Adult Awareness Trip November 2016 (30th Year!)

(The following trip summary is by Brian & Bev Murphy)

It was very successful – a small group with good chemistry.  We had a very busy agenda with long days.  We saw all of the Rayjon operations in Haiti and were very impressed with the staff and the effectiveness of the programs.  We also visited several initiatives not managed by Rayjon and we were very impressed with those operations as well.  The accommodations were very good; Amy Fletcher’s guest house was a very pleasant surprise.  We were pleased to be able to get Brian access to almost everything the rest of us saw.  Finally, we were fortunate enough to meet with several prominent personalities in Haiti:

• Bill Nathan, who manages the St. Joseph’s Boys’ Home
• Richard Morse, a noted musician who manages the Oloffson Hotel
• Father Rick Frechette, a very impressive priest who has been working in Haiti for over thirty years.

Front row: Brian Rea, John Barnfield   Back row: Fr. Dan Vere, Bev Nottley-Murphy, Jim Leliveld, Brian Murphy, Terry DeMarco.

(Trip impressions from Brian Rea as follows)

I'd like to add that wheelchair travel has never been easier for me personally, with the hands-on support of our fabulous group and many of our hosts and new friends we met in Haiti! I don't know if any of you have a picture of the flying emperor or other versions of His Majesty, but it was an exciting and royal experience.  

My personal highlights are many, but at the top was meeting members of the Rayjon team in Haiti, putting faces and personalities to names I have heard and seen in reports while volunteering with Rayjon in Sarnia. Everyone was enthusiastic about their work and extremely diligent in their roles supporting the various projects in Haut de St. Marc and in Cap. 

We had fun learning a little Kreyol along with the Adult literacy classes, and came away with great respect for the class participants and professors.  At he Gilbert clinic, Dr. Bayard’s description of the post huricane mobile clinics and dramatic lowering of cholera incidents, was satisfying and reassuring.  Of course the school kids were inspirational. They were boisterous, but also dedicated to their learning. Another generation of hope!

As Brian M. Noted, our itinerary and agenda was packed – some trips are long and feel short; others are short but feel long – this was one of those. Each day felt like another trip, another full experience.

Eyeglass Trip May 2016

It was a cooperative effort between the eyeglass group, the RSCH St. Marc team and The Apostolic Faith Church of Lagarenne that made our eyeglass clinic successful. It was held on May 5th to May 10th, 2016 in a church located at the base of the mountain at the dead end road of Lagarenne where the vehicles stop and where those going up to Gilbert start walking. Just getting to the church was a task because the road from St. Marc to the church is unpaved, rough and often muddy.

A total of 367 patients were tested. Most were given prescription glasses and Alcon eye drops, while some were given sunglasses.

Support from the Haitian RSCH team was excellent.

Wesner and Luckner arranged with Pastor Auril Louis Cenor to have the church available for the 5 days of the clinic. Together, the three of them enrolled our clients and scheduled them evenly throughout the days of the clinic. They also made sure that the necessary equipment was available: generator, back-up generator which we used when the first generator did not work, tables, chairs and even an electric fan for us Canadians who could not tolerate the heat.

After a little training, the Haitian team manned the first three stations of the clinic and allowed the Canadians to run the other stations. They also helped in translating and directing the patients around from station to station.

Our translators, Ezekiel and Manley, worked tirelessly throughout the entire clinic jumping around all stations as required. They explained to the clients how to look after their glasses, how bifocals work, and sometimes even had to tell a client that he or she has cataracts and there was little we can do to improve their sight.

Our driver, Luc, was punctual and with him driving we felt safe even when going up the muddy rocky unpaved roads. More importantly, it was a comfort knowing that Luc and Wesner were with us in certain precarious situations such as being stuck in the mud on Saturday or driving home late at night through St Marc. on Monday.

On Saturday, there was a boy with a growth in one of his eyes. Coincidentally, Dr. Bayard was there and offered to get the boy in to see a specialist.

