News Archive 2009

GRANT ENABLES CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION (27 December 2009)
A generous grant from Goldman Sachs will allow Family Health Ministries to lower the cost of their CerviScope, an innovative diagnostic tool designed especially to prevent cervical cancer in low resource settings.

The incidence of cervical cancer in the developing world is projected to double by 2030 because so many communities lack access to screening.

Goldman Sachs’ gift will support a significant increase in screening by providing funds for more CerviScopes, including the one-time development of an injection molding process that will significantly cut manufacturing costs.

Read the entire press release.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANTS (25 December 2009)

Mission trip participants and Duke University students will be happy to hear that FHM's new van has arrived and is equipped with bumper guard and roof rack. This new vehicle will make FHM transportation in Haiti much easier, thanks to a grant from the Duke Global Health Institute.

Inspired to travel to Haiti with us in 2010? Trips are filling fast. Read about the 2010 trips.

EVERY GIFT COUNTS - $25K CHALLENGE GRANT (14 December 2009)
Family Health Ministries is pleased to announce a challenge grant of $25,000 from Harvey Carnes of Chapel Hill, NC, to help build the Leogane Family Health and Research Center, supporting women's and children's healthcare in Haiti.

Please help FHM achieve this challenge! Donate online or contact our office at 919-382-5500 to use your credit card. Or, send a check to P.O. Box 16725, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-6725. Every gift counts!

INTRODUCING JUSTIN DAVIS (10 December 2009)
Justin Davis, FHM's new Financial Database Manager, is a recent graduate of Baylor University in Waco, TX, where he majored in religion.

Justin grew up in southern CA. His passion is social justice. Justin will be in the office Monday-Friday, from 9 am until noon.

PAM CATLIN RETIRES FROM FHM (8 December 2009)
After five years of faithful service, Pam Catlin, most recently FHM's Financial Database Manager, has retired.

Pam served in a number of roles, including office manager, helping lead FHM from a very small organization with less than $300,000 in donations to more than twice that today. FHM's Board is grateful for all the ways Pam has contributed to the ministry. Her fellow staff members will miss her joyful presence.

Justin Davis has replaced Pam as Financial Database Manager. His hours are 9 - 12, Monday through Friday.

" Little Windows" IN CONCERT ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, AT 7:30 PM

Join the duo of Mark Weems and Julee Glaub as they perform traditional Irish and Appalachian tunes to celebrate the Christmas holidays at the Reality Community Center, 916 Lamond Avenue in Durham (at the corner of Gregson across from the Durham School of the Arts).

All proceeds benefit women and children
in Haiti.

Contact the FHM office at 919-382-5500 to reserve your seat. $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Gaspard and Dancers PERFORMANCE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, AT 7:30 PM

Join Gaspard Louis, co-instructor of Kreyol Language and Culture, for the debut of his new dance troupe in Reynolds Theatre on the Duke University Campus.

Learn more.

FRANKEL RECEIVES DEGREE (23 Nov 2009)
Annaus Frankel, long time employee of the FHM Blanchard clinic,  received his degree in Computer Science last week.

Annaus has worked for  Family Health Ministries as our Public Health Coordinator since March, 2004. He also is the primary data manager for both the public health outreach program and the cervical cancer program at Blanchard. CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNAUS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

NEW PICTURES IN FONDWA (16 November 2009)
Jamalyn Williamson, FHM Project Manager for Fondwa, is leading a mission team to Fondwa this week to take annual student portraits for FHM's sponsorship program.

It's a great time of year to get involved - helping children, teachers, and nursing students. Give a sponsorship in honor of someone you love and we'll supply the gift card.

ANNUAL GROWTH PROJECTED AT 2.4% (11 November 2009)
Haiti is one of two countries in the Caribbean that is expected to post positive growth this year, despite the world economy and last year's hurricanes. Read more in the recent Miami Herald article.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FIGHT CANCER (3 November 2009)
Help FHM fight cervical cancer in Haiti by purchasing Christmas cards for your friends and family.

Order using our online catalog or call our office at 919-382-5500. Get 10 5"x7" cards for $15.

IRONMAN RAISES $12K ( 2 November 2009)
Dave Olive, Ob/Gyn, (above right) of Madison, Wisconsin, raised $12,000 for FHM's new healthcare center in Leogane, Haiti.

