Recent Washington Adventist University Humanitarian Trip to Haiti Provided Health Care and Education to Needy Residents
Takoma Park, Md. (August 11, 2016) Residents of Port de Paix, Haiti received much-needed healthcare and help from a team of 13 Washington Adventist University (WAU) students, faculty and staff, and alumni during a recent mission trip that took place July 7-18.
The Haiti trip followed recent trips to Cuba in May, and Honduras in June. All three humanitarian missions provided help to those in need. The trip to Haiti was in conjunction with Kingdom Goals, a non-profit organization based in Port de Paix that was founded by WAU alumni Narissa (’14) and Gary St. Fleur (’13).
“The needs in Haiti were greater than I had anticipated, but the people were happy and praised God with their whole heart,” said Tijuana Griffin, chaperone and Professor of Nursing at WAU. “We were able to address their physical needs through the health clinic and a clothing distribution. This mission trip has given me a desire to return to Haiti, because I believe we can do more to help the people there.”
The team provided:
- A Health Seminar for more than 300 people at a local church
- Blood pressure checks for 390 people
- Diabetes checks for 109 people
- Eye examinations for 339 people
- Physical therapy for 41 people
- Breast examinations for 54 people
- Testicular examinations for 26 people
- Vacation Bible School for 150 Children
- A Youth Revival that resulted in seven baptisms
- Construction of an outhouse for a family in need
With the university’s “Gateway to Service” motto, Chaplain Kaneil Williams, who served as the team’s leader, noted that “The greatest testament to the mission and purpose of WAU is what I witnessed on this trip. Students who have left ‘the gateway’ are making an impact on our world. Gary and Narissa are proud to say that it was missions and experiences at WAU that inspired Kingdom Goals, and it isn’t by coincidence that the organization’s name reflects who we are and what we are creating.”
Tynisha Kadiri (’15 & ’16), a registered nurse, said, “I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Haiti with the WAU ministry. Through devotion, worship, prayer and testimony, the foundation to fulfill the mission was provided. This experience encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and be a servant. Jesus must become greater and I must become less.”
“I was able to see life from somebody else’s eyes. Hopefully this is just the beginning,” said Daniel Shields (’16), who waited four years for his first mission trip with WAU.
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Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County’s only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation’s capital. Approximately 1,100 students of all faiths participate in the university’s eight graduate and 42 undergraduate programs. The 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.
Media Contacts:
Angie Crews, 301-891-4134, acrews@wau.edu
Donna Bigler, 240-286-1169, dbigler@wau.edu