Written by Laura, HHI Executive Director.
With the end of the year upon us, HHI is proud to present our first Annual Progress Report. We are so grateful to everyone who has made this year possible, and invite you to share your thoughts and questions after reading this reflection on 2011. Thank you so much for reading our blog and following our journey this year. It is an honor to know that people near and far have become invested in our work to improve community health in the Dominican Republic.
I hope you will keep our patients and partner communities in your thoughts this holiday season – the challenges they face each day remind us that our work has only just begun.
When Angi and I moved to the Dominican Republic in October 2009, we arrived with a vision for establishing the foundation of HHI, and little else to recommend us. In those first few months, I learned that HHI would succeed only if we could build trust — and the only way to do so would be to demonstrate results. As we listened to community members, based our goals on their insights, and proved our commitment to following through on our word, people began to believe in us. We have been truly fortunate to welcome amazing staff, community health workers, and volunteers whose actions continue to build and fulfill the trust of the people whom we serve — and of people like you whose support make it possible.
This year, you watched us grow from five community health workers to fifteen. You read about our first attempts to respond to patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes, and offered your support as we developed a comprehensive Chronic Care Program. You heard about our efforts to help patients in need of surgery and specialty care. You responded, and watched us build a network of 
local referral partnerships while also providing one-on-one, community-based follow-up to our patients. You asked what our plans were for addressing public health issues, and encouraged us as we undertook research studies and illness prevention initiatives that enable us to make a long-term impact. None of this has been easy, nor will the path forward be perfect — but, together with the people we serve and partner with, we are fulfilling the trust we earn.
There is such a need to make a difference in this world, and I hope that you are all able to give to a cause that you are truly passionate about this holiday season. If you have followed our work this year, and believe in our dedication to improving community health alongside people affected by poverty, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to HHI. Your solidarity has made our impact possible. Thank you for continuing to walk with us on our journey in the Dominican Republic.
With gratitude and sincere wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Laura
Your donation helps to build a new vision of health in the Dominican Republic ~ this holiday season and beyond.
Checks may be mailed to: 
Health Horizons International
c/o Community Health Program, Tufts University
112 Packard Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
Donations may also be made online by clicking the button below. Please note that PayPal retains a 3% transaction fee.
Thank you for believing in our cause.
To learn more about the impact your gift makes, please click here to download our 2011 Annual Progress Report, or click here to view it online.
HHI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
[...] learn how you can help HHI continue our important work in 2012, please read this special holiday wish from our Executive Director, Laura. Your year-end gift will help us make an even greater impact [...]