HAITI :: The Case for Nutrition

Providing a constant source of nutrition is critical for a child’s development. 

This comes as no big surprise in 2013.


Article after article and study after study confirms that nutrition is directly linked to all aspects of a child’s growth and development, factors that have direct ties to their level of health as adults. We all know that vitamin rich food helps children fight off colds and other illnesses, keeping them healthier longer. It is common knowledge that establishing nutritious eating habits as a child sets the foundation for healthy choices as an adult.


These are such widely accepted concepts in developed countries, but so challenging to implement in Haiti. Dire poverty, lack of environmental resources for farming and high food prices are just a few of the numerous obstacles contributing to childhood malnutrition in developing countries.


According to Dr. Charlotte G. Neumann (UCLA School of Public Health):

“The combination of malnutrition and infection is the leading cause of death among young children in developing countries. Malnutrition alone is estimated to account for over half of children’s deaths annually. Other leading causes of deaths are malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrheal disease [cholera], tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, frequently complicated by varying degrees of malnutrition.” 

What are we doing about it? 

Everything we can thanks to your continued support.

Oxilus, a St. Vincent's student, enjoying a meal

During each trip, we hand-carry food and snacks to St. Vincent’s Center for Handicapped Children. We prepare meals with the children and staff in their kitchen that often exceeds 110 degrees. When we take St. Vincent’s students to Camp Jake—our annual summer camp for children with disabilities in Haiti—we provide 3 nutritious meals every day for every camper. We teach nutrition classes at camp and work with campers to make healthy choices whenever possible. We teach trades so the children can better support themselves as adults and they are able to purchase healthy food for their families.

That’s what we’re doing about it. We hope you will continue helping us bring food to these precious kids. Donations can be made through our website. Thank you!


Sources: Children’s Heart Center, UCLA School of Public Health / Charlotte G. Neumann, MD, MPH

JACOB'S FUND :: McKenna Farms (GA, USA)

September 12, 2013

McKenna Farms has grown quickly over the summer, now serving more than 300 children weekly (up from 200), and an additional half-dozen therapists have come on board.  With 50 volunteers serving in a variety of capacities all over the farm, both the employee and patient parking lots were full to overflowing.

Glenna stopped by the new speech and occupational therapy wings housed in two new trailers alongside the farmhouse and said hello to some of the therapists and patients. 

In just the last few weeks, the barn has been opened up in the middle and handsome red-painted canopy graces the new entrance.

Thanks to The Rotary Club of Dallas, Georgia, concrete replaces dirt floors in the barn, and covers the walkway to the outdoor arena and the entrance area bordering the patient's parking lot.

We at The Red Thread Promise look forward to meeting some of the new children and determining how we can help those who need our support.  Currently, 50 children receive hippotherapy/therapeutic riding in the indoor arena each week.

The Red Thread Promise has plans of our own for the Jacob Beachy Sensory Trail, with improvements scheduled for spring 2014.  We'll have more on our spring mission trip soon.

JACOB'S FUND :: Spirit

As Glenna’s mother always told her, be useful as well as ornamental. Spirit is indeed both. Spirit is Cameron and Landon's hippotherapy horse. 

Jacob's Fund (a program of The Red Thread Promise), which Glenna + Bernie’s family started to honor the memory and spirit of their three-year-old grandson, Jacob Noah Beachy, is providing riderships to Cameron and Landon.

Here's some of Landon and Cameron's story:  
http://redthreadpromise.blogspot.com/search?q=cameron+and+landon

Spirit, the handsome therapy horse, tried on his costume for the Special Olympics State Horse Show today. You look great, Spirit! Thanks so much to all of the volunteers who are dedicating their time and talents!

HAITI :: Putting the "labor" in Labor Day :: A computer lab for St. Vincent’s

A year round gift

Never have a row of cardboard boxes lining a hallway ever looked so wonderful! That's because these aren't just any boxes; they are filled to the brim with gifts from our supporters at Elkins PLC for the students, faculty and staff at St. Vincent’s Center for Handicapped Children.

What's in those 16 boxes you might ask?

Each box holds a Dell desktop computer—including hard drive, keyboard, speaker and monitor—the foundation for the new computer lab (laboratories d’informatique) at St. Vincent’s in Port-au-Prince. The lab has been designed to meet the needs of all students regardless of ability: the room and desks will be wheelchair accessible; computers will be outfitted with braille and other software specific for the student's varying needs. 

