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A SUMMER VISIT REPORT
COLLEGE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE SIENA COLLEGE/ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE PROGRAM VISIT ST. GABRIEL'S SCHOOL, FONTAINE, HAITI
The Siena College/Albany Medical College program in science, humanities and medicine is jointly sponsored by Siena and Albany Medical College. The program places special emphasis on combining humanities, ethics and social service with medicine. Students accepted into this program earn a B.A. from Siena after four years and an M.D. from Albany Medical College upon completion of the medical curriculum. Each year, 12 to 14 high school seniors are accepted from a pool of more than 450 applicants. Because the successful practice of medicine is as much dependent on one's ability to embrace humanity, as it is to embrace the latest advances in science, the program is designed to guide aspiring physicians beyond knowledge to wisdom in preparation for medical school and a lifetime of service to others. Among other requirements, student in the program are required to engage in two service projects, one during their college years at Siena and another as a first year medical student. This summer, five students in this program traveled to Fontaine, Haiti to teach English and offer service in a variety of ways to the students of St. Gabriel's School and to the community at large. Their report follows below.
This summer we spent three weeks volunteering in Fontaine, Haiti on behalf of the Siena College/Albany Medical College program in Science, Humanities and Medicine, directed by Dr. Edward LaRow. Under the guidance of Pierre-Louis Joizil, St. Gabriel's Director, and the Friends of Fontaine Foundation, we were provided with the opportunity to teach English at St. Gabriel's, the only secondary school is a small, poor rural in northern Haiti. We taught students in grades seven through eleven, enforcing basic vocabulary and conversation skills. Some of the themes we taught included body parts, senses, food, animals, and giving and receiving directions. Each night was spent planning lessons for the following day's classes to ensure the students received the best instruction we could provide.
After classes ended for the day, the students returned for reading and conversation practice in an intimate setting in order to enhance their English proficiency. Through these sessions, we were able to witness the students' impressive progress. We also felt it was important to interact and develop connections with the students outside of the classroom.
Thus, our free time was spent playing in the schoolyard or on the soccer field. In addition to teaching at St. Gabriel's, we had the opportunity to teach children in grades five and six at two local primary schools. We were surprised to hear the students at the primary schools singing the songs that we had already taught the students at St. Gabriel's, demonstrating the community's enthusiasm for learning English. Although the impact we had on the students is nothing compared to that which they had on us, we were grateful that we could leave behind various donations such as laptops, school supplies, books, clothing and shoes. Overall, our experience could not have been better and we are looking forward to spreading the word about the Friends of Fontaine Foundation and the wonderful Fontaine community here in Haiti.
Gregory Altman, Kathryn Fortune, Nicole Romanzo, Jenna Schlefman
and Casey Hladik
APPEAL GOAL UNDERWAY:
TO FINISH AND FURNISH
TWO CLASSROOMS AT ST. GABRIEL'S
In addition to finishing two classrooms with the basics, i.e., level floors, shutters, doors, desks and chalk boards, our present fundraising goal is to turn one of those classrooms into a complete, up-to-date science lab and, if funds permit, the other into a modern up-to-date library. A recent
mail from one of our supporters read: "Having
a science classroom is very important for anyone's
fu
ture, whether in the medical field or engineering field. I think Haiti needs both of these professions to build a new country."
So, when your letter arrives, please consider a gift to help us reach our goal. Mother Teresa
was quoted as saying "Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them."
Now if Mark Burnett, producer of "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" happens to be reading this newsletter, St. Gabriel's would love to be one of the schools that you outfit with computers! If you happen to know him, PLEASE forward the newsletter. Mr. Burnett, Kay can be reached at 518.459.4911 or at e-mail:
dechantal19@aol.com
.
FUTURE DREAMS
Friends of Fontaine Foundation, and others, have raised funds, and continue to do so for the education of our children at St. Gabriel's. Wouldn't it be wonderful if some company or organization would raise enough money so that every child in school could own a bicycle? Our school gives them hope, but they also need a little joy in their life. Traveling to school on those roads is not easy a bike would certainly be a help. Have a safe, relaxing summer. Keep St. Gabriel's in your prayers and thoughts. Let us hear from you!
Friends of Fontaine, P.O. Box 11376, Albany, NY 12211
www.friendsoffontaine.com
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"Friends of Fontaine" is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is "to foster growth and development in Fontaine, Haiti through education, health and other community services."
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