Purpose of this blog

Personal missionary work as a coordinator for the college students who graduated from Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, HAITI.

I act as a liaison for those currently in college and their sponsors, until the students have all graduated, whether in USA, Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
As well, I encourage those who have graduated from college but have not yet returned to Haiti, to return to fulfill the purpose of their education, for themselves, their families, their country and most importantly, for God.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Konbit Sante NEW WEBSITE...so you can follow their GOOD work in Haiti!

konbit is a group of people working together to achieve a shared goal.
We depend on our supporters as Konbit Sante continues to develop its presence in Haiti, building a sustainable approach to health care. Donations, volunteer action, event participation, and content awareness are crucial to the success of Konbit Sante's efforts, which is why we are excited to share the news of our new website!

In-depth information about Konbit Sante is presented in a fluid, easy-to-navigate design that educates while it inspires. Learn about our history, mission, and approach as we work hand-in-hand with our partners to strengthen capacity for a healthier Haiti.

Newsroom & Announcements

The latest news posts will be featured regularly on the Konbit Sante homepage. All posts are archived in the newsroom page on the site. We will also enable an announcement banner on the homepage for upcoming events.

Take Action Your Way

We offer a number of ways for people to become involved with Konbit Sante. As you click through the website, there will be intuitive trails to information and opportunities for contributing in the way that makes most sense for you.

Check it out today at www.konbitsante.org!

Committed to Caring Konbit Sante co-founder Dr. Michael Taylor honored in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Michael Taylor, left, receives the American Academy of Dermatology Presidential Citation Award from AAD President Dr. Suzanne Olbricht, center. At right is Wendy Taylor, Dr. Taylor's wife and Konbit Sante co-founder.

 Dr. Michael Taylor of Portland recently received a Presidential Citation Award from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for his work with Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership, which he co-founded in Maine in 2001 with his wife, Wendy.
 The Taylors spent several days in late February and early March attending the AAD’s 77th Annual Meeting conference in Washington, D.C. The Presidential Citation was awarded by AAD President Dr. Suzanne Olbricht on Feb. 28 during the Academy’s 2019 Stars of the Academy Awards Ceremony at the Marriott Marquis. Dr. Taylor received a plaque which reads “In recognition of your long-term commitment to the health of underserved peoples through the establishment of Konbit Sante and partnership with the Justinian Hospital in Cap Haitien, Haiti.”
He was also recognized at the AAD’s annual business meeting on March 3. The largest organization of dermatologists worldwide, AAD has more than 16,000 members from more than 35 countries. More than 6,000 dermatologists attended the Annual Meeting. While in Washington, the Taylors had a special lunch with U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, in the Capitol dining hall. Congresswoman Pingree entered an acknowledgment of Konbit Sante and its role into the Congressional Record on Feb. 28. Wendy and Michael Taylor at the 2019 Stars of the Academy Awards Ceremony at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. While honored by the AAD award, Dr. Taylor said the success of Konbit Sante would not have been possible without the work of the many people who have worked for and supported the organization over the years. “Wendy and I always acknowledge that this is a group effort,” he said. Konbit Sante Executive Director Nate Nickerson credits the Taylors’ vision and enthusiasm as being essential for putting Konbit Sante on the path to success. “I remember the call from Michael, almost 19 years ago now, in which he described the as-of-yet unnamed group that he and Wendy had gathered to explore looking for a better way to engage in global health work.
Like so many people that have been involved with Konbit Sante since, his enthusiasm and vision drew me into the picture,” Nickerson said. “I am forever grateful for the initiative the Taylors took to ‘give birth’ to this organization, and for their leadership to set it on a good path.” One of Dr. Taylor’s colleagues in Haiti was also pleased to hear about the award. “I have a great memory of him as someone who has empathy and is very sensitive to the suffering of Haitian patients,” said Dr. Jean Gracia Coq, medical director at Justinian University Hospital. “I had the privilege to stay at his home in Portland in April 2007 in order to participate in meetings about governance, an invitation from Konbit Sante. I still keep in my wardrobe a ‘parrot’ tie that he gave me during my stay in Maine, and wear it for exceptional occasions.”
 In addition to co-founding Konbit Sante, Dr. Taylor is a member of Gloderm, a committee composed of dermatologists who promote and engage in education and care programs in the developing world, and of the Climate Change Consortium, which focuses on the adverse effects on skin caused by climate change.
AAD is one of several medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, that are bringing attention and scientific knowledge to this crisis.
 Please join all of us at Konbit Sante in congratulating the Taylors for their years of tireless work, which has played no small part in helping to make Konbit Sante one of the most respected NGOs working in Haiti.




