A Message from Haiti's Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities

As Haiti's Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, I consider St. Vincent's Center - A School for Children with Disabilities - an important institution and a key partner for my agency, which serves an estimated one million persons with disabilities throughout the country.

St Vincent’s has a long-standing commitment to the Haitian government's mission of increasing access to healthcare, education and training for children and young adults with disabilities.  Throughout my lifetime, St. Vincent's has opened its doors and its heart to hundreds of children with disabilities, many of whom would not have had the opportunity to attend school.

In an environment where many international organizations come and go, St. Vincent's has remained a committed partner and friend to Haiti since 1945.  Following the devastating earthquake of 2010, it continued to serve Haiti's children with disabilities, despite the loss of students, staff and facilities.  Many other organizations working in the field of disability look to St. Vincent's for guidance as it remains a pillar of the disability movement in our country.  We look forward to continuing our collaboration with St. Vincent's on this most important work.  In order to shine brighter, Haiti needs the talents of all of its citizens, including those with disabilities.

Gerald Oriol, Jr

Former Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities