New York City, US ? The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is awarded $75,0000 by the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to renovate/build the bateyes? first medical center at Batey Cinco Casas in the region of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. The Dominican?s State Sugar Council (CEA) ? a key partner to the BRA ? contributed another $40,000.

“Lions Clubs International Foundation is pleased to have this partnership with the New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, the Batey Relief Alliance, and the Lions of the Dominican Republic to renovate the medical center. This type of humanitarian effort will help many and also reflects the mission of Lions around the world ? We Serve,” said Kay K. Fukushima, Chairperson of LCIF. Victor Manuel Baez, Executive Director of the CEA added, ?The CEA, through the government of President Hip�lito Mejia, is working closely with the BRA to help the people of the bateyes.?

The center is part of the BRA?s Humanitarian Health Care Delivery System in the bateyes, in addition to a mobile health clinic, an ambulance, medical missions, distribution of essential drugs and vitamins and placement of health care volunteers. ?The center?s overall cost will reach about $1/4 million in renovation, construction, equipment and start-up operation. BRA is campaigning to find the remaining funds to complete the project by 2005,? said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the BRA.

The center will be equipped to provide long-term primary care to at least 15,000 persons per year, including HIV/AIDS education/prevention/treatment. Attention will be given in the areas of general medicines, pediatrics, gynecology, dentistry and ophthalmology. The facility will also have space to conduct medical research; for a fully-equipped laboratory, a pharmacy, a warehouse to store medicines and supplies and a dormitory to house five long-term volunteer health providers or medical residents; and an ambulance donated by the Wallkill Rotary Club in New Jersey. ?Our ultimate goal is to provide the poor marginalized residents inside their batey communities for the first time freely access to complete health care,? said Dr. Raymond Thertulien, Medical Director of the BRA.

International partners such as the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Direct Relief International and Food for the Poor have already offered their support to BRA in medical supplies and equipment and medicines.

BRA has been involved with the LCIF securing $15,000 in 2002 to start a mobile health clinic project currently providing primary care at batey Cojobal; working with the New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center to start a Blindness Prevention program. Support for this new funding came from prominent members of the LCIF foundation, including Dr. Carlos Justiniano and George Johnson. ?Batey Relief Alliance is an energetic organization that is saving lives in these poor communities, and I am glad we are involved with them in this work,? said George Johnson, Executive Director of the New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.

“The Lions Clubs International Foundation represents a strong example of commitment to social justice work, and provides the kind of leadership role that sets a clear path leading to the enhancement of lives around the world,” concluded Gaillard.

BRA urgently seeks the partnerships of university hospitals, health organizations, foundations, corporations and individuals to help complete this life-saving project. We accept contributions in funds, medical equipment and supplies and medicines. Please contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bateyrelief.org or (917) 627-5026. Fore more information about BRA, please visit us at www.bateyrelief.org.