Valley Organization Spreads Hope and Healing in Haiti

CANFIELD, Ohio – Volunteers with a nonprofit organization travel more than 1,500 miles to spread hope and healing.

“Have you ever had a really bad day? A really bad season, really tough time and then you realize how important having that hope to cling on to is, and it’s too good to just keep to yourself,” said Katie Swain, co-founder and executive director of Brown Horse Projects.

The nonprofit organization operates a clinic in Balan, Haiti, which is about 2 miles from Cap-Haiten, the country’s second largest city. The clinic, opened in 2019, is funded through donations from the Mahoning Valley and staffed by physicians and staff who live there, providing jobs. 

Even before starting the clinic, Swain, her sister and Brown Horse co-founder Andra LaMarca, their family members and others traveled to Haiti and other countries on short-term mobile medical trips. That’s how Swain met her husband, Dr. Steve Swain. Brown Horse Projects’ mission started in 2011. Before that, they raised money for other organizations.

“We are Christ followers, and he tells us to love others as we love ourselves,” LaMarca said. “We feel that we’re the body of Christ, and that is true in our own communities that we love and attempt to take care of as best we can.”

And the need in Haiti is significant.

“Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere,” LaMarca said. 

The average annual salary is $1,420.

“There’s just this desire to help people who are less fortunate than us,” board member Kelcie Schiraldi said. “And they’re very grateful for it.”

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Brown Horse Projects is launching a special fundraising campaign to raise $50,000. Those funds will go directly toward the clinic services. Those interested in supporting the clinic can visit the Brown Horse Project’s website to make a donation or learn about volunteer opportunities.

“The cost to run the clinic each month is about $11,000, and that covers staff salaries, medication and lab tests,” Swain said. “So $50,000 would give us a little bit shy of five months to fully run the clinic. And the clinic sees about 2,000 patients per month, so it would help a lot.”

All of the money raised goes to Haiti. Brown Horse Projects holds fundraisers locally, but only the clinic staff in Haiti gets paid. The local staff and board members are volunteers.

Those served at the clinic generally come in the morning and wait all day to see the doctor, and they’re grateful for the help despite the wait, Schiraldi said. 

Clinic doctors administer medicine, stitch wounds, treat burns and provide other medical care. Staff members also provide education such as prenatal information or tips for cholera prevention. They are charged what amounts to about $3.80 per visit, which covers medications and testing to ensure accountability for the care.

Swain relayed a story of a toddler who came to the clinic with an ear infection that caused the side of her face to swell. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic, and the infection cleared within a few days. 

And the patients appreciate the care, returning to the clinic with eggs, chickens and other items to show their gratitude.

Brown Horse Project is named for a horse that came to Swain and LaMarca’s mother’s home while Swain was going through a difficult divorce. After being well cared for at its new home, the horse became more trusting.

“It was like the inspiration for the work we do,” Swain said.

LaMarca added that it was a symbol of redemption.

“It’s very much like the love that God has for us,” Swain said. “Tender, consistent, loving care teaches you to trust again and love well.”

Brown Horse Projects, formed as a way to channel Swain’s emotions and creativity into something positive to help others.

It also played a role in Swain’s healing, Schiraldi pointed out. It’s also grown to heal others.

“​​There’s physical healing, which we see every day from the clinic – people being physically healed – but it’s then the healing that we’re talking about here, and just like mental and the emotional and spiritual healing that this clinic and the organization has brought to so many people,” Schiraldi said.

While the clinic helps patients in Haiti, it also helps the volunteers.

“We’ve seen so much good come out of it,” LaMarca said. 

Swain agreed.

“It really changes you more than anything,” she said. “It’s like internal exfoliation. It shaves off the rough edges.”

Pictured at top: From left are Kelcie Schiraldi, Brown Horse Projects board member, and sisters and co-founders Katie Swain and Andra LaMarca.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.