The Good Samaritan Clinic in Batey 7, Dominican Republic, is the main “outreach program” of the WNCC Medical Volunteers in Mission Committee. Beginning with a dream in 2000, the
clinic has been fully operational since 2002. The clinic primarily serves the medical needs of an impoverished community – surrounded by sugar cane fi elds – of 1,200 people, yet its work reaches well into the extended region, serving over 17,000.
The clinic is staffed by a full-time physician and health care support staff. It sees 75-100 patients a week. In addition, visiting mission teams supplement the efforts, performing close to
300 much-needed, often-delayed surgeries and outreach clinic visits. Over 1,000 patients are seen yearly.
With involvement of these volunteers, other projects to improve the medical health of the ommunity have been conducted. These projects include health education classes, the building of
latrines and the provision of a new water purifi cation system. This commitment to improve the economic health of the community resulted in the building of an educational building which will soon begin sewing technical classes and baking classes. The hope is that this will bring much needed income to the area.
Without the Good Samaritan Clinic’s presence, none of this could have happened. God is truly at work in this place and those being served truly feel the love of Christ’s hands through Christ’s
followers. While it is nearly assured all of the 2009 fi nancial concerns will be met, we see 2010 fi nances to be troubling. Individuals and churches are asked to consider placing the Good
Samaritan Clinic in their 2010 budget as a conference Advance Special by “adopting a clinic for a day.”
The clinic is open approximately 250 days a year — for $100 a day, 250 churches/
individuals can assure this vital ministry will continue. Choose a day — birthday, anniversary, life-changing date, … Share it with the conference Mission/Outreach offi ce. Following the day, we can have the Good Samaritan Clinic share a report on how lives were changed on “your day.”
Contact mcollins@wnccumc.org to learn more about this developing project
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Container Building in Dominican Republic
A new project is being conducted near Batey 7. Many residents are refugees from Haiti who entered the DR seeking work during the sugar cane season. As immigrants, they are generally not recognized or supported by the government.
To address this problem, several UM churches are partnering with offenders and ex-offenders through the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries to construct a school made of three shipping
containers. An UMVIM construction crew, led by Darrell Long, will install a foundation for the school and provide a roof to cover the containers, to be located along the medical clinic’s back property.
This school will be used for the education of children, the vocational training of women and various purposes of the local church/clinic. Support for employment and education will increase
opportunities for children and family. Collaboration with church volunteers also encourages community residents to take a more active role in improving their living conditions, education,
medical services and neighborhoods. The local church will supply teachers and vocational skill possibilities.
Needs and opportunities:
• Prayer: for trained workers, energy, supplies and fi nances;
• Building Materials: nails, screws, caulking, iron support beams, plywood, lumber (2x4’s for desks and decking), welding equipment, angle iron (1/4” thickness), Door and window supplies;
• Funding to purchase supplies and some air fare.
Get involved.
Contact:
mcollins@wnccumc.org,
darrell@berothoil.com or
chaplainstilwell@forsythjpm.org
To address this problem, several UM churches are partnering with offenders and ex-offenders through the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries to construct a school made of three shipping
containers. An UMVIM construction crew, led by Darrell Long, will install a foundation for the school and provide a roof to cover the containers, to be located along the medical clinic’s back property.
This school will be used for the education of children, the vocational training of women and various purposes of the local church/clinic. Support for employment and education will increase
opportunities for children and family. Collaboration with church volunteers also encourages community residents to take a more active role in improving their living conditions, education,
medical services and neighborhoods. The local church will supply teachers and vocational skill possibilities.
Needs and opportunities:
• Prayer: for trained workers, energy, supplies and fi nances;
• Building Materials: nails, screws, caulking, iron support beams, plywood, lumber (2x4’s for desks and decking), welding equipment, angle iron (1/4” thickness), Door and window supplies;
• Funding to purchase supplies and some air fare.
Get involved.
