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Bill's Story |
 Brighter Smiles at Rainbow House
After seeing dental professionals for
the first time in their lives, 74 Haitian children have bigger
and brighter smiles today.
The story begins with a pilgrimage to Haiti by 2 dozen parishioners and friends
of the Church of the Nativity in Burke, Virginia. In August 2001, the group spent
a week in Haiti, learning first hand about the conditions in this destitute country
and the needs of its people. Its pastor, Fr. Richard Martin initiated Nativity's
Operation Starfish® in 1998. Operation Starfish® has
galvanized the
parish
into
a
ministry of aid to the poor in Haiti. In five years, over half a million dollars
have
been raised to fund medical and housing projects for Haiti's poor. Three parish
pilgrimages have been made to see the results of Nativity's work there.
This past August, Nativity parishioners visited Rainbow House for the first time.
Rainbow House sits high in the hills overlooking the slums of Port-au-Prince.
It is an oasis of care for 35 children with HIV/AIDS. It is run by a young Canadian
woman and her Haitian husband who have dedicated themselves to the care of children
who are otherwise ostracized from society because of their illness. The Rainbow
House staff also provides an outreach program to over 100 children who can live
at home.
The heart of one of Nativity's parishioners was particularly touched by what
he saw there. Bill Hummel, on his return from Haiti last August, committed his
energy and skills to a number of efforts to improve the situation at Rainbow
House and support the couple who is operating this facility.
Bill's latest initiative resulted in a dentist and two hygienists accompanying
him to Haiti in April, 2002. In just a few days, the dental team treated 74 children.
The children were from Rainbow House and nearby orphanages. Some, like Charline
(photo above) just did not smile because of their broken, misaligned teeth. Now
Charline's smile can light up the room. Bill said, "Charline was so self-conscious
about her broken teeth. One was right in the middle, up front. Now she has such
a beautiful, wide smile!"
According to Hummel, the problem is immense. Nearly a quarter million children
in Haiti are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. Those touched by Rainbow House at least
have food, shelter, basic medical care and education. And because of Bill and
his friends, they have now had some basic treatment of their dental problems.
Before leaving Haiti, Bill also arranged continuing follow-up care for these
children. He found a local dentist to provide continuing services and left behind
some dental equipment and supplies for this dentist to use.
When the next Nativity pilgrimage visits Rainbow House in August, 2002, the participants
will be treated to even brighter smiles, thanks to Bill Hummel and his dental
friends. They have made a difference, one child at a time, in the lives of the
poor. |
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QUICK
LINKS
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DONATIONS
ARE
WELCOME
Checks can be made out to
" Operation Starfish"
and mailed to:
Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, Virginia 22015. |
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Or gifts can be
sent directly to:
Food For The Poor, Inc., 6401 Lyons Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33073 - Note on check
"Nativity
Village / Source Code 57014"
For assistance with donations, contact jim@starfishmission.org
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