Traveling with a Purpose

2012-03-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

LGA DISPLAY @ UWO

Thank You Caribbean Student's Organization @ UWO for letting us be a part of your beautiful display on caribbean culture!!!

GEARING UP FOR OUR 1ST VOLUNTEER RELIEF TRIP

2012-02-27T08:01:00.002-08:00

We are thrilled to be able to share with the London community the beauty and culture of Haiti. Our first group of relief volunteers will be traveling to Haiti March 11-17. Our group of volunteers will be sharing their skills and talents with the people of Haiti and getting hands on experience.

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSION - If you want to find our more about the week-long volunteer relief trips, come out to our information session.

Date: Monday March 5th
Time: 6:30pm
Location: 1340 Dundas St., Cottage #1

(Salvation Army Complex)

* Our next trip is scheduled for April 21-27, 2012.

2012-01-30T16:40:00.001-08:00

Traveling With a Purpose Haiti Relief
Update - January 30, 2012
Due to the large volume of requests for further information on LifePaths Global Alliance Relief Trips, we have scheduled another live information session. The Skype session, originally scheduled for Monday, January 30th, 2012 has been changed to a live session on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012. Please see below for details.

If you are traveling with LifePaths Global Alliance on a Relief Trip during the months of February, March and April, 2012, please note the date for your orientation session below.

#1 Information Session
The information Session offers an introduction to LifePaths Global Alliance, provides an understanding of what the relief trips entail as well as an opportunity to ask questions. Applications are distributed following the session.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

6:30 – 8:00PM

340 Wellington Street (corner of York and Wellington)

London, Ontario

The 3rd Floor

Please Reserve your seating for this information Session

lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

#2 Orientation Session
This session is to be attended if you have decided on a departure date for your relief trip.
Fatima Haleem Baig, Executive Director of LifePaths Global Alliance, discusses various details including, immunization dates, travel insurance, required paper work and emergency contacts.

Monday, February 6th, 2012

6:30 – 8:00PM

LifePaths Global Alliance

1340 Dundas Street, Cottage #1 (first bldg on right, PACE Homecare office)

London, On N5W 3B6
Please Reserve your seating for the orientation session
mailto:lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

What you need to bring to the Orientation Session
1. Your$100.00deposit, thank you if you have already paid.
2. Color copy of your passport
3. Emergency contact information
4. Travel insurance contact information  
5. Completed application if you have not already forwarded it.

Relief Trip Dates

Sunday, March 11th , 2012 - Saturday, March 17th , 2012

Saturday, April 21st , 2012 - Friday, April 27th , 2012
Saturday May 19th, 2012 - Friday May 25th, 2012

Canadian Women Soccer Team - Up Against Haiti!!!

2012-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

Special thanks from Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/01/19/canada_haiti/

"Our team's been talking about it a lot," Sinclair continued, speaking at BC Place following Canada's final practice on Wednesday. "Obviously it's a game you want to win -- we feel we have to win -- but away from soccer there's a bigger picture. We can't imagine what they've been through.”
Much of the media's focus on Wednesday was Haiti's struggles to rebuild following the devastating earthquake in January 2010 which killed over 300,000 people.
Apart from the general turmoil felt throughout the country, the Caribbean nation's soccer program was deeply affected, as 30 employees of the Haiti Football Federation were killed as the headquarters collapsed during the earthquake.
"I remember watching CNN crying, after the devastation that they faced,' goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc said. "Their women's national team has been through a lot themselves. They've come through a lot -- their families have been through a lot. I don't think they want to be felt sorry for, but I know you grieved with them -- I know I did. But when we cross that line, it's for our country."
The Canadian team fundraised for the Haitian squad during the qualification campaign for last year's Women's World Cup, and the help from Canadians is continuing this time around. The Haitians arrived in Vancouver without all of the necessary equipment and gear, but BC Soccer stepped up to fill the void by providing some kits and gear to ensure they'll be able to have a fair crack at Olympic qualification.
Canada are the heavy favourites going into Thursday's match, ranked seventh in the world by FIFA, and are fresh off a gold medal under new coach John Herdman at the 2011 Pan American Games.
The Englishman is happy he had that tournament to instil his own soccer philosophy ahead of the Olympic qualifying round, but says the job isn't done yet.

Post-game show: From Jan. 19-24, log on to sportsnet.ca at 12:50 am ET each night to watch our live post-game web show, featuring a full recap and analysis of the day’s events from Sportsnet commentators in Vancouver.

"I would have loved to have been here four years going into this tournament, but that's not to be," Herdman said. "I'm lucky they've had some good coaching prior to (my arrival), so they've got some experience there. All I'm trying to do is help them develop their own style and image -- what they want to see, what they want to project out to the public.
"My job is more of a facilitator over these last three months. When you're working with a team with so much experience you have to go with the flow sometimes. We're not too far away from what we want to see -- we want to see good football – a really imposing style from the Canadians."
Haiti, in comparison to the high-powered Canadians, is ranked 62nd in the world and are heavy underdogs. Herdman is primarily focused on building toward the semifinal, which he refers to as "game four."
"We have to accept (the expectations)," Herdman said. "We're seventh on the world in paper, we should go through this group comfortably. I expect them to do that, but at the same time we have a goal to make sure we don't expose ourselves too much during those three games and that we're fresh and ready for the big game in game four."

Information Session - January 15th, 2012 Travel to Hait with us!

2012-01-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 15th, 2012 - brought out the best of the best!

LifePaths Global Alliance held an information session last night- regarding traveling to Haiti with our organization this year. The intrigued group watched our 8 minute documentary (hosted on our website at www.lifepathsglobal.org) - with great intent. Following a disucssion session, question and answer period on the upcoming mission trips - all the attendees realized one thing - "they simply want to go to Haiti and do what they can."

LifePaths Global Alliance is pleased to welcome 25 new volunteers to our organizaation. Each month, we will be taking a maximum of 10 volunteers for a week long stay in Haiti. For further information, regarding our trips -please contact us at lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com or at 519-851-4715.

Welcome aboard everyone, let your journey begin!
LifePaths Global Alliance

2012-01-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/01/info-session-on-humanitarian-vacations-in-haiti-offered-on-sunday/

Special thanks to Jonathon Brodie from London Community News. Jonathon spoke with Fatima Haleem Baig, Executive Director of LGA yesterday - read our updates!

Thanks Jonathon,
The LGA Team

Metro News!

2012-01-13T07:15:00.000-08:00

Haiti still needs your help.....says Fatima Haleem Baig, Executive Director of LifePaths Global Alliance - when she spoke from Haiti, on the 2nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake - January 12th, 2012.

http://www.metronews.ca/london
click on the electronic version - page 2

Special thanks to Angela Mullins from Metro News.

Live SKYPE to Rogers TV today - from Haiti!

2012-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Elaine Knight, Founder of LGA and Fatima Haleem Baig, Executive Director of LGA- will "SKYPE Live from Haiti" today on DAYTIME at 11:00AM. If you miss it - don't worry - there are encore presentations today at 5PM and 11PM! (Rogers TV - channel 13)

http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=9&sid=3268

Elaine and Fatima

News from Haiti!

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Founder Elaine Knight with baby wearing a hat knitted by Grannies for Haiti

LGA Telemedicine Clinic

Outside LGA's Boutique
(recently opened)!

Lga - Internet Cafe

Our kitchen crew - unlike any other - make the best food in L'Estere!

LGA Computer School

LGA Computor School

Are You interested in Traveling with a Purpose?

2012-01-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

Please join us at our next Information Session if you are interested in Traveling to Haiti this year with our organization.

When: Sunday, January 15th, 2012
Time: 6:30PM
Where: 340 Wellington Street (corner of York and Wellington) - The 3rd Floor - London

Seating is limited - please confirm your attendance early

519-851-4715

lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

Our Next Relief trip is February 26th - March 4th, 2012

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

While our goal is to bless Haiti,

we are more often the recipient of the blessing

If you have ever thought of Traveling with a Purpose, then you are probably ready to make the journey.

Today, Elaine Knight, Founder of LifePaths Global Alliance and Fatima Haleem-Baig, Executive Director - will leave for their 7th Mission to Haiti since the devastating earthquake. This trip is extremely important to Haiti, our organization and you the new traveler! If you are interested in traveling to Haiti for a week with our organization this year- then we encourage you to contact us to make your journey a reality. We have a mission leaving each month this year. Join us for an information session on Sunday, January 15th at 340 Wellington, at 6:30PM.

Stay tuned to our BLOG, we guarantee you will feel the need to not only help Haiti, but help yourself by opening your heart.

Please note a diary will be posted daily on this site - effective, January 3rd, 2012.

Happy New Year - start your New Year with a commitment to help Haiti.

