside the Les Cayes area will travel to the clinic.
- Legion Thirteen of providence, RI, a marketing firm, is donating their skills and time to help FIH disseminate its message and engage others in our mission.
- FIH has opened an office in downtown Gardner thanks to pledges made by FIH board members to cover the rental cost. This gives FIH a centralized space to work out of, store material, plan and pack trips. In addition we will have items for sale from various Haitian artisans.
- FIH is working with Tim Loftus to test the water on our land and develop an appropriate filtration system.
- Gerry and Mike McGuire are working together to develop an appropriately engineered power system combining solar, a generator, and possibly public electricity which is starting to move out to Fondefred.
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Helping Out-Forward in Health's Work
- FIH volunteers travel to Haiti 3-4 times per year. Missions include medical teams and a third world cultural experience for high school and college students.
- Health care is provided to the poor in a community that has limited to no local access to medical care.
- Over the counter and prescription medicine, basic medical supplies and building materials are provided for a nursing home.
- Volunteers have fed, held, and comforted handicapped children and sick infants that might not be held otherwise. They have cooked meals, sanded and refinished beds, and brightened the day of residents of a nursing home.
- A medical clinic will be built and will bring a permanent medical presence to a community that does not have medical care. Benefits to the community will include; clean drinking water, preventive health education, prenatal care, and HIV/Aids testing to prevent further transmission of the virus to a new generation.
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Click on the images below to visit the galleries.
The Faces of Haiti |
Medical Clinics |
Land and Wall |
Student Trips |
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