2006 Report

Healing Art Missions 2006 Summary

This year we have persevered in the face of adversity. The first half of the year was a time of increased violence surrounding the National Elections, and we have yet to see improvement under the new regime. We experienced increasing problems getting medical supplies out of customs. Kidnappings have always been a concern, and in 2006 there were some kidnappings at the location of the bunk house our U.S. teams stay in, which forced us to find new accommodations.

At the Dumay Clinic itself, our lead community health worker, Wesner, died suddenly of a bleeding ulcer, which caused rumors of a Dumay Clinic curse. He was an extremely reliable and enthusiastic health advocate for the community. His absence is felt by everyone in the clinic and in the community.

In spite of these problems, our projects not only remain in place but are in fact growing.

√ We are working hard to ensure that the Dumay Clinic remains a reliable presence in the lives of those who depend on it. We have staffing agreements with six Haitian physicians who regularly come to the clinic to see patients. We also employ a number of staff persons who handle everything from nursing and community health to security and cleaning. Altogether, the clinic now employs 27 people!

√ The school continues to operate for 550 children ages 5-15. The staff would like to build a computer education wing onto the school, but as of now we lack the needed funds for the project.

√ This year we began an agricultural information exchange with a Farmer’s Collective, MPP, in Hinche. They are working on innovative farming practices to use land more efficiently. In April, we brought a team from Dumay to Hinche, and in September, a team traveled from Hinche to hold classes in Dumay.

In the next year, we hope to raise the funds needed to construct a bunk house next to the clinic. This will save time spent on the road and increase our security in Haiti. Due to the lack of reliable energy, we also hope to tie a solar power project to the building project, which would supply power to the clinic, the school, and the bunkhouse. Architect O.A. Spencer, Inc. and contractor Richard Downs are donating their expertise to the project. I’d be happy to supply copy of the plans to anyone interested.

The following chart gives you an idea of what we accomplished and of the many contributions that made those accomplishments possible. You’ll also find an account of our incomes and expenses.

A report for 2006 that details our accomplishments and provides information about how we raised and spent money is available here, as a pdf document:

2006 Summary and Report

You will see that together we accomplished extraordinary things, and that we did so relying on the work and donations of people and organizations from the local community.

We are making a real difference in the lives of people who are among the poorest of the poor in the whole world. And we are doing it all by ourselves—no government, no NGO, no foundation, no national organization. Just us: ordinary people who contribute our own resources and talents to a common project. It is both awesome and humbling to be a part this project: thank you for all you do.

Three 2006 Stories

Christopher Elie was born without an anus. He needed immediate emergency surgery to attach a colostomy bag to his stomach, and to afford it his mother sold the family’s home. The family was homeless, and Christopher needed reconstructive surgery. With generous contributions from many of you, we were able to present Christopher’s mother with a check to cover his surgery and buy a home during our June medical mission.

Nelio came to us with a broken leg that had healed improperly so he had been walking on the side of his leg for two years. Dr. Beauvoir, a Haitian orthopedic surgeon, has volunteered his skills, and your generosity has enabled us to pay for surgical costs and medical supplies so Nelio can have a series of surgeries to straighten his leg. We are now helping him stay near Dr. Beauvoir, who sees him 2-3 times a week at no charge.

In June, Nurse Carmel Nurse Carmel—the head nurse at our clinic—was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our Ob/Gyn, Dr. Serant volunteered to do her surgery, and Womenade paid her surgical fees. We then raised the money needed to pay for her chemotherapy, and are now helping her obtain radiation therapy.