LifePaths Global Alliance

January 2nd, 2012

Contact us at: lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

2011-12-31T13:14:00.000-08:00

LifePaths Global Alliance is hosting our 3rd Information Session on January 15th at 6:30PM - 340 Wellington Street (The 3rd Floor). Please reserve your seat if you are interested in traveling to Haiti for a week in 2012! lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

Donation Gift Certificates are now available.

2011-11-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

Join us in Haiti as we Remember the 2nd Anniversary of the Devastating Earthquake - January 12th, 2010

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

LifePaths Global Alliance in Haiti Documentary

Just click on the screen

Please contact us for further information regarding

"Your" Journey to Haiti in January 2012

lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

Travel with a Purpose

2011-11-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

Travel with a purpose

LifePaths Global Alliance

is starting Relief trips to Haiti

LifePaths Global Alliance (LGA) is welcoming Londoners to join them in relief efforts in Haiti beginning December 2011. Trips are open to both medical and non-medical individuals wanting to make a difference.

In May of 2010, a group of medical volunteers and LGA staff travelled to Haiti for the first time to see how they could help after the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Today, LGA is operating:

· Our free telemedicine clinic

· Our business center with Internet services

· LGA Sponsored a language school in the rural town of L’estere

All of LGA’s accomplishments so far are the result of strong partnerships with dedicated Haitians and Londoners. LGA is now offering Londoners the opportunity to travel with them to Haiti to continue these efforts.

LGA is planning their first volunteer relief trip this holiday season. If you are interested, please contact us for more details.

www.lifepathsglobal.org

http://lifepathsglobalalliance.blogspot.com/

Contact us: lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

Please join us at our Information Session:

When: Monday, November 28^th at 6:30PM.

Where: The 3^rd Floor – 340 Wellington Street, London (corner of Wellington and York)

Please confirm your attendance -519-851-4715

Haiti Mission Dates

December 9^th-19^th, 2011

December 16^th-26^th, 2011

LifePaths Global Alliance Sponsored Learning Centres

2011-11-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

LifePaths Global Alliance

Sponsored Language and Computor Schools in Haiti

Empowering the Haitian youth and adults through our sponsored Language and Computer Schools.

Doing our part to ensure everyone has the ability to train and be a part of the technology world.

Join us on Facebook

LGA Sponsored Computer School

LGA Sponsored Language School

2011-11-14T09:03:00.001-08:00

Thank you to the dedicated Grannies for Haiti and all of their hard work they continue to do for Haiti!

Arlene, LGA Coordinator

Many thanks to the wonderful Vendors that contributed to a successful fundraiser for Haiti.

Join the Grannies on Facebook - just click here!
Grannies for Haiti on Facebook

Grannie for Haiti

Just a sample of tastes!

Thankful for the Grannies

2011-11-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday, November 5th - 9-2PM!!

The Grannies for Haiti are hosting their annual Craft and Bake Sale - Saturday, November 5th.

Join the Grannies at the Salvation Army Gymnasium - 1340 Dundas Street, London! Vendors, Music, Raffles, Crafts, Baked Goods and more!!

Memories from last year!

Grannies for Haiti - 2010

Proceeds from this event are donated to LifePaths Global Alliance to support their ongoing projects in Haiti - www.lifepathsglobal.org

Monday, October 16th - Haiti News!

2011-10-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Received from Elaine Knight and Fatima Haleem - Monday, October 16th - day 6 in Haiti!

Elaine and Fatima visited the English school as well as the new computer school this past weekend. The students get very excited about their visits!

The buzz around town this week - "The opening of our new clothing and tailoring shop" - creating employment, work experience and prosperous outcomes!!

One Love xx

Another successful day in Haiti!

2011-10-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Report from Haiti - Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Elaine and Fatima organized a Women's Focus Group following a successful clinic day. Several women participated and it was met with great enthusiasm.

Discussion Topics Included:

women's health issues
domestic violence
work opportunities
family support options during a family crisis

Elaine and Fatima have also met with the Internet Supervisor in Haiti. He has developed a computer school for local Haitians and is currently teaching excel, word and power-point. A graduation is planned following the 4 month course.

This is progress. One Love

From the founder of LifePaths Global Alliance - Elaine Knight

2011-10-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Elaine Knight - Saturday, October 15th
Hello Everyone in Canada. We are doing very well in Haiti. Today after clinic is done, we are having a women's focus group to find out their specific needs, wants and desires. One Love xox

Click on photo to join us on LGA Facebook

2011-10-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

They have arrived!!!!

Elaine and Fatima have arrived safely in Haiti today!!

One Love to Haiti

The Agenda for the next 2 weeks!

- Create a women's focus group and discuss common health concerns. This will help us in planning and developing a women's health program.

- We are fortunate to have 2 volunteer medical students going with the LGA team that will shadow Dr. Joey and help with the Telemedicine clinic.

- Monitor and assess current clinic operations. Quarterly meeting with the clinic's medical team and discuss ways to make our clinic more efficient and effective

- Monitor and evaluate business centre operations. Meet with our Business Centre manager

- Visit the LGA weekend language school and enjoy time with the students

- Visit locations in L'Estere to establish an elementary school and gather more information for our generous donators

- Spend one day sorting and handing out donations - One Love

2011-10-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

URGENT!!!!

2011-09-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Calling all Angels in London * Haiti still needs your help!

LifePaths Global Alliance is a London Charity that has been working diligently in Haiti since the earthquake of January 12, 2010. We have been successful in creating a telemedicine clinic in an under-served area of rural northern Haiti, linking doctors to patients by video link and high-resolution cameras. Every week our clinic attends to approximately 100 people who would not get medical attention otherwise. We have been able to provide most medications that have been required; however there has been a dramatic increase in patients needing Intravenous bags (IV bags), which we do not have funding for. The costs of these IV bags are approximately $5 US each and must be bought in Haiti. The people there cannot afford this large amount of money when most households make only $2 a day. Any help that you can give us is greatly appreciated. Please check out our website www.lifepathsglobal.org for more information. If you have any questions or want to talk to me please call me at 519-639-0789. We are truly making a difference, be part of the solution.

Elaine Knight
Founder and Chair of LifePaths Global Alliance

Next Mission to Haiti!

2011-09-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Elaine Knight and Fatima Haleem, will be travelling to Haiti again on October 12th, 2011. As the planning begins, so does the list for much needed supplies! If you are interested in donating any of the following supplies, please get in touch with us at your earliest convenience.

Prescription Eyeglasses
Children's Tylenol
Children's vitamins
Children's insect repellant
Children's cold and flu medication
Pre-natal vitamins
Topical creams for skin irritations
Toothbrushes / Toothpase
Eye drops for eye irritations

Fatima Haleem
Executive Director
LifePaths Global Alliance

1340 Dundas St. East, Cottage #1
London, ON N5W 3B6
phone: (519) 851-4696
lifepathsglobal@gmail.com

With sincere thanks and appreciation,

Elaine and Fatima

Fatima Haleem

Executive Director
LifePaths Global Alliance
1340 Dundas St. East, Cottage #1
London, ON N5W 3B6
(519) 851-4696
lifepathsglobal@gmail.com

Grannies for Haiti Fall Garage Sale

2011-09-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Grannies for Haiti Annual Garage Sale

Grannies for Haiti Fall Garage Sale

Fabulous Garage Sale on Saturday, October 1st - 9-2PM
Saturday, October 1st - 9AM-2PM
1340 Dundas Street, London
Salvation Army Complex
Rain or shine - the deals are fine!!

Proceeds from this great event are generously donated to LifePaths Global Alliance to support their ongoing projects in Haiti!

2011-09-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

http://meetatthe3rdfloor.blogspot.com/

2011-08-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER

Saturday, October 1st - 9AM-2PM

1340 Dundas Street, London

Salvation Army Complex

Grannies for Haiti

Garage Sale

Garage Sale items
and baked goods

Proceeds from the Garage Sale will be donated to

LifePaths Global Alliance

to support the ongoing projects in Haiti

Join the Grannies for Haiti on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grannies-for-Haiti/137519972987993

Thanks, we will see you there!

Grannies for Haiti

This week live from Haiti!!

2011-07-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Elaine and Fatima have been in Haiti since July 13th. Things are moving along quickly, thanks to so many people!

Here are a few highlights of the past several days:
July 14th
Local London physio therapists met with the LGA Telemedicine agents to do some training.
Our therapists also met and worked with local Haitian farmers in the rice fields. Manual labor for Haitians is nothing new - therefore having a therapist on hand to observe, address needs and answer their concerns was a very positive experience.

The Beat goes on.....and evening of drumming, singing and sharing cultures had our local Haitians relaxing and enjoying a night of fun! Word in Haiti is that Elaine is pretty good on the drums now!!

July 15th

The LGA therapists hosted an LGA therapy clinic for patients - they also met one on one with several Haitians addressing their concerns.

July 21st

Soccer for the kids! Elaine and Fatima distributed numerous soccer balls to the community children - great fun!

