Mission Moments byMary Goetz

Physical Exams and Healthcare Are Making a Difference in Haiti 

During the week of March 14-19, 2022, many lives were changed in our partner school in Haiti. 447 students and staff received much needed physical exams at Centre d'Etudes Lumiere in Mariani, Haiti. This amazing feat was accomplished thanks to generous donors in the U.S. What a difference a $15 donation can make in a person’s life. It’s truly a miracle. The teachers, staff, and students’ families at the school have no health insurance and little money to pay for doctor visits, so these physical exams are critical to providing adequate healthcare.

Camilla Daly and Debbie Phillips, our Haiti Scholars, Inc. Health Team initiated this project last year. At that time, 289 children received physical exams. This year after conferring with Pastor Valcourt, we were able to receive enough money to examine 447 students and staff. We feel blessed to be able to provide so many individuals with this needed exam. We had an overwhelming number of contributions to the campaign this year. This project would not have been possible without financial support from our Haiti Scholars donors. Thank you for giving so generously!

Message from Pastor Valcourt:

“We had a very good week of medical activities with physicals of students (including parents), teachers, support staff and management staff. All were motivated to make this program successful and to receive health care. A total of 447 people benefited from a medical check up thanks to Haiti Scholars. On behalf of the community, I thank you and all those who have infinitely contributed in one way or another to the success of the program."

Haiti Scholars has worked in partnership with Centre d’Etudes Lumiere since 2018. Prior to the physical exam campaign, Haiti Scholars provided hand washing stations for the school.  Also, each student received deworming medicine and Vitamin A supplements. We have found that many Haitian children at the school were lacking vitamin A due to malnutrition.  In September of 2021, thanks to Pregis’ generous donation, each family of students, teachers, and staff  received an Uzima Water Filter for their home. In addition, the school now has water filters. Our hope is that the water filtration systems will help with gastrointestinal problems.

Prior to Haiti Scholars health programs, parents never had the opportunity to help their children stay healthy. During the physical exams,  medications were given if needed,  for pain, anti-diarrhea/gastrointestinal problems, and skin rashes. The end result of the Haiti Scholars health initiative is that it provides  parents with the knowledge for proper nutrition and hygiene so their children can thrive. A detailed report will be given to parents following each child’s physical exam. These reports provide important information for parents and for our health team. 

Our health team (Camilla and Debbie) will continue working with Pastor Valcourt and Mrs. Lea G. Valcourt, the full-time nurse, via zoom to learn about and support the students and staff in Mariani. As Camilla Daly stated, “Praise to them. They live in an environment that can be unsafe. They have a solid faith in God, which never ceases to amaze me. There is no complaining. They never give up. Pastor Valcourt’s determination and faith is so important.”

Thank you so much for your generosity to make the physical exam program a success in Haiti! We appreciate your generous donations, which are making a huge difference in the lives of so many.