Northern Haiti Health Ministry: Haut-Limbé Ebenezer Community Clinic PDF Print E-mail

Program Background


ImageHaiti is a small island nation of incredible contrasts. Barely an hour’s flight from Miami, here a wonderful people struggle to survive through largely subsistence cultivation on tiny plots on mountain slopes. Here we see conditions of crushing poverty, environmental degradation, and unending political upheaval. Yet here are also generous people with a friendly smile, with great music and a local art culture. Many outstanding Haitians have committed their lives to pushing back against both the moral and cultural despair so evident within this country, creating renewed hope by partnering with people of goodwill both within and outside their borders. Such drama can be quickly seen through the life of young Dr. Emmanuel Mareus and those working with him at the Ebenezer Clinic of Haute-Limbé, and new out-clinics being initiated.

Each morning, patients line up early to receive inexpensive and yet often unaffordable treatments currently offered at the Clinic of Haut-Limbé. Located one mile off the main road connecting the cities of Cap Haitian, the clinic serves a local population of about 6,000 with the surrounding area of over 45,000. The center of this health center is a small, two-storied ten-room cement building, with roofless pharmacy, no toilet or consulting room. This structure was initially built in 1996 on land donated by members of the local Baptist Church. It was an initiative of the local Adoriram Judson Boy Scouts, starting with a support group from Belgium. The Baptist church is also closely linked to the Christian University of Northern Haiti, which hopes to provide hands-on health related training for its students. The clinic is recognized by the government, but is owned by the local people themselves.

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Rachael in Clinic
A five-member local Haitian volunteer committee provides oversight. In operation for 10 years, two government-provided auxiliary nurses, with miniscule salaries, working with community volunteers and the community’s first physician in November 2003, Dr. Emmanuel Mareus (called Dr. Manno), seek to meet overwhelming medical needs. These include vaccinations, birth control, post-natal and post-operative care, and patients with parasites, malnutrition, tuberculosis, typhoid, diarrhea, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, infections, injuries and wounds. Treat all patients with dignity and respect is a foundation philosophy of the clinic, and everyone receives treatment, whether they can pay or not.

Two North Park University graduates, Rachael Downing and Britt Erickson, spent six months (Sept. 2003- Feb. 2004) at the Clinic, only two months after the arrival of Dr. Manno who had just completed his training in the Dominican Republic. They left with a deep desire to support and encourage this young Haitian doctor as he seeks to minister to his people. Sharing Hope is partnering here with Dr. Manno, local Haitian community and church leaders, Rachael Downing, Britt Erickson, and others to bring renewed hope in the struggle of this small community in Northern Haiti to improve both their health and socio-economic well-being. Initial efforts will focus on providing some essential support that has been prioritized by the clinic
board.

 

Continuing Support for Clinic:

 

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Dr. Emmanuel Mareus

 

 

Transportation for outpatient support, ambulance, delivery of supplies: $10,000


Travel and Living Support for North American Volunteers to Clinic: $6,000


Revolving Fund for Purchase of Medical Supplies: $5,000





 

Volunteers Needed! What you could do?

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Britt Erickson
· Provide basic health care training

· Provide community development and agricultural training

· Financial Support of Needs listed above

· Prayer for safety of Dr. Manno, staff, and volunteers as they minister in a difficult region.


 

 

Individuals interested in volunteering, providing financial support or seeking additional information, please contact Sharing Hope International now. Consider organizing a group of friends or a church group to join us in standing behind this activity.

 
 

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