Reaching New Heights and

Giving Hope to Those in Need

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” Psalm 82:3
By Zeke Fleet – CUMC Missions Committee

 

The mission of Soaring Unlimited Haiti is to work in partnership with the people of northern Haiti, to enhance their quality of life, and to empower them in the areas of health care, education, and community development.

Soaring Unlimited offers an oasis of hope for the people of Haiti

Established more than 30 years ago, Soaring Unlimited has developed initiatives to help address the essential needs of Haitian people, including medical care, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, and education and training for children, youth, and adults. Soaring Unlimited Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in 1994 in the United States, and operates in the rural outskirts of Cap Haitien, a remote and geographically protected area in northern Haiti. Soaring Unlimited employs, partners with, and works hand in hand with many local Haitians and their organizations, as well as a variety of faith-based organizations (including CUMC, Traverse City) and other nonprofits based in the United States.

Criminal gangs are in control 90% of neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. Violence has threatened national stability and rendered much of the country ungovernable. Fortunately, Soaring Unlimited and its associated initiatives are in a more distant northern area near the village of Pistere and not immediately threatened by the violence.

CUMC Missions Committee member Kathy Gray, recently spoke with Rev. Dr. Laura Elliott, executive director of Soaring Unlimited, who provided an update on Soaring Unlimited missions:

Primary Care Medical Clinic

The Primary Care Medical Facility was constructed and opened in 2009 and continues to be the main source of professional health care and care-giver training for area Haitians. The clinic employs three physicians, a nursing staff, lab technicians, and a pharmaceutical staff. More than 10,000 people were served in 2024 with minimal costs for patient care and pharmaceuticals.

 

The primary care facility has a longstanding partnership with Michigan State University and MSU’s Institute of Global Health. Severe cases are referred to nearby partnering hospitals.

Sante Fanm Women’s Health and Birth Center
Soaring Unlimited added the women’s health care and birth facility in 2023, constructing a midwifery center for Haitian moms. Care is provided by a staff of trained, professional midwives. Moms can also receive prenatal and postpartum care, family planning, and HIV/STD/cervical cancer screening. Ultrasound equipment and electronic medical records have also been installed.

• More than 500 babies have been born since its opening in 2023, and the Sante Fanm Women’s Birth Center has never had a maternal fatality.
• Maternal death statistics for the nation of Haiti are extremely high, with records showing that 521 women in 100,000 die of pregnancy-related complications.
• Compared with the United States, 32.9 women in 100,000 die because of pregnancy complications.
• Infant mortality records for Sante Fenm Birth Center show three stillbirths per 500 births.
• Infant mortality records for the nation of Haiti show 40.3 deaths per 1,000 births.
• United States records show 5.4 deaths per 1,000 patients.

Low infant and maternal mortality at Sante Fenm are attributable to good prenatal care, trained midwives in attendance, and postpartum follow up. There is only one midwife per 100,000 women in Haiti, and there are four at Sante Fanm Birth facility.

Nutrition and Community Garden
Food access through the community garden has proven to be a great supplement to the Soaring Unlimited Food procurement and distribution program. The garden helps lower food costs by providing heathy food, including fresh vegetables that help combat malnutrition. Each week during the pandemic and ensuing political unrest, more than 200 families are given access to food staples including rice, corn meal, powdered milk, beans, and cooking oil

Childhood Education and Student Sponsorships
Childhood Education and Training Programs were initiated more than 30 years ago under the direction of the late Dorothy Frederickson, founding director emeritus. The school serves from 65 to 85 students with sponsorship support provided for tuition, books, supplies, and uniforms. Enrichment programs that have been added include English, music, and sports. Support is needed for school sponsorships.

 

 

Women’s Empowerment and Micro-Loans
This initiative provides financial help for women entrepreneurs to establish and operate small businesses in nearby Pistere Village in Haiti. The program provides a financial network for women and families and helps support the community’s economy. Business start-up loans have successfully been re-paid each year by participants.

 

 

New Digital Medical Record System

Access to electronic medical records and remote online training and meetings have been made easier through connections with the Starlink Satellite Broadband Internet Network. These state-of-the art digital services have increased internet connectivity and greatly bolstered the ability to gather and disseminate health records in remote areas, as well as provide the ability for U.S. staff and board members to hold meetings remotely, and conduct needed online trainings, with experts from the U.S.

Leaving a Legacy of Hope
Dorothy Frederickson, right, founder and director emerita of Soaring Unlimited, passed away in July. She touched the lives of thousands of Haitian people during her 23 years of service. Her memorial service was held on July 12 in Holt, MI. The Rev. Anita Hahn officiated and Soaring Unlimited President, Tom Hanna, gave a eulogy. Current Soaring director, Pastor Laura Elliott, is pictured on the left.

Your Support for Soaring Unlimited is Needed!

Soaring Unlimited Haiti has been a long-time mission of Central United Methodist Church. Your financial contributions help sustain Soaring Unlimited initiatives, bringing much-needed care to those living in northern Haiti.

For online donations, please select Central Missions on the dropdown and designate Soaring Unlimited.

You can make a donation to Central Mission's online here.

Designate Soaring Unlimited on your online donation or on your offering checks.

Drop off change, paper currency, or checks in the contribution bucket in the gathering area.

Thank you for providing hope to those in need!