HAITIHow can You Make a Difference ?

Reverend

Fernande S. Pierre-Louis

Haiti

• Official Name: Republic of Haiti• Location: the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies

in the Caribbean Sea• Area: 27,750km2 / 10,712m2 • Population: 10 million (pre-2009 estimate) 80% of Haitians live in poverty• Capital: Port-au-Prince• Chief Towns: Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, Gonaïves, Les Cayes, Jacmel,

Jérémie, Hinche, Frt-Liberté• Currency: 1 Gourde (G, Gde)• Languages: French, Creole Haiti is mainly Creole, but 1 out of every 10 Haitians speak French

• Climate Tropical maritime

Average monthly temperatures 240 C – 290 C (800 F and 900F) Wet Season: May – September Hurricanes are common

A Geography Lesson

Haiti History

• The First recorded settlements in the islands date from 2500 BCE

• The Tainos from Venezuela arrive on the island 700 CE

• Hispaniola “discovered”by Christopher Columbus in 1492 when he arrives in the “New World”

• The first Africans were brought to Hispaniola in 1503

• There is almost complete Decimation of the Taino population by 1550-1600

• France took over western third of the island in 1697 and with an intense slave labor, Haiti was considered between 1697 – 1790 as the “King Sugar” and “The Pearl of the Antilles”

• The “Slave” rebellions begin around 1751

Historians report that in 1778 the “Volontaires de Saint-Domingue” fight in the American revolutionary War, in Savannah, Georgia.

• 1791-1804 Haitian Revolution, the only successful slave revolution in the New World

People of color (mulattoes) had joined the slave rebellions

Haiti History

• 1804 Haitian Independence declared • Haiti had an Emperor until 1806 then it became a Republic• 1822-1844 Haiti was united with Santo Domingo (Dominican

Republic)• 1915-1934 Haiti under US occupation• 1957 – 1986 Haiti under absolute power of Duvalier family• 1990 – 2010

– Jean-Bertrand Aristide, René Préval elected president but violence, political unstability, division continue to afflict the impoverished nation

• January 12th, 2010 Catastrophic earthquake killed more than 250.000 people and plunged the country in more chaos and more poverty

Haiti

• President elected by popular vote for a five-year term• Prime Minister appointed by the President• Cabinet chosen by the Prime Minister in consultation

with the President

• We have a president named Michel Martelly. • The type of government is a Republic.

Government

Haiti

• Haiti is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the hemisphere, and one of the poorest in the world

• Economy has historically been mostly based on agriculture but the recent struggle have seriously handicapped this sector as well

• Many plantations that grew coffee, sugar, sisal, rice, bananas, corn, sorghum, cocoa, mangoes have disappeared !

• Other industries included in the past flour milling, cement, light assembly industries, lobster fishing, tourism are also struggling !

• This is because they do not have good arable land and other human resources and also because people say that corruption has been widespread !

Economy

Haiti• Even before the 2010 earthquake, Haiti was

recognised as the poorest country in the Americas• The poverty wosened and an outbreak of CHOLERA

last year made the situation mnore complicated • 50% of the population are illiterate• Many people live in slums• Many children are forced into slavery, working as

unpaid servants

• Haiti survives essentially on Foreign Aid!

Poverty

Haiti Religion

• Some Haitians practice vodoo but the official religion of the country is Roman Catholic

• The Episcopal church was introduced in Haiti by the Right Rev. Bishop James Theodore Holly In 1861.

• Today it works under the guidance of the Bishop of Haiti, The Right Rev. Bishop Jean Zache Duracin

• Their contribution to Haiti through the years has been enormous in diverse sectors: education, art , health …

Haiti Episcopal Church• The Executive Council formed by the archdeacons, the chairmen of the

different diocesan permanent and especial comities lay person and the Directors of the diocesan institutions help take decisions and ensure the respect of the resolutions taken during diocesan Synod.

• Each parish or organized mission is under the supervision of the priest in charge nominated by the Bishop of the diocese. The Chapter of the church helps the priest in charge in his work and the administrative duties.

• Almost all the organized missions have many associations in order to have active members who engage themselves in the mission , because everyone has to practice his or her ministry: Women, men, youth, children, scout, acolyte, choirs, almost all the churches have parish choir, children choir, parents choir, women choir , men choir, children choir , teachers of Sunday school…

• The important diocesan institution are: Seminary of Theology, Holy Trinity School, Holy Trinity Music, BTI, School, Holy Trinity Trade School, College St Pierre, CEDISEC, College St Martin de Tours, Hopital Sainte Croix, Centre de Saint Barnabas,…

Haiti• January 12th 2010 an

earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale strikes Haiti and devastates the capital Port-au-Prince as well as other towns

• More than 250,000 people believed to have been killed

• 3 million people affected by the earthquake

Earthquake

Earthquake horror

Earthly treasure becomes true treasure when it helps transform lives through the Gospel of Jesus-Christ

PEOPLE ARE THE HEART OF EVERYTHING

• The world, the USA, YOU responded with extraordinary generosity and compassion

• The international community collected funds which have yet to be utilized due to political unrest

• The earthquake may be more than 2 years old but the problems persist

• The level of desperation is so deep that many families have simply decided that education is simply not worth it

• We still need help

How can you make a Difference?

