Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation, Inc.

CONTACT:

400 North Main St.
Randolph, MA 02368
781-961-6927
www.haitihealth.org

Nannette M. Canniff, President/CEO

DESCRIPTION:

At the other end of the strategic-to-tactical spectrum is this faith-based foundation, created in 1982 to establish and grow a single 26-bed hospital and later a K-10 school in rural Fond des Blancs, Haiti, bringing modern health care and education to a “poorest of the poor” community that previously had none. This grassroots project was inspired by a heart-rending visit of U.S. Saint Boniface parishioners, to whom host villagers, though destitute, gave of their own food and sleeping mats. In the 22 years since then, modest donations have produced stunning accomplishments: 32,000 patients treated last year; the vast majority of children now fully immunized; a significant reduction in mortality rates from treatable diseases and problematic pregnancies; 450 students now in school, 370 on scholarships; a volunteer stream of U.S. medical personnel to back up four full-time Haitian MDs; a full-time dentist and fluoride treatments for 5,000 children; an elderly housing program — the list goes on. Now the Foundation has launched a modest $3 million capital campaign to expand its hospital and school programs and to provide some endowment to ensure that these gains are permanent. If direct “people-to-people” philanthropy describes your own personal foreign policy, here is an excellent opportunity for you to walk the walk.

(2005: INTERNATIONAL)