NGO Spotlight: Konbit Sante

Each of the members of Haiti Innovation's Board of Directors was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Each of us had rewarding experiences, alike in some ways and different in the others. For us, it was an opportunity to become familiar with another culture intimately, to learn another language fluently, and to work side by side with out Haitian counterparts on projects with the potential to change a community for the better. We learned about Haiti, and through us, Haitians learned about the United States and Americans.

But was it an exchange? Not in the truest sense. We were given information and resources with which to understand Haitian culture. Our friends and neighbors received no such luxury. We could leave at any time. They could not. We came to know Haiti thoroughly. Most of our Haitian counterparts will never even see the United States on a television screen.

I'd like to applaud an organization that has partnered with Project Medishare in the past and of which I have some familiarity. Konbit Sante is a nonprofit organization in Portland, Maine formed by health care providers. They have had a great impact by partnering with a large hospital in the city of Cap Haitian on the north coast of Haiti...the largest hospital in the north, in fact. A small community in the North of the United States helping a large city in Northern Haiti.

Konbit refers to a group of people who work side by side on each other's land. Sante refers to health. This group truly has a commitment to working side by side with the staff of the Justinien Hospital, which they have maintained through years of instability. Few can dispute that the Hospital Justinien has not made great improvements in collaboration with this small group of highly dedicated individuals from Portland, Maine.

Back to the importance of exchange. The members of Konbit Sante frequently visit the hospital. They have also arranged for Haitian providers to visit the United States for professional training and for cultural exchange. This indicates to me a relationship based on equality and respect.
Konbit Sante is an organization that lives up to its name. I encourage you to visit their website and learn more at www.konbitsante.org.

Bryan