Members of a Canadian Humanitarian-based Organization, International HOPE, arrived in St. Vincent on Monday February 13. Primarily intending to enjoy the sun, sea and sands of this tropical paradise, the team will visit hospitals, clinics, children’s wards and the nursing school as guests of the Ministry of Health.

Val McIntyre, lab technologist and president elect of International HOPE, is accompanied by her husband, Don, a United Church minister; Donna Dunford, a senior nurse and husband, Dave, director of transportation at International HOPE; Roma Maconachie, an occupational therapist, and Trudy Streeter, a retired nurse. {{more}}They bring medical supplies and gifts to donate to hospitals, especially children’s wards, throughout the State.

Over the past two years, this organization has donated in excess of $2 million worth of medical supplies to the State. Heart monitors, beds, bassinets, wheel chairs, walkers and all-purpose antibiotics were among the plethora of supplies that came to us in 40 ft containers.

McIntyre praised the work done by Byron Jones, of Union Island, now living in Canada, for his efforts in acquiring these supplies for St Vincent and the Grenadines. She further commented that “Of all the countries that this organization has provided support to, SVG has demonstrated the greatest transparency, in distributing all supplies to its citizens”. Pleased with our work, she added that “this visit will provide International HOPE with the opportunity to identify areas where we can provide further assistance to the people of St. Vincent”.

The team will visit several centres including Union Island, Mesopotamia and Georgetown. Above all, it will take time to enjoy the pristine waters and white sandy beaches of the Grenadines and the flora, fauna and hospitality of this Caribbean paradise.