Everywhere there is something to do for people who need help.

After the earthquake

• In April 2010, after the earthquake, we kept working with faith and courage by the grace of God, your support and despite the non-ideal conditions

• The conditions are difficult (no reliable electricity, no cafeteria, no library, no computer, no lab, no food for the students, lack of space crowded class room with 75 to 80 children)

• The earthquake destroyed all the infrastructures that we had for the canteen program (cafeteria, tables, and kitchen).

• During the months of August and September 2010 (academic year 2010-2011), we added seven new classrooms including additional space to serve as temporary lab and library and a new space for Kindergarten.

• we are trying not to abandon the children.

• We can’t give up, we have to accomplish our mission, God’s mission.

Matthew 25, 33-40

• “I was hungry, you gave me food, thirsty you gave me water, I was a stranger you welcomed me at your home, I was naked and you clothed me, I was in prison, you visited me, I was sick, you took care of me. They asked, when did we make all these things for you? And the king answered and declared: Every time you did it for the little who is my brother / sister, you did it for me.”

• In the context of the world or Haiti, we can make a difference.

• The love of God is expressed through the mission and ministries of the partnership program in a variety ways, ministries of Education, healthcare, agriculture, music, micro enterprise, nutrition, food, sharing the joy of Christ and the story of the love of God. Partnership is about building relationship.

• We can do many wonderful things together in Christ’s name.

• All that we do, and all that we are, by the grace of God grow out of our inspired hearts which move us to serve.

Making a Difference…

• Changing and transforming people especially the children and the youth.

• We can make a difference with our participation in the education of the children,

because education is after food for survival, the most precious asset of a creature of

God

– When we participate in the education of the children, knowing that qualified

education means a factor of progress, we can try to say we have tried to answer

partially at our mission

• We can make a difference by feeding a hungry child

It is a fact that if you don’t eat, you cannot learn.

• We can make a difference by giving shelter

• Making difference in proclaiming, sharing and living the gospel of Jesus Christ in

words, in gestures and actions of Love

• YOU ARE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE !

Making a Difference…Building a partnership

• Partnership or companionship is only possible between parties which respect each other, while maintaining their individual identities

• In companionship there is no thought of one eclipsing the other’s identity. • Companionship accepts and celebrates the difference and the particularity between the

parties.• An agreed vision is essential • Companions or partners must stay faithful to one another.• Companionship is built on mutual trust and faithful commitment to one and other.• Trust is the bedrock of any relationship. It takes time to build and can be broken in an

instant. • In my opinion, loyalty and honesty create confidence which reinforces trust. • Financial transparency and making decision together are very important .

• Maintaining partnership, because partnership is about relationship and is ongoing and needs careful nurturing.

A Partnership Program

• It serves Haitians and North Americans by giving them a system

through which they can work in confidence, trust, good accountability,

and transparency.

• The love of God is expressed through the mission and ministries of

the Partnership Program in a variety of ways: ministries of education,

healthcare, agriculture, micro enterprise, nutrition, food and clothing,

sharing the joy of Christ, and the Story of the love of God.

• Many ways emerge through which we can accomplish God’s work in

Haiti.

Missions in the diocese of Haiti

• There are many churches or organized Missions in the diocese of

Haiti

• Urban churches

– Ste Croix, (Léogane), Holy Spirit (Cap Haitien), Saint-Sauveur

(Cayes), St Bazile (Gonaives), Resurection (Gros Morne), St

Innocents (Port de Paix), St-Thomas (Arcahaie), St Andre

(Hinche), St Simeon (Croix des Bouquets), St Martin (Delmas),

Ascension (Thor), St Pierre (Mirebalais)…

• Churches in rural area but strong in structures and from the

demographic point of view

• The stations

List of organized missions of Haitian Diocese

• Epiphanie L’Acul• Saint Paul Montrouis• St Marc Jeannette• Ste Croix Taifer• Ascension Thor le Volant• Notre Dame de l’Annonce 4è Avenue Bolosse • Eglise St- Michel Petit Orangers, Léogane • St André Mithon, Léogane• St pierre gros- Morne, Léogane• Annonciation Darbonne• Saint Timothée Château- Gaillard• Saint-Simon et St- Jude Platon Balai• Saint Francoises D’Assise Anse-à-Galets• Saint Barthelemy Nan mango• Saint Esprit Gros-Mangles• Saint Barnabas Lotoré• Saints Innocents Ticotelette• St Jn Baptiste Plaine Mapou• Sainte Croix Nouvelle cité• Sts philippe & Jacques Trou- Jacques• Saint jacques Bois Brulé• SoSt Jean Evangéliste Petit- Harpon• St Simon et St Jude Duny• St Marc Trouin

