L'hopital Albert Schweitzer - a different perspective

The club was treated to a visit by two visitors from the Canadian Friends of JHospital Albert Schweitzer.  Brittney McCarter and Ann Holton graced us with their presence; Brittney was the presenter.  she showed a great understanding of development aide and her experiences as a volunteer and her love of volunteering were evident in the presentation.  Brittney has spent time in Moshi, Tanzania teaching English and computer skills as well as volunteering at local orphanages (and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro).

The Hospital Albert Schweitzer was started in 156 and serves 300 000 people in the Antibonite Valley of Haiti.  It is a hospital BY Haitiiants for Haitians.  The focus areas for the hospital include surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, nutritional rehabilitation, high risk maternity and prosthetics.  They have 14 full-time staff and rotating international staff who come to do specific tasks.  With assistance from a US medical firm, the Hanger Clinic makes and provides prosthetic limbs.  

However, the hospital is also an integral part of the local community reaching out to do training in a wide variety of areas from midwifery to agroforestry programs to animal husbandry and clean water.

In Brittney's presentation it was interesting to see friends of Rotary and friends from Dundas including Roy Sheldrick and Mick and Lil Stewart who were at the hospital on a volunteer basis.