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UCOF President Partners to Help Haiti
NEW YORK, NY – July 23rd, 2014 – Three weeks ago the President and Chairman of United Colors of Fashion (UCOF), Ciano Clerjuste, joined a group of 100 people from NOAH NY on a special medical mission in Haiti. With Haiti still picking up the pieces of the devastating 2010 earthquake, NOAH NY took doctors and nurses from various US hospitals, non-medical volunteers and medical students from Howard University, to Fort-Liberte Hospital to provide assistance to those in need. This is the sixth trip the organization has made to Haiti.
Above: Ciano Clerjuste, President and Chairman of United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) with patients at Fort Liberte General hospital, Haiti.
“Six years ago NOAH NY decided to focus its medical mission on Haiti’s Northeastern Town of Fort Liberte. More than 25,000 patient visits and 400 surgeries later, we now have a better sense of the needs in Fort Liberte and its surrounding towns. It continues to be apparent that quality healthcare and health education is badly needed. However, there is one caveat, it has to be provided throughout the year and we must have our own facility. We will achieve this goal in 2015,” said Dr. Henry Paul, President of NOAHNY
For Clerjuste, the trip provided an amazing opportunity to put his training as a nurse and teacher to good use as he assisted gynecologist Dr. Lubin with consultations and delivery in the maternity ward. As a Haitian himself, the experience of giving back to the people of his country has been a fulfilling one. While spending time with the patients at Fort Liberte General Hospital, he provided financial assistance to some for food, transportation and to pay for blood work. He also provided the same assistance to cancer and HIV patients in need of treatments.
“Spending ten days in Haiti to assist patients in Fort Liberte was mesmerizing, and extremely remunerating. It was sad seeing so many cancer and HIV patients in need of medical assistance, but unable to get the care they need due to funding. The Annual Medical Mission NOAHNY has been doing during the past six years helps these people to get reliable care at no cost. We, United Colors of Fashion plan to bring our UCOF Cares program to Haiti in 2015, and our goal is to partner with NOAHNY to make a greater impact in the lives of those in need,” said Clerjuste
The trip was not only about charity, in its common form, but also an opportunity to impart knowledge that will propel the future leaders of Haiti forward. On a visit to a school in Caracoal, Ecole S&H, Ciano sat down with high school and middle school teachers in the region to improve their teaching. He was able to teach them communication strategies and networking skills to ensure that they are better equipped to do one of the most important jobs to any economy.
Above: Ciano Clerjuste, President and Chairman of United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) meets with high school and middle school teachers at a school in Caracoal, Ecole S&H.
In line with the values of UCOF, Clerjuste went not only to provide help to those in need, but also to empower through education. As part of the ongoing plan to expand the work UCOF does, the trip was a great opportunity to assess the needs of Haiti where they aim to regularly visit as part of the UCOF Cares program.
The mission to Haiti, with the assistance of all the selfless people involved, proved to be a great success. Unfortunately, help could not be provided to everyone, but with the mission to provide ongoing assistance the reach of help will expand.
About United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) Academy
UCOF Academy is a New York City-based non-profit organization and the first registered 501 (c)(3) organization in the U.S. dedicated to providing FREE fashion-focused education, mentorship and counseling, internship opportunities, entrepreneurial development and scholarship to under-resourced youth in the Tri-State area. The organization is registered with the New York Department of Education, NY Department of State, NY Charity Bureau and Internal Revenue Services (IRS) as United Colors of Fashion, Incorporated.
Within its four years of inception, UCOF Academy has nurtured the dreams of 350 youths from the tri-state area by exposing them to the “behind the velvet ropes” experience of the fashion industry. In addition to educating, UCOF Academy gives back by providing funds and supplies to 100 children living with HIV in Soweto, South Africa.
We look forward to engaging you further. For more information regarding United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) Academy and the Annual Medical Mission, please contact:
United Colors of Fashion
Ruth Donat, Publicist
ruth@unitedcolorsoffashion.org
T: +917-266-4171
Or visit us on our website to learn more at www.unitedcolorsoffashion.
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