In October of 2015, Positive Legacy Awarded Hands Up For Haiti a $18,350 Grant.

​

Hands Up For Haiti is a medical humanitarian organization committed to making a sustainable and positive impact on the health of the people of northern Haiti. They do this by collaborating with and supporting the Haitian medical community, by delivering direct care and educational programs to the communities that they serve, and by partnering with allied organizations.

 

The $18,350 Grant awarded to Hands Up for Haiti was for the renovation the existing solar electric system at the Haiti Village Health Compound (HVH) and for the installation of a new electrical system in the the Sante Pou Yo Health Clinic, in Bod-me-Limbe, a fishing village in the Bas Limbe region of Northern Haiti. This clinic services 16 Communities, a population of approximately 25000-30000, half of whom are children.

 

Impact Report:

​

• Broad Scope: Since the renovation and installation of the solar power system at the Haiti Village Health (HVH) guest house and clinic, both made possible in large part to the generous assistance of Project Legacy, HUFH has achieved safer and more efficient delivery of health care services, we have increased the number of global health teams that we send to the region, we have effectively used the compound for evening educational meetings and community sessions, and we have launched the community charging station and trained a local resident to run the program and another to maintain the entire system. Without power, none of this would be possible.

​

• Data & Records: We are now able to keep an adequate charge on our computers,
  enabling us to use them efficiently to ensure the safety of our patients, improve accurate data collection and reporting, and enhance the ability of the medical staff to communicate problems.

​

• Clinic Lights: We are no longer dependent on natural light. Using the available 24/7 power to the clinic building (or solar power stored in the back-up batteries) our medical staff is able to see patients and deliver babies with adequate light even at night. ‘

​

• Laboratory: A small laboratory can now function with the electricity for centrifuge and the safe storage of lab materials.

​

• Accurate Measurements and Evaluations: We are now able to use a more accurate electronic scale for our malnutrition program and well child visits.

​

• Vaccination Program: At the request of the ministry of health (MSSP), vaccinations can now be given at the clinic and during outreach missions. Their stipulation had been that we needed a reliable refrigerator for the vaccines to avoid breaking the “cold chain,” something we were unable to guarantee under the old electric system. With 24/7 power, this is now possible and we purchased a small refrigerator for vaccination storage.

​

• Community Charging Station & Local Employment: Thanks to a surge protected power station and other necessary equipment provided with the installation, Johnny Louis, a young member of the local community, has started charging village resident’s phones and other small devices for a few gouds each. Not only is this providing residents with electric power to use their devices, a rare commodity, but community residents are no longer trying to gain entry into the compound just to use the electricity.

​

• Another young man from the community, Walky Osirus, went through a vigorous one-week training program in November with the team from Ayiti Sole (the social enterprise that installed the system) and visiting experts, assisting in installations in the Cap Haitien area, during which time he learned how to recognize and forestall problems with the system in general and the community charging system as well. Walky now can enjoy a career as a solar electric technician and is charged with the maintenance of our system.

​

The Guest House 

​

• Global Health Missions: Having adequate power has allowed us to use the Guest House to much greater capacity. Since October and through this coming June, we have 8 medical teams staying at HVH. We have a dental mission coming up that is the first dental team to visit the region in several years.

​

• Food Safety and Conditions at Guest House: Having 24/7 power has allowed consistent and regulated use of the refrigerator and freezer used to store food for the teams.

​

• Fans: Power has also helped with fans that can now run efficiently and cool down staff in daytime and nighttime heat. The fans provide a virtual mosquito net as well, particularly important now that the Zika virus is prevalent in Haiti.

​

• Education: Adequate light, fans and food storage and the ability to use computers have all enabled us to hold vigorous evening meetings with team members and local health care providers, record data, and otherwise engage in a vigorous exchange of ideas.

​

• Community Education: Electricity has allowed public health and education films to be shown with a projector on the outside wall of the clinic. During a recent potential outbreak of cholera in the village, the staff immediately began this education program using Global Health Media videos. To help with continuing education for the medical staff, we are now able to use teaching videos on pregnancy, delivery and infant care.