List of organized missions of Haitian Diocese

• St Etienne Limonade • St Luc Mercery • St Nicolas Nicolas• St Joseph d’Arimathée Jasmin• Paroisse Ste Croix Léogane• Bonne Nouvelle Bigonet• Saint Mathias Délices• Saint-André Cazale• St Thomas Arcahaie• Christ-Roi Léger• St Jean l’evangeliste Jean Dumas  • St Matthias Thomonde• St Matthias Grand Colline• St Matthieu Begin• St Barthelemy Bahot• Saint Luc La Bresilienne (Bainet)• Saint Cyprien Labiche, Cotes de fer• Ascension Bainet• Sainte Marie madeleine Bondeau Miragoane• Saint-Paul Chevalier Nippes• Saint Sacrement Fonds Parisien• Transfiguration Gorman• St Esprit Cap Haitien• Notre Dame Molas• St Siméon Croix des Bouquets• Saint Alban Crochu (Bouzi)• Saint Marc Lilavois• Saint-Andre Hinche• Saint-Patrick Locorbe• St Luc Asile • St Joseph Embouchure• St Etienne Buteau

List of organized missions of Haitian Diocese

• St Esprit Cap Haitien• Notre Dame Molas• St Siméon Croix des Bouquets• Saint Alban Crochu (Bouzi)• Saint Marc Lilavois• Saint-Andre Hinche• Saint-Patrick Locorbe• St Luc Asile • St Joseph Embouchure• St Etienne Buteau • Les Saints Inocents Port- de paix• Saint Aidan Ile de la Tortue)• Saint jacques Morne Rosette • Saint Martin de Tours Delmas • Saint Matthieu Mathieu/Leogane• Ste Marguerite Latournelle• Saint Jean Baptiste Jeanjean• Saint Thomas Dumal/ aux parques• Saint Barthelmy Campan • St Jacques Petit Boucan• Saint Augustin Maniche (Cayes)• Saint Jean baptiste Savanette (Cayes) • Saint Sauveur Cayes

Stations of Episcopal Church in Haiti and different responsible Priests•• Rév. P. Accimé Max• St luc – ossée, Petite rivière de l’Artibonite• Rév. P. Ais Jean Nesly • Transfiguration, Chansolme• Rév. P. Lozama Abiade• St. Jacques Lindor•• Rév. P. Alexandre Soner• Rév. P. Auguste Pierre• Bon Berger, Danot• Rév. P. Beauvoir Jean Jonas• Station St Patrick, Tom Gateau• Vén. Bernier Noé• Christ Roi, Terrier Rouge• Rév. P. Decamps Walin• St. Benoit Mombin Crochu• St. Marc Cerca la Source• N.D Annonciation Boc-Banique• St. Luc Thomassique• St. Grégoire, La victoire• Epipanie, loranette• St. Thomas, lamessette• Confession St Pierre, pacasse• St Innocent, La Bègue• Rév. P. DejardinsWisnel• St. Jude, Chalon• Rév. P. Délicat Kerwin• St Philippe et St Jacques, Colline• St Marc, Biré• Rév. P.Déravil Jean Jacques• St. Marc, Bois Blanc•• Vén. Désiré Fritz• Ste. Marguerite, Meyer• St. Jean L’Evangéliste, K-ESS• St Joseph d’Arimathée, Pilard• St. Jacques, Apôtre, David• St Jean baptiste, Moreau• Notre Dame, Bois-Neuf• St. André, Cavanack• St. Barnabé, Lavallé de Jacmel• St. Thomas, Lavanna – jacmel• St Paul, Beaudin Jn Pierre• Christ-Roi Jacmel (Monchel)• Transfiguration, marigot – Duvillon• St. Esprit, Marigot• St. Pierre, Bero• St. Etienne, lamothe• Bonne Nouvelle, Lebeau• + 3 missions

