Making contacts

As usual, the word gets around and next thing in Newfoundland one person knows another and then things start.

Well we received a name in the Salvation Army, apparently the SA have a hospital in Haiti, so contact has been made and we are advised that they are sending people down very soon and had lots of good advice as to how to navigate the system. They will be reporting back soon on their return and we anxiously await their news. I believe that they have been working with St Theresa's church to develop a dual response and already have medical equipment to send. One of the interesting bits of information they gave was that nearly all health care/education was pretty organised by the churches.

We shall be shortly be receiving a Dental Unit from Paterson Dental which will stored here in St John's and fully checked out by their representative Mr Dave Badcock, so all will be in good working order before despatch.

The big news was that one of our own, Dr Linda Goodyear made the trip down, and many may have seen her picture on the front page of the Telegram. She tells of a most rewarding experience, the warmth of the people and just how things were going. We have a few more names of contacts on site, one was a hospital administrator who would be delighted to have a dental unit in his hospitall.

So things are moving along, we have a lot of emails out there (yes email is alive and well in Haiti-but can be intermittent). We have asked the locals for input, how should we proceed, what do they need how can we assist them. This is again building on the partnership plan, allowing us to assist them but letting them self-determine and move forward with our assistance.

Next meeting is 7th April (Wed) at the NLDA offices and we hope to have more to report at that time. Dr Angela and Paul Walsh have become involved now and they bring much energy and experience to the table. I shall be a way in late May, however, Dr Margot Hiltz will be making a small presentation at the AGM in May to keep everyone in the picture.

Not much posting but lots happening

We have a few get togethers and time is always the enemy. I apologise for not getting the info out there more quickly however here goes.

Lots of action with many people contacted, lots of good work and as usual the leg work is starting to provide some dividends. So here is the news.

We have talked to the CDA and also Health Canada with really nothing of note to report. Similarly the Dental schools, everybody is happy to talk but really no action at all. The FDI were spearheading some work but we have yet to get a response from Dr Rodriguez.

A logo has been developed and we hope to add it to the blog page when we learn how to do that, (its not easy being old), however I think Leslie Patey will come to the rescue as she did for the logo itself. Gee I guess we are out there now we have an identity, it also will appear on the latest edition of the Newsletter which is just being sent out. Moreover it will have a link from the NLDA website (ah the wonders of the computer age).

Communication with the membership and others has been a problem. It seems that email may be either ignored or disregarded. Anyway we shall try in other ways to keep everyone informed and up to speed. The intention for the AGM of the NLDA is to set up a table next to the registration desk with pictures, and brochures to keep all informed. There will of course be a receipt book handy for any donations.

Talking of which we are still endeavouring to establish our tax deductible status. The General Hospital Foundation has been very supportive but has not given us the go ahead yet. They promise soon.