Draft:Saint Vincent Centre for Disabled Children

The Saint Vincent Centre for Disabled Children (also known as St. Vincent's School for Handicaped Children) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialized care and support for children with disabilities. Located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

History

St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children is an educational institution in Haiti that was established in 1945 by Elizabeth Simpson Burke, formerly known as Sister Joan Margaret, of the Society of Saint Margaret. The school has gained recognition across Haiti for its dedication to the education and nurturing of children with disabilities.

The curriculum at St. Vincent's follows a conventional school program and is designed to cater to the unique needs of students with disabilities. The teaching methods used at the school include sign language, Braille, and other customized learning techniques.

Over the years, St. Vincent's School has been instrumental in transforming the lives of many children with disabilities in Haiti.

2010 Haiti Earthquake

The center was destroyed during the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, making it impossible to determine the total number of children they have helped over the years. However, it is estimated that the organization has served approximately 200 children each year, which would put a conservative estimate of the total number of children helped at around 7,500.

Medical Clinic and Brace Shop

The Medical Clinic and Brace Shop are located at 119 Rue des Casernes in downtown Port-au-Prince. The facility caters to those who are familiar with the area from their visits to St. Vincent's prior to its relocation to Santo 17. The Medical Clinic offers a wide range of services, including pediatric, orthopedic, and ophthalmologic care, as well as physical therapy and audiology testing. It is staffed by a team of professionals, including five orthopedic specialists, four pediatricians, one ophthalmologist, a physical therapist, and an audiology technician. The clinic sees an average of 15 to 20 children daily, ranging in age from birth to around 13-14 years old, who come from various parts of Haiti. Patients are required to pay a fee of 750 Haitian Gourdes, which is approximately $5.67USD.

The Brace Shop is a specialized healthcare facility that primarily serves children, although some adults also benefit from its services. The shop has a team of four technicians, including one chief technician and three disabled technicians, who work together to provide high-quality care and braces to their patients. The facility's mission is to aid the underprivileged by offering care and braces at a significantly reduced cost, well below the market rates and other clinics' charges. Although the nominal fee collected primarily covers the cost of supplies, the Brace Shop operates at a financial loss due to its commitment to serving the community. Despite the financial challenges, the facility continues to provide critical healthcare services to those in need, fulfilling its mission to support the underprivileged.

Partners and Supporting Organizations

St. Vincent's partners and supporting organizations includes:

• Children's Medical Mission of Haiti
• Friends of Saint Vincent's Center Inc.
• Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation
• Medi for Help
• St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
• Southern College of Optometry
• Team/Équipe Canada Healing Hands
• West Tennessee Haiti Partnership