Extracurricular learning and activity at the Multi-Purpose Community Center

At the foundation of Haiti Health Initiative (HHI), medical and dental clinicians began week-long missions to Timo. Meeting patients in clinics defined by tarps was common, as dozens of patients waited in line, beginning at the break of day, to seek healthcare. Though work was steady through good weather, it was quickly apparent the events needed a better facility. 

That’s when work began on the Community Center began and could provide multiple rooms and corners out of the weather to meet and treat patients. Soon the number of rotating tours increased, as did the patients. Clinicians could perform tests from blood chemistry to vision and beyond. During that phase, Timo residents were also leaning healthcare skills, and visiting clinicians from nearby towns also joined in.

When the Haitian government fell into disarray, HHI found it was no longer safe to send teams to Timo, so the emphasis shifted to community care. The hypertension program began, as described in the Medical features on this site. The Community Center soon became an important hub for a broad range of educational as well as medical services. Local clinicians meet weekly with ambulatory patients, and healthcare education helps families understand how to improve family health from prenatal care to common difficulties with aging.

Education also runs the gamut students have learned skills such as tiling, and younger groups have learned the values of active games and exercise, even holding youth dances at the center. 

The Center was recently remodeled and updated to provide better electrical power and even a portable Internet station to connect the community with the outside world. 

Learning at the Multi-Purpose Community Center was exciting for this visitor to a medical team visit.

Programs teaching health and fitness happen for all ages at the Center. Here, younger community members dance for exercise and senior citizens learn about nutrition and other health topics. This group includes patients being treated for and taught about controlling hypertension.

The Multi-Purpose Community Center was refurbished in 2023.

These students graduated from a tiling class at the Multi-Purpose Community Center as part of the wide-ranging education programs the community has been providing.