Monday, May 27, 2019

It's a Pop Up Party to Support the College Students Ministry! JUNE 6, 2019

Haiti Marylee 2019 Jewely fundraiser Invite.PNG



Just to update everyone...
Even though I have resigned from direct ministry with Institution Univers, God made it very clear to me, to remain involved with the college students who have not yet graduated from college or who have not yet returned to Haiti, who remain within the College Scholarship Program. I am committed to act as liaison for the students and their hosts/sponsors until they graduate and return to Haiti. As well, I am the coordinator for three students who are working on their Master's Degrees in Massachusetts who are on also on scholarship.
Therefore, I need financial support until this mission is fulfilled - when all students have graduated and are safely returned to Haiti. The expectation is for all students to be graduated within the next three years.
Additionally, I remain involved with various organizations within Haiti, promoting the good, good work they are accomplishing; Organizations such as Konbit Sante and Girls for the World, among others. Keep checking my Facebook page, as I post updates and activities from time to time of these various organizations.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail, please email me.
Thank you so much for your continued support and love. Hope to see you on June 6th!

RSVP please to: carey.marylee@gmail.com
Look forward to seeing you!
Love,
Marylee

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

As I pray for this, will you join me?

As you know from my previous posts, I resigned from my official capacity at Institution Univers, yet since August 2018, I have continued to independently serve the students who are currently in college in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the USA.
I am praying about how God wants me to continue in this capacity. I will need to ramp up support in order to continue working in such capacity.
Will you please pray for God's guidance for me, and if you would join me as a financial supporter?
Realistically, it will have bearing, as my support system has diminished drastically since departing IU, yet I have continued to serve these particular students in the same capacity as I was previous to August.

Please drop me a message on this blog, or Facebook message me at Marylee Carey with any questions, or thoughts you have.

Thank you for your interest, care, concern and prayers!
ALL Glory to God,
Marylee

Pray for Haiti Please...

Dear Friends,

     As many of you may have heard through news reports such as this one or through your own personal connections to people in Haiti, civil unrest, and frustration have been escalating in reaction to the ever-increasing costs of food and fuel in Haiti.  We cannot predict where this will lead, but we certainly understand the frustrations of people that fuel tumult. There has been double-digit inflation every year for the past three years, and the value and buying capacity of the local currency, the Haitian gourde, has plummeted in value against the US dollar. The national budget deficit has reached record highs.
     On a human level, this all means that poor people have increasingly struggled just to feed their families. Political opposition groups have capitalized on this discontent to mobilize large countrywide demonstrations against the current government, which they blame for mismanagement of funds that were supposed to be used to alleviate this suffering. One of the slogans of the protesters is “Nou Bouke” (“We’re Tired”), and indeed people are.
     Konbit Sante staff in Cap-Haitien report that the markets are closed and that things are very tense on the streets. The scale of the protests is bigger than anything we’ve seen there in the past 15 years. It is clearly difficult for work to continue normally for staff or for any of the people who are charged with providing health care and other vital services. Once again, our staff and friends in Haiti are asking us to pray for people in Haiti; that a positive path forward can be found out of this crisis.
     And so, we share their message with you as we commit to continue to support them through this unpredictable time. It takes courage and fortitude to continue to work for positive change when so much seems to mitigate against it, but that is exactly what they do every day.
     Thank you for being part of their network of support. We will share updates about the situation as we learn them.

Sincerely,
Nate Nickerson
Executive Director
Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership
Copyright © 2019 Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership, All rights reserved.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Univers Graduates are either currently receiving HELP scholarship or have received...

 
JAZZ BENEFIT 2018 
 
 
Join us for an evening of jazz and Haitian music
benefitting
 
Featuring
&
 
 
 
TICKETS AVAILABLE
 
Cocktail reception
 
*SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES*
 
Cocktail reception
Reserved table of 4
"Made in Haiti" gift bags
Recognition in HELP's Annual Report
 
Cocktail reception
Reserved table of 6
"Made in Haiti" gift bags
Recognition during event and in HELP's Annual Report
 
Cocktail reception
Reserved table of 6
"Made in Haiti" gift bags
Recognition during event and in Annual Report as Lead Sponsor
Public recognition, logo representation at event & on promotional materials for event
 
RSVP BY NOVEMBER 16, 2018
 
 
Date/Time
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
6:30pm - Cocktail reception with musicians
7:30pm - Concert
 
Location
 
Questions
events@uhelp.net - 646 709 4279
 
 
 
LEAD SPONSORS
*HELEN BODIAN & ROGER ALCALY*
 

Friday, August 17, 2018

To My Beloved Donors...

