Vil Okap fundraiser raises more than $3K for Justinien University Hospital

The Okap Cheri (My Beloved Cap-Haitien) fundraiser by Vil Okap raised more than $3,000 for Justinien University Hospital, our largest and oldest partner in Greater Cap-Haitien.

Commemorating the 350^th anniversary of Cap-Haitian’s founding and the 200^th anniversary of the death of Henri Christophe, Okapi Cheri combined live and virtual events from August to October to celebrate Cap-Haitien and its people while raising money for supplies and equipment at JUH, the largest public hospital in Northern Haiti.

The fundraiser culminated in a tribute to Christophe in October that combined a fashion show, dancers and other live performers, and a concert by the Grammy-winning Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans. This event raised more than $1,400 through ticket sales. Other events included a virtual tour of JUH’s pediatrics building and panel discussions about Haiti’s history, culture, industry, and more. Konbit Sante’s senior staff participated in a Facebook Live panel discussion about our work in Haiti; you can view a recording of it on Vil Okap’s Facebook page.

As reported earlier, we have already put some of the Okap Cheri donations to good use at JUH by purchasing replacement parts for a steam autoclave, a vital tool used to sterilize items such as surgical instruments, implanted medical devices, and surgical drapes and linens. We will coordinate with JUH’s leadership on how to best utilize the remaining funds.

We are grateful for everyone who participated in the Okap Cheri campaign, including donors, performers, panel participants, and especially Vil Okap for choosing Konbit Sante as the fundraising recipient. There is a possibility that Okap Cheri may become an annual summer event – stay tuned!