What a successful trip! 

Eyeglass Team Update

The May 2016 Eyeglass Team to St. Marc, Haiti is on their way home.
342 Haitians can now see better!

A Busy Month

It has been a very busy month for both our Canadian volunteers and our Haitian partners.
The Haiti team has hosted back-to-back teams from Canada.
Groups from Fanshawe College & St. Peter's Seminary, and 2 groups from Lambton College.

This group of BScN students from Lambton held teaching sessions at the Sacred Heart Centre. 

Field Director Andre Jean Pierre reports:

The set up was perfect, having the beneficiaries all stay at the same stations and rotating around those that did the training was a great idea. This allowed us to keep control over the beneficiaries and not having confusion of people moving around and not being able to get a handle on what was going on. This also made it easier for us when serving lunch and or giving out out the gift packages that was handed out. This also gave a chance for the beneficiaries to see different trainers throughout the day.
>
 I personally floated around in the three work stations yesterday (the 2 trainings, and the assessment of the nutrition kids), and I must say the trainings were very interesting to the beneficiaries. They were all into it and had a lot of questions. Even some of the men (parents of the nutrition kids) were into the cervical cancer and sexual violence training. My only regret is that we did not get a chance to do one more training. Some of the parents spoke with me afterwards and they said that they were very satisfied and learned a lot from the training's yesterday. I think that visuals helped the trainings out a lot also, it gave the parents a chance to see it in action. This is one area that we (the SHC) have to improve in the training's we give we lack in visuals at times. But overall I think this was a very good experience for our beneficiaries. 

>

An Eyeglass Team is in the Haut de St. Marc area this week, providing the gift of sight to rural beneficiaries.

                            

Den reports that after a long a very long bumpy, for the equipment, ride to our clinic site 50 clients had their vision requirements  evaluated on Day 1. On clinic day 2 they reached patient #128! The group problem solved to overcome computer problems. One more clinic day to go!

Fanshawe/St. Peter's Seminary Trip to Haiti

ROBERT'S BLOG- Monday, May 2nd

Monday, May 2nd

Our Group!

A phrase that was repeated throughout the week was "When you think you have experienced the height of the trip, something else comes along that is even greater." This was true even on our last morning. We visited St. Damiens Childrens’ hospital where we first attended a funeral service, showing our support for the four families who had lost their children. After the service, Fr. Rick Frechette greeted us over espressos and cappuccinos but could not stay as he needed to go out into the streets to help treat a cholera outbreak. We went for a tour throughout the hospital, which was inspiring in general, it was beautiful to see how much they care about their community and all the services they provide.

Finally, we ended our tour of Haiti at a nearby restaurant with a final cool drink and some French Fries!!  Then it was off to the airport and the long trek home to Canada.  Thank you Haiti.

ROBERT'S BLOG- Sunday, May 1st

Sunday, May 1st
The scenery around Port-au-Prince can be difficult to take in, especially amidst the shanty towns where the poorest of its citizens dwell. In the midst of one of these areas lives a group of nuns who live a life of poverty and service, the Missionaries of Charity started by Mother Teresa. We spent Sunday morning with them, and they quickly put us to work caring for the malnourished children they take in. Half of our group was assigned to sort medication while the others fed the children. While working, another tour group saw us working away, a local Church group led by seminarians from the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Jocelyn said it best about this experience; "Things seem so hopeless at times in Haiti, but everywhere we have been we have found someone who proves that there is hope".

St. Joseph's Home for Boys

Later that day we returned to St. Joseph's Home for Boys, and after dinner we heard the testimony of the home's manager, Bill Nathan. Bill was a slave, a rekovac, who was adopted to a family after being orphaned at a young age. He was rescued by guards from the Sisters of Charity mission in Port-au-Prince and was raised at St. Joes. While a slave, Bill found his musical talent, playing drums on the bucket which he carried water in every day. Since his liberation, he has travelled the world sharing his stories and his drumming ability. He and another young Haitian, named Joly Wootrod played music for us that evening.

