Ahkira McPherson
Vice Chair for Earthquake March
I am a student at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL where I am seeking a degree in nursing. I also work as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN.) I love interacting with people I feel a lot of satisfaction giving back to the community that has given me so much!
I am proud pleased to be apart of HATT Foundation and I look forward to the day when Haiti will be happy, prosperous and whole. Until then I hope to continue working on behalf of the people of Haiti to the best of my ability!
Douglas Allen
I studied biology and sociology at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. In 1989, I enlisted in the US Army and took part in the First Persian Gulf War serving with the 101st, Airborne Division. I married my lovely wife, Janet in 1992. My many experiences of seeing God’s hand at work, especially in combat situations, awakened in me the desire to minister to his people. I studied at the New Testament Christian Seminary in western Washington and received a Minister of Religion degree.
In the spring of 1994, I became Pastor of a church in Fairbanks, Alaska that served both civilian and military families. Janet and I remained there for 7 years. I first visited NW Haiti in 20005 and took part in founding Haiti’s Hope Inc. I am still on the board of this worthy organization. I also worked along with the Mission of Independent Baptist Churches in Haiti for 7 years on community projects. I am a great believer in fruit tree nursery projects and water safety initiatives. I am now working with HATT to raise awareness about the need for more fruit trees in Haiti and the importance of securing clean plentiful water.
Timothy Dunn
I was raised in south Florida. My parents taught me at an early age to give and share with others. Over the years I have volunteered in many places, like Habitat for Humanity, the Bush Wildlife Sanctuary, and our local parks.
I have always been happy to provide my Chair Massage Sessions at local fundraising events. I like to be involved with organizations that make a difference by helping people. I am excited by HATT Foundation and I believe that it will do great things.
Count me in!
Johanna Cassidy
I am a wife, mother, minister and licensed massage therapist. I co-founded Open Heart Ministries in Palm Beach County to help people discover the deep connection and harmony between the Spirit and the Body. Our goal is to uplift and motivate people through the use of what we call “the Five ‘M’s”: massage, message, ministry, movement, and music.
I am very interested in being where I can assist a great cause to succeed. I cannot think of a greater cause at this time than to provide Water, plant Fruit Trees and bring Hope to a country and people that are still suffering the loss of precious life.
Jacqueline Pompilus
My name is Jacqueline Pompilus. I was born in Haiti to a large family of 18 children. I left Haiti in 1978 to settle in Boston. I became a nurse in 1983. Twelve years later I moved to Florida. I got married and was blessed with two children, one boy, and one girl. My children now assist me and my twin sister in an organization that we created called the Lila Foundation for Health and Education.
Over the past 7 years, we have traveled to Haiti regularly to provide health care in the town where we were raised. We also traveled through the rugged mountainous countryside on horseback or by foot to help the less fortunate. I am a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Palm Beach Chapter. I have volunteered at the Caridad Free Clinic in Boynton Beach, FL for nearly 11 years helping to provide free healthcare to uninsured poor workers. I do exercise classes for the elderly at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Delray every Thursday. I also do the American Heart Walk every year and participate in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer annual events.
Rose Germain
I was born in Boston in 1989 to a single Haitian American mother. My Mom instilled in me the concepts of giving to others and appreciating what you have. I carried the ideal of altruism with me always even in high school. When it came time to really focus on what I wanted to do, I knew that I would become a nurse. I am currently in my second year of working as a nurse and pursuing my dream.
As a nurse, my main goal is to be an advocate for the disadvantaged and a “voice” for the voiceless who brings their needs and concerns to the forefront. For many years I did not have any clear understanding of the situation in Haiti. I was influenced by misconceptions from the media and by the “old time” stories I heard from family members about their past days in Haiti.
It wasn’t until the earthquakes of Jan. 12 2010 that I understood what kind of help Haiti really needs. I was grateful when I was offered the chance to go to Haiti and see how life changed in those tragic seconds when the earthquake hit. I know that with HATT Foundation we will be able to provide long-term solutions. We will be the “voices” for the countless Haitians in need.
Sandra Justice
My name is Sandra Justice. I live in Miami, FL. I am a singer, actress, model and the former Miss Haiti of South Florida. I have been featured in Platinum Magazine, the Miami Herald and the Miami New Times. I appeared in Movies like Miami Vice and Step Up 4 as well as in TV show’s like Burn Notice and The Glades, just to name a few.
I was born in Cap-Haitian, Haiti and I grew up in Miami, FL. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in business and I work as a Staffing Manager for Nursing in a local hospital.
Wallace Thomas
I was born and raised in Jacmel, in the South-East province of Haiti. I graduated High School in Port-au-Prince, the Capital of the country. My family is strongly Christian, so at a relatively early age, I started working in my church as Youth President. With this title came serious responsibilities. My duties included working in the community to educate and help the elderly. I participated in many public activities in the province of Jacmel to commemorate the independence of Haiti, like the Flag Festival. I also participated in social movements to help young people get a better education in primary and high school.
After High School, I received a scholarship to go to Cuba and study Medicine at the Latin-American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba. I obtained my Diploma as a Doctor in Medicine in 2006. After my graduation, I went back to Haiti and worked to help the less fortunate with medical care and medication. During my time in Haiti, I created the Petion-Bolivar-Marti Organization for the Development of Haiti. My multi-faceted team and I gave free consultations, medical treatments, and other interventions. We saved lives in remote communities all over the country by bringing doctors, engineers, agronomist, and student activists to plant trees, supply clean water and provide shelter to poor people all over the South-East of Haiti. We were most active in the area around Jacmel and Mapou, close to the Dominican border.
Continuing in my career, I did an internship and residency in Family Medicine at the Cuban International Medical Mission in Haiti. I practiced medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital, working in the Inpatient and Emergency wards as well as implementing a comprehensive health care protocol for both departments. I also interacted with the health officials of Jacmel County and brought to notice numerous issues related to the needs of patients and the lack of proper health facilities in the community. As a result, several significant changes were made not only at St. Michael’s Hospital but also at other hospitals in South-East Haiti. Shortly afterward, I was promoted to the position of Director of Health Services for the county. In my new capacity, I went out to the communities and organized health care events utilizing doctors and hospital staff. Together we would go out and educate people about chronic diseases, and the prevention of infectious diseases. We provided free medication and health services to everyone who attended.
I also worked extensively with The Haitian Group for the Study of Kaposi’s Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections (GHESKIO). This organization was founded in the early 1980′s by a group of Haitian clinicians who noted a growing number of patients dying from Kaposi’s sarcoma and other unusual opportunistic infections. Needless to say, these outstanding clinicians provided some of the first documentation of AIDS disease and the HIV virus. In my work at the GHESKIO. I provided treatment to HIV/AIDS patients and their families.