It is with deep sadness, yet with the Hope of the Lord, that I write you today. It has been a very difficult summer of investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the leadership of Institution Univers, and resulting actions that had to be taken following the confirming outcome of the investigation. The Univers (local Haitian) Board has not taken the Biblical action that is required, the two accused senior administrators remain at the Institution. There has needed to be swift and unequivocal action by the Univers Board, to date this has not occurred. Because of this, I have no choice but to operate only in Truth and Righteousness and resign from God's mission work with Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. I remain an officer on the COCINA Board of Directors which has taken unequivocal action. Their statement is below. To clarify, COCINA has been the U.S. fundraising "arm" for Institution Univers for almost 30 years. I have been involved in both entities.  

Before all of this transpired, I had prayed and sought Godly counsel about Bud's and my future marriage, and had determined when that occurs I would take a "hiatus" from being "on the ground" in Haiti for the first year of marriage, unless Bud and I traveled there together, i.e. the 25th Anniversary that was originally planned in March 2019. My plan was to still work for the students and school, but from the states. This past month, Bud has asked for my hand in marriage! 

I share this with you so you are aware of everything currently going on in my life, and can pray accordingly. I need your prayers; I feel your prayers! Your prayers have sustained me in these past six years, to encourage me in the work that God has set before me. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know for a fact, God will bring beauty from the ashes. He promises this in His Word. Please pray for the precious children, families, and community. Please pray for repentance of the senior administrators, so that restoration can begin in their lives.

I have yet to see where God will use me in ministry going forward. I await His Call - locally, or globally. He has opened a door through CharityPal, (www.charitypal.net) to allow me to assist with fundraising for charities. It is a new endeavor, not yet profitable to be able to sustain me financially. I am also a server for a local caterer, selling on ebay, and serving the few insurance clients I retained from my insurance career. I have already been working in these areas so as to offset the needed funding to serve in Haiti. Just this week I have begun mentoring two young women in the Cuyahoga Falls area. Is that what God wants me to do for now? My Dad once said, 'not every opportunity is a call'. With his wise counsel, I will 'Listen to the Lord' to see what God has in store for me. "Listen to the Lord" was said to me the very first time I went to Haiti. Now, again, I Listen. I do know one thing, when He calls there is no doubt. So, again, I ask for your prayers, and if you are so moved, ask you to continue to support the work I will do locally, as opportunities present themselves.

Thank you so much for your dedication and generosity to me. I look forward to your continued support as we venture together to see what God has in store for Marylee!
Standing with you in His Kingdom. May God bless you with His transforming Power and Grace.
Love,
Marylee


Marylee Lewis
 www.calledbacktohaiti.blogspot.org


So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that
nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.      I CORINTHIANS 15:58 NLT


RE: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM COCINA - PLEASE READ To Our Loving Supporters, It is with heavy hearts that we make this announcement today, Monday, August 13, 2018. Recent allegations and subsequent investigations around sexual misconduct by two of the founding members of Institution Univers - Mr. Hugues Bastien and Mr. Joseph (Joe) Dumay - have led the COCINA Board of Directors to unanimously vote to suspend all funding and support of Institution Univers and Univers Medical Clinic until the two founders voluntarily resign, are forced to resign by the Univers Board of Directors, or are legally removed following further investigation. We are also exploring our mandates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and what formal actions we need to take regarding these allegations. As a ministry, our foundational belief stems from Micah 6:8, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? This standard has set for us, both COCINA and Univers, and particularly those in leadership positions, a filter from which to base our decisions related to the ministry. With that in mind, it is imperative that Mr. Bastien and Mr. Dumay uphold this standard and present themselves as examples of Micah 6:8 in action. Therefore, based on the allegations, the investigation, and outside testimony of those close to the situation, we have informed the Univers Board and the accused founders of our decision to suspend funding and support until the resignations of both men have been submitted and accepted, and that they have no further involvement with the ministry whatsoever. As of today, Monday, August 13, 2018, this has not happened, so we have moved forward with our promised actions. We take very seriously the responsibility you have entrusted in us to be good stewards of your financial support. And we hope you will continue to trust us as we move through this time of transition by continuing to give generously. We are confident that both men will resign or be removed and that we will resume funding and support to both the school and the clinic in the near future. For nearly 25 years, COCINA has faithfully served God by loving and supporting the ministry of Univers, the children of Haiti, and the community of Ouanaminthe, and we are looking forward to another 25 years and beyond. As we navigate through the coming weeks and months, we ask that you prayerfully stand with us. Our mission and vision at COCINA remains the same: “Built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, this generation of Haitian young men and women will glorify God in their country by cultivating a New Day of Spiritual, Intellectual, Economic, and Social Change.” We are committed to continuing with this vision and trusting God to fulfill His plan in Haiti. 
Sincerely, 
COCINA Board of Directors