Katie,
Thank you for your letter and all of the good news.

To let you know, I just received a "rough cut" of the DVD promoting the
nursing school and it is excellent. Jack Lafontant is outstanding, as I
knew he would be.

Sorry I could not attend the board meeting, but I am still going to push
the annual report thing, and plan to attend the dedication in Nov. and
the Dec. 7 bd mtg.

Jimmy

katiehaiti wrote:

> Hello to all,
>
> I apologize for not posting information sooner, things never go as
> planned! I just wanted to send out an update on the happenings here
> and say thank you to everyone for their dedication and commitment to
> the ministries of HSC and the people of Haiti. As you already know, I
> did not arrive in Haiti until April due to the political problems.
> Things at the hopital continued to run during the troubled months of
> February and March. At times, HSC was one of the safer hopitals for
> Haitians seeking medical care.
>
> Unfortunately, our busiest season in the guesthouse is normally the
> months of February-April. We lost a lot of volunteer groups, which
> in turn means a major loss in revenue for the hopital. Fortunately
> groups have started coming back, regardless of the State Dept's
> terrifying travel warning (which seems to always be in effect). We
> hosted our first group back in early April. They were all first
> timers and I commend their commitment to the hopital. Since then we
> have hosted 2 other lare groups and many smaller groups and
> independent visitors.
>
> USAID provided funding for the construction of a nursing school in
> Leogane last year. The building is complete and remarkable. The
> Medical Benevolence Foundation is now working on fundraising for the
> operating costs. MBF sent a video team here in early May to document
> the Nursing School and also the other ministries of the Episcopal
> Diocese of Haiti.
>
> Hopital Ste Croix is in a difficult financial situation this year.
> The political problems of Haiti, lack of volunteers, and a
> significant decrease in giving from the states has left the hopital
> budget fairly minimal. We are working towards several grants and we
> have been blessed by several generous donors.
>
> Amidst the crisis earlier in the year, Hopital Ste Coix is still
> providing the best possible health care to the people of Haiti.
> There is a thriving cervical cancer research program sponsored by
> Family Health Ministries and the Filariasis Research program
> sponsored by the CDC and Notre Dame continues to be very active in
> both research and community awareness. There is also a new blood
> bank under construction, sponsored by the Red Cross. We are also
> almost finished with the new AIDS patient reception and testing
> area. There are several patient and consulting areas in this new
> addition which will aid those who are battling this disease. HSC also
> held their first Board Meeting in mid-June. Progress reports and
> future visions were discussed among the both Haitian and American
> board members.
>
> The volunteer calendar is slowly starting to fill up again for this
> fall and next spring. I am deeply grateful for those dedicated
> volunteers who commit their time, energy, and faith into both the
> hopital and the people of Haiti. Now more than ever, we need to
> support both Haiti and her people. It is very important for us to
> better understand the political, social, and cultural standards and
> customs of this unique country. With better understanding
> relationships thrive and progress and innovation flourishes.
>
> I am hopeful when looking into the future of both the hoptial and
> Haiti. There are many dedicated people here working towards a better
> tomorrow. I am blessed to be working amongst such inspirational
> people.
>
> My hope is that as the hot summer months die down, the groups will
> start coming back. The doors of Hopital Ste Croix are always open to
> old friends and new faces.
>
> Peace be,
> Katie Griggs
> Volunteer Program Coordinator
> Hopital Ste Croix
>
>
>
>
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