Retired Canadian Anne Fowler has been working as a volunteer in Honduras since 1993 when she first participated in a brigade with Medical Ministry International (MMI).
In 2001 she left behind a thirty five year career in Human Resources and moved to the Honduran city of El Progreso. From 2001-2005, she volunteered six months each year with CCSHH eye/dental clinic where care is provided for those patients who lack the funds needed to be treated elsewhere. During this time Anne developed the Visiting Doctor program for international ophthalmologists, started the Healthy Living Education project in elementary schools and helped with a variety of clinic and community activities. In 2006 she moved to a small north coast village where she constructed Hamilton Benest House, a residence named in memory of her parents Audrey & Stewart Hamilton and her aunt, Eleanor Hamilton Benest. The house provides accommodation for visiting dentists, doctors, teachers and other volunteers.
HLE and VDr programs are thriving in both El Progreso and the new location of El Porvenir. Anne continues to develop new community initiatives and strives to make the lives of the Honduran poor "a little better". She divides the year between Honduras and her Haliburton cottage north of Toronto.
Anne has been a primary contact for Ames Morning Club Rotarian Dean Harms. Dean is a retired ophthalmologist who travels each year to El Porvenir where he organizes vision screening clinics, dispensing glasses and medications to the poor of the area.
Under Anne's leadership, funds have been raised to build a elementary school library in El Porvenir. Our club has provided financial support for the library. Anne is our liaison with the La Ceiba Rotary Club, our partner club on this project.
Anne was elected to honorary membership in in the Ames Morning Rotary Club in October 2008.
Click HERE to request more information from Anne about her work in the Honduras.
