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HAITI MISSION, INC. P. O. Box 694 Thibodaux, LA. 70302 Phone: 985-872-4549 www.haitimissioninc.

com DECEMBER 2010

A Cup of Water

Buy a manger for Christmas!!


Always around this time of year, people reflect upon the concept of gift-giving. To many it does seem somewhat outrageous that we continue giving people who dont need anything, presents that they often cant use when there are people in our communities and our world who have nothing and need help just to survive. I have always had people comment about this to me but this year more than ever, I have had people suggest that Haiti Mission should offer some practical options for Christmas giving.

As you all know, the January 12th earthquake changed everything about the face of Haiti and in many ways, the face of the earth. One cant really comprehend the tragedy of 250,000 people dying in an instant. We cant comprehend the horror of living in a situation where people are unable to find sufficient food, water or housing and cant leave because there is nowhere to go. We cant imagine having injured children and loved ones with no way to get help for them. The thoughts and reflections can go on forever, but the answers always fall short of giving us the right solution. Besides all the normal problems that each day brings, another hurricane on the heels of a cholera outbreak has made a difficult situation even more critical. What is amazing is that so many continue to survive and be hopeful.
When I travelled to Haiti in October with a small group of Rotarians who wanted to see firsthand the work of Haiti Mission, there was a dramatic contrast between life in Port-au-Prince and life in the villages of Numero Deux and Ravine Sable. Life in Port-au-prince and its tent cities were very somber and overwhelming thank God for all the people and organizations who are focused on dealing with those circumstances. But then we took the 45 minute-100 mile flight to the Numero Deux airstrip outside of Jeremie where we were greeted with smiles and hopeful faces. What a difference that trip made! What a difference together we have made in the lives of so many people who once were in a similar circumstance as their fellow countrymen in PAP and other areas. Distributing animals, seeds, shoes, supplies and some financial assistance along with building of schools and houses and drilling water wells have created an environment of encouragement and hope that is contagious. Family after family are working and believing that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel and that they do have a chance for a better life because they can see and touch the love of others sharing their journey with them. Tomas, the unlikely November hurricane, went right over our villages with 85 MPH winds. Although there was only one reported death in the villages as a direct result of the hurricane, the damage to crops, houses and livestock was extensive. This Christmas we are encouraging you to help us bring live manger scenes to Haiti. Live chickens ($10 a pair), goats ($50), pigs $100, donkeys ($150) and cows ($350) will truly do for these families what Christ did for the world bring new life. But we would like to move beyond giving away supplies and animals to creating jobs and livelihoods for people. An investment of $1000 will enable a young entrepreneur to begin a fishing business. A gift of $5000 would allow us to develop a chicken project of sufficient magnitude which would create jobs for many locals as employees and entrepreneurs to work both on the farm as well as to sell eggs and chickens in the market. Teach your children, grandchildren, friends and family a real lesson about Christmas by giving up some of your surplus to give a better life to those in need. Buy animals, invest in education, help provide water and sanitation or housing. Whatever you decide to do, no matter how small or how great, your Christmas and theirs will surely be brighter.

Back in Business!
As you may recall, over the past year we have been advising another organization that works north of Port-auPrince (PAP)in Hinche regarding development of a water-well drilling program. They have two Haitian men in their group who had worked with the type drill that we have, but they didnt have any equipment. They learned about us and called us to inquire as to whether we would be willing to sell our rig to them and help them get started drilling. We had them come to Jeremie to see the equipment and work with our drillers to be sure the transition would go as well as possible. After drilling thirteen wells over three years we had come to learn what we could do to improve our efficiency and effectiveness in the area where we work; so we welcomed this opportunity to help others bring potable water to another needy region and also upgrade our own operation. The new rig has arrived at our compound in Numero Deux. Although we began the shipping process in early summer soon after we moved the old equipment to PAP, a series of events (Haiti Happenings) caused the entire process to be delayed. After lots of phone calls, emails, fedexing of additional paperwork, dealing with customs and several thousand dollars later, our truck is ready to go! Yeah!! We are sending Jamie Orr, our drilling supervisor from Indiana, to work with our Haiti team to get the truck ready to begin drilling. During this time HMI has been working with rotary groups throughout South Louisiana to raise funds for several more wells. Not to be outdone, our little water-well-driller in heaven, Rebecca Claire Fakier, has inspired some friends of her family to sponsor a well also. Jamie and the drill team will begin working on drilling these wells which will be invaluable in the fight against cholera by protecting people from contracting the disease. Thanks to all who have worked so hard to raise these funds and who continue to work to help us drill these wells that produce precious living water!

The General and Rotary


For the past few months HMI has been working closely with Rotary clubs throughout South Louisiana as they work to develop funding to help us complete the Numero Deux School, drill two more wells and build some bath stations. This ambitious and much needed project has been given a shot in the arm by none other than Lt. General Russel Honore who became a Rotarian after his retirement from the military in 2008. General Honore, who is a much sought after speaker, has devoted much of the month of November to speaking about and giving insights into what has caused Haiti to be in such a dire situation. Although I have heard him speak on three different occasions, each talk had its own special tone and direction. The one common thread throughout was that water is a large part of the solution to poverty, sanitation and health in Haiti and throughout the world. His comment, Poverty will be the enemy of freedom made the front page of local newspapers. Compliments to all the Rotarians who have worked so hard on this project and a special thanks to the General for his commitment to the poor in Haiti and for all the sacrifices he made in order to lend a hand.

Fr. Joe, Lloyd, Anna, Tom, and Duane. Rotary and HMI working together to bring hope and help.

Before and After


Mrs. Yolande Merizier out of the mud and dilapidated hut into a safe and secure home. HMIs goal is Out the mud and into safe housing for everyone.

BEFORE

Golf Tournament Update Please mark your calendars for Friday, April 1st , 2011, the date of our upcoming Golf Tournament. We are hoping to build on last years great success story. Well be sending out applications to everyone in January. Even if you are not a golfer, everyone knows a golfer. Invite them out for a great time for a great cause. (See the website for a current application and more information.)

AFTER
Faies Facts

Meals on Wheels
Were all familiar with the expression, It takes a village to raise a child. But if all of the villagers are so poor that they can hardly feed themselves, then how can they feed extra children? Maybe itll take the world to help feed the children. Feeding the students who attend HMIs 3 schools at least one meal a day has been a dream that has finally come closer to reality with the completion of Becs Bakery. To feed the children a meal of beans and rice with nutritional sauce, a piece of meat with a drink was costing us one US dollar per child. Multiply that times 750 and its easy to figure that our budget would not permit us to feed the children this type of meal more than once a month. Now with Becs Bakery up and running, we are confident that we can feed all the children some type of sandwich such as peanut butter or a meat spread for 20 cents a child. Since the average cost for this meal would be approximately $150 for 750 students, we would still be able to provide a more complete meal once or twice a month. We know many of you have been looking forward to this day and so we invite you to become a meal-on-wheels donor. Thanks to all of you who have been faithfully sponsoring our Feed the Children project. With a few more $20 to $40 per month commitments, we can be sure that no child in the St. Bridget School System leaves school hungry.

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