Elaine and Fatima have been working hard on organizing a location for a new workshop that will be used for the local artisans to design, create and sell jewellery, clothing and art. Another job creation ...compliments of LGA!

July 23rd
Dr.Paul Gahlinger from Salt Lake City Utah joined everyone in Haiti and has been working aggressively with Dr. Joey and our Team to establish our next projects, including phase two of the Telemedicine Project.

Elaine and Fatima visited our Weekend Language School today! A very excited group of students were pleased to see them. A new music program has been introduced and will no doubt create a positive impact for many lives.

Telemedicine Clinic

The clinic has been seeing many patients over the past several days. Not only has it proven to create several wellness needs, but it has encouraged locals to become "health active" with themselves and their families.

In a few days, Elaine and Fatima will be home with more stories, followups and details of our latest journey.

Stay tuned....there is always more to come!

Haiti, July 18th!

2011-07-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

Join us on FaceBook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LifePaths-Global-Alliance/117972904896783

Another safe arrival in Haiti! The therapist got to work right away. They have met with farmers, locals - and worked at the LGA Medical clinic on Friday. The local Haitians entertained our LGA TEAM with some fun on Friday night....even our executive Director, Fatima was Sprinting!!

Dr. Paul arrives in Haiti today!

Our young friends in Haiti making a fashion statement!

LGA Telemedicine Clinic

Dr. Joey, our Hero!

2011-07-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

Journey # 4 - July 13th, 2011

Elaine Knight, founder of LGA and Fatima Haleem-Baig, Executive Director of LGA are heading to Haiti for their fourth journey this year. Three therapists from LHSC, (Karen, Kelly and Catherine), will be traveling with the team as well.

Tentative Agenda in Haiti

The 3 therapists will be conducting physio therapy clinics both on site at the LGA clinic as well as venturing into the rice fields to meet with farmers. Both clinical and education aspects for Haitians health and safety (bodily injuries) will be on the forefront. Training the Telemedicine agents in the LGA Clinic will become a focus on this journey as well.

Dr Paul Gahlinger from Salt Lake City will be joining the LGA team in Haiti as he continues to structure the Telemedicine project.

Regular postings, news and commentary will be available on this site. Stay tuned, stay in touch and feel free to leave comments for the team.

Click here to join LGA on Facebook!

Sending you all love and blessings for a safe journey*

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

2011-07-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

2011-06-26T13:15:00.000-07:00


The Grannies for Haiti	LifePaths Global Alliance would like to acknowledge the Grannies for Haiti for their kindness and generous contributions to LifePaths Global Alliance.

2011-06-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

Dana Matthews - performed Saturday night at the Ceilidh
A Haitian-born hip hopper and London poet, Dana was one of the 4 poets on the team representing London at the National Slam at Octobers Canadian Spoken Word Fest in Ottawa.

Born in Haiti, he was adopted as a baby by a family from Timmins and grew up in Northern Ontario. His family moved to London when he was a teen.

"It's something that is on mind all the time," he says of Haiti, which was devastated by the earthquake in January 2010. Although Dana has never returned to Haiti, he plans to someday soon.

Dana is now a member of the LifePaths Global Alliance family. A cherished member - cherished in our hearts.

Ceilidh For Haiti!! What a great time - Thank you Grannies for HaitI!!!

2011-06-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

The tapping toes of the Corrigan Dancers Troupe

Harpist, Jennifer White

Helping families devastated by earthquakes - Londoner - Ontario, CA

2011-06-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Helping families devastated by earthquakes - Londoner - Ontario, CA

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

2011-06-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

2011-06-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mr and Mrs Baig! Fatima and Rafay were married on Saturday, June 4th in a beautiful ceremony complimented with tradition, elegance and love. Elaine, Patrick, Max and Sandy had the pleasure of sharing their day in Michigan. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Baig!!

With loving thoughts and wishes for a beautiful life,

LifePaths Global Alliance

2011-06-03T05:33:00.000-07:00


Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LifePaths Global Alliance, and Rafay Baig are uniting in marriage on Saturday, June 4th in Michigan. Wishing, you both a blessed marriage, full of love, unity and happiness. Love Elaine and Sandy

2011-05-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

www.lifepathsglobal.org

Haiti pop star Michel Martelly sworn in as president

2011-05-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Haiti pop star Michel Martelly sworn in as president

2011-05-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

www.lifepathsglobal.org

2011-05-16T11:18:00.001-07:00

Free slideshow generated with Smilebox

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

2011-05-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

2011-04-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

ATA Meeting and Exposition Conference

ATA (American Telemedicine Association) 2011, 16th Annual meeting and exposition conference. The Conference will take place from May 1st- 3rd in Tampa, Florida.

Elaine Knight, the Founder of LGA, Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LGA, Rafay Baig, Medical Advisor with LGA and Patrick Blanchard from Physical Relief Telemedicine and Technology Health Care Solutions will attend the ATA Meeting and Conference.

http://www.americantelemed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3773

National Volunteer Week takes place April 10-16, 2011.

2011-04-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Warm thanks and special appreciation is extended to our Wonderful Volunteers. Although this week offers an opportunity to thank our Volunteers, we want everyone to know - how thankful LifePaths Global Alliance is to have such a terrific group of dedicated and hard working group of Volunteers!

With Love and Appreciation, from LifePaths Global Alliance!

National Volunteer Week is a week-long celebration whereby registered charities, not-for-profit organizations and volunteer centres pause to thank and recognize their volunteers.

London Newsmakers - LifePaths Global Alliance

2011-04-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LifePaths Global Alliance participated in a Panel discussion on Rogers TV tonight.

2011-04-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

June 24 and 25th!!

Follow us on Facebook for details.

Click here to join us on Facebook

Caring Cultures Event

A Ceilidh In Support Of Haiti

LifePaths Global Alliance and the Palace Theatre of London invite you to celebrate our communities and traditions, Ceilidh style

Grannies for Haiti are on Facebook!!

2011-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Grannies for Haiti are now on Facebook! Leave a message, share a thought or send them a note!

Just click on the Photo

Grannies for Haiti, where the heart lives

2011-04-05T09:57:00.001-07:00

Haiti's new president: Unexpected but understandable

(CNN) -- It was just before Christmas when Michel Martelly mulled over events in his troubled land and concluded that everything had been done to ensure loss for him at the polls.
An election rife with fraud had ousted him from the race. Martelly's dreams of leading Haiti were all but dead. But four months of recounts, reviews and a runoff changed everything and the unexpected candidate is poised now to move into the presidential office.
Unexpected because Martelly has never been a politician. He's better known as "Sweet Mickey," a popular kompa singer who enthralled his fans with a bad-boy antics on stage. He cursed and swayed with a bottle of Barbancourt rum in his hands and on occasion, mooned his audience.
It's an image that Martelly said he cultivated for the stage. Still, it led many to question whether he was fit to run a nation as beleaguered as Haiti. Already the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, Haiti is reeling from devastation caused by last year's massive earthquake followed by a cholera epidemic later in the year.
A perceived lack of progress prompted Haitians to vote against the government-backed candidate. Martelly, they said, was a fresh face in politics, untainted by the corruption that has marred many a presidency in Haiti.
"To Haitians, particularly the legions of young and jobless, #Martelly is an outsider who can bring change to #Haiti," longtime Haiti observer Jocelyn McCalla said on Twitter.
Martelly's victory was a continuation of a signal the Haitian people have been sending for a while, said Gary Pierre-Pierre, editor and publisher of the New York-based newspaper The Haitian Times.
"They don't want the establishment. They don't want the status quo."
On the streets of Port-au-Prince, thousands turned out to chant one of his most popular nicknames: "Tet Kale," which means bald head in Creole. Haitians, especially the youth, were starving for a fresh face. And they got it Monday when the election council announced preliminary results.
Martelly won by a landslide with 67.6% of the vote, soundly defeating his challenger, former first lady Mirlande Manigat, who received 31.5%.
The runoff vote came after weeks of review of the November balloting that resulted in the ouster of the government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin. It was exactly what Martelly had hoped for back in December when he laid out for CNN his plan to lift Haiti out of its misery.
Martelly appeared in jeans and a button-down shirt at his plush home in Peguyville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince high up in the hills. A silver arm cuff hugged his right wrist and he sipped hard on his favorite ice-cream soda. He sat at a table surrounded by a piano and eight wall-mounted speakers. It was not hard to tell this was a musician's home.
Haiti, he said then, was on the brink of revolution.
"This is a very dangerous corner in Haiti's history," he said. "But it's a revolution that can be done peacefully through the election."
Under the father-and-son Duvalier dictatorship, Haitians lacked freedom but the people had clean roads, electricity, jobs, security, Martelly says. When democracy came overnight to this Caribbean nation, people didn't know how to handle it.
Martelly spoke of 24 years of troubled times, of a poor country that, he said, hurtled backwards into even more poverty.
"We are ruled by corruption," he said. "The people have no confidence in their government."
Then came political turmoil with a presidential election in disarray.
"You know how (U.S. President Barack) Obama said it's not about the man, but it's about the plan?" he said. "Here it's more about the man than about the plan."
Haiti will go nowhere, he said, unless the people have a president they can trust, a president who is honest. He was that man, he insisted.
"I've been on the ground with them for 22 years. The people know me. I represent the light at the end of the tunnel."
But the man also had plans.
He said, for instance, that the $12 billion that was pledged by the international community for earthquake assistance should come in the form of infrastructure, not money, because Haitians don't know how to manage money.
"People are fed up here," he said. "They have no food, no education, no health care. What kind of place is it when a young girl will sell her body to buy a phone card?"
So what makes a man who made a name with dance music think he can change things in Haiti?
Martelly flashed his signature smile; the light glinted off his tet kale.