Read Dave's amazing story about fighting cancer and becoming an Ironman!

SPIN FOR HAITI (22 October 2009)
Join Kelly Kreider of North Carolina at Gold's Gym in RTP on November 5 and 19 and December 3 and 15 to raise funds to improve healthcare for women and children in Haiti. Classes are at 5:45 pm. Read more.

DANIEL AUGUSTE JOINS FHM (19 October 2009)
Haitian native Daniel Auguste has joined the FHM family, serving as an administrative assistant in our Durham office. He replaces Debbie Strobel who left FHM in late August to begin a career teaching school.

Daniel is from the Port-au-Prince area and is a recent college graduate. His hours are 9 am - 2 pm Monday - Friday.

FIRST MEDICAL MISSION IN LEOGANE (14 October 2009)
Enjoy a collage of pictures of the team who offered medical help to 570 patients last week in Leogane.


THINKING OF A MISSION TRIP??? (13 October 2009)
You've been wanting to to Haiti with FHM? November is a great time to go to the mountains and visit the children at FHM's school and orphanage.

We have a small group going on a short trip, Nov 15 - 21, 2009.

The group will take the annual pictures of our students at the Fondwa School. This may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Email Jamalyn Williamson, FHM's sponsorship coordinator, who will be leading the trip. Or, call our office at 919-382-5500 for details.

2010 trip dates are also posted. It's not too early to reserve a spot.


LEOGANE MEDICAL TEAM RETURNS (12 October 2009)
FHM's recent medical team returned from Haiti yesterday. They ran the first medical clinic in FHM's new Leogane Clinic, serving 570 patients. in 4 days.

Many more patients arrived at the clinic than could be served, indicating the community's need for inexpensive healthcare. The team passed out flyers about FHM's proposed Health and Research Center for Leogane.

Pictured above are members of Greenboro's Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the healthcare providers who joined them in service.

Read more about their trip on FHM's Mission Team Blog.

TRAVEL WITH US TO HAITI (1 October 2009)
Join the current FHM medical team as they work in Leogane by reading our blog. It will be updated whenever we have time and electricity.

IT TAKES PARTNERSHIP! (24 September 2009)
Read about what it takes to test over 5000 women for cervical cancer, and then to treat those who are at risk. This is the challenge FHM faces in Haiti.

Read about this project and other FHM accomplishments during the spring and summer. The fall newsletter is now on-line.

You can sign up for future email versions now. In the meantime, you can read the .pdf version.

PRESCRIPTION: HOPE FOR HAITI (22 September 2009)
Former US President Bill Clinton, the UN's special envoy to Haiti, urged nations who have pledged finanical aid to fulfill their commitments to Haiti. Clinton said Haiti has been delivering on promises to stablize the country, according to Reuters.

The UN's strategy in Haiti is based on a report by Paul Collier, an Oxford University professor, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Collier provides a prescription for hope to move Haiti to socio-economic stablility. He writes that Haiti's "problems are fixable if the international community moves beyond gestures to a co-ordinated use of a range of policies: security, trade, governance and aid."

HE DID IT!!!!! (17 September 2009)
Dave Olive finished the Ford Ironman Wisconsin on Saturday, coming in 1800 of 2397 finishers. He was #47 out of 73 competitors in his division, finishing in 15 hours, 1 minute, and 37 seconds. Amazing!

Help Dave finish his second goal of raising $30,000 for FHM's Family Health and Research Center in Leogane. See Dave's pictures on his webpage.

NEW FHM MISSIONARY (14 September 2009)
Megan Rohrmayer (above right), a graduate of Indiana State University with a degree in Child Development and Family Services, has joined the FHM staff as a missionary in Leogane and Fondwa.

Read about Megan's plans and how to support her work in Haiti.

BACK to SCHOOL (2 September 2009)
As school starts again this fall in Haiti, children are suffering from the global economic slump. Many past donors are now unable to provide school support, depriving the children of tuition, school supplies, paid teachers, and a daily hot lunch.

School is still a privilege for children in Haiti. The opportunity to attend is not guaranteed by the government, but dependent on outside generosity.

