Making a Healthplan for Life for Haitian Children

When we developed our mission for SHH we wanted to focus on health and health education- to teach children they had a right to healthcare and to give them the tools to access wellness, in order to create a more sustainable cycle of well-seeking behaviors for future generations.

What we have discovered along the way is what wellness really means.

Several years ago, we saw progress in Haiti, and we built on that progress by constructing the Sho-Ping Chin Clinic for Healthcare and Education. We installed a reverse osmosis water system, we installed solar panels, and we hired staff for our clinic and water system maintenance. But we also identified colleagues working on the campus and we joined forces to create better living conditions in the dorms, a farm for sustainable meat, eggs and vegetables, a sports program and a playground- all of which are also wellness.

In the last few years though, with hurricanes, fuel shortages, political unrest and an earthquake, we had to shift funds to create security. And we lamented the need to spend hard earned funds in this way. Looking back, we now see that security is part of wellness. Ensuring that everyone on the campus, children & staff, have enough to eat and do not fear for their personal safety is wellness. Its wellness not just because they are safe, but because they are able to spend their energies on their education and work and happiness. "Teaching someone to fish" instead of "giving them fish" is a great concept and a phrase often repeated when programs appear to be handouts. However, when someone spends 90% of their time worrying about where their next meal will come from, its virtually impossible to focus on work, studies and wellness. We believe that providing for the children and staff in order to allow them to be healthy and happy, while they are a part of SHH, is the means to a sustainable future. We have been working with Fondation Montesinos for almost 8 years and in the coming year, we will begin to share stories of how our work has changed the lives of both children and staff who have graduated from the program.

We are grateful to our donors for believing in us. We share these pictures of the holiday celebration in honor of their safety and wellness. Happy New Year!