The December 2004 slaying of a University of Notre Dame student who also was working in the Universitys Haiti Program has prompted the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a scholarship program in his honor.

Jean Joseph Dorvil was a Haitian native who was pursuing a graduate degree in Notre Dames master of science in administration program while serving as an administrator for the Universitys program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) inHaiti. He was killed by Haitian rebel insurgents nearPort-au-Price,Haiti, in December.

The Gates Foundation has established a $175,000 Jean Joseph Dorvil Award that will support scholarships for students of Haitian descent seeking Notre Dame degrees or participating in various University educational initiatives.

The Notre Dame Haiti Program to eliminate LF is primarily funded by the Gates Foundation. LF, better known as elephantiasis, damages the lymph system causing grotesque disfiguration affecting limbs, breast, genitals and the urinary system. More than 2 million of the 8.3 million residents ofHaitiare infected with the mosquito-borne parasitic worms that cause LF.

The Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation works to promote greater equity in four areas: global health, education, public libraries, and support for at-risk families inWashingtonstate andOregon. The foundation is led by Bill Gatesfather, William H. Gates Sr., and Patty Stonesifer.

TopicID: 12284