Contact:
mcollins@wnccumc.org,
darrell@berothoil.com or
chaplainstilwell@forsythjpm.org
Monday, April 20, 2009
Newsletter by Shana Harrison, UMC Missionary
Spilling the Chile Beans April 2009
Newsletter from Shana Harrison and La Esperanza
As Alain, Adriana and I left the group home en route to spend Christmas at the beach, Adriana inquired with a voice of indignance, “Do you know what Tia Alejandra asked me?” I responded with a gentle, “What?” Adriana continued, “She asked me if I believe in Santa Claus! I told her OF COURSE I do! I have been BAPTIZED and CONFIRMED!”
First Quarter
Life at La Esperanza is very much in motion! 2009 began with a bang as a VIM team from Texarkana and Hope came to help us get the group home and workshop in shape to meet the standards of the Ministry of Health. A new classroom and a new bathroom were installed at the workshop. In addition to that, much of the space in the group home was renovated, leaving us with a very nice laundry room, staff bathrooms, and a space where families can meet with the residents in private. Many, many thanks to those who made all of these improvements possible!
Just as the group was winding down their labors, I began having back problems and ended up spending the majority of the summer (end of January and much of February) in bed, avoiding surgery on a herniated disc. Fortunately the bed rest paid off, and I am back at it 100%! I continue to swim and do some exercises to strengthen my back. So, hopefully I won’t find myself in the same condition any time soon. Many thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement!
As summer drew to an end, everyone returned to discover and appreciate the new spaces at the workshop and to begin once again the balance of work and play. This semester the participants are making gift bags, gift tags, cards, and chains for holding glasses.
We welcomed a new member into the group home in mid-March. Lorena enjoys helping out with tasks around the house, particularly sweeping, and thus far she successfully shares a room with Edith. (I was afraid that the nightly snoring contests would be a problem, but there have been no complaints!) I continue to appreciate the way that the residents and participants so warmly welcome new members into the community. I have a lot to learn from their gifts of hospitality and acceptance.
You may have noticed a drastic change in both the style of the newsletter and its delivery. Enrique, the one responsible for creative design, web management and newsletter delivery took a full time job in his home town. We hope to have someone more creative and computer literate than I am in place soon. We also experienced problems with the delivery of our last newsletter as it was considered SPAM. So, we will be contacting you and asking you to sign up once again if you are interested in receiving the newsletter.
En Crescendo
After 3 ½ years, the Chilean government approved La Esperanza’s change of legal structure. What does this mean for us? We have changed from being a dependent of the Methodist Church of Chile to being a foundation. The new board of directors includes three representatives from the Methodist Church of Chile (including the bishop), three representatives from the families of the beneficiaries or volunteers of the organization and three members from the community at large.
We will continue to operate in the same locations, providing services to the same people. We will now be known as Crescendo instead of La Esperanza. We will soon have a new logo and a new website.
As a foundation, we have our own tax I.D. number which will improve our chances at having government projects approved. As a dependent of the Methodist Church of Chile, when we applied for government funding, it appeared that we owned all of the properties of the Methodist Church of Chile, etc and thus were not in need of assistance compared to other organizations. Now there will be clarity that we are an organization that needs and deserves the government’s support in meeting the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.
What does this mean for you?
You still have the opportunity to be an active part of this ministry with adults with disabilities in the offering of your prayers, presence and gifts. Donations are to continue to be directed to the same Advance Special #14056A under the name of Crescendo. We are striving to involve more and more Chileans in this ministry and to eventually obtain the large majority of funding from within the country. Last year national donations tripled, totally approximately USD 30,000. The beneficiaries are also paying more than they have in the past. However, given this time of financial crisis and this time in which we are not yet able to apply for all of the government projects, we still need your continued financial support to ensure the quality services offered to adults with developmental disabilities.
In My Mind I’m Gone to Carolina….and Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia…
The good news is that it is not just in my mind this time! I will be itinerating from August through October. So, if your church would like a visit, please be in touch with me at sdhchile2003@yahoo.com or shana@laesperanzachile.org. I will be in Arkansas August 16-17 and again from September 30 until October 30th. I will be in Tennessee on August 19th and then I go on to the Western North Carolina Conference from August 20-23rd. I will be with the North Carolina Conference from August 24th-September 21st and then in Virginia from September 22nd -27th. There are still dates available, and I am eager to meet with you and your congregations to share the exciting and important events that are happening in Santiago. So, please drop me a line if you are interested in a program.
