2008 Speeches
Dedication of Abby's House Dormitory in Memory of Ms. Abigail Drake Brinkman, Medical Student, Indiana University School of Medicine (November 16, 2008)
Abby's House Dormitory
Hillside Clinic
Punta Gorda, Toledo District
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great privilege to be here on behalf of the United States Embassy to honor Abigail “Abby” Brinkman with today’s dedication of Abby’s House in her memory.
Abby’s house will provide much improved living facilities for Hillside Health Care’s volunteers as they continue their work providing health care to people from the rural areas of the Toledo district and is a tremendous addition to the Toledo community.
Abigail Brinkman was a dedicated medical student completing a volunteer rotation here at Hillside Clinic in October 2005. A vibrant, gifted and caring young person, Abby’s life-long dream was to become a pediatrician and to devote part of each year to mission work in underserved parts of the world.
The construction of this building is a result of long effort and the desire of Abby’s family and friends to improve the lives of the people of Toledo who Abby so loved.
I congratulate the Brinkman family, the Rotary Club of Columbus, Indiana, the Brinkman’s family church in Indiana and everyone who contributed who contributed to make this facility possible.
It is through your vision and your work for the benefit of the people of Belize that Abby’s House has been built and will carry forward Abby’s good work and that of other medical volunteers.
It is a testament that will carry forward Abby’s dream and will be a long-standing reminder of the compassion and commitment that was hers.
I am especially moved by the fact that out of tragedy you were able to reaffirm the message of hope and compassion that was Abby’s and bring it to fruition in this worthy project.
I encourage all who will use this facility in the days, and months, and years to come to continue in Abby’s name her exemplary spirit of volunteerism and service to the people of Belize.
Again, I am honored to be here to take part in this dedication.
Thank you.