"Well," he said. "Look at what the politicians have done."

Arcade Fire Covers Rolling Stones in Haiti

2011-04-04T04:58:00.000-07:00

2011-04-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Sustainable Haiti Conference- 2011

Sustainable Haiti Conference 2011 is the 2nd annual version of Haiti’s largest economic development conference. The Conference will take place from Monday, April 4th- Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Close to 500 attendees are expected.

Elaine Knight, the Founder of LGA, Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LGA, Dr. Joey Prosper, Medical Advisor in Haiti and Patrick Blanchard from Physical Relief Telemedicine and Technology Health Care Solutions will attend the Sustainable Conference. http://www.haiticonference.com/

Safe Journey - and we look forward to the inspiration you will bring home!!

2011-03-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LGA, shared a moment with the Grannies for Haiti during a taping of the show - Community Connections, which will air on Thursday at 6:30PM on Rogers TV. Special thanks to Michelle and Tim from Pillar.

Spring Fling Craft and Bake Sale - May 14th, Salvation Army Gymnasium

2011-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Grannies for Haiti will once again be hosting our Annual Spring Fling Craft and Bake Sale!

Join us on Saturday, May 14th

Salvation Army Gymnasium

9-3PM

1340 Dundas Street, London

100's of handcrafted, thoughtfully made items

All proceeds will be donated to LifePaths Global Alliance

to support the ongoing Community Projects in Haiti

VENDORS WANTED!! If you are interested in participating in the Spring Fling Craft and Bake Sale as a VENDOR, please contact us at lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

Tables are $25.00 each and each additional table is $10.00

All table purchases will be donated to LifePaths Global Alliance

www.lifepathsglobal.org

My First Cookbook...February Recipe with Rachael

2011-02-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

2011-02-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

The London Youth Challenge is underway again this year. This year the winning team will travel to Haiti in July for a week - to assist our organization with our programs. This experience is unforgettable..and all students are invited to participate!!

For further information, please check out our link http://londonyouthchallenge.blogspot.com/

2011-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Telemedicine team in L'Estere Haiti

2011-02-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

“Promise me you will always remember – You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think”
Christopher Robin to Pooh

Thinking of our children in Haiti.

2011-02-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

Weekend Language School in Haiti...Our young Haitian friends are enjoying the lessons!!

mwen renmen'w - ( We Love You)!!

Thank you "Miss Elaine"

LifePaths Global Alliance Opens Innovative Telemedicine Clinic in Haiti

2011-02-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

LifePaths Global Alliance Opens Innovative Telemedicine Clinic in Haiti

2011-02-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Its Ready!!!

"My First Cookbook" is published and ready to buy!!

They can be purchased online at

www.lifepathsglobal.org

or through email at

lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com

All proceeds are donated to LifePaths Global Alliance in support of our Education Fund

Bon Appetite!!

2011-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Join us on Facebook - share the journey!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LifePaths-Global-Alliance/117972904896783

Angels singing to LifePaths Global Alliance

2011-02-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome Home!!

2011-02-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

Elaine and Fatima have returned home safely. Their return brings numerous accomplishments that we are sharing here with you.

LifePaths Global Alliance is pleased to announce the successful completion of its state of the art

Telemedicine Clinic and Business Center in L’estere Haiti

On January 8th- the LGA team returned to L’estere, Haiti to complete set-up of the first telemedicine clinic in the region. Dr. Joseph Prosper, Medical Director of the Telemedicine clinic has been treating patients in the area since August 2010. We started with in person consults and then transitioned to telemedicine The clinic is now equipped to serve 150 patients a week. Consultations and prescriptions are completely free.

Patrick Blanshard from the London-based Sensory Technologies Inc. helped the team establish a fully functional business center which will be used as a computer training facility, in addition to providing a wide range of business services.

During the first week of the clinic opening, the LGA team was amazed and delighted to see youth in the community use a computer and surf the internet for the first time. To the team’s surprise, the most popular activity on the internet was searching for family members and friends through facebook.

We want to Mention our Friends with a Heartfelt Thankyou

LGA’s efforts would not be possible without the help and support of Jean-Eddy Dieujuste, Community Leader and LGA’s General Manager in Haiti. Dieujuste is proud to offer the community desperately needed primary health care services that would not be available otherwise. Although, there is a local hospital in the city, it is seldom staffed and is too costly for most people in the community.

The mission was scheduled around this time to also commemorate the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake. A candle light vigil was organized in both London and L’estere in an effort to bring both communities together during the ceremony.

There were fears of a political uprising in PAP due to current presidential elections, and the return of former President Francois Duvalier, nevertheless, LGA was able to complete set-up of the clinic without interruptions because of dedicated staff. The recent cholera outbreak in the Artibonite region affected many communities, however, Dr. joey was able to rehydrate over 250 people in the area through LGA programming. There were no cases of cholera presented at the clinic during LGA’s mission. According to Dr. Joey, thousands of lives could have been saved if telemedicine services were available to other communities in remote and rural areas that were not reached by public health agencies .

Elaine and Fatima will be hosting several speaking venues in the next few months. Our calendar of events will be posted on our website, February 15th at www.lifepathsglobal.org

2011-01-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

Winding up the last few days in Haiti, three weeks has gone fast but we accomplished so much!! Internet cafe built and wired and opens next week, English weekend school is up and running with 45 students, telemedicine is up and running and is successfully seeing 100 patients a week, medical centre is renovated and freshly painted. Just the tip of the iceberg!! See you on Monday Canada!!

Love Elaine - January 27th, 2011

2011-01-26T16:42:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!

We had a really nice reception from the weekend language school here in L'estere yesterday. The girls sang us a song and they presented us with a gift. We visited a community about 20mins from L'estere today and they have no clinic there, so we were discussing perhaps expanding the telemedicine to their community as well.

Love Fatima and Elaine xoxo

"Grannies for Haiti"

2011-01-14T09:54:00.001-08:00

What a great morning!! I was fortunate to be able to spend the morning with the "Grannies"..our lively,

active fundraisers for Haiti!!

The "Grannies for Haiti" went live on Rogers TV entertaining the host, Darrin Laidman. It is not too late to view the outstanding interview, as it will be shown again at 3PM and 11PM today. Thanks Grannies!!!!

2011-01-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Rogers TV is doing a live call-in from Haiti with Elaine and Fatima at 11:00AM today as well. Channel 13 for you Londoners!!!
Please stay tuned to London A Channel for an interview with Elaine and Fatima on the 6 and 11PM news tonight!! And..if if that's not enough...join Rogers TV on Friday morning at 11:00AM - and laugh along with the "Grannies for Haiti" representing LifePaths Global Alliance!!

LifePaths Global Alliance sends sincere thanks to the following:

Andy Oudman from CJBK 1290 radio in London

Andrew Rosser and Darrin Laidman from Rogers TV

Dan McClellen from A Channel News London

2011-01-12T05:45:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone - today is the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti. Elaine and Fatima are currently in Haiti and will be live on the air with 1290 CJBK radio at 10:00AM this morning. Listen in to the conversation with Andy Oudman and Elaine. Elaine and Fatima - will forward our love to our Haitian friends as we remember the devastation that occurred one year ago today.

http://www.cjbk.com/ - link for live interview

2011-01-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

We're Here!!!! Saturday, January 8th-2011

We are here safe and sound and in the town of L'estere. The people here gave us a wonderful reception and were happy to see us and we are happy to see them! The internet is now hooked up and the internet cafe is being pulled together. Our medical clinic/community centre is awesome and we are painting it and putting up curtains etc. More to come. Much Love and Respect xoxo

Love Elaine and Fatima

Saturday, January 8th...let the journey begin again!!!

2011-01-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

Time to pack! Elaine and Fatima are preparing for their 3rd Mission to Haiti in 8 months! Supplies have been generously donated and they will be packed and taken to Haiti. The excitement is building - please stay tuned to the BLOG, as we once again follow the LGA journey to Haiti.