Read more about how you can help. Consider creating a group of friends and/or family to support a student, helping Family Health Ministries meet the need.

HAITIAN PATHOLOGIST VISITS FHM & DUKE (31 August 2009)
Dr. Claude Pierre (center above) from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, visited Family Health Ministries in our Durham offices last week.

Dr. Pierre had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Stan Robboy (right above), Duke's Chief of Diagnostic Services with a special interest in gynecologic pathology. Dr. Pierre also received training on new pathology lab equipment from Duke resident Sara Jiang (left above).

Dr. Pierre is one of 10 pathologists who provides services for the more than 9 million people of Haiti. Educated in France, she is committed to Haiti's people. It is a daily struggle to provide the best services under some of the worst conditions. Often she works with no electricity, and with severe shortages of supplies, people, and time.

FHM hopes to have a collaborative relationship with Dr. Pierre in Haiti's fight against cervical cancer. Read more about FHM's new pathology lab at the Blanchard Clinic.



WOMEN'S GROUP ELECTS OFFICERS (24 August 2009)
FHM's Women's Group in Leogane elected officers at their second meeting in August. Thirteen women attended.

Violette Jean Baptiste (above left) a laboratory medical technician in Leogane, was elected as the group's counselor. Sonala Louis, (middle above) a local manager, is the new coordinator. Merlande Nelson (right above) is a dressmaker. She was elected as the group's secretary.

The group's purpose is to support Family Health Ministries in building and sustaining healthy families in the Leogane community. Near term projects are neonatal care and a birth registry.

Read more about FHM's work with women in Leogane.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MEANS FUN (24 August 2009)
FHM's 2009 Vacation Bible School Team made lots of kids happy in both Blanchard and Fondwa. See a page of pictures from their trip.

It's not too early to sign up for a 2010 trip with FHM. View the dates on-line.

CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION EXPANDS (4 August 2009)
FHM's cervical cancer prevention has expanded from Leogane to the Blanchard community. With help from volunteer Kris McCain, Ob/Gyn, (above left) and FHM's Junior Deliepre, Ob/Gyn, FHM is providing followup for 400 women.

FHM's portable colposcope, the CerviScope, is being used by the team daily.

CERVICAL CANCER EDUCATION (4 August 2009)
One of the most important and long-lasting activities of this year's Duke Engage program in Haiti with FHM was cervical cancer prevention education. Laura Ferraro (above, center, in grey shirt with FHM logo) was one of the team members who produced classes, a brochure in Kreyol, and a skit to educate Haitian women.

Read more about Duke Engage and see more pictures of the cervical cancer prevention classes.

WHY ARE THESE LITTLE GIRLS SO HAPPY? (28 July 2009) Taina and Midlene, originally from Fondwa, Haiti are supporting their dad. Dave Olive is running for FHM's new Family Health and Research Center in Leogane, close to the girls' birth home.

Learn more about Dave's quest and how you can help.

VIDEO MAKES AN IMPRESSION (28 July 2009)
As they finish up their stay in Haiti, part of the Duke Engage team is filling their last few days educating women about cervical cancer prevention. Read Matt Gay's reflections.

VBS UPDATE (23 July 2009)
Read the latest message from team leader Nancy Holton.

VBS TEAM ARRIVES IN PAP (20 July 2009)
FHM's latest mission team arrived in Haiti on Saturday. Their first Vacation Bible School classes will be held in the Blanchard Community adjacent to FHM's clinic at the Christian Community Church (below). Later in the week they will travel to the Fondwa Community. Read the team updates.



Sign up for a 2010 mission trip - dates are now posted.



DUKE GLOBAL HEALTH INSTITUTE NEWS FEATURE (15 July 2009)
FHM's Duke Engage students were featured recently in the Duke Global Health Institute News.

The article featured the students' prevention work and their recent 30-mile hike.

MD HELPS FHM WITH PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE (14 July 2009)
Tiffany Wedlake, MD, is working with Family Health Ministries in July and August. Tiffany is completing both a residency in preventative medicine and an MPH at UNC-Chapel Hill.

At FHM, she is rewriting the provider's guide for FHM medical clinics in Haiti, and creating educational materials for patient follow up.

THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE (7 July 2009)
Duke Engage students continue to be involved in the Leogane community as they spend their second month in Haiti.

Over the weekend, Sunita Saith participated in a mobile medical clinic with volunteer nursing students from Leogane and from Minnesota. Read Sunita's comments in her blog. Learn more about the program on the FHM/ Duke Engage page.

STUDENTS TAKE TWO-DAY HIKE (30 June 2009)
Read about the two-day hike Duke Engage students recently completed in La Visite National Park in Haiti.

FHM MEDICAL TEAM RETURNS (29 June 2009)
Posing on the stairs of the Fondwa Guest House before their return to Port-au-Prince, the fifteen members of FHM's medical mission to the Blanchard Clinic enjoyed a few days of relaxation before returning to the US. See pictures from the trip. and read more about the team's trip on FHM's Mission Team Blog.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING EXPANDS (16 June 2009)
FHM Research Coordinator Jackie Ndirangu is leading a team to expand cervical cancer screening to Port-au-Prince in June and July. Screening locations include FHM's Blanchard Clinic and the Christian Community Church clinic in Cite Soleil.

HANNAH MEADOR LEADS DUKE ENGAGE (9 June 2009)
Hannah Meador is Family Health Ministries' coordinator for the Duke Engage Program in Leogane Haiti. Many of you know Hannah as she worked in FHM's Durham office for about 10 months in 2007. Hannah recently graduated from Vanderbuilt University.

Read more about the new Duke Engage program in Haiti, including weekly notes from participating students and entries by the team's official blogger.

DUKE ENGAGE BEGINS IN LEOGANE (2 June 2009)
Seven Duke Engage undergraduate students arrived yesterday in Leogane, Haiti to work on Family Health Ministries projects. The students have three major areas of work: GPS mapping and surveying of existing Leogane health facilities; surveying women’s perception of health care needs and services in the community, and developing educational programs for cervical cancer prevention. The students will be working in Leogane for eight weeks, providing service as well as learning about Haitian culture, traditions, and healthcare needs. Learn more about the program and keep up with their blogs.

FHM FEATURED ON DICK GORDON'S "THE STORY" (27 May 2009)
FHM's board chairman David Walmer, MD, PhD, was featured today on Dick Gordon's "The Story" on National Public Radio. He's joined by FHM's Delson Mersier, MD, to discuss projects in Leogane including the Family Health & Research Center.

Hear the show.

DAVE OLIVE RUNS MARATHON IN MADISON (26 May 2009)
Have you wondered about Team Olive but haven't yet clicked on the pretty pickle above? Watch this video about Dave Olive's recent run in the Madison Marathon and learn more about the man behind the Team.

Dave's adopted Haitian daughters ran the last 100 yards with their dad. See them as well on the video, clearly thriving since leaving the Fondwa orphanage.

Help Dave raise money for Family Health Ministries' new Family Health & Research Center in Leogane by clicking on the olive above or by going to Dave's fund raising webpage.

DEBBIE STROBEL JOINS FHM (21 May 2009)
Debbie Strobel is the new voice on FHM's office telephone. She joined the Durham office recently, moving to North Carolina from Pittsburgh, PA. She is a graduate of Youngstown State University in Ohio with a degree in education, focusing in English.

Debbie serves as FHM's administrative assistant from 9 am - 1 pm Monday through Friday.

STUDENTS RAISE $$$ FOR CHILDREN IN HAITI (18 May 2009)
Children at the Immaculata Catholic School of Durham, NC. raised over $1,000.00 to support the 567 children at the St Antoine School in Fondwa, Haiti.

As they watched attentively (above), first grade teacher Ms. Leslie Huml (below right) presented a check to FHM's Executive Director Kathy Walmer (below left). The funds were raised as part of a Lenten project at the school, with participation from preschool through second grade.

FHM's school sponsorship program provides five meals a week, a contribution to teacher salaries, regular anti-parasite medicine, daily vitamins and an annual nutritional assessment for each student.

Ms. Huml is traveling to Fondwa in July with Family Health Ministries and will bring greetings from the children of Immaculata to the children of Fondwa who will participate in a summer Vacation Bible School.

