Tiburon couple’s mission trips support health, education in Haiti

Tiburon resident Bill Tiedje (right) assists a dentist while on a mission trip to Haiti with Hands Together for Haitians, a nonprofit focused on improving the health and education of communities of the Caribbean country. Bill and his wife, Dina, have volunteered for four service missions to Haiti since 2015. (Via Bill Tiedje)

Bill and Dina Tiedje say their first visit to Haiti as volunteers on a medical mission trip seven years ago forever changed their perspective on life. “It is a very humbling experience to be in Haiti for a short period of time and have to leave when you know that the people are living without the basic components of life,” says Dina, 65.

They say that trip made them appreciate all they have in Tiburon — and sparked a desire to give back. “We feel we need to do something for those that have less,” says Bill, 77.

Including that trip, the couple has been to Haiti four times since 2015 as part of their volunteer work with Hands Together for Haitians, where Bill serves on the board of directors. The organization works in the U.S. to assist the Haitian immigrant population with the transition, and works in Haiti to build sustainable programs to support those who suffer from a lack of adequate nutrition, clean water, health care, education, employment and social programs.

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