WHAT & WHY WE ARE DOING WHAT WE DO FOR OUR FRIENDS IN HAITI
The Church teaches that our Lenten observances should be focused on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Each day at the beginning of many classes we lift up the victims of the devastation in Haiti. Through the compassion and generosity of many students, there are 17 children in the Good Samaritan School of St. Marc that are sponsored by various home room or religion classes. As sponsors these classes provide two meals a day, school uniforms, books and supplies and tuition for their child for an entire year. For the past four years during lent we, as a school, have devoted an entire week to increase the awareness of the ongoing plight of the citizens of Haiti and have raised money to care for the children at Les bon Samaritain School so that they may grow up and assume leadership roles in their country to affect positive change.
Next Monday marks the beginning of Social Justice Week during which we will focus our efforts on both the present as well as the future of our dear friends in Haiti. In his recent trip to Haiti, Dr. Mortel discovered that there is a growing emergency in the Artibonite valley which is a region in the country where we have focused our efforts. It seems the CRS has been assigned by the Haitian government to focus their relief efforts in Port au Prince and south because that is where the greatest damage is. However, a significant number of refugees have migrated to the northern cities of Haiti causing cities such as St. Marc to swell in population anywhere from 80-125% of the pre-quake size. The end result is that these areas are struggling to find enough food to feed themselves.
Addressing the Present
Money alone is not enough because there is no food to buy in Haiti and the closest sources of food supplies outside of Haiti are now drastically increasing prices resulting in less food purchased with money in Haiti. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Mortel, we have partnered with Food for the Poor who has agreed to finance and oversee the shipment of any food we can collect. Using the same methods we did last year, we have arranged for an equitable, safe and orderly method of distributing the food to the neediest people once it arrives in the port of St. Marc. Therefore, to deal with this present crisis we will be conducting a food drive this next week to conclude on Friday. We sent an email to all parents giving the specific details of the food drive.
Looking to the future
Dr. Mortel has taught us that the only way real change can occur in Haiti is when it comes from within the Haitian people. It is for this reason the Good Samaritan school exists. The students of this school are taught that we are all children of God and as his children have the right to adequate food, clothing and shelter. Through the generosity of the Spalding family, these kids now have access to the internet and can see first hand that the conditions in which they live are not “how life is” for everyone. Their teachers consistently tell them that through God’s help, they can make things different in the future.
The Good Samaritan school educates children from kindergarten through our equivalent of high school. Through what is now seen as divine providence, the members of the Mortel Foundation were asked by the late Bishop Constance of the Gonaives Diocese of Haiti, to take on the task of building a college that was accessible and affordable for all Haitians in the northern cities of Haiti. Against the advice of others and at the insistence of Dr. Mortel, nine months ago we broke ground and began building what will be called the James Stein College, with less than half the funds to complete the work. In the aftermath of the earthquake, all the institutions of high education were destroyed, leaving the Stein College the only college in the entire country of Haiti for at least the next 5 years. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we raise the funds to finish our school as soon as possible
To that end we will be having a dress down day next Friday during which we are asking a minimum of $5 per student. All proceeds will go to the construction of Stein college and because the Mortel Foundation is made up of all volunteers, 100% all money collected will go to the construction efforts. Please prayerfully consider being as generous as possible to help us help the Haitian youth change their own future.
As one who has been to Haiti many times and held these beautiful children in my arms, I promise you they and their parents are aware of your love and generosity and lift up the Spalding community in their prayers every day.
May God bless you for all you continue to do.
Pat Brady
Religious Studies Department