Programs: First achievement institution univers school has 2300 students in grades k through 13. The june 2017 thirteenth grade of institution univers graduated over 100 students. Approximately 200 students entered the school this last year in the preschool grades. The school employs approximately 100 local people. Cocina funds approximately 50% of the school operating costs. Without the funds from cocina, the school tuition would not be affordable for local families.
second achievement healthcare is also a critical community need in ouanaminthe. The medical clinic (univers medical clinic) is located in the heart of ouanaminthe, on the town square, and is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The clinic provides healthcare services at reduced costs to the local residents. The costs are able to be reduced due to cocina providing operating funds for staff salaries and other operating expenses (equipment repairs, electric power, and medical supplies). Cocina provides on-going technical support related to obtaining and repairing medical equipment. In 2017, cocina coordinated the logistics for (6) u. S. Based medical teams to go to the univers medical clinic to provide medical services not easily obtained in ouanaminthe due to the lack of trained medical professionals. These services included general surgery, ob/gyn, orthopedic, and oral surgeries. In the past year over 40,000 people obtained medical services at the clinic. The clinic employs approximately 75 local people.
third achievement cocina organizes and assists high school graduates from institution univers to attend college and post-secondary vocational programs. Over 50 students have either completed or are currently enrolled in higher education in haiti, the dominican republic, and the united states. The areas of study include agriculture, accounting, engineering, business, nursing, international relations, and others. All of these areas of study are important for the continued advancement of the country of haiti.
fourth achievement cocina led an effort to raise funds to support a school pastor in at institution univers. Funds were raised from (3) churches to support this position. After an extensive search, an ordained haitian-american pastor was found. This person is now serving as a pastor at the school and clinic providing pastoral care. Fifth achievement cocina provides technical advice and funding related to the maintenance and improvement of the facilities at the school and medical clinic. A partial list of the improvement projects funded and completed by cocina included the following: modifications to the photovoltaic system (solar panels) at the school, replacement of the kindergarten building lobby roof, repair of medical equipment (x-rays, sterilizers), construction of new bathroom stalls at the school, it (technology) systems repairs and troubleshooting. Where possible, local workers are employed for projects to provide jobs and economic development for the area.
