Note from the Executive Director Dear Friends, I hope this letter finds you well, close by your loved ones, or soon to be for the Holidays. On Sunda

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Note from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well, close by your loved ones, or soon to be for the Holidays. On Sunday evening I watched the live broadcast of an interfaith vigil service in Newtown, CT to honor the more than two dozen children and women murdered last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The President attended and spoke in addition to a group of spiritual leaders of different major religions represented in the US. It came on TV just as I was sitting down to write this note to all of you, preparing to ask you to find it in your hearts to help Health Horizons International ensure access to quality health care for rural communities in the Dominican Republic.

Admittedly, I struggled to connect meaning to my immediate task while reflecting on the horror and sadness of what just occurred in Connecticut. Much of Health Horizons’ Board of Directors, visiting physicians, and other valued supporters live in Connecticut, and some are connected to families whose children attend elementary school in Newtown. This must be such a challenge to make sense of for the people of the community and its surroundings.

Upon reflection, while the event is tragic, in the nation and in the on-looking world, these events can bring out the best in people. Where a community’s sense of identity is strong, people can unite to overcome painful situations together. Where values are shared, regardless of religious, racial, ethnic, or cultural differences, families can support one another. These are social elements that cross cultural boundaries, and are manifesting right now within and around the community of Newtown.

So, I will still ask each of you reading these words to open your heart this season, to look within and also outwardly and reflect on how you can help serve somebody who is suffering. Please consider this, whether it is by supporting the Red Cross or first responders in Newtown, or through another means for individuals or communities in need.

On behalf of everyone at HHI and the communities with whom we partner in the Dominican Republic, here’s wishing you and your family a safe and happy Holiday Season. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Paul

Recent Highlights

Over 40 doctors, medical students, researchers and other volunteers alongside HHI's community health workers, provided primary health care to 1,200 patients, including life-saving medical for individuals living with chronic illnesses, and supported initiatives to improve public health. Thank you everyone!
The community of Pancho Mateo established its first Water Committee and with accompaniment from HHI is working to bring potable water to hundreds of families.
Launched the comprehensive medical institution evaluation program “COPE” to help improve service provision and staff training at Maternidad Hospital in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
Successfully recruiting local staff from our communities and the local health care system: we now have five Dominicans, including a collaborating local physician, working in the HHI office and in our clinical programs, in addition to 19 community-based health workers.

Sept MST

September MST Group

Successfully implemented three Medical Service Trips during the year; the last one was held in early September.
Held a fantastic annual dinner event in Cambridge in November honoring Laura McNulty with the Distinguished Service Award and welcoming Paul Guggenheim as HHI's new Executive Director. Click here to read more about the award.

Community Health Worker Monthly Spotlight: Dorka

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Dorka Duarte was the first community health worker trained by HHI in the community of Severet. Now that three other community health workers from Severet have been trained and are working alongside Dorka, providing medical care and health education there, Dorka has been instrumental in using her leadership skills to create a strong CHW team in the community. Dorka, who also serves as a pastor in Severet, a full-time school-teacher in a nearby town, and who works with HHI CHW Catherine to provide Christmas goodies, fun, and gifts for 200 low-income children in their area of the countryside each Christmas, is well respected in her community. If you walk through Severet with her, you will find there are very few community members whom she doesn’t know, and whom she doesn’t stop to chat with about the inner workings of their lives. Because of Dorka’s leadership , the CHW program in Severet is strong, and the field clinics there go off without a hitch. Her leadership is having a positive impact on medical care in her community.

ChristmasBell

For a special Holiday Greeting from the Dominican Republic, view our facebook page here.

Thank you for your support this Holiday Season!

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