Key Canadian organizations working in Haiti gathered at an event hosted by the Honourable George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate, featuring a photo exhibit by volunteer advisors working abroad. Guests included His Excellency Frantz Liautaud, Haiti’s Ambassador to Canada, representatives of the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation, Senator Claude Carignan, Senator Serge Joyal, Senator Elizabeth Marshall and other Canadian parliamentarians.

“It is a great honour to welcome this exceptional photo exhibit that will enable parliamentarians to see the resilience and beauty of Haiti through the eyes of Canadian volunteers,” said Speaker Furey. “Canada is very proud to support and promote this rich tradition of Canadian volunteerism beyond our borders.”

The exhibit was organized in an effort to highlight the vital role of Canadian funding in Haiti’s reconstruction efforts and to recognize the contributions made by the Volunteer Cooperation Program Supporting Governance, Education and Economic Development. In the effort to reduce poverty and rebuild the country, the Program deploys Canadian and Haitian-Canadian volunteers to help Haitian organizations and partners build their skills and knowledge in the areas of governance, education and economic development.

The program is funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered by a consortium of four Canadian non-governmental organizations: the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, World University Service Canada, the Canadian Executive Service Organization and the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation. Representatives from Team Broken Earth, a volunteer group of Canadian doctors, nurses and physiotherapists committed to improving health care in Haiti, were also in attendance.

Representatives from Team Broken Earth, a volunteer group of Canadian doctors, nurses and physiotherapists committed to improving health care in Haiti, were also in attendance.