Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

What started as a learning opportunity, became so much more.

In January 1986, Ray Wyrzykowski and John Barnfield, two Sarnia neighbours, led 28 people from Sarnia to Haiti.

Rayjon Share Care, a Sarnia-Lambton based non-profit was born. The founders have passed away – Wyrzykowski in 1989 and Barnfield, just last January – but their legacy lives on.

Rayjon Share Care Executive Director Allison Kingston said the two men wanted to help the people of Haiti and later expanded their work to the Dominican Republic.

Over the last 40 years, Rayjon Share Care has continued to make an impact.

Over 6,500 primary school students have received an education, over 2,000 adults have become literate, over 400 women entrepreneurs have accessed small loans to grow their businesses, over 23,400 prescription glasses have been given to people in need, over 1,800 students at all levels have received tuition support, over 1,750 malnourished children have received life-saving treatments and over 5,000 Canadians – the vast majority from Sarnia-Lambton – have visited Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

In the beginning , Rayjon Share Care had received financial support from government. That has decreased over time. The non-
profit has pivoted during its last 15 years by forming partnerships in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to carry on the humanitarian work.

Those partners have included Rayjon Share Care Haiti and the Centre for Nutrition and Education of Women and Children both in Haiti. Rayjon Share Care Haiti was developed and nurtured by the Rayjon Share Care organization in Sarnia-Lambton and now is a stand-alone entity.

There has also been the strengthening of the Women’s Federation of Saint-Marc, which helped develop a mill and numerous other community activities.

Three partner organizations exist all in Consuela, Dominican Republic including Social and Cultural Development Plan for the Bateyes, Scalabrinic Association in the Service of Human Mobility and PUENTE, which means bridge in Spanish.

As for whether she thinks those who were involved with Rayjon Share Care would be surprised the non-profit is now set to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Kingston said, “There is always the hope it would be here forever.”

The organization now boasts 150 volunteers with a full-time and a part-time staff member. The vast majority of volunteers are from Sarnia-Lambton are involved in fundraising.

As for what the legacy of Rayjon Share Care might be, Kingston said this is two fold. First volunteers have a better understanding of the world around them. Secondly, a mother in Haiti or the Dominican Republic has learned to read, is helping her own children to do well in school while also taking out a micro loan to start her own business. “It is hard to measure happiness,” said Kingston, but she is excited Rayjon has had an impact.

An open house is planned June 18 at the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club from 4:30 to 8:30 pm.