Raising the Bar: Improving Access to Education, Healthcare Services and Nutrition in Haiti on the Local Level through International Volunteerism

Many governments throughout the world face having to serve their people's healthcare needs despite a lack of infrastructure, resources, and trained personnel. In order to fill this gap, often times, private individuals, foundations, and civic and church groups have responded to these peoples' healthcare and nutritional needs. The combined efforts of two organizations, the Belhaven-Pantego Rotary Club and the Hearts for Haiti Foundation, in collaboration with village and church leaders provide Haitian children with a balanced meal 3-5 times a week, vitamins, access to medical care, and education who otherwise would lack these services. This project which began approximately 15 years ago with one child's club-foot surgery has expanded into a feeding, education, and child sponsorship program supporting over 500 children in 3 villages.