Stations of Episcopal Church in Haiti and different responsible Priests• Vén. Diègue Joseph Tancrel• Redemption, Belair• Rév. P. Duveaux Irnel• Transfiguration, la Colline• St François D’Assise - Caburet• Rév. P. Estil Colbert • Ste Croix Jérémie• Marie Madeleine de Bonbon• St Mathias de Camp Perrin• Christ Roi Coline Cavaillon• St Esprit, Cavaillon• Vén. Gracia Kesner • Rév. P. Jean Philippe Jean Alphonse• St. Matthias Gracette• St. Marc, Lomord• St. André Maccabé• Vén. Joseph Jean Jeannot• St. Michel,Lachapelle• St. André Trianon• St. Marc, Cerca• St. Patrick, Nordette• St. Timothée, Chambeau• Sts. Innocents, Boromain• St. Pilippe et St. Jacques, Petite montagne• St Thomas, Thomas• St. Etienne, Machécana• Epiphanie, Diamond• Transfiguration, Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite• Rév. P. Lazard Amirold• St. Paul, caracol• St. Etienne, Salnadere• Rév. P. LeonSadoni• St Jean l’Evangeliste, Carrefour feuille• Rév. P. LozamaAbiade• Rév. P.Michaud jean Fruitho• Christ-Roi, Grande savanne• Rév. P. Medela Jean Milor• Christ-Roi Lahoye, Transfiguration belladère• Rév. P. MenelasFrederic• Rév. P. Phanord Jean Berthol• St. Paul, Grand Fond• Rév. P. Quatorze Jean Lenord• Station St. Paul, (Cher maitre)• Station St. Luc, (Figaro)

Stations of Episcopal Church in Haiti and different responsible Priests

• Rév. P. St Louis Jean Michelin• St. Matthieu, Chapeteau• Ascension, Blanchard• St jacques,Rogé• St. Paul, Morne Thomonde• Sts. Innocents, Bel-air• St. Thomas• St. Jean Baptiste• St. Jean• Transfiguration• Bon Berger• Christ-Roi• St. Luc• Rév. P. St Louis Samuel • Christ Roi, Corail• St. Barnabas, Grand fond• St Agnes, la colline• Confession St. Pierre, sainte• Rév. P. Toussaint Louis Rosanas• St Luc, Trou du Nord• Rév. P. Valdema Henry. Fritz • ST Michel Archange Thomazeau• Rév. P. Jean Mardoché Vil• St. Timothée, La revoir• St. Nom de Jésus, Venant• Incarnation, Saurel• Bon Samaritain, Bras de gauche• Bon berger, Cavalier (Cotes-de-Fer)• St. Philippe et St.Jacques, Petite rivière• Ste. Croix, Gazou• St. Esprit, Chemin à Bœuf• La transfiguration, Corps• St. Jacques, Denard• Christ-Roi, Moise• Sts. Innocents, bellevue• Epiphanie, Gandou• St. Thomas, Dutete• La Toussaint, la feuillade

Our Mission

• As Baptized Christian, followers of Christ we have been called by

Jesus to continue the mission of God, proclaiming and living the

message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• “Love each other. The love you share among yourselves, will

make me recognize you as my disciples. “ John 13, 34-35

• Being an engaged Christian does not only mean going to church every

Sunday, or pray 24 hours a day. ..

But, it is also in all words, gestures and actions expressing the love

of Jesus Christ. All that we do has to reflect the image of God in Jesus

Christ.

• This is how can we make a difference.

• Everywhere there is something to do for someone who need help.

Examples of successful partnership

• Many churches or institutions in partnership with the parishes/members of the diocese of Connecticut are successful

Holy Trinity School has many sisters and brothers in Connecticut who help HTS – St Paul Fairfield, Trinity Parish in Wethersfield, St James in Glastonbury scholarship and Canteen Program– The program Trinity in motion Library for people called by God for priesthood and sisterhood Audio visual

lab, Rice and beans -Churches and sisters/brothers in Christ in Hartford and others areas…

• We are still working together for the students of HTS in confidence and loyalty

The Rebuilding Effort

• After the earthquake, we kept working with faith and courage by the grace of God, your support and despite the non-ideal conditions

• One class room could have about 75 to 80 children which was at times a concern for the personal safety of the students on the site.

• We added seven new classrooms including additional space to serve as temporary lab and library and a new space for Kindergarten.

• We are trying not to abandon the children.

• We can’t give up, we have to accomplish our mission, God’s mission.

The Rebuilding Effort

• We responded to the immediate

needs and built many temporary

structures

• The Holy Trinity Cathedral was

completely destroyed after the

earthquake and the other “sister”

churches have collected funds to

rebuild it

Anything you can do can make a difference

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

.

Prayer for the world and Haiti

Thank you for the gift of life Thank you for your unconditional love

May the world live in peace and HarmonyBless everyone and put compassion in our heart

May your children in the world and those of Haiti see beyond their problems and recognize that with your love, there will be a better tomorrow filled with joy,

sharing and peace !Amen.