HELP FHM "GO GREEN" (11 May 2009)
Family Health Ministries would like to save trees, ink, and electricity by sending more communications to supporters via email. We currently send a mailing four time/year.

Communicating via email will not just help us "Go Green." It will also allow us to send more funds to Haiti.

Please email us with your email address. Make sure to tell us your name and and street address, too. Thank you!


CHEAP SCOPE CAN SPOT CANCER ( 5 May 2009)
Saturday's Raleigh News and Observer featured a story about FHM's Chairman Dr. David Walmer and the invention of the Cerviscope.

CELEBRATE HAITI! WAS SATURDAY (4 May 2009)
Over 160 people attended FHM's annual fundraiser on the Duke University campus on 2 May.

Attendees enjoyed fabulous Carribean-style food prepared by Meriweather Duke. Entrees included Jerk Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa, Fish Cakes with Tomato Remoulade and Pulled Pork. Dessert was once again donated by gourmet pastry chef Diane Cobb.

The silent and live auctions netted over $11,000 to build a health center for the indigent in Leogane, Haiti.

CELEBRATE HAITI! IS SATURDAY, May 2nd! (1 May 2009)

Get directions to the Winter Garden.

Preview the silent and live auction items.

Preview some of the arts and crafts for sale.

EXPERIENCE HAITI IN A POSITIVE WAY (20 April 2009)
Watch a slideshow created by David Walmer about his latest Duke class trip to experience a positive side of Haiti. Other recent missioners have written about what they saw and felt on our web page entitled, "Personal Experiences."

HAITI IN THE NEWS (20 April 2009)
Elections:

According to Fox News, votor turnout in Haiti's Sunday senate elections was low and the violence was limited compared to past elections. Apparently polling places had to be closed down in the central part of the country near Mirebalais because of protestors.

Fox's online article provides background for those who have not followed the latest Haitian elections closely.

US Aid:

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton visited Haiti on April 16th, pledging more US aid. Read the NYTimes report of her visit.

Wedding Dresses to Haiti:

The Durham News last week told the story about Cheryl Catlin, daughter-in-law of FHM's Pam Catlin. Cheryl worked with FHM's Pastor Leon Dorleans to take donated wedding dresses to Haiti.

LEARN KREYOL AT DUKE (13 April 2009)
Duke University will offer a for credit course in Kreyol again next fall. Read about the course and contact Duke's Deborah Jenson for more details.

FONDWA ORPHANAGE NEARS COMPLETION (1 April 2009)

Progress continues on the Fondwa orphanage construction project. The third phase will add two more bedrooms and allow the children to spread out and have more personal space.

The addition also adds  indoor plumbing which the children have never had.

The generator is planned to be installed at the beginning of the summer bringing electricity and refrigeration to the home. This will give the children the ability to study after sunset and  allow for safer food preparation.

Read more about the orphanage construction.

DUKE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH FHM (25 March 2009, updated 30 March 2009)
Duke University issues the following statement yesterday about their new partnership with FHM:

The Duke Global Health Institute, Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke OB/GYN, and Family Health Ministries (FHM) have joined forces to formalize Duke's involvement in Leogane, Haiti. Under the leadership of David Walmer, associate professor in reproductive endocrinology and fertility, and chairman of Family Health Ministries, fieldwork opportunities will be available to Duke global health residents; undergraduate, graduate and professional students; and faculty interested in conducting research in Haiti. 

Read about FHM on the Global Health site.
Read a Global Health story about a young Haitian currently studying in the US.

STUDENT TEAM RETURNS FROM HAITI (24 March 2009)
Learn more about the class studying "Healing in the Developing World and Care of the Underserved from a Medical and Theological Perspective," Duke University's Global Health 211, and their trip to Haiti.

More stories and pictures from recent mission trips are available on the "Personal Experiences" page of this website.



STUDENTS ENJOY BEACH AT JACMEL & LEOGANE (13 March 2009 from Leogane)
Boat building at the shore in Leogane plus a trip to the beach at Jacmel have occupied Duke students' last two days in Hait. The group returns to NC on Sunday.

HEALTH ASSESSMENTS SHOW HIGHER HEMOGLOBINS (12 March 2009 from Fondwa)
Seventeen Duke students completed the annual health assessment at the Ste. Antoine School in Fondwa today, weighing and measuring students. After testing hemoglobins, the kids received an antiparasitic and a lollypop.