This was our last full day in Haiti for our 2016 Fanshawe and St. Peter's Seminary Haiti Awareness trip. We spent the rest of the evening debriefing then packing for our flight home.

ROBERT'S BLOG- Saturday, April 30

Lush farms on the way from Port au Prince to Jacmel

We woke up at Wings of Hope to bucket showers, then breakfast which included fresh fruit. The pineapples and mangos tasted unlike any we have had back home.  We drove to a market and got to experience the rush of Saturday shopping in Haiti. Imagine thousands of people crammed in a small street selling their wares, while motorcycles, cars and trucks are driving through. There is organized commerce happening in the midst of it all.
We then got to visit some art stores in Jacmel, which is a city famous around the world for its arts and crafts. At the nearby beach, Danny competed with a young Haitian man in handstand walking. We returned to Wings of Hope for lunch, as the first ever guests at a restaurant they opened up that day.

Meghan with some of the residents at Wings of Hope

After saying our goodbyes, we then journeyed back over the mountain to Port au Prince, to a gem in the suburbs called St. Joseph's home for boys. St. Joseph's takes in boys who grew up on the street and provides a roof over their head while educating and teaching them to be leaders, community minded citizens and gentlemen.  St. Joseph’s was destroyed in the 2010 Earthquake, but has been rebuilt.  We were greeted by Bill Nathan, the home’s manager, and shown to our guest apartments where we stayed for our last two nights in Haiti.  This place was amazing.  Danny, Jacob and Rob played basketball with Elmerson for a while before dinner.  After dinner we held our reflection on the rooftop patio and spent some time getting to know some of the boys.  Elmerson is planning to become an artist, and through the support of St. Joseph’s, he has been able to train under one of the greatest artists in Haiti.  This young man exemplifies both the hope and the determination of the people of Haiti. 



ROBERT'S BLOG- Friday April 29th

We woke to another early morning on Friday, ready for our travels south to Wing of Hope in the town of Jacmel. To get there, we drove through winding mountain roads through the peaks of Haitian mountains. We were grateful for the guard rails on this well-maintained road. We saw the fortitude of the rural communities to make good use of the rich, red soil, as proven by the terraced farms which adorned the mountain cliffs.

When we got to Wings of Hope, we got a guided tour of the guest house and explanation of the organizations mission. We learned that persons with disabilities have had a difficult history in Haiti, but Wings of Hope provides a safe, happy, loving, caring, and hopeful family environment for children and young adults with physical and mental challenges. At Wings of Hope, each child receives a combination of occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, and classroom time. After the tour we went to visit the kids in the residence area, where we were greeted with song and dance and excitement. They truly were fostered to live life to the fullest. A young man, named Vilner drew pictures for Dawn, and although he could not speak he communicated in English through writing. Another resident, Steve treated us with his musical abilities on the bongos. Danny and Meghan shared their cameras and took pictures. While Rob and Jacob both alternated taking walks with Gessner, a resident who loved giving tours.

Fanshawe/St. Peter's Seminary Trip to Haiti

ROBERT'S BLOG- Day 4 April 28, 2016

After a restful night at Le Xaragua, we began today’s journey with a trip to Ogier-Fombrun Museum just outside of St. Marc. Here we learned about the history of the Haitian people and their liberation. The grounds were previously a sugar mill and rum distillery; and the first place where freed slaves were employed. What caused the most awe for us, at this location, was a statue of “the call to revolution”, which depicted a black slave breaking from his chains and trumpeting a conch shell to rally his fellow men to fight for freedom.

Croix des Bouquet was our next stop, a metal art village run by Haitian artisans, who re-used the tin metal from barrels to make beautiful artwork. Here we had the opportunity to observe how this art is skillfully made, and learn the art form of bartering. Most of us left with a work of metal art, which most captured our interests. We then travelled to the Apparent Project, which featured a restaurant called the Clay Cafe and store called Papillon. At Clay Cafe, we were treated to cheeseburgers in paradise and a cold beverage, with a view overseeing Port-au-Prince.

