Partnerships like the one between Belmont and LiveBeyond allow that to happen by bringing the reality of our world to campus and allowing them to find a way to make a difference for those with the greatest need.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) February 13, 2014
Nashville’s Belmont University is sending faculty and staff to LiveBeyond to discover how students from their respective departments can align their skills, talents and studies with the organization’s mission of serving the people in and around Thomazeau, Haiti. Trip members include deans and professors from Belmont’s School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, School of Occupational Therapy, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Religion and the Assistant Provost, Interdisciplinary Studies & Global Education.
During their visit, Belmont Staff will learn about LiveBeyond’s multi-faceted operation designed to provide long-term sustainability within the community through medical programs, education and jobs that directly involve Haitians. Belmont University Provost Dr. Thomas Burns says, “Our students come to Belmont to find ways to engage and transform our world. Partnerships like the one between Belmont and LiveBeyond allow that to happen by bringing the reality of our world to campus and allowing them to find a way to make a difference for those with the greatest need.”
The partnership between LiveBeyond and Belmont University commenced in May of 2013. It was at that time Belmont invited LiveBeyond to base their U.S. Operations at the University's campus. The union is a natural fit, as both organizations are Christian based and endeavor to serve those living amongst poverty and despair.
LiveBeyond, formerly known as MMDR, was developed in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina. CEO and founder, Dr. David Vanderpool, has redirected the vision and mission to focus on Haiti after spending time there following the 2010 earthquake. Today, LiveBeyond's Haiti base resides on 64 acres in the region of Thomazeau, approximately 25 miles northeast of Port Au Prince. There are numerous NGOs operating in Haiti today, most focusing on a single aspect of Haiti’s needs. By contrast, LiveBeyond’s scope of vision encompasses medical care, nutrition, maternal health, orphan care, education development, community development and infrastructure, agriculture and demonstration farms, clean water projects and community outreach visits to those with special needs and/or disabilities. Within each of these ministries, LiveBeyond provides hope and prayer to the people of Haiti. In their mission statement LiveBeyond is defined as “an organization that chooses to Live Beyond… ourselves, our culture, our borders & this life so that others can Live Beyond… disease, hunger, poverty & despair.”
Belmont University is a student-centered Christian community with a high emphasis on both academics and spiritual maturity. Their purpose is to ensure that each student maximizes his or her talents and applies them in community service. Belmont has over 6,900 students from every state and over 25 different countries. In 2012, students and staff served over 243,000 hours of community service. Belmont’s mission statement describes them as a “student-centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.” Belmont was recently ranked No. 7 in the Regional Universities South category and recognized as an “Up-and-Comer” university by U.S. News & World Report for the 6th consecutive year.