During recess, the visiting students got to watch the local students play a very lively game of soccer.

TEAM ARRIVES IN FONDWA (11 March 2008, from Fondwa)
FHM's current team from Duke arrived in the mountain town of Fondwa today, taking a 5 hour hike through the valleys and hills. On Thursday they will conduct the annual nutritional assessment at the Ste. Antoine School, measuring heights, weights and hemoglobins of approximately 300 students aged 3 through 10 years.


FIRST FOCUS GROUP IN LEOGANE (10 March 2009 from Leogane)
Dr. Rachel Peragallo conducted the first focus group in Leogane to determine the needs of community women. Peragallo learned that the women were honored and greatful to be consulted and that they were well aware of community needs. They also said repeatedly that Leogane needs a new hospital.


TEAM ENJOYS 2ND DAY IN LEOGANE (9 March 2009 from Leogane)
On their second day in Leogane, Duke students took drumming and art lessons, ate fresh coconut, raw sugarcane, and cassava, and visited the nursing school and a voodoo temple.

DUKE STUDENT TEAM ARRIVES IN LEOGANE (8 March 2009 from Leogane)
Seventeen members of a Duke Global Health class arrived in Leogane successfully on Sunday. They have been treated to the music and dance of the rara bands as they celebrate Sundays during Lent. Leogane is especially known as a center for rara music.


SCREENINGS BEGIN AT NEW CLINIC (3 March 2009)
FHM's research coordinator Jackie Ndirangu in collaboration with Dr. Delson Merisier, OB/GYN and a team of nurses and technicians (above) began cervical cancer screenings this week at FHM's new clinic in Leogane. Forty women were screened on the first day.

FHM is working in collaboration with QIAGEN to screen 1000 more patients in March.

Jackie and FHM intern Michelle Graziano are also making progress setting up FHM's new lab on the second floor, as the construction continues to make superb progress (below).

HEY YOU! (26 February 2009)
Read "musings" from a February 2009 mission trip. Chris, a mother from KY, tells about using her gifts in Haiti.

Other personal experiences from recent missioners are also online as they tell their stories of traveling to Haiti.

2008 Annual Report Now On-line (18 February 2009)
Read about FHM's 2008 accomplishments including updates on Blanchard, Leogane and Fondwa, financial reports, and lots of recent pictures.

DUKE MED STUDENT BEGINS HAITI INTERNSHIP (17 February 2009)
Michelle Graziano, FHM's third year Duke University Medical School intern, has begun working in Leogane this week. Michelle is helping screen women for cervical cancer and working with FHM's research coordinator Jackie Ndirangu to set up a new laboratory on the second floor of FHM's new Leogane Clinic (see next article.)

The laboratory will be used to diagnose cervical cancer and save Leogane women's traveling to Port-au-Prince for expensive tests that they might not be able to afford.

Michelle has been working with FHM since August 2008 in a variety of capacities, including traveling to Haiti with a mission team in October (picture above). She will serve in Leogane for seven weeks. Michelle is the 18th Duke University student to serve with FHM, extending the partnership that began in 2000.


SATELLITE CLINIC GETS ROOF (10 February 2009)
The new Leogane satellite clinic received a roof this week thanks to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC. The clinic is the new home for the Family Health Ministry cervical cancer prevention program. The second floor of the clinic will open in the next few weeks with an onsite pathology lab.

This new pathology lab was made possible through a grant from the QIAGEN corporation. The lab will allow women to receive diagnosis and treatment in the Leogane community without having to make the long and expensive trip to Port-au-Prince for pathology results.

HAITI MISSION TEAM UPDATE (Blanchard, Haiti, 5 February 2009)
Update as the team moves to Fondwa:

The February team has had a great three days in Port-au-Prince. They have almost completed the construction of the house started on Monday in the community of Repatriate. The roof goes on tomorrow. The family is going from a one room shack with a dirt floor to a three room home with a concrete floor.

Many  thanks to the Lexington Episcopal Diocese and Jan Dunnavant  who made possible the funds for this project. The team will have also completed 5 new roofs in Cite Soleil by tomorrow  as well as finished the painting of the outside of the second floor of the Blanchard clinic.  

