Today Is...

Celebrate Maine Nonprofit Day by giving to Konbit Sante          Today is the 17th annual Maine Association of Nonprofits' Maine Nonprofit Day, and we invite you to observe it with us by donating to Konbit Sante. For a limited time, every gift is being matched, regardless of your prior donation history. So whether you are a longtime benefactor, someone who hasn't given in the past year, or someone who is giving for the first time, any amount you donate to Konbit Sante will be matched dollar for dollar. We are extremely thankful to the benefactors who have agreed to match these funds for us.      For more information about MANPF and Maine Nonprofit Day, visit nonprofitmaine.org.

Exciting news for Konbit Sante...and how you can help partner with them to deliver good health care to North Haiti!

Maine TV news show

Konbit Sante Executive Director Nate Nickerson was recently interviewed on "The 207," a daily television show of NBC news affiliate WCSH broadcast in Maine and eastern New Hampshire.      Nate talked about the 10th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake, the work of Konbit Sante and its partners in Greater Cap-Haitien, and the ongoing challenges of providing health care in the country, which has experienced more than a year of political upheaval, protests, and widespread inflation. Despite the obstacles, Konbit Sante and its partners are dedicated to continuing their work.          "All the money in the world isn't going to save Haiti," Nate said. "... On the other hand, the paradox of it all is that a little bit that's really targeted, that's going to the right place, can save lives."      You can view the entire segment here.

New interim Assistant Director joins Konbit Sante's U.S. staff

Randall May

Konbit Sante has hired an interim Assistant Director to help oversee its U.S. operations.      Randall May, MSW, joined Konbit Sante on December 27, and is based out of our U.S. office in Falmouth, Maine. He previously served as Director of International Operations for the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), supporting global program implementation and overseeing country management, operations, and compliance. The overall goal of the program was to strengthen the management and delivery of HIV prevention and care services in partnership with health department leadership and community organizations in Caribbean, Central America, and sub-Saharan Africa. He also served as NASTAD Deputy Country Director in Ethiopia from 2008 to 2012.      Prior to joining NASTAD, Randall worked for 13 years as Director of Programs for the Frannie Peabody Center in Portland, Maine. He holds a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.      "It was our great fortune that Randy’s skill set and availability coincided with our needs at this juncture, so I am thrilled to have him on board for the next six months," said Executive Director Nate Nickerson. "We welcome him to the Konbit family!"

Matching funds campaign extended

Our matching funds campaign, which was previously scheduled to end on December 31, has been extended into spring 2020, and will last until all the funds allocated by a few generous benefactors have been matched. If you are a new donor or did not give during the last fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2018—Oct. 1, 2019), every financial contribution you make will be matched dollar for dollar. Donate $10, $100, $1,000 or more—whatever the amount, it will be matched. Every little bit helps, no matter how small.          Please donate today by clicking the “DONATE NOW” button below, visiting our website at www.konbitsante.org/donate, or sending a check to: Konbit Sante, 362 US Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Donate Now

New metal art show on display

We have a new show/sale of handcrafted Haitian metal art on display at Clayton's Cafe & Bakery, 447 Route 1, Yarmouth, ME. As always, proceeds from the sale will go directly toward supporting our healthcare partners in Greater Cap-Haitien as they care for their communities. The show is up through February 7.

Haiti - A historical timeline to 2011...very informative

By Joel Dreyfuss for The Root

1/16/10 3:29pm

Filed to: POLITICS

4.5K

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1492: Dec. 5, Columbus lands on a large island he names Isla Española (Spanish Island), later changed to Hispaniola. It is inhabited by Taino and Arawak Indians.

1503: First Africans brought to Hispaniola for labor after pleas from a Spanish priest who wants to save the Indians from extinction.

1592: Spanish governor executes Queen Anacaona, the last Taino chief.

1659: First official settlement on Tortuga (off the coast of Haiti) by French buccaneers who hunt wild cattle and by pirates who attack ships sailing from South America to Europe.

1664: French West India Co. takes control of western third of the island and names it Saint-Domingue.

1670: First French settlement on the main island, named Cap Francois, later Cap-Français and now Cap-Haitien, the second largest city in Haiti. Settlers grow cacao, coffee, tobacco and indigo and begin importing slaves as labor.

1685: Louis XIV enacts the Code Noir, which regulates the treatment of slaves and sets obligations for owners. Corporal punishment is allowed, sanctioning brutal treatment.

1697: Spain formally cedes the western third of the island to France via the Treaty of Ryswick.

1749: Port-au-Prince is founded.

1758: Rebel leader Mackandal, born in Guinea, is captured and burned alive in Cap-Francois after seven years leading an insurrection.

1777: French officers lead a regiment of 750 free blacks from Saint-Domingue to help the fledgling U.S. fight British troops at Savannah, Ga. The unit includes several future leaders of Haiti.