Tom Landry II diligently wrapping monitors and keyboards 

Elkins PLC, a boutique commercial real estate firm in New Orleans, offered the computers following partner Shawn Richard’s recent trip to Haiti as a Red Thread volunteer and Camp Jake counselor. So profound was Shawn’s experience with St. Vincent’s students that he and the firm aspired to further students’ ability to engage more of the world on a daily basis. Elkin’s gift of technology is the first of many to bring this dream to fruition.

Shawn, partner at Elkins PLC, with a St. Vincent's student in Haiti

The concept for the lab builds on Camp Jake Director, Tom Landry II’s vision for Camp Jake. "The Red Thread’s goal is to broaden the horizons of each member of the St. Vincent's community. Beginning with Camp Jake in 2012, St. Vincent's students are brought to the Haitian coast for a 7-day camp filled with new experiences geared toward building self-confidence and societal awareness. The computer lab will build on this foundation, giving residents of St. Vincent's a porthole through which to explore the world beyond their native Haiti and, in the process, learn valuable computer skills that will serve them well into the future."

Prior to shipment, James Juneau of New Orleans based Axxess-IT prepared the computers with much needed software and updates. Today, Shawn and Tom put the “labor” in Labor Day as they packed box after box for the equipment’s scheduled departure this Tuesday. Finally, Haitian wireless service provider, Digicel, generously donated all of the furniture, paint, labor and wifi connection boxes for the entire lab. Digicel has also committed to maintaining the lab and providing free wifi to the entire St. Vincent’s campus.

Shawn wrapping individual computer speakers

With all of the boxing complete, a weary Tom is homeward bound

A hearty thanks to Elkins PLC, Axxess-IT and Digicel for their dedication to the children at St. Vincent’s! We look forward to sharing photos of the completed lab, which is slated to open in October 2013.

HAITI :: Digital Hearing Aids

The Red Thread Promise supports children with disabilities in Haiti, China and the US. 

This video showcases The Red Thread's partnership with Team Canada Healing Hands as we bring digital hearing aids to students from St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEKL04tdW-c

Thank you to everyone who made digital hearing aids possible. 

CHINA :: Swallow's Nest

DXX (left) and her best friend

DXX is growing up: From Pam with Swallow's Nest

DXX is a happy girl!  Very affectionate. She loves playing and interacts with other children very well. Very lovable. Loves giving kisses and hugging staff and other children. 

She doesn't like sleeping "haha" but easily laughs and smiles. She is growing and progressing so much. 

She used to be quiet and would cry if you didn't hold her. But now she crawls all over the place. Swallow's Nest is working with her to learn to walk. She has a little walking rolling chair that she loves being in because she can keep up with the other children. She also is a lot more talkative. 

She learns new words so fast. She has become very outgoing and is learning new things everyday! 

HAITI :: Many many thanks

Samantha and Kirsten (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every donor who gave generously...

your financial support made it possible for us to host 40 campers for a full week at the 3rd annual Camp Jake, providing quality medical care, multiple forms of therapy, three meals a day, and a comfortable bed in a nurturing environment. Your gifts allowed these precious children to experience life outside the bustling city in a safe non-judgmental space, surrounded by people who value them as human beings.

Claudio and JoJo (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every in kind donor who donated supplies...

your gifts of toiletries, apparel, beach towels, sporting equipment, games, snacks, watches, duffle bags and other items allowed us to teach many life-skills over the week including personal hygiene, time management, personal responsibility and protecting their own environment.

Kathy and Dayana (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every volunteer who gave their time...
your willing spirits and energy helped us fundraise for, organize and promote the camp, securing donations, supplies, counselors and safe travel for 60+ people in a developing country.

Camp Jake 2013 (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every counselor who tirelessly gave of themselves...

your positive attitudes, big hearts, and passion for equality gave campers the opportunity to be themselves in a loving environment. You modeled respectful behavior toward people with disabilities and set a positive example for others in Haiti. Your example continues to teach campers to accept and love themselves the way God made them.

Thank you to everyone who made this camp possible. 

We look forward to Camp Jake 2014 

and invite you to join us in making it a reality.