Lawyer and businessman François Marland has a more than atypical background. Indeed, he has practiced different professions, from law to business management, not to mention psychotherapy and book writing. One can say without hesitation that his career is out of the ordinary. But for more than ten years now, the former lawyer has decided to devote himself to humanitarian causes, particularly in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A look back at the adventures of this French businessman.
Law and business
François Marland began his career by obtaining the Certificat d’aptitude à la profession d’avocat (CAPA) in 1979. He then started as a lawyer in Paris, and at the same time taught civil and social law. But after eight years of practice, he discovered a real attraction for business. This is how he decided to take over declining companies. He began with the takeover of the company Elmetherm, which specialises in the manufacture of industrial furnaces. After a first step into the industry, the former lawyer founded his own group, called Marland Distribution. This group is mainly specialised in the large-scale distribution of food products. Following this, he bought several well-known groups in this field, until he owned more than 2,000 medium-sized and large supermarkets throughout France.
A return to his first passions
In the 2000s, after a long time spent in business, the businessman finally decided to return to his original profession by practicing as a lawyer again. Between Paris and Brussels, the lawyer resumed his duties, leaving behind him an empire of French mass distribution. At the same time, François Marland takes a close interest in psychotherapy through his father Serge Marland, an eminent paediatrician and psychologist. In addition to having written a book with his father on the subject of child psychology, he conducted sessions and conferences related to psychotherapy for many years.
A growing interest in humanitarian causes
After juggling his various professions, François Marland is seriously considering setting up a humanitarian project. Thus, in 2006, he created a foundation called “Sonrisa de Niño” with the help of his brother Jean-Maurice. This humanitarian association decided to help underprivileged or orphaned children living in the Dominican Republic. The former businessman then undertakes the financing and construction of a centre dedicated to these children in Santo Domingo. Thanks to this centre, which is still in operation, many children and teenagers have had the opportunity to grow up in a family environment thanks to the presence of competent educators and support staff. Moreover, they have all been able to benefit from a real education, going to school every day. Since the creation of the foundation, the children have grown up well and some of them will soon continue their studies at the university with the support of the foundation.
Medical support in Haiti
Alongside his humanitarian project in the Dominican Republic, François Marland has also decided to take an interest in the humanitarian cause in Haiti. Indeed, he chose to finance two community dispensaries. One of the centres is located in Médor, while the other is in Pérodin. These two dispensaries have been set up in strategic areas because nearly half of the country’s overall population still does not have access to medical care. Thus, since 2012, the former businessman has undertaken to finance part of the care provided in these two centres. The financing of these centres contributes greatly to improving the health status of the local inhabitants. The centres are able to intervene with both children and adults.
A great need for medical assistance in the dispensaries
As a result of the many disasters that have struck the country, Haitians have seen their access to health care reduced and the number of illnesses and health problems increase. Thus, in the two dispensaries, financially supported by François Marland, health professionals are acting at several levels. The two dispensaries treat the same problems overall.
Help with prevention
First of all, there is a preventive dimension, which essentially concerns children. This involves monitoring their development and growth, in particular through regular weighing. Children also benefit from several vaccinations. Finally, health professionals endeavour to educate them about hygiene measures to be adopted.
Help with purification
The second dimension concerns the curative aspect of the Haitians who go to the dispensaries. Many come with illnesses or health concerns for which they do not receive any care. When they go to the dispensaries in Médor or Pérodin, they are welcomed. Health professionals are then able to make a diagnosis and treat them accordingly. They provide the necessary medicines and care to each patient.
Help in the treatment of cholera
The real scourge affecting a large part of the population is cholera. Indeed, cholera cases have multiplied since the 2010 earthquake. Before that date, the country was not affected by this terrible disease. Now many Haitians die from it every year. And without proper care, people living near Médor and Pérodin would be even more affected.
Aid linked to several mosquito-borne diseases
Unfortunately, according to François Marland, cholera is not the only disease that has plagued many Haitians for several years. Indeed, following the numerous natural disasters that have struck Haiti, it has caused a wide spread of disease. This is mainly due to the living conditions of Haitians, which have largely deteriorated due to hurricanes and earthquakes. With hygiene restrictions and damaged houses, many Haitians have been hit by diseases. On the one hand, dengue fever affects part of the population, in particular because of its viral nature. It is transmitted by mosquito bites and can cause serious health consequences. On the other hand, malaria, also known as malaria, is also transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause serious health problems. Both diseases require protection with mosquito repellent and by wearing clothing that covers the skin as well as possible. Finally, the chikungunya and zika viruses are both serious diseases that are also transmitted by mosquitoes. They can lead to a severe flu-like condition, which can have serious repercussions on the health of those affected. This is why it is essential to support Haitians in the face of a lack of information and awareness about these various diseases.
