Fort Myers doctor gives Haitian man the gift of sight

By Rachel Revehl • rrevehl@news-press.com • December 28, 2010 

1:52 P.M. — A 29-year-old Haitian man received the gift of sight today from a Fort Myers surgeon who donated his time and services.

Ezechias Toussaint, of the coastal city of Saint Marc about an hour north of the Haitian capitol of Port-au-Prince, suffers from a facial palsy that makes it impossible for him to shut his right eye.
Dr. Rachid Aouchiche learned about the case from a colleague, who was acquainted with Toussaint’s brother, Rev. Joseph Gabriel of Fort Myers.

The colleague, Dr. Mark Liebetreu, wrote to the Haitian consulate to allow Toussaint entry to the country, while Radiology Regional conducted an MRI at no charge and Aouchiche preformed the surgery for free.
The ability to see in Haiti can be priceless, as handicaps and illnesses are often misunderstood. The loss of sight can mean complete loss of a livelihood.

For Dr. Aouchice, the people of the desolate island nation hold a special place in his heart. He traveled there earlier this year with his teen daughter following the devastating earthquake in January, and helped to perform some 800 eye surgeries.

It's all about Haiti!

The Maison Fortune Orphanage

We know that Cosmas is the Secretary on the Board of Directors, but how much do we know about the orphanage itself?

Click here to visit the orphanage.

And click here to learn more about the Foundation.

Then click here to read their latest newsletter.

The Miracle Toilet

Twinning Program - Haiti Solidarity Week

The 18th Annual Haiti Solidarity Week is February 6 - 14. This week gives us the opportunity to celebrate our relationships with the people of Haiti; increase our awareness of the people, culture and issues of Haiti; deepen our commitment to our twinning programs; pray for our brothers and sisters who live there; and advocate here for the changes necessary to bring justice to the people of Haiti. The week also provides an excellent opportunity for parishes and groups to host a program on Haiti and consider entering into a twinning relationship.

Click here for more information and resources.

Mental Health of Survivors of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake Living in the United States

Thousands of survivors of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake are currently living in the United States. This podcast features a brief non-disease-specific interview with Dr. Marc Safran, CDC's longest serving psychiatrist, about a few of the mental health challenges such survivors may face. Created: 4/16/2010 by CDC Center of Attribution: Mental and Behavioral Health Team, 2010 CDC Haiti Earthquake Mission, CDC Emergency Operations Center. Date Released: 5/6/2010.


Click here to listen to CDC Podcast  (Running time = 6:32)

Poto Mitan-update video and new action alerts

Hello friends,

Hopefully many of you saw the first video "Poto Mitan" which is about a small group of women in Port au Prince before the earthquake. Some of us were able to visit several of these women in June. This is a follow up and is about 10 minutes long. Please share as you see fit, and please consider advocating as indicated for the release of funds for Haiti!
Peace,
Kathy Gross

Click here to watch video.

Christmas in Carissade!

Consider giving a year of education and a daily hearty meal to a Carissade student in honor of that lucky recipient on your list!

Mail your check for $150 to:
ML Applegate
Haiti School Sponsorship
3002 Springhill Avenue
Richmond, VA 23225

or
Go to www.richmondcathedral.org and pay through E-Giving.

Manje Gala 2010 Monies Raised!

The Joint Haiti Committee of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St. Bridget Church
is proud to report our first annual gala/student sponsorship program has netted
$50,891 to benefit the children of our twin parish in Carissade, Haiti !

We wish to express our sincere THANKS to all of our wonderful parishioners, corporate sponsors and restaurants who helped make our gala an amazing success.

If you have sponsored a child, but not yet received your receipt and/or picture, please email Joan DeBiasi at gildebiasi@aol.com

"Dinner for Two" Restaurant Donations for Manje!

Please patronize these sponsors and tell them “Thank You” for their participation in Manje!

2300 Club,
Amici Ristorante,
Bacchus,
Balliceaux,
Belly Timber Tavern,
Belmont Food Shop,
Bistro 27,
Buckhead’s Restaurant & Chop House,
Café Caturra,
CanCan,
Capital Ale House,
Chianti Italian,
Copper Grill,
Crab Louie’s Seafood Tavern,
Crazy Greek,
Davis & Main,
deLux,
Europa,
Extra Billy’s,
Flinns,
Frank’s Italian Restaurant,
Garnett’s,
Great Seasons,
Ipanema,
Joe’s Inn-Bon Air,
Joe’s Inn-Fan,
Kuba Kuba,
Little Venice,
Maldini’s,
Metro Grill,
Mom’s Siam,
New York Deli,
O’Toole’s,
Pegasus,
Positve Vibe,
Richmond Country Club,
Shacklefords,
Six Burner Restaurant & Bar,
Strawberry Street Café,
Sushi-O-Saki,
The Tavern,
Westwood Club,
Zen Asian Bistro,
and Zeus Gallery and Café.

Corporate Sponsors for Manje!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Bon Secours Richmond Health System,
Martin’s,
Gootee Construction Co.,
Richmond Camera,
Sensi Ristorante,
Cathedral Staff,
New Market Services Corp.,
Richmond BMW,
Millie Green Team,
VA Realty and Relocation/Robb Moss,
Fan Veterinary Clinic,
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Ford,
Mr. & Mrs. Linwood Sykes,
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Spinella,
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hartz,
Mr. & Mrs. Franco Ambrogi,
Spry Inside Family Medicine,
Jefferson Hotel,
The Berkeley Hotel,
Omni-Richmond,
Sam Miller’s Restaurant,
Lori Gardner,
Robbie Norris,
Tommy’s Flowers,
and Gold’s Gym-Fan/Willow Lawn.