My Home - London - Rogers TV

2010-12-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

My Home - London - Rogers TV

LYC London Youth Challenge: Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag

2010-12-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

LYC London Youth Challenge: Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag

2010-12-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

Please remember to save your Pennies

during this Holiday Season....and remember our friends in Haiti.

www.lifepathsglobal.org

2010-11-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the London Youth Challenge 2010-2011!!!

All London and area students..follow the link or click on the LOGO!!

www.lifepathsglobal.org

2010-11-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

Hurricane Tomas has left Haiti with even greater fears of a worsening cholera epidemic and so we've decided to add a few more items to our supply list that can help us fight back the outbreak.

The LifePaths Global Alliance team is getting ready for their third mission to Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12th. Thanks to the support of people like you, LGA has been able to continue its much needed efforts in Haiti. To date, we have established a Telemedicine clinic and community center in the rural town of L’estere, hired and trained a team of 5 medical agents in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Prosper, the clinic’s Medical Director, and initiated several community programs. The Telemedicine team is now providing free health care to over a 150 patients per week; because of limited access to health care in rural areas in Haiti, many of these patients were receiving little or no medical care before the LGA clinic. In order to ensure that we keep providing medical services to rural populations at absolutely no cost, we need your continued support.

An essential part of our mission is collecting urgent donations of medical supplies and equipment among other high priority items as listed below:

Health Care
Analgesics
Ophthalmic drops
Dermatological creams
Vitamins
Neo-natal/supplies
Oral rehydration salts
Tylenol suspension for children
Pedialyte
Prescription glasses
Living Necessities
Toiletries
Sunglasses
Infant clothing
Feeding and diapering supplies
Mosquito repellent
Candles with citronella
Wishlist
School supplies
Interactive toys
Soccer balls
Children’s sunglasses
Hair accessories Flashlights/batteries

We welcome you to share in our journey by visiting our website and blog. You can view regular updates from the Telemedicine clinic and stay informed about upcoming events.

Donations can be dropped of at the LGA office located at 1340 Dundas St., Cottage #1, from 8:30am-4:30pm weekdays.

www.lifepathsglobal.org
http://lifepathsglobalalliance.blogspot.com/

Fatima Haleem
LifePaths Global Alliance

2010-11-05T07:42:00.001-07:00

Hurricane Tomas begins lashing coast of Haiti

View larger image

Hurricane Tomas is seen as it churns towards Haiti in this enhanced NOAA satellite image taken at 8:45 a.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010.

Updated: Fri Nov. 05 2010 08:08:08

CTV.ca News Staff

Hurricane Tomas has only begun to lash Haiti, and already the storm has been blamed for at least one death.
A report on Haitian radio early Friday, citing the Interior Ministry, said that a man drowned while trying to drive through a swollen river in the western department of Grand-Anse.
As Tomas veered toward Haiti early Friday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported the storm's maximum sustained winds at 135 km/h. It was moving northeast at approximately 15 km/h.
"Tomas has regained hurricane strength," the NHC said in a bulletin. "The most significant threat from this tropical cyclone should continue to be heavy rainfall which could produce flash flooding and life-threatening mudslides over portions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic during the next couple of days."
Forecasters expect the storm to bring a surge of waves that could raise the water up to one metre above normal tidal levels, as well as a deluge of between 12 and 25 centimetres of rain across much of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Civil protection authorities in Haiti have been warning residents of the country's makeshift tent cities to find safer accommodations. But the Associated Press reports that few of the country's 1.3 million displaced earthquake survivors have heeded the warnings, fearing the loss of their few possessions and the prospect of not being allowed to return should they leave.
Four civil protection buses left a camp in the Canape-Vert district Thursday night with only five passengers aboard, for example.
In an interview from Haiti, World Vision's director of programs said residents of the impoverished island nation are well-versed in the threat of severe weather.
"This is not a new development in terms of people being at risk, infrastructure has been low since the country started," Sabrina Pourmand told CTV's Canada AM, explaining that what's changed is the fact so many are now living with the barest of shelter.
"Folks do know that this is a risk to be out in the open, but we've got a new development on our hands here with people being forced to live in tent cities for the past ten months."
Because many of the country's makeshift camps have been set up on private lands, residents living there have been under constant threat of eviction. According to a September report from the UN, 29 per cent of 1,268 camps in Haiti have been forcibly closed in the months since the January 12 quake.
Tomas passed east of Jamaica late Thursday night, and is expected to cross over southwestern Haiti before crossing the strait dividing that island nation from Cuba. Forecasters expect the storm to intensify today, before the onset of a weakening trend on Saturday.
Hurricane warnings are currently in effect for Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas and the Guantanamo province of Cuba.
Tomas killed at least 14 people when it slammed the eastern Caribbean country of St. Lucia as a hurricane Saturday. The government has already pegged the cost of repairing the damages at approximately $500 million.

2010-11-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/TWC_Images/strm21_strike_440x297.htm

2010-11-02T07:12:00.001-07:00

Tracking Tomas - November 2nd, 2010

2010-10-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Fall Fest 2010!! One of our many winners from the
"Decorate a Pumpkin Contest"
Congratulations to all the decorators...what a great time!!
Pumpkins are still available at 1340 Dundas Street with all proceeds donated in support of the Telemedicine MediFlight Project in Haiti
http://www.lifepathsglobal.org

2010-10-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Fall Fest Raffle Tickets
$2.00 each or 3 for $5.00
Draw held on Nov 1st

1st Prize - 19inch Flat Screen TV
2nd Prize - Dinner Gift Certificate
3rd Prize - 3 Hair Cuts by JAZ

Call us at1-866-964-4944
or Buy Online

All proceeds will be donated to support the
TELEMEDICINE MediFlight Project in Haiti

2010-10-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.lifepathsglobal.org/airplane.html

Introducing our MediFlight Project. We encourage you to share our excitement and join the journey.

Corporate purchases of GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE are available for your office. We also offer personalized name plates for yourself or a gift of donation to a friend.

LifePaths Global Alliance

2010-10-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

www.lifepathsglobal.org

Welcome to the MediFlight Project!

LifePaths Global Alliance is proud to introduce the MediFlight Project. Please click on the link and share the excitement.

LifePaths Global Alliance Team

2010-10-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

FALL FEST GARAGE SALE!!!!!

Join us on Saturday, October 23rd, from 9am - 2pm -at 1340 Dundas Street in the Salvation Army gym.

Pumpkins for sale, Pumpkin decorating contest (great prizes), garage sale items, fresh baked goods, preserves and more!!!!

See you there!

Travelling with a Purpose: LifePaths in Haiti

2010-09-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Travelling with a Purpose: LifePaths in Haiti

2010-09-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Please call - 519-639-0826 for tickets
Featured Event and we are a Part of it!!!

Community Enterprises has chosen LifePaths Global Alliance as the Charity of Choice for this Fabulous and Hilarious Event!! Order your tickets today..lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com or through Community Enterprise

Community Enterprises is pleased to bring Canadian funnyman, Tom Green to the main stage at The Grand Theatre on Monday October 25, 2010 at 8:00pm

You know Tom Green from his anything-goes run as the funniest, most unpredictable personality on MTV, and his unforgettable, deliciously loony roles in uproarious film comedies including "Road Trip" and "Freddy Got Fingered." He's graced the cover of Rolling Stone, commandeered the coveted guest-host chair on "The Late Show with David Letterman," and conquered the World Wide Web with his free-wheeling, wildly popular internet talk show, "Tom Green's House Tonight."

Now, Tom brings his unique brand of hilarity to the art of stand-up comedy. Experience one of the great comic minds in the field of entertainment, live and in person, when Tom Green takes the stage and provides non-stop laughter with his brilliantly cracked view of the world around him.

We hope to see you there!

LifePaths Global Alliance

www.communityenterprises.ca/

2010-08-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

Great news!!!!
Tuesday, August 31st

We are in Port au Prince now. We got here by tap tap last night from L'estere about a 4 hour drive. We have phone, internet, hydro and air conditioning! What a difference from the rural area where you might get hydro for a few hours every 3 or 4 days. When we were leaving L'estere yesterday, the whole family walked us up to get the tap tap and it was a tearful goodbye. Everyone was teary eyed and asked when we would return to see them again.

When we were there we had a movie night. We put a big sheet up on a line and used the projector to show movies like Spider-man and Batman and the kids were loving it and they came from all around to watch. We also had a concert night and had singing and dancing. We handed out popcorn and soda to about 60 kids. The joy on their faces were priceless. I was the only "white" person in L'estere and as we walked around the town, the kids would yell "blanc, blanc" and they would giggle and run away. One little girl about 4 years old, was so scared of me she started to cry. I gently talked to her and gave her a hairband to put in her hair and a little bracelet. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at me and told her mother that she felt beautiful. A special moment indeed.

