Haiti
Gambade is a small village, which sits in the rugged mountainous region of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord in Northern Haiti.
The nearest hospital is located 10 kilometers away in the town of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord. A larger hospital in Cap-Haitian is 37 kilometers away. While these distances seem small, the mountainous terrain around Gambade makes travel extremely difficult and hazardous. During the rainy season, roads are impassable, making it impossible to get adequate medical care.
HISTORY
In 2012 two members from Compass Point Bible Church, Burlington met with local community leaders and learned about their vision for a permanent clinic in Gambade. They openly shared their biggest challenge, the many deaths of pregnant women and their newborns and the absence of basic health care.
The congregants of Compass Point Bible Church were moved by the challenges and the determination of the Gambade villagers. The ‘Together with Haïti’ group was formed.
From 2012 – 2015 , annual planning and relationship building trips with the Gambade community took place. The community pledged to contribute with whatever they have; giving them a sense of ownership as well as partnership in generosity. At that time, two land-owners, who were members of the community, donated two adjacent pieces of property large enough to build the planned clinic.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
In the Spring of 2016, after 3 years of discussion, preparation and planning, construction on the clinic began. In the summer of 2019, construction was completed, including solar power, back up generator and internet to allow communication with North America.
Clinic in 2019
MEDICAL TEAM
In November 2016, working with EMAS Canada, and the Gambade Medical Clinic Project Support Team, a team of medical professionals completed an exploratory visit to the area.
The purpose of this trip was to gain insight into healthcare priorities before long-term engagement. This was achieved through hands-on clinical services; meetings with local project leaders, and national healthcare professionals. As the project develops, our vision is that an EMAS team will engage for the long-term in capacity building, through training of national staff and improvement of services and through ongoing professional development.
Enhancing local healthcare professionals’ skills and capacity is very important to us. In the Fall of 2018, a Team of Canadian Healthcare professionals conducted a 4-day training blitz for Matronnes (Traditional Birth Attendants) and Health Agents of the Gambade Area. The training was overwhelmingly well received.
Watch this latest update on the progress made with your help during the pandemic while we wait to travel again:
Video: Progress on the building in 2018.
DONATIONS
The construction and equipping stages are complete and we are now preparing to hire staff. Our goal is to raise $50,000 CDN annually to meet our day to day staffing needs.
The staff will include field workers, doctors, nurses and support staff.
Would you please consider making a monthly donation, a one-time gift, or even sponsoring the cost of a staff member’s annual salary. If you are interested in sponsoring a staff salary position, please contact the EMAS Canada office for further details.
You can click the red donation button below and choose this fund to donate to the Gambade Clinic Staffing Fund:
The annual staffing fund goal is $50,000 a year. Each dollar you give directly impacts the healthcare of the Gambade community in Haiti. Thank you for helping us reach our goal.
In 2021 we planned the launch of THE STARFISH PROJECT to help combat child malnutrition. The program will be available to parents of malnourished and at-risk children when the Gambade Medical Clinic opens. You can read about it here.Â
Thank you for making a difference to those in need in Haiti with your support.
TEAM LEADERS: Rob Black (Project Support Team), Peter Agwa (Medical Team)
