1982 Began with a Walk for Hunger in 1982 to help the poor in
Quincy. Half of money raised is brought to Mother Teresa's home for children in Haiti.
1983 Foundation formed by Fr. Gerald Osterman,
Pastor of St. Boniface Parish,Quincy, MA. First formal work retreat group travels to Haiti.
1984 A Novitiate and Guest House are built for the very poor order of Sisters we stay with in Port-au-Prince.
1984 At the invitation of Father Guello, first group
visits area in the back country in Fond des Blancs.
1985 Immunization project begun in Fond des Blancs.
First preventive medicine ever received.
1986 The Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation makes a
commitment to the people of Fond des Blancs. Built a guest house for work retreat
groups travelling to FDB.
1987 Four medical teams travel to Fond des Blancs and
immunize 5,000 children.
1989 Meager dispensary is enlarged and stocked with
supplies and medicine.
1990 St. Boniface Haiti Foundation is incorporated as
a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
1990 Plans made to construct a hospital in Fond des Blancs
with the support of the community.
1992 20 bed hospital is dedicated; American RN with
MPH volunteers as first Administrator.
1993 American pediatrician arrives at hospital to assume
position as Medical Director.
1994 Work retreat groups continue 2-3 times per year;
the first Haitian physician joins our staff.
1995 Four work retreat groups visit this year. Total of
9,110 patients seen. American doctor continues as Medical Director.
1996 Three Sisters arrive to administrate the hospital. SBHF builds
a convent for the sisters. Haitian doctor takes over as Medical Director.
1997 Approximately 12,000 patients seen, many with
malnutrition. Five Work retreat groups visit, some from Jacksonville, Florida.
1998 18,000 patients seen this year; 6 work retreat
groups visit, 2 from Lewiston, Maine. First surgery in FDB. American doctor does
28 surgeries in 4 days; hundreds more turned away.
1999 Construction of Operating Room and Nutrition
Center begun. Surgical Teams and surgical patients waiting to come to the hospital
as soon as construction is finished.
2000 8 work retreat groups visit. Completed and dedicated
Surgical Unit, Nutrition Center and Dental Clinic.
2001 10 work retreat groups and 3 surgical teams
travel to Haiti, beginning regular visits to provide necessary surgeries.
2002 A total of 137 individuals travel to Haiti for
Work Retreat experience; 42 surgical team members and 6 engineers.
Nutrition program is provided for malnourished children and families as well as
those those suffering from TB, AIDS, and advanced age. Hospital connected to outside world
by Internet satellite link.
2003 Four full-time Haitian physicians on staff,
including an Obstetrician/Gynecologist to do caesarean sections. Prevention of
Cervical Cancer Program initiated to perform Pap Smears.
2004 Hospital expanded, creating a Maternity
Unit, more pediatric beds, an isolation room, and examination rooms for the
doctors. First LEEP surgeries for women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
2005 2005 Queen of Peace Home for the Elderly
dedicated. Outreach Feeding Program extended to additional 1500 people.
ART (Anti-Retroviral Treatment) Program launched to treat people suffering from
AIDS.
2006 Dental Fluoride Pilot Program launched in
local schools treating 1200 children.
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What
are the facts about Haiti?
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and the 3rd
hungriest in the world. Most families live below the poverty line, and there
is severe malnutrition.
Life expectancy in Haiti is 47 years for men and 51 years for
women. Statistics show that 50% of children die before the age of five.
Nearly half the health services are provided by non-governmental agencies.
Because most doctors live in Port-au-Prince, there is only one doctor per
30,000 people living in the rural areas.
Unemployment is 60% and illiteracy is 55%. The average annual
income is $250 per year, and continues to fall because of high inflation. The most basic education and medical opportunities
are considered a luxury. Haitians needing surgery or operations for life
threatening problems either make their way to the U.S. or die.
The difficulties of life such as low levels of community sanitation,
improper housing, no electricity, no telephones, severe shortage of potable
water and lack of transportation, contribute to the cycle of poor health,
especially in the rural areas.
Natural hazards: Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt
and is subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding
and earthquakes; chronic droughts
Environment issues: extensive deforestation, inadequate potable
water, air pollution from charcoal fires
Natural resources: none
Population:6,884,264
Area locator: 600 miles from coast of Fla., 1 1/2 hours from Miami by plane; land area slightly
smaller than Maryland
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How
Can I Stay Informed?
The Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation newsletter is automatically distributed
to all supporters. A copy can be read from the Newsletter link on our homepage.
For a snailmail copy of our newsletter, call SBHF
at (781) 963-7243 or email us at sbhf2haiti@aol.com.
The newsletter shares current work being done in Haiti and connects the
Haitian population with their supporters in the U.S.
 |
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
400 No. Main Street Randolph, MA 02368
(781) 963-7243 fax (781) 963-7244
info@haitihealth.org
The Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer driven
organization founded in 1983 by the parishioners of St. Boniface Church
in Quincy, Massachusetts. The project began as a simple Walk for Hunger.
A small delegation from the parish brought the modest contribution to Haiti.
Confronted by the extreme poverty they witnessed, the group committed to
an ongoing effort to support the poor of Haiti, and to make people in the
United States aware of the intolerable conditions and plight of these near
neighbors. From that time the project has grown to involve regular work
retreats to Haiti, education and medical projects, scholarships and the
construction of a small rural hospital, the St. Boniface Hospital, in the
back country village of Fond des Blancs. In June 2000 a surgical unit and
nutrition center were added.