Tomorrow afternoon, the group moves on to the cool clear mountain air of Fondwa for two days. This will be a real change from the noisy city life of Port-au-Prince. The team will visit the Fondwa school on Friday morning and then take off on a day trip for some much deserved rest on the beach in Jacmel. The plan is to eat grilled fish and swim in the surf! Saturday we head back to Port-au-Prince as we prepare for our departure home on Sunday.

Many thanks to all of you who have been praying for our health and safety. Your prayers have been a blessing.
-Kathy  

MISSION TEAM ARRIVES WITH TETANUS VACCINES (2 Feb 2009)

FHM's latest mission team arrived in Haiti on Saturday, Jan 31st. The team's leader, FHM's executive director Kathy Walmer, filed this report:

We arrived safely on Saturday and are settled in at Matthew 25. Our hosts, Patrick, Vivian and Sister Mary are so very gracious. Today, we went to worship at Blanchard and had a wonderful visit with Pastor Luc and we got to meet his wife and new baby.  We delivered 250 doses  of the tetanus vaccine compliments of Sanofi Pasteur to the Blanchard clinic.

We then traveled out to Leogane where we were hosted by our friend Yoleine who welcomed us to her home and gave us a fantastic Haitian lunch. We got to visit her elementary school and also went by her property which is adjacent to FHM's property for the women and children’s health center. We ended the lovely day with seeing Delson Merisier and the new satellite clinic. We dropped off another 250 tetanus vaccines for use in Leogane. We arrived back in PAP just in time for dinner.

Tomorrow we split into three groups and will have people in Cite Soleil putting roofs on houses, a group in Repatriate building a house, and a third group in Blanchard finishing the painting on the second floor.

Please keep us in prayer as we continue our adventure.

PRAYER WARRIORS NEEDED (26 Jan 2009)
FHM Board member Nancy Holton leads a prayer team whose mission is praying for FHM's partners in Haiti. If you would like to be a part of the team, contact Nancy with your email address, and she will include you in regular updates. OR, visit FHM's page of prayer requests.

The Prayer Team is one of several activities of FHM's spiritual support for our Haitian colleagues. Others include a Bible distribution program, seminary scholarships, pastor salaries, annual Vacation Bible School trips, and an emergency fund for Pastor Leon Dorleans.

FIRST BABY DELIVERED AT NEW CLINIC (22 Jan 2009)
FHM's new Leogane clinic opened yesterday with the delivery of two baby girls. The mothers and daughters are all doing fine.

This new clinic marks a major step for the people of Leogane, providing free healthcare to mothers who are indigent. After Hopital St. Croix's closing a year ago, families had to travel to Port-au-Prince or to do without expert care.

Haiti's infant mortality rate is very high, the worst in the Western Hemisphere, at 60 per 1000 births, per UNICEF, compared to the US at 7 per 1000 births.

FHM aims to improve these dreadful statistics with the construction of the Leogane Family Health and Research Center which will provide pediatrics and hospital care as well as prenatal care, deliveries, and FHM's cervical cancer prevention program. You can help by joining in the 2x$5 = HOPE campaign.

EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT BECAUSE ANYONE CAN SERVE (19 Jan 2009)
This was former Secretary of State Colin Powell's message on the Wall Street Journal opinion page. On the eve in the US of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of Barack Obama, he wrote, "Particularly in hard times like these, we are charged with living up to our shared responsibility to one another." Read about opportunities to serve with FHM in your home town or on a mission trip to Haiti.


SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT BEGINS CLASSES (15 January 2009)
Huguens Mercier began classes in Elizabeth City, NC, last week, on his path to becoming a pastor for the Christian Community Church in Haiti. The church, founded by FHM partner Leon Dorleans, currently has five locations in the Port-au-Prince area, including a sanctuary adjacent to FHM's health clinic in the Blanchard community.

FHM thanks its donors for the generous donations which made this and other scholarships for college students possible. Learn about FHM's nursing scholarship program, or call the FHM office at 919-382-5500 if you'd like to hear more about other post-baccalaureate scholarship programs for students in or from Haiti.

For stories from June 2008 - December 2008:
News Archive 2008