Haitian children do not have access to routine health and wellness examinations. Visual impairments can have a direct negative impact on learning, and diseases related to poor dental hygiene can lead to school absences and more serious health issues.
Second Mile Haiti (SMH) has been a trusted S.H.A.R.E. partner since 2018. They have a deep understanding of the challenges that Haitians face and provide practical resources to help empower them. On August 23rd and 27th, 2023 SMH hosted a Haitian eye care team led by Dr. Djimy Beau-Soleil and a dental team under the guidance of Dr. Sergil Lemuel. The aim of this project was to promote school attendance and improve the children's experience in the classroom.
In total, 132 children participated. All 132 children had their teeth cleaned and necessary cavities repaired. They also all received a thorough eye examination. During the vision exam, potential ocular pathologies were detected, and these children were scheduled for additional follow-up. Seventeen children were identified who require glasses. Corrective lenses were prescribed, and the children received their fittings in September. Several children received ophthalmic medication for various infections. Necessary referrals were made to the eye care clinic for children who required specialized treatment.
S.H.A.R.E. contributed over half of this approximately CA$15,500 project.
In SMH’s own words, “In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to S.H.A.R.E. Agriculture Foundation for her steadfast support and dedication. By investing in health and education, S.H.A.R.E. is playing a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. This project is a testament to the transformative power of collective efforts, and we are truly grateful to have S.H.A.R.E as a partner in this journey.”
The expected impact of this project is twofold.
In addition to the educational benefits for the children, there is also a reduced burden on mothers. When their kids are healthy and in school, they are able to focus on their income-generating activities. These outcomes should have lasting effects on the community.
Project Contact Details
Project Leader: John Moore
I have been involved since 2019 and accompanied a monitoring trip to Guatemala in 2020. It was gratifying to meet, share meals, talk, and walk with the members of remote subsistence communities as they proudly showed off what they’d achieved through their own hard manual work and our financial support. Currently, I am Project Manager for support and partnership projects with Second Mile Haiti, and for Scholarships, providing financial support to indigenous high school candidates in Guatemala and Belize.
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12801 Bramalea Rd, Caledon Ontario, L7C 2R1
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Second Mile Haiti
Second Mile Haiti works with families who are most at risk of turning to orphanages. Day by day, year after year they are demonstrating, that by using a comprehensive approach to treating childhood malnutrition, they can break the cycle of undernutrition in Haiti, and keep families together.