After lunch, we toured the Apparent Project in Port-au-Prince, which is a program started by Shelly Clay. Shelly came to Haiti to adopt a child, but learned that the mother very much wanted to keep her child but was unable to as she could not support her. So, rather than adopt, Shelly began an organization which taps into the Haitian creativity by teaching parents how to create pottery, jewellery, clothing and more. With these new skills, and their involvement at the Apparent Project, parents are then able to support their families and maintain a good standard of living. There is also a free daycare at the Apparent Project, which cares for children while their parents are at work. A standard for us, yet much needed for Haitian families. To learn more about what they do, and support their cause through their online store, visit Apparent Project’s website at http://www.apparentproject.org/.

After our visit we then travelled back, through busy traffic, to Wall’s Guest House. We wrapped up our day with a discussion question on some of the “why’s” that have been running through our minds about things we have seen or heard in Haiti. We ended the day early, to rest before tomorrow’s drive to Wings of Hope in Jacmel.

Fanshawe/St. Peter's Seminary Trip to Haiti

ROBERT'S BLOG- Day 2 April 26, 2016

Today did not go as planned. In fact, it didn’t go anywhere. Our drivers got caught in a rainstorm this morning, and needed to find another route around flooded roads. Thankfully, Luc and Wesner are now safe with us at Wall’s Guest House. During the day, we played cards and engaged in good conversation. We also took an excursion to the local supermarket, where the Haitian people were kind and patient with us. Rob did well translating our order of cold cuts and cheese into French, however as the worker at the store spoke Creole, they were slightly lost in translation. Thankfully, we got help from a local who was fluent in English, French and Creole. We are departing tomorrow at 5:00 AM for St. Marc. Bon Voyage!

Day 3  April 27, 2016

This morning we arrived in St. Marc early in the morning. Our first stop was to our resort called Le Xaragua, where we are currently enjoying a beautiful view of the Caribbean ocean. We then jumped in a van and our driver, Luc, brought us to St. Patrick’s High School in St. Marc. At St. Patrick’s we had a stimulating conversation with the senior class. They were suggesting ways that their education might improve, they were quite good at advocating for their needs.

From there, we switched into a flatbed truck, with railings and benches. We then travelled as far as the road would take us towards Gilbert. We hiked roughly five kilometres on rough terrain up a Haitian mountain to visit an elementary school and health clinic. The kids were happy to see us, in a great mood and welcomed us with songs they had been practicing. We learned that the school is in the process of expanding their program to include grades seven, eight and nine.

Next is our adventure back down the mountain by our truck, expertly driven by Luc. He had to drop off medical supplies at another small town further up so we hiked a bit further up the mountain to meet him. What a ride! We definitely appreciate guard rails on roads, as there were none on this drive. A high point was that we also drove up a steep incline, at least 70 degrees,up a rocky road at one point. We were somewhat nervous, however the nurse and other staff that came along with us back to St. Marc were calm as could be. Luc got us back to town safely, where we switched back to our van, a more comfortable ride.

We then visited an adult literacy program in the town of Venotte. Here, like our previous experience, we were greeted with songs and smiles. We learned that one of the most important milestones in their education was to be able to write their names. So that they could go to the bank, and complete other important transactions. We met a woman who was 66 years old, and very proud of her progress in school. Another woman was so grateful for our visit, and the work of RayJon in supporting the literacy program, and told us “I cannot pay you back, but God can pay you back”. It was an inspiring visit.

We had quite a jam-packed day to make up for lost time, so we visited another adult literacy program in Charette with the same reception. They showed us the skills that they had learned, including writing their names on the blackboard, speaking words in Creole and solving mathematical equations. After a long, warm, adventurous, humbling and inspirational day we returned back to the resort for dinner and a sharing session.