Doubtful thoughts hung with the Morgan Jayne Project’s Fred Makowecki just a few weeks ago as the project was struggling to send their annual Christmas package to Familias Saludables in Roatan.
“There’s enough money down there to make sure everyone has Christmas,” says Makowecki, “I’m pretty happy.”
A main holiday party will be held at the Familias Saludables clinic, with other smaller ones throughout the island for those who cannot travel across the 40 kilometre island.
The successful round up of funds and gifts wasn’t the only thing tickling those involved with the project – on Monday evening it was announced by Valerie Nelson, Director of Familias Saludables, that for the last year there was no vertical mother-to-child transmissions of HIV. This means that of all the pregnant women who entered their program, not one of their infants were born positive.
They have gone from a 49 per cent transmission rate nine years ago to 3 per cent for the past few years to zero this year. They have met the World AIDS Council’s Goal of Zero in pediatric transmission.
“We wish to thank the Morgan Jayne Project for being the primary supporter of this project,” said Nelson’s e-mail from the clinic in Roatan.
“To all of you who have helped the babies in Roatan – puff your chest out, this has been possible because of you,” said Makowecki. “We have made more than a ripple in the world, we have created a tidal wave of good.”
“Drumheller has made it what it is,” said Makowecki. “It is a fitting tribute to my daughter, she would have been proud of her neighbours and her friends.”
With the closure of their Christmas in Roatan campaign, the Morgan Jayne Project is moving onto their soy candle efforts. Sales from the candles go towards buying and shipping infant formula for the clinic.
Those looking to order candles can contact Shelly Rymel at 403-823-8664.
