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SUMMARY OF THE VISIT TO HOLY CROSS PARISH

IN FOND VERRETTES HAITI FEBRUARY 2005

The first few days of our recent trip to Haiti was spent in Port-au-Prince.  We were able to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the founding of the St. Joseph Family Homes.  We visited the three homes run by St. Joseph’s Family.  We had a chance to work at Wings of Hope and visit the newest home in Jacmel, Trinity House. We were also able to work at the Children’s Hospital run by the Sisters of Charity. Then we did some shopping.

On February 2 we rented a car and traveled to Fond Verrettes.  As we had too many pieces of luggage and too many people to fit in one rented vehicle two of the members were privileged to ride to the parish in a cement truck. That truck also took our luggage.  What a dusty mess we had when we arrived with 16 boxes and nine pieces of personal luggage covered with the dust of the road and the dust from the cement that was also in the truck.

Father and his staff were delighted to greet us in their new rectory.  The rectory was built by Food for the Poor, because Father Belneau has done much of the relief work for the area since the destructive flood. There are ten people living in this house. Two priests, two cooks, two house boys and four secondary school teachers. To accommodate the nine of us they all gave up their rooms.  Father Belneau slept on the floor of the depot ( which was to be his office until they needed a storage room). On Saturday of that week there were two more guests: a priest and a nun who came to start a Peace and Justice community there. Talk about crowded but we all felt  welcomed. Father was building a new office that is attached to the rectory.  We were able to see that room go from the hole for the footings to the room ready for a roof. He has been given enough money, by an American priest, to build a cistern for the house.  On top of the cistern he plans on building a kitchen. Right now all the cooking is done outside on a charcoal fire. This year we brought many things to furnish this new house.  Sheets, blankets, towels, dishes, silverware, serving spoons, pans etc. Everyone was excited about all the new things.

We were all surprised and pleased with the progress that has been made since we were there in October of last year. I will try to tell you about that.

The first place we visited was the school. Since October there have been two temporary  preschool classrooms built in the courtyard of the school. On Thursday, the day we visited, was the last day they would be in school until after Ash Wednesday.  Fr. Luberman, the director, planned a Mardi Gras celebration starting at 9:30. We were able to visit most of the classrooms before the celebration started. There are 275 students in Holy Cross school in Fond Verrettes.  This is less than in the past.  Father felt it was due to three factors.  The financial condition of most families is very poor due to the destruction of the crops, there has been a new school started, and there is a lack of space due to the destruction of the buildings. We were very pleased to see how well the school was being run. Father also has schools in most of the chapels which we help support. There is a lunch program functioning in Fond Verrettes. The food comes from Food for the Poor and Caritas. The food is cooked outside on a charcoal fire.  Father is getting a new stove donated for the cooks to use later this year. The teachers in Fond Verrettes receive about $100 Haitian a month ($12.50 US). The teachers in the chapels get $75 H a month ( $9.38 US). We were able to bring some school supplies to the schools.

We visited Sr. Evena who runs the health clinic. On Friday she held a malnutrition clinic for some of the 281 children she sees once a month because they are in some degree of malnutrition.  She also has a general clinic most days to take care of the general health needs of the community.  She preforms an invaluable service for the people in the area. The hospital is still functioning in the community but it is only staffed intermittently. They charge a great deal more than sister does for her services.  We were able to bring her some medical supplies and clothing for both babies and adults. Sister is in a new house.  It is somewhat removed from the clinic which is good for her as she is not disturbed so much in her off hours.

Great progress has been made on the new church building that is being built up on the side of the mountain.  When we were there in October the lower level was only half finished. It is now complete and they are saying mass there every day. The upper level which will eventually be the worship area was being completed.  The walls are almost completed.   The sanctuary was visible. The footings for the sacristy were being dug out of the side of the mountain. At one time we counted over 50 people working on the building.  Father said if they have the money and are able to work everyday it will be completed in one year.  You are able to see the church a long time before you get to the village. It sets high up on the side of the mountain. It is an impressive building and is well designed to serve both as a church and a meeting place for the community.   Father makes good use of all the organizations that help the poor in Haiti. We heard him tell of donations from Caratis, Food for the Poor, Adventia, Catholic Relief, as well as the two churches, St. Jude and Xavier in Dyersville.  He does a remarkable job of using the help he receives.

In addition to the things being done in the parish we visited the Gift of Water organization.  They distribute and care for the water purification buckets in the area.  They are working well and continue to improve the health of the people.  KOREKF is a local tree planting organization.