As Rotarians, we are often invited to support projects that are taking place in areas far from our homes. Many times, we do not know the participants, but we are also drawn to their cause. One of our members, who has volunteered in Haiti, brought to the attention of the Rotary Club of Northborough the need for educational support materials for an ongoing project in Haiti.
Zanmi Beni, a sister organization of Massachusetts-based Partners In Health, was born out of a terrible tragedy: the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. There were more than 40 children, many of whom were disabled, orphaned, or abused, living in a single ward at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince. The children, many of whom had lived at the hospital ward for years, had been either abandoned or had been left at the hospital by parents who were, sadly, unable to care for them. It was apparent that something had to immediately be done, to protect these children, and that it would be necessary to secure a safe and permanent home as soon as possible. Shortly thereafter, Zanmi Beni became their new home. Now, more than 10 years later, there are more than 60 children and young adults living at Zanmi Beni.
Zanmi Beni is committed to ensuring that each child it supports reaches his or her full academic potential. In January 2020, the ground was broken for the Zanmi Beni Education Center - and construction is now complete. Funds are needed to put in place an excellent academic program. (see Education Center rendering and Giving Categories, at right).
The children of Zanmi Beni need our help. Please attend the Northborough club's Zoom meeting on Tuesday, June 5 starting at 5:30 p.m., to review this project. Please RSVP, so we will know whom to expect.
Shown, l
eft to right, are Zamni Beni founders Bill Horan, Loune Viaud, Paul Farmer and Nancy Dorsinville.
eft to right, are Zamni Beni founders Bill Horan, Loune Viaud, Paul Farmer and Nancy Dorsinville.To download Zamni Beni - Introduction for Rotary, in PDF format, click here.
For more information - and to RSVP - contact Leslie Harrison, of the Rotary Club of Northborough, at lrmharrison@charter.net.
