Haiti Our Projects
Haiti
Prayer on the mountainside
Protected from the muck of the slum
Unprepared, unsuspecting down the hill we descend
Into the scene of choking dust, open sewers,
and the many, many children of God….
Life with hope
That one day there will be a dry floor,
A clean glass of water,
a pair of shoes, a banana, an orange or school.
Author unknown
We pray that one day the hopes and dreams of the children of Haiti will be realized. We at St. Maurice, with the help of God, are helping to alleviate the suffering. As was reported last week, the container on our property was filled two thirds of the way with supplies to be shipped to Haiti through Cross International. A heartfelt “thank you” to all who contributed their time, and treasure to accomplish this project.
There was an article in the February 5th edition of the Miami Herald entitled “For Orphans a life of neglect and pain.” Six little boys eating large bowls of oatmeal at the Good Shepherd Home were pictured. This is one of our Hunger Program’s projects in Port au Prince. Father Luc Jolicoeur, the onsite coordinator is quoted as saying, “The government must care for the children.” According to Father Luc, no one from the government has ever visited the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd Orphanage. It is a blessing that dedicated people like Father Luc are willing to assume the responsibility of the care of these orphaned and abandoned children.
We have been attempting to discover the status of our seven projects in Haiti. Marlene Mathurin, the project leader for the At Risk Children’s Foundation traveled to Haiti on the day of the earthquake. This project has two locations, one orphanage is in Cape Rouge and the other in Cayes, they are both in southern Haiti. Marlene is safe, but has the sad news to report that three are dead, and others missing. Bishop Joseph Lafontant, of our Morning Bread project, has assumed a leadership role in Haiti after the death of the archbishop and vicar general. He is quoted as saying, “As for material things, we can rebuild, but in lives- the archdiocese has suffered.” Father Glenn Meaux, coordinator of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Project in Kobonal reports that all are safe, and that only tremors were felt in their area. He is preparing for an influx of refugees from Port au Prince. I contacted Sister Pat Downs, coordinator of the Ferrier Elderly Nutrition Program, and she was happy to report that all are well. Four Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament were in Port au Prince at the medical school when the quake hit, but they all survived. The school feeding program at St. Joseph’s School in Limbe is preparing to resume, even though there is no electricity. At this point in time, we have not been able to determine the status of the Notre Dame Parish Feeding Program in Port au Prince.
We keep these suffering people in our thoughts and prayers. This is their Good Friday, may they experience the joy of Resurrection.
The Board of Directors of the Hunger Program
Haiti is in crisis. It is hard to imagine saying that its crisis has deepened, but it has! The number of dead as a result of the earthquake has risen to over 230,000 and people, especially children, are dying of diarrhea. The crisis seems to be growing ever deeper.
During this time of special need, the St. Maurice family has reacted with its usual speed and generosity. St. Maurice filled a 40’ container with many necessities. Family and friends donated items such as water, medicine, food, blankets , quilts, towels, juice, bleach, charcoal, wheel chairs, crutches, and many other products. They were shipped to Haiti for distribution. St. Maurice raised $3300.00 towards the shipping costs.
At the best of times, Haiti is a nation in crisis. St. Maurice has been involved in dealing with human need for food and drink in Haiti through our Hunger Program for many years.
St. Maurice supports 7 projects in Haiti. Most projects involve feeding people, especially the young and the elderly. The Hunger Program contributes money that supports the project. The Hunger Program assigns a project leader for each project.
Here is the list of the names of the projects, the location of each, the name of the group providing the service and the St. Maurice Hunger Program project leaders for each. There is a brief description of the project.
Project Leader: Marlene Mathurin
This orphanage cares for about 45 children. It gets funds to assist in buying food.
Port au Prince Service Provider: Little Brothers
Project Leader: Shel McCartney
The project provides shelter to approximately 160 boys who would otherwise be on the streets. It also provides 500 others with a meal each day.
Limbe ServiceProvider: St. Joseph School
Project Leader: Ramona Rung
This school has 891 students. The Hunger Program funds a portion of the lunches.
Port au Prince Service Provider: Pain du Matin
Project Leaders: Marilyn Hogarth Therese Katende
This project provides poor families with a daily voucher for a bag of bread.
Port au Prince Service Provider: Terre Rouge Lunch
Program
Project Leader: Ellen Volpicella
This project provides a hot lunch for 500 children
Kobanal Service Provider: OLHT Mission
Project Leader: Barbara Faticone
This project provides 110 families with 3 meals a day.
Ferrier Service Provider: St. Vincent de Paul
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
Project Leader: Mary Becconssal
This project provides a hot lunch to each senior who comes to the center.
At this time we are not sure about what is happening with some of the projects that the Hunger Program supports.
May the Lord have mercy on this long suffering faith filled people!
