Hi SHH Community,

My name is Tommy Conner, and on behalf of the board of directors, I am thrilled to welcome you to our inaugural Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti (SHH) newsletter. I am excited to share our journey, milestones, and aspirations with you. Your support is essential as we work toward our mission of transforming the lives of children in Haiti, particularly those at the Saint Dominique’s orphanage in Port-au-Prince (previously located in Titanyen, Haiti).

Introducing Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti 

Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti (SHH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for Haitian children. We can affect long-term health and well-being outcomes in under-served communities by addressing the relationship between individuals and healthcare.  We enable children to see education and healthcare as a fundamental need to be fulfilled regardless of finances and family status, by promoting ownership of the well-being, and creating a welcoming place of comfort, safety, and opportunity. We take a holistic view of health, focusing on the medical, educational, developmental (professional and life skills), and spiritual needs of each child. Anyone familiar with Haiti’s challenges over the past 20 years knows we can’t bring peace and stability to the entire region —but we can protect and support the most vulnerable, one child at a time.

There are currently 82 young adults and children of Saint Dominique’s orphanage from the ages of 4 to 21 who are living in 3 different houses along with nuns and staff.  One house is for the boys and girls under 18, while the two remaining houses are transition houses for the young adults (boys and girls live separately) as they learn to cook, clean, work, etc. in preparation for living in Haiti independently.  Every donation goes towards helping these amazing kids and young adults live a successful, sustainable, and long life.   

The orphanage, along with a 650-person school (K-12), was established in 2010 by Father Charles Moise in Titanyen, Haiti on top of a hillside overlooking Route 1 after the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake.  Due to recent unrest and gang violence, the children had to evacuate Titanyen and are now living in Port-Au-Prince.  For a more in-depth look at our history, please visit the “About Us” section on our website healthcareforhaiti.com. 

If you are currently financially supporting the children through the Chalice sponsorship program, SHH works hand-in-hand with Chalice to ensure both organizations partner as efficiently and effectively as possible to maximize impact. Your support to Chalice is greatly appreciated and remains crucial for the continued success and existence of the orphanage and foundation.  For a more in-depth look at our partners, please visit the “About Us” section of our website healthcareforhaiti.com. 

Our board’s current focus and funding efforts revolve around 3 key initiatives: 

1. Sustainable Healthcare Focus: Our primary goal is to ensure that the children of the orphanage receive consistent and comprehensive healthcare. By addressing their medical needs, we aim to foster a healthier environment where these children can thrive.  In our Titanyen site, SHH has funded and built a state-of-the-art clinic that has been crucial to allow for successful medical missions and for an environment where our full-time nurse could take proper care of the children.  In Port-au-Prince, we have 2 women who have lived at the orphanage since childhood, but now are medical students (funded by SHH) who have been doing an excellent job taking on nursing internships for the kids and young adults.  There are many initiatives we are working on that I will highlight in future newsletters – from building partnerships with local hospitals to provide the best care, to working to implement an electronic medical health record for each child, to developing a network of US and Haitian specialists to provide advisory medical guidance. 
2. Children & Young Adult Development: Transitioning from an orphanage to independent living can be daunting, especially in Haiti. We are focused on providing professional development and essential life skills training to better prepare these children for the future. We are partnering with subject matter experts to conduct workshops focused on topics such as goal setting, selecting the right career, personal finance, etc. combined with 1-1 coaching to empower our young adults with the knowledge and confidence they need to lead successful lives.  We have also set up a university and trade-school program to provide funding for young adults to achieve their desired educational goals.  
3. Saint Dominique / Foundation Montesinos Improvements: To maximize our impact, we are continuously working on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Saint Dominique’s orphanage (Foundation Montesinos) and staff.  By refining the operational strategies, we can ensure that donations are utilized in the most impactful and efficient way possible.  Other focus areas are helping to fund the transitional housing for orphans over 18 years old, Haiti staff salaries, additional food and supplies for the orphanage, funding for special events (birthdays, Christmas, etc.), and any emergency needs.

 

Exciting Developments 

As we embark on this journey together, we are excited to share some key updates and accomplishments: 

• New Board of Directors: We are pleased to announce the establishment of our new Board. This diverse group of professionals brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding SHH towards achieving our mission and goals.
• New Website Launch: We have recently launched our new website, which serves as a comprehensive resource for our initiatives, updates, and ways to get involved. We invite you to explore the site and learn more about our efforts, ways to get involved, and opportunities to financially support SHH to create a positive impact in Haiti. 
• Healthcare Milestones: We have made significant progress in our healthcare initiatives and will be sharing exciting stories of how your donations are making direct impacts on the orphanage, including 2 recent emergency surgeries, and a list of roughly 10 children and young adults who require specialist follow-ups that are in the works. 

 

Building a Stronger Community 

As we move forward, we are excited to have you join our growing community. Your involvement and support are vital to our success, and we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. We will be sending out regular updates to both our current and prospective donors, sharing our progress, challenges, and opportunities for involvement. 

We invite you to stay connected with us through our newsletter, website (healthcareforhaiti.com), and social media channels (Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram). Your contributions, whether through prayer, donations, volunteer efforts, or spreading the word, make a tremendous difference in the lives of these children.

Thank you again for your support and dedication to our mission! 

All the best, 

Tommy Conner 

President, Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti 

P.S. Your feedback is invaluable to us! Please feel free to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or ideas.