I do look forward to seeing as many of you as possible while I am in the States. Many, many thanks for your continued support. Your prayers, cards, emails and donations are of tremendous value not only to me personally, but also to the community of Crescendo. Together we are making a difference in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities and in the way that Chilean society views and incorporates these people.
Newsletter from Shana Harrison and La Esperanza
As Alain, Adriana and I left the group home en route to spend Christmas at the beach, Adriana inquired with a voice of indignance, “Do you know what Tia Alejandra asked me?” I responded with a gentle, “What?” Adriana continued, “She asked me if I believe in Santa Claus! I told her OF COURSE I do! I have been BAPTIZED and CONFIRMED!”
First Quarter
Life at La Esperanza is very much in motion! 2009 began with a bang as a VIM team from Texarkana and Hope came to help us get the group home and workshop in shape to meet the standards of the Ministry of Health. A new classroom and a new bathroom were installed at the workshop. In addition to that, much of the space in the group home was renovated, leaving us with a very nice laundry room, staff bathrooms, and a space where families can meet with the residents in private. Many, many thanks to those who made all of these improvements possible!
Just as the group was winding down their labors, I began having back problems and ended up spending the majority of the summer (end of January and much of February) in bed, avoiding surgery on a herniated disc. Fortunately the bed rest paid off, and I am back at it 100%! I continue to swim and do some exercises to strengthen my back. So, hopefully I won’t find myself in the same condition any time soon. Many thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement!
As summer drew to an end, everyone returned to discover and appreciate the new spaces at the workshop and to begin once again the balance of work and play. This semester the participants are making gift bags, gift tags, cards, and chains for holding glasses.
We welcomed a new member into the group home in mid-March. Lorena enjoys helping out with tasks around the house, particularly sweeping, and thus far she successfully shares a room with Edith. (I was afraid that the nightly snoring contests would be a problem, but there have been no complaints!) I continue to appreciate the way that the residents and participants so warmly welcome new members into the community. I have a lot to learn from their gifts of hospitality and acceptance.
You may have noticed a drastic change in both the style of the newsletter and its delivery. Enrique, the one responsible for creative design, web management and newsletter delivery took a full time job in his home town. We hope to have someone more creative and computer literate than I am in place soon. We also experienced problems with the delivery of our last newsletter as it was considered SPAM. So, we will be contacting you and asking you to sign up once again if you are interested in receiving the newsletter.
En Crescendo
After 3 ½ years, the Chilean government approved La Esperanza’s change of legal structure. What does this mean for us? We have changed from being a dependent of the Methodist Church of Chile to being a foundation. The new board of directors includes three representatives from the Methodist Church of Chile (including the bishop), three representatives from the families of the beneficiaries or volunteers of the organization and three members from the community at large.
We will continue to operate in the same locations, providing services to the same people. We will now be known as Crescendo instead of La Esperanza. We will soon have a new logo and a new website.
As a foundation, we have our own tax I.D. number which will improve our chances at having government projects approved. As a dependent of the Methodist Church of Chile, when we applied for government funding, it appeared that we owned all of the properties of the Methodist Church of Chile, etc and thus were not in need of assistance compared to other organizations. Now there will be clarity that we are an organization that needs and deserves the government’s support in meeting the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.
What does this mean for you?
You still have the opportunity to be an active part of this ministry with adults with disabilities in the offering of your prayers, presence and gifts. Donations are to continue to be directed to the same Advance Special #14056A under the name of Crescendo. We are striving to involve more and more Chileans in this ministry and to eventually obtain the large majority of funding from within the country. Last year national donations tripled, totally approximately USD 30,000. The beneficiaries are also paying more than they have in the past. However, given this time of financial crisis and this time in which we are not yet able to apply for all of the government projects, we still need your continued financial support to ensure the quality services offered to adults with developmental disabilities.
