Guy Alexandre (left) Ulrick Gaillard (right)

Haiti’s Ambassador to the DR discussed with BRA humanitarian health support for Haitians in the bateyes

In a tete-a-tete with Haiti’s Ambassador to the DR, Guy Alexandre, Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the Batey Relief Alliance, reconfirmed the organization’s commitment to assist the thousands of Haitian migrant families languishing in the bateyes without reasonable access to basic health care. “It is obvious that Haitians often face difficulties to access freely the country’s health care system due to racial discrimination, extreme poverty or fear of deportation,” said Mr. Gaillard. “BRA hopes to feel this gap by providing direct care to the affected population, and donating medical supplies, medicines and the know-how to the Alliance’s member partner organizations working inside the bateyes,” added Gaillard.

Each year, BRA invests more than US $3 million in health care in the bateyes. In 2003 alone, the organization reached a record $10 million. BRA’s health care system includes a mobile clinic, an ambulance, blindness prevention, distribution of drugs and medical supplies, placement of volunteers, medical missions and a medical center (in construction).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAITI: 1804 ? 2004

Haiti’s Consul General, Edwin Paraison, Ulrick Gaillard

“The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is committed to provide humanitarian support for the country of Haiti by ensuring basic health care to the many poor marginalized Haitian migrant and Dominican families and others languishing inside the bateyes of the Dominican Republic,” said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the BRA.

On January 1, 2004, Haiti will commemorate its two hundred years of independence. The forefathers of this great Black nation are: Toussaint Louverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, Henry Christophe and Alexandre Petion. Toussaint Louverture, a general of the French colonial Army, defied the world order ? colonialism, and strategized a faith-based guerilla war that permanently abolished slavery. After Louverture was captured and sent to France where he died, the three others generals continued the revolt, defeated the Army of Napoleon Bonaparte, and proclaimed Haiti independent in 1804.

Haiti?s bicentennial, celebrating the World?s First Independent Black Republic, and the first country to abolish slavery, is a proud and unambiguous reminder that the unceasing fight for freedom remains the world?s only guarantor of the survival of human dignity and human rights for us all. Haiti birthed the only successful revolution of Black slaves anywhere in the world, and because of this unique gift to freedom-loving people everywhere, Haitian history transcends its borders. Haiti?s war of national liberation inspired generations of Latin American democrats, American slaves and abolitionists, and oppressed peoples of all races throughout the globe.

What a SAGA in the beginning of the Nineteen Century! An independent Black nation surrounded by four colonial empires, the French, the Dutch, the Spaniard, the English and a burgeoning nation the United States of America still harboring slavery as a mode of production. At that particular time, Haiti became a beacon of hope for thousands of African slaves scattered around the western hemisphere.

?Amnesty international was not there to help us. Nobel Price committee was not around to acknowledge our existence. The United Nations were created 141 years later and the Paris Universal Declaration on Human rights was signed in 1948. We were alone but ready to help others fight the same battle, for instance Venezuelan revolutionary, Simon Bolivar.?

Despite its great contribution to humanity, Haiti?s glorious revolutionary accomplishments have been overlooked, buried and tarnished. Some of the countries it has helped find a clear path to self-determination have turned their backs on it. Others have crippled its economy by imposing embargoes after embargoes. As a result, thousands of Haitian children and their families live below poverty level and are dying. They lack basic health care and nutrition. AIDS is now ravaging this economically and politically fragile nation. Many Haitians continue to cross the Dominican Republic?s borders seeking employment opportunities and living under subhuman conditions.

Credit to OSMOSESCULTURE and Dr. Eric Jerome of AMHE

BRA and VOSHS to hold eye care missions to the bateyes
As part of its Blindness Prevention Program, BRA will sponsor with the Chicago-based Volunteer Optometrists for Service of Humanity (VOSH) an eye-care mission trip to be held from January 17-24, 2004 in the bateyes located in the province of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

More than 22 optometrists, faculty and students will work along-side local lions club members and optometrists affiliated with the Batey Relief Alliance to provide care and eye glasses to more 2000 needy residents. Dr. Gary Blackman, founder of the group, said, “I have been to the Dominican Republic in the past and seen the critical eye care needs. I am excited to be back and to bring help.” Eye surgeries will also be performed for cases of cataract or glaucoma. “It is always a pleasure of working with a VOSH group. BRA’s eye care success in the Dominican Republic is due, in part, to past positive experiences with VOSHs all around the United States,” said BRA’s Executive Director, Ulrick Gaillard.

Two other mission trips with the VOSH-Wisconsin and the SVOSH at the Ohio State College of Optometry are scheduled for February and September. Support our Blindness Prevention Program by making a money donation on line at www.bateyrelief.org.