The food was always prepared with much care and love, the children were kept as clean as possible considering there is a lot of mud and dirt everywhere, the houses are clean inside and there is a lot of laughter and singing. On Sunday everyone got dressed up for church and prepared a big Sunday dinner.

Today we are going to Dr. Joey's hospital to film some of the training with the telemedicine agents. We are also going to see the lawyer to finalize the details and registration of LifePaths in Haiti. I am having problems uploading pictures right now but will try in a few hours. Love Elaine, talk soon xoxoxo

Time to Get the Word Out...TELEMEDICINE PROJECT

2010-08-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Elaine and Fatima have been in Haiti for 8 days. This particular journey focused on the initiative of TELEMEDICINE in the rural community of L'estere. They have been working extraordinarily hard under extreme conditions.

Without hydro during most of the journey, they have indeed been surviving similar to a Haitian native. Although our communication with Elaine and Fatima has been limited at best, we are all aware of the efforts they are focusing on.

Over 800 friends, family, sponsors and associates have visited our BLOG and sent positive feedback to Elaine and Fatima. Upon their return to London, they will no doubt have an extraordinary journey to share with us!!

Messages for Elaine and Fatima can be left via comment on the BLOG, or at the following links:

lifepathsdevelopment@gmail.com
facebook.com/SandyandScott
http://twitter.com/lifepathsglobal

We told 2 friends and they told 2 friends...have you???

2010-08-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you for a successful Fundraising Garden Party on August 15th. Special acknowledgement to Rob Freeman for hosting the event and to Sarah Watkin who generously opened her heart to our organization.

2010-08-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Lof, Elaine and Eddie!

Lof is a very dear friend of Eddies. They also perform together. Elaine and Fatima recently attended a Festival in which they both performed.

Eddie has always been a strong community leader. His dedication in the city of L'estere is remarkable. We love you Eddie and so does your community!!

LifePaths in Haiti

2010-08-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

2010-07-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

A Message from Elaine Knight, President and Founder of LifePaths Global Alliance (LGA)

Bringing Telemedicine to Haiti – Our Fact Finding Mission a Success

When Fatima Haleem, Executive Director of LGA, and I started to organize a medical mission to Haiti shortly after the earthquake on January 12, 2010, we had no idea that our small rehab mission (4 physiotherapists and 1 doctor) would blossom into a long-term initiative. With in our two-week mission, and with the help of Dr. Paul Gahlinger, LGA set the stage for a revolutionary telemedicine system, a solution to the problem of access to health care in Haiti. The reality now is connecting doctors and medical specialists in urban areas to patients in the very remote and rural areas of Haiti.

It has taken me some time to gather my thoughts since returning. The time that we were there seemed to pass by so quickly and now seems surreal at times, like a dreamy memory mixed with so many emotions. To see how the wonderful people of Haiti have to live day in and day out is heart wrenching to say the least. Haiti was in a bad state before the earthquake, now it is devastated.

While in Haiti, everyday for me brought a whole new perspective on the situation at hand with my emotions going back and forth from shock to anger to sadness to happiness, but most importantly to hope. Hope and determination was the overwhelming feeling that I think all of us left Haiti with. I feel that many of the obstacles there can be overcome with better organization, education and effective leadership. About 70% of Haiti’s population is under the age of 24 so the change will come from the youth for the youth and with the help of leaders like Eddy and Dr. Joey.

My first Impression of Haiti was a good one. Flying into Haiti, the view from the airplane of the coastline and the sun gleaming off the water was breathtaking. Upon arriving at the Haiti airport, we were met by our translator, guide and friend Eddy Dieujuste and his co-worker, Alex Nerestil. After the frantic round up of our luggage, all 25 suitcases full of supplies, the medical staff and the film crew, we quickly dispersed into several vehicles. Fatima and I jumped into the back of a pick up truck and headed to our guesthouse. While we were driving, Fatima started searching through her bag for something and in the process found a small box of raisins she had saved from our plane ride there. Without any thought she turned to Eddy and said, “here…do you want these?” Eddy took the box of raisins from her hand and looked at it for about a minute and said, “I don’t think I have had raisins for about 10 years”. He slowly opened the box and took one raisin and then passed the box to Alex, who took one and then handed it back to Eddy. That small box of raisins went back and forth between the two friends for almost 10 minutes as they both took their turn to eat the raisins not forgetting to share them with each other.

Meet Dr. Joseph Prosper (Dr. Joey), a 38-year-old physician working in Port au Prince. Dr. Joey runs a small clinic/hospital and also provides several outreach services to the rural population by offering mobile clinics. We followed Dr. Joey on a few of his 15-hour work days. We would leave early in the morning and drive for three and half hours on uneven and rutted roads to see people in a rural community. The doctor would see everyone who came to the clinic and a makeshift pharmacy would be set up to hand out medication to patients, however, the necessary medication would not always be available. Everyone would be huddled under a tent; put together some bricks, throw on a piece of board and there you would have a clinic right in the middle of a small rural community desperately needing medical attention. Since the earthquake, Dr. Joey has been providing free services to those who cannot afford medical care and has received very little funding from other organizations working in Haiti. There are many other Dr. Joeys in Haiti right now trying to do the best they can with what little resources they have, and some even before the earthquake.

LGA has found a better way for Dr. Joey to deliver medical care to these people that will allow him to use his valuable time more efficiently. LGA saw an opportunity for telemedicine in Haiti since having a telemedicine system would eliminate the long travel to and from these rural communities. With the help of telemedicine, Dr. Joey can focus on providing quality medical care to the patients instead of wasting hours travelling.

Meet Dr. Paul Gahlinger, a physician who is a pioneer in Telemedicine and a vital part of LGA’s mission in Haiti. After learning about Dr. Paul’s Telemedicine system, we realized that Haiti would be a great place to provide video conferencing between doctor and patient with the use of high resolution cameras. This would be especially useful for doctors like Dr. Joey who would be able to reduce their travel time and see more patients in turn, even patients in rural settings. With the new Telemedicine system, families in rural communities will have access to primary health care as well as specialized care that would otherwise not be available to them. In most cases, travel is extremely difficult and even if the patient is able to travel, the cost of healthcare is too high, however, with Telemedicine; costs associated with a hospital visit are eliminated. Our most recent trip to Haiti proved to be a great success with the Telemedicine system. Dr. Paul Gahlinger has set up a 'turn-key system' which can now be used by the health care workers in Haiti. Our next step is to train local health care workers using the curriculum that was created by Dr.Paul specifically for training and education in Haiti. The LGA team is very appreciative of his contributions and we look forward to collaborating with him as we expand Telemedicine to rural communities of Haiti

Dr. Paul has been outstandingly supportive of LGA; not only has he contributed his time, energy, and funding to the telemedicine project, he is also donating his airplane to raise money to expand the telemedicine system to various parts of Haiti. While in Haiti, Dr. Paul also did an exceptional job of treating patients at the mobile clinics and showed genuine concern for the people of Haiti. He adapted to the environment and the Haitian culture right away.

Meet Donna Tierney, Mary Gemmell, Catherine Lane and Kelly Schmidt, four remarkable physiotherapists who volunteered to join us on our mission and work alongside Dr. Joey. We initially thought that they would encounter a lot of patients with amputations; however, we quickly found out that there were very few patients with amputations. Many of them had no way of getting to the clinics and were stuck in either their tent city or in rural areas. In one particular case, a father brought in a picture of his daughter who had an amputated leg to show to the doctor in the clinic because he could not bring her there on public transit. Dr. Joey quickly found a wheelchair and we hand delivered it to the family while Dr. Joey took the opportunity to also perform a check up on the patient. The physiotherapists, however, did see many patients who still needed therapy for injuries from the earthquake, and in some cases, they would identify more serious problems and would refer the patient to the doctor. The physiotherapists also did an excellent job of performing therapy on special needs children in an orphanage. It was hard for everyone to not fall in love with these children.

Meet Jean “Eddy” Dieujuste, a 36 years old Haitian native whose dream has always been to transform Haiti for the better starting at a grass roots level. He is seen and respected as a leader in his rural town of Lester and also in the main city of Port-au-Prince. He is not considered a political leader but rather a humanitarian leader, someone who is looked up to for his passion and dedication to his cause. We will set-up the first telemedicine unit in his small town of Lester, which is approximately four hours away from Port-au-Prince. Eddy works as a translator/guide for various international groups that come to Haiti for aid work. He has been doing this for quite a few years and knows that the only way for Haiti to recover from the earthquake and excel is for the Haitian people to become self-sufficient and not be completely dependent on outside assistance. The earthquake relief efforts are necessary for emergency food, water, shelter and medical attention but they are only temporary solutions. What is needed now is a long-term solution for lasting change.