In total, it is estimated that the two clinics provide access to basic care for more than 30,000 people. In addition, more than 25,000 consultations are carried out each year.
State of education in the Dominican Republic
First of all, it is important to know that education is compulsory in the Dominican Republic. It concerns children between the ages of 7 and 14. Initially, education is free in this country. However, it is still necessary for families to pay for certain expenses related to education, including the purchase of school supplies and the uniform, which is compulsory to go to school. While in urban areas access to education is almost universal and almost all children attend school every day, this is not necessarily the case in rural areas. Indeed, schooling for children in sparsely populated areas is much more complex. Generally, rural areas are poorer, so many families are unable to send their children to school because of the costs involved.
Conversely, wealthier families do not support public schools and prefer private schools. According to these families, public schools do not guarantee a complete and rigorous education. The presence of private schools is therefore important and their costs can be as high as nearly US$6,000 per year.
The reason why wealthy families encourage private schooling mainly concerns the level in public schools remains very low. One reason for this is the limited number of hours of instruction children receive each day. Families have the choice between morning and afternoon schooling. In addition, the level of qualification of teachers is relatively low, with low salaries.
Why, according to François Marland, is it necessary to support the cause of children in the Dominican Republic?
Education is, in every country, a key element of economic and social development. In the case of the Dominican Republic, the government is trying to increase its budget and to take this subject very seriously. Indeed, while in 2012 the Dominican government allocated 2.2% of its GDP to education, this figure is increasing year after year until it reaches more than 4.65% of GDP in 2018. In addition, the school enrolment rate of Dominican children is gradually increasing. Twenty years ago, only 83 per cent of children were enrolled in primary school, and only 39 per cent went on to secondary school. Today, more than 90 per cent of children attend primary school and 67 per cent continue on to secondary school. In addition, a real skills problem was observed with regard to teachers, who were previously very poorly trained. Today the curriculum has been revised and teachers are better trained. Unfortunately, some problems related to education persist. Indeed, even though school was compulsory and free, families had to pay for school uniforms and supplies. Thus, many non-profit associations and foundations, such as Sonrisa de Niño, help disadvantaged families to enable children to attend school.
In your opinion, François Marland, why do you support access to healthcare in Haiti?
Following the natural disasters that have affected the country over the last ten years, the medical situation has deteriorated significantly. Indeed, there are many diseases that affect the Haitian population, such as tuberculosis, measles, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and polio. But the disease that affects a large part of the population is cholera. There were no cases of cholera in the country before the terrible earthquake of 2010. Since then, the government has been working to strengthen the vaccination of local populations and promote awareness of hygiene and nutrition practices. As a result, many non-profit organizations are taking action on a daily basis to support the government in these efforts. This is notably the case of the two dispensaries, partly financed by François Marland, which are working to teach basic hygiene rules to the people present in the dispensaries. In addition, they also carry out vaccination campaigns in Médor, Pérodin and other more remote areas of the region.
What are the causes supported by François Marland?
The former lawyer and businessman has made the decision, during his career, to support many humanitarian causes. Indeed, since the beginning of the 2000s, François Marland has chosen to get personally involved in various charities. He is particularly sensitive to the cause of education and children in developing countries. Thus, he has set up several projects capable of contributing to a better access to education and an improved quality of life for children living in countries such as the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
What actions have been carried out by François Marland in the humanitarian field?
François Marland’s involvement in charitable actions is divided into different projects. On the one hand, he founded, with the help of his brother, a foundation called “Sonrisa de Niño”. They wished to bring social and financial aid to children, mostly orphans or underprivileged, living in the Dominican Republic. The two brothers have built a centre in Santo Domingo capable of welcoming these children in difficulty in order to offer them schooling and a better quality of life. On the other hand, François Marland has also participated in the financing of several dispensaries in the towns of Médor and Pérodin, situated in Haiti. These centres essentially provide access to healthcare for people in very precarious situations.
