Discussions from the June Summit Meeting

The Promise for Haiti Partner's meeting met on June 25-26 in Bloomington, MN. There were 18 people in attendance. Many thoughts and reports were presented along with prayers to drive the missions forward into the future. Below is a brief overview of the reports:

• Hospital de Bienfaisance-Dr. Guy reported that when the hospital started it was only 7% self- sustaining and it is now 44% self-sustaining. The growth and performance of this hospital is outstanding and continues to grow. 36,831 patients were seen in the year 2010.There are 259 employees who work at the hospital. The patient visits include dental patients,surgeries, lab tests,baby deliveries, HIV testing and treatment, cholera patients and many other services that are performed at the hospital. During this first half of the year Hospital Operating expenses have increased due to cholera, the economy, and inflation. Therefore, funding from donations and many other resources are so vital to the life of this hospital.

•  Cholera-Sanitation,water, and waste disposal are contributing factors to the cholera epidemic. Heavy rains cause tremendous problems with spreading the illness. The Ministry of Health is currently working on this problem. The average patient load is from 5-18 people per week.

• Biomedics Program-Houston Haiti Recover Initiative is developing a program in Pignon to help upgrade the medical care with medical teams and biomedical repair and training. Through the help of Rotarians they will teach, train, and repair equipment.

• Maternity House-The goal is to build, train, equip, and hire employees. This building, which is not totally completed, is separate from the hospital and will be used to help maternity patients. Due to the Cholera crisis, this building is used as an overflow area for the cholera patients. This program needs more funding to staff and supply equipment needed to operate this area.

• Farm Program-At present, the Mango Project has it own manager. There is one worker on the farm and one who has been sent to school. The direction for this program is for it to become self sustaining in growing, packaging, marketing and exporting this delicious fruit.

• Haitian Advanced Scholarship Program-Two new students (one nursing and one medical student) will be joining the program this Fall. This program provides education and training to students. When they graduate, they will give two years of service to the hospital for each year of graduate school training that they received.

• Dental Clinic-Dr. Jim Birong has developed an impressive Dental Insurance program. With his direction, this clinic has provided dental care for many. A new dentist, Dr. Wesley Joseph who is the first dentist from Pignon, is now working at the clinic. He will start doing bridge work soon. New equipment will be coming to help with this and other procedures. All children who attend the CBP schools receive free dental checkups.

• Septic System-Larry Madole and Herb Sikkink are directing the Septic system Project. Digging trenches and installing pipes will help with this system but this is only a "band-aid" approach. This sanitation project is a huge task and is rapidly becoming one that we cannot keep maintaining.We need to completely replace this aging system. This system is a vital component to our hospital. Urgent help is needed!!

• Wash House Project-Future plans are to build a house on an existing slab and install 2 washing machines, a hot water heater if needed, public restrooms, and showers. Many Hands for Haiti will be funding this project.

• Haitian Education Literary Program-The HELP program oversees the operation of 9 schools. In 2010-11 school year there were 1,052 scholarship recipients through the financial help of sponsors. Currently there are 566 sponsors. They are currently receiving money for the 2011-12 school year. To date 2.069 students have been sponsored.

 One can see how many lives in Pignon have been touched through by the dedication and hard work of many volunteers, staff workers, board members, and prayers.These reports just touch the surface about the wonderful programs and projects that are performed through Promise For Haiti, Inc. All of this would not be possible without you and the giving spirit of others. Our intentions are to continue to grow and prosper in the years to come!!

Donations can be received through Paypal!

Cholera Update in Pignon,Haiti!   

Numbers are updated weekly. Studies show that it will take 10-15 years to eradicate this illness. Can you imagine all the supplies that are needed to treat this illness!   Please note: These numbers continue to increase!  

 As to date, the 65 bed hospital has treated 4,436 patients in total at the Cholera Treatment Center. 4,381 patients have been discharged while 25 are now hospitalized.      

The deceased total is 30.    

(Sadly, we have lost 4 more people.)

Volunteer Trip Tips!    

1. Fill out an application to register with the Embassy. Renew yearly.
2. Update immunizations.
3. Take the Malaria course.
4. Use caution around the animals.
5. Allow only visitors into the compound and dorms.


Dorms: Due to demands for dorm supplies, only 2 teams at a time can be housed in the dorms.

Dorm Statistics: Each dorm holds a different capacity.

• Hospital Dorm -13 people
• Iowa Dorm-16 people
• Minnesota Dorm-18 people

                  Each team needs to remember to bring these supplies:               

                                Sheets                                 

                              Pillow Cases                               

Towels

Toilet Paper

        Thank you for your support and dedication!

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