Eddy has a few simple dreams, but which will bring a big change to the country. For instance, Eddy dreams of having school buses for children so they can commute to school without having to compete with adults to jump on the back of a tap tap (small air polluting pick up trucks used as public transportation). Eddy also hopes to educate both children and adults on the hazards of pollution from vehicles, burning garbage and teach people about the importance of recycling. Right now, as you walk down the streets of Port-au-Prince, you see gutters clogged with empty pop bottles and rivers of plastic bottles anywhere there is a stream of water. Eddy also has sexual education and animal care on his list. Ninety eight percent of Haiti has been deforested over the years, and so he hopes to start programs for agriculture such as planting trees, and growing more than just rice, such as herbs and spices. Farmers in Haiti currently spend a lot of time and money on growing and transporting rice to Port-au-Prince to sell in the market, however, the USA now imports rice to Haiti for a cheaper price and the local farmers cannot compete with the lower prices. In turn, the farmers end up eating their own rice leaving them with no money to buy other necessities for everyday life.

Eddy is also a musician and songwriter. His songs all include deep and meaningful messages of love and hope. He has sayings that are simple yet have profound meaning, as do other Haitians. As he would educate us on the history of Haiti and answer our questions about the current state of Haiti, he would say wonderful things like:

“You can take away our flowers but you can't take away our spring”

“You don't have a spare life like a spare tire, so use your life wisely”

“Together we are as beautiful as the rainbow, alone we are so ugly”

“The only risk we are going to take is to change the world”

“Haiti has risen as an example to the world.”

“I don’t need a gun, I AM the gun”

K'NAAN - Wavin' Flag ft. will.i.am, David Guetta

2010-06-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

2010-06-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

LifePaths Global Alliance is alive in Haiti! Our little Haitian friends proudly wear our t-shirts and show off their new pencils.

Every time I look at this photo, I tear up. The simplicity isn't in the gift of a t-shirt or a pencil. Simplicity lies in those sweet big smiles.

Keep our Journey alive.

email us at info@lifepathsglobal.org

for volunteer opportunities

2010-06-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

They say once you have experienced an earthquake you are more sensitive to the aftershocks..ask a Haitian.

"One good shake away" -

Yesterdays earthquake made us stop for a moment and think.... what if it was a 7.7 in downtown Toronto? In a few fleeting seconds the lives of millions could have been changed forever. And look how far it reached, Quebec, Ontario, Ohio, New York, etc. it could have been just as devastating as Haiti.

The difference is, we have the resources to help manage a crisis and we have quick organized response times and medical care; whereas in Haiti they already were suffering from being so poor with lack of infrastructure. The earthquake destroyed what little they had and the final toll of destruction is yet to be seen, with infections and malnutrition directly linked to the earthquake. Lets thank God that nothing more serious happened today.

We are all "one good shake away" from disaster so our mission is to push forward and help rebuild Haiti.

Thanks Elaine.

2010-05-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

Here's the testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Please continue to support our neighbors in Haiti. - Sean Penn

Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Sean Penn. I have been in Haiti as Director and CEO of my NGO J/P Haitian Relief Organization, and have been on the ground in Haiti since the first week following January's earthquake. Since that time, my team and I have lived in a tent camp in the Bourdon area of Port au Prince, adjacent to and administering aid to a 55,000 person IDP camp, one of the largest ad-hoc camps in the country. My organization has been designated by the UN International Office of Migration as camp management for this IDP camp.

From our first days in Haiti, my team and I witnessed amputations without anesthesia or IV pain medication, things we soon were able to supply to hospitals and clinics throughout the city and the country. Limbs severed in spontaneously raised tent operating rooms, dusty and mosquito ridden. Limbs severed from children with tools more familiar to our local hardware store than to those we traditionally expect in the hands of surgeons. It is true that this stage of post quake trauma and drama has largely subsided.

Only 2 weeks ago however, a less tangible, visible or fundable emergency raised its head. Our camp clinic diagnosed what became the first confirmed case of diphtheria. I rode in the back of the ambulance while the patient was refused from several hospitals because the 15-year-old boy, Oriole Lynn Peter, was diagnosed with a disease for which those hospitals had no treatment capability. In this city of ruins, 5 fully functional hospitals have been allowed to close despite these emergent disasters, facing financial under-support and over-scrutiny. In many cases, the bureaucracy of international aid is protecting people to death. Diphtheria is among the first five things that an American traveling to Haiti is inoculated against, and yet, in this devastated country with hundreds of millions of American donated dollars of dedicated emergency aid and billions pledged for reconstruction, there were no isolation wards, few ventilators, and despite the all out last minute efforts of the American Red Cross, the administrations of every major hospital in the city, the dedicated and beyond job description effort of the commander of the US military forces in Haiti (Major General Trombitas), the WHO, USAID, and the CDC, along with a fractured Haitian Ministry of health, it took 14 hours between all of these organizations to locate a single patient dose of the immunoglobulin that would likely have saved this 15 year old boy's life had it been readily available.

As we rode through the rubble and traffic blocked streets in search of his care I held the ankle of an animated and normal 15-year-old boy who to his own knowledge was merely suffering from a sore throat and a bit of a fever. He couldn't have known that the grey hued bacteria would kill him within a day and a half and it did. Since that day, a series of diphtheria cases have come to light, including another one in our camp brought to our hospital four days ago. But diphtheria is only one of many diseases that threaten, in particular, the 1.8 million displaced today, living in compressed and unsanitary camps, where tent to tent construction would take one match to create the inferno that could incinerate thousands. In a city with nearly no access to electricity there is little fuel to run generators, few lights to generate, and the rapes of women and children occur at will. It will be the rain of this season that spreads the diarrheal diseases that globally finds its victims - 80% among children under 5. There are hundreds of thousands of them in Port au Prince alone. It should be said that while there are claims to grand programs of immunization it is the simple truth that most Haitians remain unprotected and that there is little evidence that those that have been immunized have records or access to establish boosters and follow up necessary with all immunizations. It should also be said that in a city the size of Port au Prince, as with all the densely populated areas in Haiti, the idea that, as in the case with the diphtheria immunoglobulin, a single warehouse maintains what little supply may exist is an unacceptable acceptance.

Prevention is difficult to get people excited about. But cold chains for the transport and preservation of these necessary immunizations and treatments must be established throughout Port au Prince and Haiti, as must stockpiles of the necessary remedies for the dehydration that comes with diarrheal diseases. It must also be said that the quality and training of pre quake health care in Haiti was already at a minimum and that with the death and flight of so many among the most capable in the Haitian medical community, that it will be some time before the international medical staff will be relieved of the humanitarian and training demand.

I come here today as a witness not only to a state of current emergency but also to the heroic efforts of United States and international doctors, soldiers and relief workers, of the NGOs in partnership and service with the great Haitian people and their government. I come here today in the hope that we will address, with bold clarity, the razor's edge upon which Haiti lies, so that all that our own country has given in sacrifice and service will not be washed away with this rainy season and leave bright and dancing Haitian eyes to go still in death from disease and flood, and God forbid the man made disaster of violent unrest. From President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of Defense Gates and throughout the policies and generosities offered to this situation to date, the United States can hold its head very high. The compassionate and no nonsense posture of our military has been moving and inspiring. But, with the official "emergency phase" declared over, as most of them redeploy into other struggles, we owe it to all of them and to ourselves in re-establishing the character of American foreign policy to stay the course in Haiti.

Make no mistake, this is a war against our ally and neighbor, and we have only this chance to show the world that we are willing to fight that war to save its victims and are not dependent on hating and killing their assailant. It is a war against the diseases and preventable disasters caused by nature and poverty. We must also not underestimate the likelihood, known to all of us on the ground in Haiti, of violent social unrest. As Americans, we should call on the Government of Haiti and on our own government, to acknowledge that a state of emergency still exists. To demand FULL TRANSPARENCY in the way that aid is distributed and accountability for how aid organizations advertise themselves in the solicitation of funds. Full and total transparency. Now is the time for all concerned parties to acknowledge that an "emergency phase" is simply an economic determination, and that the prevention of foreseeable human tolls on massive levels, in particular young children, cannot be summarily dismissed by the aspiration of a monumental reconstruction, offering empowerment, demanding independence and governance, or claiming it as a distraction from the rebuilding of a country that in many ways was never built in the first place.

The Haitian people are as strong and resilient as any I have ever seen. There are great lessons of character for our country to learn from Haitians. President Preval and his administration have proven in their pre-quake efforts the will of Haiti to overcome its devastating legacy. But to demand of them, or encourage their demand of a fractured society's independence prematurely, will be murder by another name. Issues of equity in distribution of aid are a fine aspiration, but when the emergency room has got a line out the door and the hospital pharmaceutical stockpile has not been inventoried, we have to find a way to treat patients while the counting is done and not leave them at the door to die on the street.

I am, and I believe I speak for all responsible aid workers, in full support of parallel planning in reconstruction and the nurturing of an independent peoples self reliance. But as we punish those who are lazy, punish those who are corrupt, so shall we kill the innocent and the willful. In an emergency, donors offer money and expect it to be spent helping people. I hope we are here today to encourage just that. Thank you.

