Meet CMAT Volunteer Brandon Duncan, RN!

April 6-12, 2014 is National Volunteer Week.

Meet some of the inspiring CMAT volunteers who help us fulfil our missions in communities around the world!

Brandon Duncan, RN assesses a small child in CMAT's field clinic in Pétionville, Haiti. April 2010.

Brandon Duncan, RN assesses a small child in CMAT’s field clinic in Pétionville, Haiti. April 2010.

April 7, 2014 – Brandon Duncan, RN

CMAT volunteer Brandon Duncan, RN learned about the 2010 earthquake in Haiti on the news, and began to research on how he could help.  His solution came to him through an old high school classmate, who was also volunteer with CMAT.  Through Facebook, Brandon kept reading updates the volunteer’s brother was posting online.  Brandon was immediately drawn to CMAT, applied, and was selected to go to Haiti in April 2010. Brandon has been involved in a variety of local CMAT activities since then, and deployed to the Philippines in November 2013.  Brandon also  travelled to the Gaza Strip in November 2012 with another organization, to assist in teaching ACLS to local emergency responders.

Read more

Meet CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin, NP!

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week.

Meet some of the inspring CMAT volunteers who help us fulfil our missions in communities around the world! 

CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin carries a critically ill child to the CMAT Field Clinic in Léogâne, Haiti - January 2010.

CMAT Volunteer Aric Rankin carries a critically ill child to the CMAT Field Clinic in Léogâne, Haiti – January 2010.

April 6, 2014:  Aric Rankin, NP

CMAT volunteer Aric Rankin has always understood the importance of lending a helping hand, especially in times of need.

When the earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010,  Aric spent several weeks in Léogâne as part of the first CMAT medical team, providing medical care to earthquake survivors in the CMAT field clinic.

CMAT mentioned in DFATD monthly newsletter

© Cpl Ariane Montambeault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

© Cpl Ariane Montambeault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

 

CMAT Team Leader Kate Auger briefs Minister Paradis on CMAT's relief efforts in Ormoc City, Leyte.

CMAT Team Leader Kate Auger briefs Minister Paradis on CMAT’s relief efforts in Ormoc City, Leyte.

Courtesy DFATD-MAECD: Canadian assistance to the Philippines

Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie  Christian Paradis visited the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013. The visit took place two weeks after the natural disaster, which affected 13 million people. The Minister met with representatives of the local government and both Canadian and foreign humanitarian agencies. He saw for himself how Canadian assistance was having an impact and improving people’s lives.

Emergency relief teams were on site to carry out humanitarian assistance activities. Minister Paradis also met with organizations responding to the tragedy. These organizations include UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), Save the Children, Plan International, World Vision, Oxfam, CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS, the Philippine Red Cross, CARE Canada, and Doctors Without Borders. Thanks to Canada’s support and donations from Canadians, these organizations have been able to distribute food, materials needed to build shelters, and bed nets to prevent malaria. They have also been able to provide water, sanitation and health services. In addition, they have been able to provide education and protection for children, psychosocial support, health care, reproductive health services, and nutrition.

Complete article about Canadian assistance to the Philippines

For more information : Canada’s Response to Typhoon Haiyan

 

York Region District School Board raises over $50K for CMAT!

YRDSB Principal Mr. Jeewan Chanicka and Community Resource Facilitator Ms. Yvonne Kelly present CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka with a cheque from the "Helping Hands" fundraising campaign.

YRDSB Principal Mr. Jeewan Chanicka and Community Resource Facilitator Ms. Yvonne Kelly present CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka with a cheque from the “Helping Hands” fundraising campaign.

February 28, 2014 – A social goal for York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is to encourage students to become active, global citizens and understand their roles as leaders in our global village.  Recorded history has not witnessed such catastrophic devastation as Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the Philippines in November 2013.  Active learning and focus on character traits such as empathy requires that students do their utmost to help.

Through its Helping Hands project, staff and students in the YRDSB have raised over $50,000 for CMAT’s project in the Philippines, to provide help for victims of the typhoon.  Students were encouraged to reach into their own pockets and to give generously. Loonie and Twoonie campaigns raised an average of $1400 per school in the school board.

All monies collected have been put towards CMAT’s relief projects in the Philippines.  CMAT has an established reputation and funds raised go directly into the field.

Today, CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka accepted a cheque from YRDSB representatives Jeewan Chanicka and Yvonne Kelly. Congratulations go out to YRDSB on an incredible fundraising effort!!

On behalf of CMAT, and the beneficiaries of our care, we wish to express our sincerest thanks to the staff and students of York Region District School Board. Together, the students will become better aware of the magnitude of this tragedy and continue to learn their moral and social responsibility and making the utmost effort to make a difference.  With your continued support, CMAT can continue to extend a Helping Hand to those who are suffering immeasurable losses in the Philippines.