In My Mind I’m Gone to Carolina….and Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia…
The good news is that it is not just in my mind this time! I will be itinerating from August through October. So, if your church would like a visit, please be in touch with me at sdhchile2003@yahoo.com or shana@laesperanzachile.org. I will be in Arkansas August 16-17 and again from September 30 until October 30th. I will be in Tennessee on August 19th and then I go on to the Western North Carolina Conference from August 20-23rd. I will be with the North Carolina Conference from August 24th-September 21st and then in Virginia from September 22nd -27th. There are still dates available, and I am eager to meet with you and your congregations to share the exciting and important events that are happening in Santiago. So, please drop me a line if you are interested in a program.
I do look forward to seeing as many of you as possible while I am in the States. Many, many thanks for your continued support. Your prayers, cards, emails and donations are of tremendous value not only to me personally, but also to the community of Crescendo. Together we are making a difference in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities and in the way that Chilean society views and incorporates these people.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Water Project in Bateye 7
From Dr. Jorge:
Let me inform you that 3 weeks ago there was an outbreak of acute gastro enteritis nationwide, producing a very high incidence of vomit, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Hospitals were full of these cases every where.
However, in Bateye 7 there were only three (3) cases and according to my research, none of the three cases were drinking the water from the new water system at the clinic. Besides these, no one got sick with even Rotavirus, which is the number one cause of diarrhea in the world due to contaminated water.
When it comes to gastro enteritis, this helps me understand that the water at Bataye 7, after going through the filter, is preventing new cases. I drink the water and find it of good quality.
People look for water in the morning, we talk with them and we teach them the importance of a good cleaning container to store the water. Thus, we have seen less diarrhea cases since the system has been established.
Thank you!
Let me inform you that 3 weeks ago there was an outbreak of acute gastro enteritis nationwide, producing a very high incidence of vomit, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Hospitals were full of these cases every where.
However, in Bateye 7 there were only three (3) cases and according to my research, none of the three cases were drinking the water from the new water system at the clinic. Besides these, no one got sick with even Rotavirus, which is the number one cause of diarrhea in the world due to contaminated water.
When it comes to gastro enteritis, this helps me understand that the water at Bataye 7, after going through the filter, is preventing new cases. I drink the water and find it of good quality.
People look for water in the morning, we talk with them and we teach them the importance of a good cleaning container to store the water. Thus, we have seen less diarrhea cases since the system has been established.
Thank you!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Haiti Team
Four team members needed for a Dental team to Ouanaminthe, Haiti April 24-May 3. Dentists, nurses, and laypersons to assist in clinic are requested. People trained in the Kendall optometry system are especially needed. Team will fly out of Orlando. For more information, contact Liza Case at twocheetas@gmail.com.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Cuba UMVIM
CUBA UMVIM TRIP: Trip is scheduled for July 2-13, 2009. Team of 12 will visit Havana Cuba and work to finish the Methodist Seminary. Cost is approximately $2000 plus cost of trip to Miami. Deadline for Visa Application and deposit of $300 is due April 1. For additional information contact Linda Archer (813-891-4219) or email Linda.English@phoenixmi.com.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Youth with a Mission
Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Nicaragua is part of an international, interdenominational Christian mission reaching to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Evangelism, Training and Mercy Ministries. In Latin America, we are known as Juventud con una Misión.
We are a ministry of YWAM International which was founded in 1960 and now has approximately 20,000 full-time staff in more than 1,200 centers in nations worldwide. We have been operating in the Managua area since December 1989. Our mission trains Nicaraguan youth to disciple and develop their own nation in Biblical principles and to be a blessing to other nations.
For more information contact:
Stephen G. Knopp II
Executive Pastor
Denver United Methodist Church
(704) 483-1601 ext. 107
We are a ministry of YWAM International which was founded in 1960 and now has approximately 20,000 full-time staff in more than 1,200 centers in nations worldwide. We have been operating in the Managua area since December 1989. Our mission trains Nicaraguan youth to disciple and develop their own nation in Biblical principles and to be a blessing to other nations.
For more information contact:
Stephen G. Knopp II
Executive Pastor
Denver United Methodist Church
(704) 483-1601 ext. 107
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