Sean Penn

A Special Thanks to the LGA Team!

2010-05-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

St. Damien's Hospital, Port-au-Prince

A Special Thanks to the LGA Team!
From Left To Right: Dr. Gina, Alex Nerestil, Elaine Knight, Donna Tierney, Mary Gemmell, Dr. Paul Gahlinger, Max Topplin, Jean-Eddy Dieujuste, Fatima Haleem, Catherine Lane, Jean Louis GuyMarie, Kelly Schmitt

2010-05-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies....Mary is Home!!!! Welcome Back Mary...

Hi Girls,
I am off work today with a stich in my back. I guess I shouldn't have said that I have NO issues Donna. It is a bummer that I can not be outdoors working in my flower beds and planting my garden. I did however restring the necklace I got from that girl in Verette. We put up the metal art on the W/E. Looks great in my kitchen. Read the June issue of Psychology Today the artical Make your own Luck. They say that " lucky people" see serendepity everwhere one just has to be primed for Chance. It is said that people born between Mar and Aug see themselves as being Luckier. I was born in March and I do feel lucky. I am so glad to have been on the Haiti trip and meet all the people we met and worked with. Hope every one is doing well.
See yous on Skype.
Mary

2010-05-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

> Elaine,
>
> Here's my post:
>
> As a former Londoner, I was honoured to be invited to participate in
> Lifepath's Haiti trip.
>
> Arriving in Florida about midnight, I expected to sneak into the hotel
> and meet the group in the morning. They were all up and eating pizza,
> Fatima scurrying around organizing everyone and the staggering amounts
> of supplies, medications, and equipment. As the trip progressed, I
> was flabbergasted by her ability to herd us around like kindergarten
> kids on a field trip. And relieved. It was very nice to be told when
> to get up, where to go, what to do, and who's picking you up -- even
> after having already been told a few times and spaced out about it.
>
> The most astonishing thing about Haiti is not the poverty, devastation
> from the earthquake (apparently, it was not much better before), the
> chronic government corruption and ineptitude, or the often
> self-serving and misguided foreign aid. No, the most amazing was the
> happiness in the people and the kids. They just radiated delight.
> One boy, about 2 years old or so, blind in one eye, just shrieked with
> joy when I hoisted him on my shoulders.
>
> Elaine was phenomenal. When a man reached through the open window as
> we drove, and tore off her necklace, she just shrugged and laughed it
> off. The PTs were a hoot, just up for anything. And, of course, the
> kids adored them.
>
> Dr. Joey and I became immediate friends. Within minutes, we were
> already hatching grandiose plans to change the entire primary health
> structure of the country.
>
> The bottom line is this: Haiti is a typically poor country with
> horrible public health and almost no medical services. The
> international aid has made little difference. Medical relief missions
> come and go, leaving a few people cared for, but there is almost no
> longterm benefit. What is the point of bringing someone medication
> when it runs out a month later? And that is when the medication is
> even appropriate. I found huge piles of donated meds that were near
> expiration and pretty much worthless for the problems people had.
> There were gigantic stocks of furosemide -- a great medication for
> congestive heart failure, but not much use in a country where most
> people are young and thin. On the other hand, there was no ointment
> for infectious eye diseases, which I saw every day.
>
> What Haiti really needs is not more foreign donations or personnel.
> What they need is a home-grown public health and medical corps, with
> suitable supplies and medications. This is surprisingly within reach
> of Elaine's vision for Lifepaths. It is a low-budget program that
> can make a huge and sustainable change. It is not just help, but a
> transformation. That is the plan we -- Dr. Joey, Elaine, Fatima, and
> I -- began to develop. This was an exploratory trip. Now we have a
> very good idea of what is needed -- and I think everyone can hardly
> wait to start creating it.
>
> Paul
>
> Paul M. Gahlinger, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
> President & CEO
> MediCruiser, LLC
> 1850 S, 300 W, Ste A
> Salt Lake City, UT 84115
> ph 801-484-5504

2010-05-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just a Note...

Do you want to be inspired? Do you need to find comfort within yourself? If you do, I urge you to speak with the women I work with.

Elaine and Fatima are home, we have all heard that. However what they brought home will both comfort and inspire you in a way that will change your life.

After two weeks of reporting from the home base, I was one of the fortunate that was able to spend time with both of them today. Elaine, our founder of LifePaths Global Alliance, and Fatima the Executive Director, shared their stories of their journey with such detail...one couldn't help but feel a personal presence in their journey. These women are real. The stories are sacred and the experience a blessing.

Over a generous lunch that was provided by the staff of Physical Relief, Elaine and Fatima presented a slide show presentation that only highlighted the past two weeks. The slideshow touched us all, and I was proud to be in the room.

This is just the beginning. Now the road less travelled will become a common route. Travelling with a Purpose has just begun. So buckle up, hang on tight...because we are in for a ride! Our fierce leader Elaine will not only triumph...but take the rest of us with her.

An evening of sharing photo's and stories with an open forum concept for questions will be held within the next few weeks. A documentary of the entire journey is being edited as we speak and will be presented at our Annual Fund-raising Dinner in the fall. These avenues of sharing are just the "tease" of what's to come. Elaine is laying the ground work for the next Mission out to Haiti (which will occur in the next few months)...

Elaine and Fatima have seen past the pretentious banners that gallantly fly to attract donations and have accurately hit the nail on the wall - with the true meaning of donating. They didn't come back with what they need, they came back with what we can do!

As we gather for our meetings this week and create the alliance for future Missions, we all have one goal...clearly the same goal you have, "what's next?"

Again, welcome home ladies, and thanks,

Sandy

(and everyone who knows you)!!

Traveling with a Purpose

GEARING UP FOR OUR 1ST VOLUNTEER RELIEF TRIP

Canadian Women Soccer Team - Up Against Haiti!!!

Information Session - January 15th, 2012 Travel to Hait with us!

Metro News!

Live SKYPE to Rogers TV today - from Haiti!

News from Haiti!

Are You interested in Traveling with a Purpose?

Donation Gift Certificates are now available.

Join us in Haiti as we Remember the 2nd Anniversary of the Devastating Earthquake - January 12th, 2010

Travel with a Purpose

LifePaths Global Alliance Sponsored Learning Centres

Saturday, November 5th - 9-2PM!!

The Grannies for Haiti are hosting their annual Craft and Bake Sale - Saturday, November 5th.

Join the Grannies at the Salvation Army Gymnasium - 1340 Dundas Street, London! Vendors, Music, Raffles, Crafts, Baked Goods and more!!

Proceeds from this event are donated to LifePaths Global Alliance to support their ongoing projects in Haiti - www.lifepathsglobal.org

Monday, October 16th - Haiti News!

Another successful day in Haiti!

From the founder of LifePaths Global Alliance - Elaine Knight

Elaine Knight - Saturday, October 15thHello Everyone in Canada. We are doing very well in Haiti. Today after clinic is done, we are having a women's focus group to find out their specific needs, wants and desires. One Love xox

URGENT!!!!

Next Mission to Haiti!

Grannies for Haiti Fall Garage Sale

This week live from Haiti!!

Haiti, July 18th!

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

Ceilidh For Haiti!! What a great time - Thank you Grannies for HaitI!!!

Helping families devastated by earthquakes - Londoner - Ontario, CA

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

Haiti pop star Michel Martelly sworn in as president

This Is Poverty by RAS EDDY and LOF

ATA Meeting and Exposition Conference

National Volunteer Week takes place April 10-16, 2011.

London Newsmakers - LifePaths Global Alliance

Grannies for Haiti are on Facebook!!

Haiti's new president: Unexpected but understandable

Arcade Fire Covers Rolling Stones in Haiti

Sustainable Haiti Conference- 2011

Spring Fling Craft and Bake Sale - May 14th, Salvation Army Gymnasium

My First Cookbook...February Recipe with Rachael

LifePaths Global Alliance Opens Innovative Telemedicine Clinic in Haiti

Angels singing to LifePaths Global Alliance

Welcome Home!!

Love Fatima and Elaine xoxo

"Grannies for Haiti"

Saturday, January 8th...let the journey begin again!!!

My Home - London - Rogers TV

LYC London Youth Challenge: Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag

Hurricane Tomas begins lashing coast of Haiti

Travelling with a Purpose: LifePaths in Haiti

Time to Get the Word Out...TELEMEDICINE PROJECT

LifePaths in Haiti

K'NAAN - Wavin' Flag ft. will.i.am, David Guetta

A Special Thanks to the LGA Team!

Elaine Knight - Saturday, October 15th
Hello Everyone in Canada. We are doing very well in Haiti. Today after clinic is done, we are having a women's focus group to find out their specific needs, wants and desires. One Love xox