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Haiti Twinning
Haiti Twinning is an ongoing reciprocal relationship between the people of St. Thomas and Ste. Marie-Madeleine, sharing our lives, talents, resources and prayers, resulting in spiritual growth and justice.
Since 1999 our suburban Chicago parish has partnered with Ste. Marie-Madeleine parish in Duchity, a mountainous rural area of Haiti. Our Twinning relationship results in mutual gifts. This means that everyone in the relationship gives, and everyone in the relationship receives.
The goal is not to provide material goods, but to be in a relationship with our Haitian brothers and sisters resulting in their recognition and use of their own and their community’s capabilities, skills and resources.
We welcome you – sharing your talents and resources for the good of this Twinning relationship!
Our Haiti Twinning program focuses on several areas to help:
- Eye Care
- Medical Clinic/Care
- Education
- Facilities Building & Maintenance
What Are the Benefits?
Our Twinning relationship results in mutual gifts. This means that everyone in the relationship gives, and everyone in the relationship receives.
What Are Some Outcomes From the Education Initiatives?
Education is the primary key to lifting children and families out of poverty. Our goal is to make that happen. In 1999, we began our Twinning relationship with Ste. Marie Madeleine in Duchity, Haiti. At that time, there was one primary school with four classrooms, four teachers, and five hundred-fifty students. Through generous support of many, there are now three schools, serving K-13, with a total enrollment of nearly 1,400 students. The St. Thomas High School is recognized as the best school in the entire Grand Anse province. These students consistently score the highest on state testing. Many of their parents contribute financially to their child’s education. These funds, though, are not enough to cover all the expenses.
Describe the Medical Care Provided at the Clinic
Long term goals are for all healthcare services to be self-supporting. Short term goals include completion of funding for an ambulance and a lab with a trained lab technician to do basic medical tests. The Haitian Clinic Board already manages the daily affairs of the Clinic and the full time Haitian physician. Income from local and medical team fees is supplemented through the generosity of St. Thomas Haiti Twinning donors to provide the salaries of the local healthcare professionals and workers, and supplements the budget for medications in the Clinic Pharmacy.
St. Thomas Medical Teams are invited by the Clinic Board to provide specialized medical care and healthcare education.
Tell Me More About the Vision Care Offered in Haiti
Long term goals include optical services provided by the Haitian professionals through the Clinic. Meanwhile, St. Thomas Eye Care Teams, invited by the Haitian Clinic Board and sometimes joined by Haitian optical professionals, prescribe hundreds of prescription lenses and fit glasses donated by the Lions Club, enabling many of our Haitian brothers and sisters to continue practicing their work and daily living activities. The small fees charged for the team’s services supplement the Clinic budget. In 2012, cataract surgery was added with sometimes expensive follow-up in Les Cayes.
How Do I Plan a Haiti Twinning Fundraiser?
To plan a Haiti Twinning fundraiser, please contact us.
How Can I Donate to the Haiti Twinning Program?
St. Thomas the Apostle Twinning donations are tax-deductible – 501 (c)(3). To maximize your contribution, please ask your employer about gift matching.
1. Secure online credit card donation (one-time or recurring donations are options)
To donate to our optical teams: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1479/DirectDonate/27953
To donate to our medical teams: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1479/DirectDonate/27954
2. Mail a check – make out the check to St. Thomas OSJ; write Haiti Twinning in the “for/memo” line and send to:
St. Thomas the Apostle
OSJ Office
1500 Brookdale Rd.
Naperville, IL 60563
