Spring is a time of renewal. At Medical Missionaries it is a time to take stock of our organization and to look forward, especially during our 25th Anniversary Year. This month we spotlighted some amazing women on Facebook and Instagram related to Women’s History Month, and we revisit them in this month’s Newsletter.
Looking forward, Medical Missionaries is seeking additional sources of funding. We will use this funding to support St. Joseph Clinic in Haiti, which supports medical care for 125,000 people. The funding will also be used to support various programs in the United States and across the world. In this Newsletter we have suggestions on the many ways you can support Medical Missionaries!
Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope
March is Women’s History Month with the 2022 theme: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” This theme is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during the ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
We honor all the women who, as dedicated volunteers, work tirelessly and of their own time to support the mission of Medical Missionaries. We are honored to spotlight Oldine Lucien from St. Joseph Clinic and Theresa Patterson from the Parish Twinning Program.
Spotlight: Oldine Lucien
Oldine Lucien started working at St. Joseph Clinic in January 2009. She began as a volunteer and worked in many of the Clinic’s departments including the emergency room, general consultation and the nutrition program.
In 2011 she became a full time employee and worked on the FAO-PAM-UNICEF program. This program focuses on malnourished pregnant women and children supported in part by World Vision and Haiti’s National Health Program.
From 2012 to 2014 Oldine worked in the maternity ward. She then co-lead the Treatment Center for Cholera with nurse Pauline Philogene from 2014 to 2017. During this time she was named Chief Nurse. Since 2017 she has worked in the emergency room, managed the chronic disease program and treatment, and holds general consultations.
The Clinic staff honors Oldine as a great nurse who is always ready to take care of the next patient.
Spotlight: Theresa Patterson
Theresa Patterson is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Twinning Parish Program of the Americas for the past 44 years. Her mission in doing this work is to bring hope to people in Latin America, Haiti and the Caribbean by facilitating aid through links to parishes in the United States.
Parish Twinning first became involved in Haiti in 1978 and, through the diligence of Theresa Patterson, the program grew beyond expectations. Over 300 parishes have been twinned through the program with $50 million in aid provided by US parishes. Theresa introduces parishes in the US with parishes and orphanages in need, especially in Haiti. She has made hundreds of trips to Haiti, many of them to very remote villages, many of them during political crises and many times at risk to her own safety.
Theresa was instrumental in introducing Medical Missionaries to the parish in Thomassique, Haiti where Medical Missionaries built and supports St Joseph Clinic. Although Theresa Patterson will retire in 2022, the program she has helped build remains strong.
St. Joseph Clinic, Haiti Update
St Joseph Clinic is supporting Haiti’s goal of eradicating cholera. Working with Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health (MSPP), our clinic tracks cases of possible cholera. There have been no reports in the last 3 years.
Dr Lawrence, St Joseph Clinic Chief physician, reiterated that there is a great need for medicines and testing materials at St Joseph Clinic. It is difficult to diagnose and prescribe appropriate medication when lab testing materials aren’t available.
St Joseph Clinic received a grant from Rotary International to support our mission of combating malnutrition in Haiti. We will have updates on this program in future newsletters and our website.
Medical Missionaries Needs Your Help
Medical Missionaries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is 100% volunteer. There are no salaried positions. From the beginning, we have wanted to assure our donors that any money donated to us goes directly to programs that help the poorest of the poor. We are proud to be good stewards of your donations as we use your money to support our different programs.
There are many ways that you can help, including “Matching Gifts”, “Donor Advised Funds”, gifts based on purchases and partnership opportunities. We also need more volunteers for a variety of functions including collecting donations, raising awareness of our organization and other projects. Visit our website to read about the many ways that you can help Medical Missionaries!
Fundraising News
Caring Hearts Online Auction- Save the Dates
May 13-29: the solicitation letters went out on March 15th for donation of items for the auction and wow we are getting some great gift cards and items! If you would like to contribute, please consider giving gift cards for the auction, they are our best sellers!
March Madness
Thank you to those who are participating in our March Madness Bracket Fundraiser. As the teams enter the final rounds, good luck to all the participants!
Supplies and Equipment On the Move
Cameroon, West Africa – We have collected baby supplies for Mrs. Chenku’s many projects in West Africa. Mrs. Chenku is the wife of Dr. Chenku who is involved with the Patucha Foundation, which works with many health care clinics in West Africa.
Prince William Medical Center – Two fetal monitors were donated for the Ivory Coast BirthRight Program.
Grundy/Rocklick Pantry – Our team made a trip to Roanoke Va. to bring a truckload of food that was donated by individuals, Food Rescue and SERVE.
Echo – Brought in three loads of medical supplies.
Hospice Support of Fauquier County – Donated various medical supplies.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – Fr. Jean Claude, Dr. Mungala and their team packed a truckload of medical supplies and equipment for their work in the Congo.
Virginia Run Community Children’s Clothing and Toy Sale – Thank you to the Virginia Run Community in Centreville, VA who donated three carloads of children’s clothing, toys and baby equipment.
