Unlike the Port au Prince area, Port Salut has not been inundated with foreign projects to the same extent. The attention the region receives by outside agencies is sparse and sporadic. This is partially due to the distance from Port au Prince and until recently, the difficulty in reaching Port Salut by road.
Outside organizations most often offer vaccinations for children. There has, however, been no tracking of these organizations and it is not uncommon for children to be vaccinated multiple times for prevention of the same disease.
In the 18th Century, Haiti became one of France’s most valuable colonial possessions and one of the most brutally efficient slave colonies that has ever been. Santo Domingo, as it was called then, was a leading port of call for slave ships.
On the eve of the French Revolution, Haiti was supplying France with two-thirds of its imports. It was Europe’s tropical paradise. Today, however, Haitians live the legacy of the slave trade.
In November, 1803, Haiti’s slaves won the final battle of its revolution against the French. In January, 1804, it declared itself the Independent Republic of Haiti.
Since achieving its independence, Haiti has been plagued by political instability. For almost two centuries Haiti has suffered a succession of despots, strongmen and dictators. Its current President, René Préval is attempting to bring democracy to Haiti.
The national motto on the white scroll on the coat of arms reads L'Union Fait La Force
("Unity Makes Strength").
Because every child has an inherent right to life.
Because Haiti has the highest maternal, infant, and juvenile mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere
Because one out of every eight children in Port Salut will die before they reach their fifth birthday
Because 50 percent of the population has no access to healthcare
Because it is inexcusable that a country in our hemisphere has only 1 hospital for every 100,000 children
Because it is inexcusable that a country in our hemisphere has 1.2 doctors and .04 dentists for every 10,000 children
Because HIV and Tuberculosis rates are by far the highest in the Western Hemisphere
Because the deaths of Haiti’s children are from causes that are easily treatable.
Because no child need suffer when medications are available to treat and ease their pain.
Because the needless death of any child is intolerable especially when Haiti’s children are easily within our reach to help.
Because Port Salut parents, like parents everywhere, dream that their children will have lives better than their own.
Because the government of Haiti is not currently in a position to provide primary healthcare to the hundreds of thousands of children in need.
Because the most effective way to provide primary healthcare to the children of the Port Salut region is through an Outpatient Pediatric Clinic with a Comprehensive Community Outreach Program.
The Republic of Haiti is a country that shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is located just 600 miles off the coast of Florida - only 90 minutes by air. Situated on the western one-third of Hispaniola, Haiti encompasses 10,714 square miles - slightly smaller than Maryland. Its population is estimated to be almost 10 million with 70 percent of Haitians living in rural areas. Haiti’s terrain consists of rugged mountains with small coastal plains and river valleys. Once a lush tropical paradise, deforestation, hurricanes and flooding have lead to soil erosion resulting in only 28% of land being suitable for farming.
A former French colony, Haiti became the first independent black republic in the world as a result of a successful slave rebellion in 1804. Political and economic challenges and unrest continue to plague this tiny nation as it struggles toward democracy. Today, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Why Port Salut
International Attention
Geography
