Saltadere Development Program 

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Americas due to many natural disasters which have destroyed economic growth. Our goal is to provide long term assistance to a remote area of Haiti, the roughly 40,000 people living in the Saltadere region. Over the past few years we have built two new school buildings, established a medical clinic, and begun a clean water project for irrigation and everyday life.

From 2007-2011 we raised approximately $200,000 and built 2 new, concrete school buildings made up of 16 classrooms. These new buildings, intended to serve the Saltadere community , now aid in the education of over 1,000 students, many of which are refugees from Port-au-Prince and other areas. Along with these new school buildings we also assist in the upkeep of two other area schools that service roughly 40,000 people living in the Saltadere region. Moving forward we hope to build more school buildings to accomodate the increase in student enrollment. If you would like to sponsor a child, please click on the link below. 

We have begun to renovate and expand our existing clinic to help those struggling with disease and illness in  the region.  The people that work are have undergone training in a mdeical training facility in Hinch.We have help the midwives and doctors treat their patients by provided pharmaceuticals and other supplies. One of our current goals is to raise money for a new clinic building . This new building would give people a permanent place to go and be treated rather than the temperamental nature of a makeshift clinic. It would provide beds, instead of mattresses on the floor and would also provide more permanent medical devices for long term care. 

Another project we are involved with is the clean water project. There are two main sources of water in the Saltadere region, a river and a pipeline. The water pipeline provides clean portable wataer to the community while the river is mostly used for irrigation. However, many people are unable to attain water from the pipeline and instead use river water for drinking and eating, leading to diseases such as cholera. Our aim is to expand the pipeline so that more people have access to safe water. We also intend to expand the irrigation from the river to the amount of land usable for agriculture. Want to learn more about the project and how to donate? Click on the button below. 

The final project that we are a part of is a micro-loan fund designed to provide local businesses with startup capital. The creation of business is eesential in revitalizing a region's economy. We have helped create a liquid soap business which is the first manufacturing operation in the area. The establishment of successful businesses with essential products is a key to growth. If you would like to help with your expertise on the matter or donate to our miro-loan fund, follow the link to the St. Thomas Aquinas donation page (see donation section) or feel free to mail a check to: 

401 Alderman Road 

Charlottesvile, VA 22903

 

If you do send a check, make it out to either the Haiti Earthquake relief or to the Agriculture Project. Make sure to include your name and address so they can send you a confirmation letter.