1780: Saint-Domingue is France's richest colony, producing 40 percent of all sugar and 60 percent of all coffee consumed in Europe.

1789: When the French Revolution starts, the colony has 500,000 slaves, 32,000 whites and 25,000 people of color (mixed race), many of whom have inherited wealth and slaves from their white fathers.

1791: Aug. 22, slave revolt begins. Tradition says it starts with a voodoo ceremony led by Dutty Boukman. He is captured and executed, but revolt spreads and plantations are torched.

1794: Feb. 4, French Assembly abolishes slavery in all its colonies, ratifying what is already reality in Saint-Domingue. 

1801: Toussaint L'Ouverture defeats British and Spanish troops that invaded Santo Domingo and controls the entire island.

1806: Dessalines is assassinated and Haiti splits into two states, a northern state led by an emperor, Henri Christophe, and a southern republic led by president Alexandre Pétion.

1820: After the deaths of Pétion and Christophe, Jean-Pierre Boyer unifies Haiti into one nation and takes control of Santo Domingo as well.

1825: France's King Charles X recognizes Haiti's independence but demands 150 million francs in indemnity, backing his conditions with a fleet of warships.

1844: Dominican Republic declares its independence from Haiti.

1863: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln recognizes Haiti and allows trade for the first time.

1904: Haiti celebrates 100 years of independence.

1915: U.S. forces occupy Haiti; they will stay until 1934.

1930: First full democratic elections in Haiti; Stenio Vincent elected.

1937: Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo orders the expulsion of Haitians working in his country. Between 17,000 and 35,000 are killed.

1957: Francois Duvalier, a doctor, is elected president. "Papa Doc" establishes one of the most brutal dictatorships in Haitian history. His rule is enforced by a militia commonly known as Tonton Macoutes.

1971: Duvalier dies; his son takes power and is proclaimed president for life, like his father.

1974: The Haitian national soccer team participates in the World Cup.

1986: Unrest leads the military to oust "Baby Doc" and his kleptocratic clan.

1990: Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic priest, is elected with 67 percent of the vote.

1991: Aristide is ousted in a coup that many Haitians believe was financed by the business elite.

1994: Backed by a U.N. resolution, the Clinton administration restores Aristide to power.

1996: René Préval is elected president; he is seen as a stand-in for Aristide.

2000: Aristide elected president again after much-disputed parliamentary elections.

2004: Aristide leaves under pressure of an armed rebellion; he claims that the U.S. kidnapped him and shipped him out.

2006: Préval is elected again. A U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti since 2003 grows to 9,000 troops.

2008: Unrest erupts as Haitians riot against high food prices.

2010: Jan. 12, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 devastates Port-au-Prince and damages much of Haiti.

2010: March 25, President Obama asks Congress for a $2.8 billion special appropriation to pay for rescue costs and to help rebuild Haiti.

2010: Nov. 28, Haiti holds general elections to select a new president, 10 senators and 99 lower-house deputies. The process is immediately challenged as fraudulent, setting off violence and widespread protests. 

2011: Jan. 12, one year after the earthquake, Haiti's future remains uncertain. Just a fraction of the promised aid has arrived, little reconstruction has begun and the next step in the political process remains unclear.  

Konbit Sante Exciting UPDATE!

New ULS Clinic Opens

Almost one year since we broke ground on a new ULS clinic in Bande du Nord, Haiti, the primary care facility is now open for business and seeing patients. This vital community resource was made possible only by the generous support of Konbit Sante patrons like you who helped organize and staff fundraisers, volunteered their professional services, and donated more than $215,000 for landscaping, construction, and program support. Click here to read more!

Photos from top: An examination room in the new ULS clinic; members of the Bande du Nord community move a filing cabinet into the clinic; a young boy does his part on moving day. In the true spirit of a konbit, the community came together to help move equipment and supplies from the old clinic to the new.

You can still support my Haiti ministry by purchasing jewelry with Chloe & Isabel UNTIL 11:59pm TONIGHT!

Don't Wait until it's too late! Order now!

Hello All!

This is Katy, Marylee's Jewelry Gal with an update on her Party with proceeds going to Marylee's Haiti work.

We missed you at the Pop Up Party, but hey, when it has been raining for 2 days and the sun comes out at the perfect time, we get it!  Life at home or in the yard takes over, but the good news is the link for the party is open until JUNE 11th!!

So, please visit https://www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/katymiller/marylees-pop-ip to shop here!  

Click on the link to order.

Any questions- shoot me an email or text or phone and let's get it all answered.

Thank you  :)  

Katy Miller

Chloe & Isabel Jewelry, Personal Jewelry Stylist

Rodan & Fields Skincare, Executive Consultant

330-620-4098

www.ChloebyKaty.com

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

A 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.