Our Partnerships




    Our Partnerships


    A special thanks to the medical staff that participated in the medical fairs held in Gressier. We express our joy and satisfaction for a job well done in the two day events. In a spirit of aid and assistance as well as solidarity, you have spent all your efforts sharing experiences with our brothers and sisters of the region, as well as to bring hope and comfort to the population searching for primary healthcare.




    Acts of the CAGH/COLIDEG Coalition


    Healthcare


    The first actions resulting from the union of the two associations was seen with the organization of a 4-day medical fair, held every year for three consecutive years, which included the distribution of free medication to all the patients...
    Arts and Culture


    Once Upon A Time in Gressier is a page of history that we are making known to the younger generations of Gressier. It speaks of the manners and habits of our ancestors. Indeed, they passed down the importance of traditional values, which were centered on respect, morality and solidarity.


    The majority of our ancestors could neither read nor write, but they had in common...

We would also like to thank Rev. Jean Max Lamour for his medical advice, as well as his personal appearance and devotion in making the fair a great success. We would also like to recognize Representative Jean Ronald Oscar and the Mayor for their encouragement and moral support.


There are others that have our gratitude; the AGIR, the kitchen workers, the pharmacy technicians, and so many others that contributed to this event.


The organization of CAGH and its coalitions.

In regards to athletics, the coalition encouraged young people to develop an enthusiasm for sports activities, especially soccer, throughout the region by organizing a championship tournament during summer vacation. To gain further interest, the finalists each received a trophy and a cash prize. Equipment, uniforms and balls were donated to the Gressier Soccer Team for the interregional matches.


Seminars were also organized for the educational boards of Gressier and the surrounding areas in order to contribute to the renovation of the National School of Gressier. These efforts were directed towards improved management of human resources, not to mention the participation of these associations in various social and cultural events.


Education and Development


As the basis of their action plan, the members believe that the training and education of youth must be the driving force of a country's development. Therefore, as part of training seminars for teachers and principals, the coalition sought to concentrate their energy and resources into creating an educational center where courses can be taught (i.e., electricity and woodworking trades, as well as data processing) to the young people of Gressier through a network of professionals. With this in mind, they have combined their efforts to build a Development Center for Socio-Educational and Vocational Training.


This first stage of the global project resulted in the construction of a 220 square foot building, which will house a library of 72 square feet, a classroom for vocational training and computer classes. The first phase of the project is complete; however there is much work to be done in order for it to be functional, so that the center can serve the population of Gressier.


Financial Support


Our organization thrives solely on the generosity of private individuals, associations, foundations and businesses, so that we can fulfill our humanitarian mission.


All donations have been devoted to the aforementioned projects. As a result, all administrative costs have been absorbed by CAGH, while ensuring that the people of Gressier receive the fullest measure of assistance possible.


By clarifying that your contribution is used wherever it is most needed, you allow us to strengthen the long-term issues that are vital to the vulnerable people of Gressier, and respond to emergencies that do not receive widespread attention. We are committed to being accountable and transparent in our dealings.

...the gift of organization and business management skills. Agriculture was one of their trades. Apart from their regular professions, such as tailors, shoemakers and carpenters, they were also farmers, and they practiced breeding animals, which enabled them to care for their families. They were not educated, yet they could choose which period of the year they could plant seeds, by observing the movement and size of the moon. This empirical method allowed them to predict with certainty when there would be an abundance of rain. Consequently they organized themselves, in one day of cooperative work, to plow the ground and plant seeds. This day of hard work was proceeded in an atmosphere of delight and fraternity. Work was organized, and tasks were distributed in a way to maximize the output. They ate, drank and worked together in an assiduous way in order to finish in one day, with what would normally take several days.


Rara


Rara is a traditional musical group. They only used instruments, like drums, bugles, and even a conch shell to sound out the gathering. Rara would take place during the Lent season, but especially during Holy Week, specifically on Good Friday, Holy Saturday (also known as "blessed water"), and Easter Sunday. It was a really big deal in Gressier. All of the Rara scenes can't be described here, but we would like to introduce some of the characters who were part of the organization, and whose mission was to lead Rara to its destination. They were the Empress, the Sambas, the Colonel of Rara, the Jugglers, and the President.


Before the exit of Rara, there was an introductory ceremony which took place to "beseech the spirits". Thus, the Empress began a preliminary exercise called "Loaded Feet", during which children and the elderly who could not follow the Rara course could walk in a circle while dancing.


The Sambas played an important role, which was to accompany the musicians in folk songs. They were depended upon to bring the animation throughout the Rara course. As for the Colonel of Rara, he was in front of the crowd with a whip, making a clicking sound to rhythmically lead the band of Rara, so that the participants wouldn't feel tired along the way. The Jugglers were the most popular characters, since eyes were on them for their displays and acrobatics with an aluminum stick. Lastly, the President of Rara, mounted on his horse decorated with many colors, would announce the direction of the course, and he also instructed which courtyard the Rara would appear for a séance of animation. The séances were often rewarded by tips, which were given to the Jugglers and the President of Rara.