Six years in the making
Follow along on our journey to open the Centre Belval
Building a medical facility is a complex project in the best of conditions, but building it in Gros-Mangles presented additional challenges. With no infrastructure for accessing supplies, no running water and no electricity or modern construction equipment, the construction took time and immense physical labor. It also took a lot of effort to raise the funds to purchase construction materials, hire an architect and construction experts to lead our team of volunteers.
After 6 years of hard work, thanks to the generosity of donors, the volunteer work of SU students and faculty, the expertise of the Gros-Mangles construction team, the leadership of Haitian physician Dr. Jean Rony, and the commitment of our Haitian medical team, the medical center became operational on June 1, 2020. Since the opening, patients have been rushing to the facility, deeply grateful for this major improvement in their daily lives.
Despite these major successes, still more needs to be done, as the medical center cannot yet operate autonomously. Our current and future needs are:
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3 solar panels and 8 batteries
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1 generator (>5,200 W)
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Medical supplies and equipment for sustained operation
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Operational costs
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A fence and gate around the facility
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An ambulance service to transport patients
We can't do it without your support. Any contributes will go a long way toward helping the people of Gros-Mangles and those living nearby.
Read through the timeline below to follow us on our journey to complete the medical facility.
The pharmacy was started in January 2014, at the request of the people of Gros-Mangles.
At the time, it would take two and a half hours to travel from Gros-Mangles to the nearest medical facility. Very few families own a vehicle, and taxis are expensive. When people can afford transportation, the roads are difficult to travel -- flat tires are a common occurence -- and they make travel extremely unpleasant or even hazardous for those who are sick, injured or pregnant. As a result, the people of Gros-Mangles were not able to access the care they needed.
A village committee spent 2014 securing land and a deed for what we thought would be a pharmacy.
Building a medical facility is a complex project in the best of conditions, but building it in Gros-Mangles presented additional challenges. With no infrastructure for accessing supplies, no running water and no electricity or modern construction equipment, the construction took time and immense physical labor. It also took a lot of effort to raise the needed funds to purchase construction materials, and hire an architect and construction experts to lead our team of volunteers.
Winter 2014
During the Winter of 2015, a service learning trip was conducted where students of Shippensburg University visited the village of Gros-Mangles and helped level the ground and build the foundation for the medical facility.
winter 2015
During the Winter of 2016, a service learning trip was conducted where students of Shippensburg University visited the village of Gros-Mangles and raised the walls of the medical facility.
winter 2016
During the Winter of 2017, a service learning trip was conducted where students of Shippensburg University visited the village of Gros-Mangles and raised the roof of the medical facility.
winter 2017
During the Winter of 2018, the floors were poured and the electrical wiring was installed inside the facility.
winter 2018
During the Winter of 2019, the plumbing and painting of the facility was completed.
winter 2019
Painting and Plumbing
The medical facility opened on June 1, 2020. See the pics below from the grand opening!
June 2020
Testimony from THE PEOPLE OF
GROS-MANGLEs
Testimony from THE PEOPLE OF
GROS-MANGLEs
Thank you for helping my son!
“My son had a stick stuck in his ear. I felt so lucky that I could take my son to the Centre Belval to get help. I could not afford to take him to the hospital in Anse-à-Galets. It is two hours away and we don't have a vehicle. Thank you, Project Gros Mangles!”