Hearts & Hope for Haiti
Volume 3, Issue 3
www.hhhaiti.com

A Tree Grows in Fondwa

Thanks to a generous donor who cares about the environment, a new tree nursery has been built on a mountain top in Fondwa.  Several years ago Haiti was deforested and the need is great to see trees and plants growing again.  The tree nursery program is a project of the Association of Peasants in Fondwa.  It will be a permanent activity for the production of seedlings of all kinds of trees (fruit-bearing and forested).  If managed well, it can assure production of 100,000 saplings each reforestation project.

Seedlings growing in the nursery include mango, avocado and papaya plants.  The planting will take place in stages.  As the seedlings grow into small plants they will be transported in sacks to an area for fast growth.  Then they will be given free of charge to the landowners all around Fondwa.  Some will be planted in areas where there have been no trees before, and others will be planted where the acasia trees have nurtured the soil.  The fruit from these trees can be used to sell for income and to feed their families.

Other seedlings are growing trees for use in building houses and furniture.  They will take 8-10yrs, but will be most useful for the farmers in the future.  The peasants will be taught that before they cut down a tree for building use, they must plant a new one.  They are ready to expand the nursery seedling area, to add more seedlings, and to build a depot to hold their gardening tools.

Thanks to Rev. Jamalyn and Red. David Williamson for overseeing this project, and to Edrix and all the Haitians who are helping Haitians learn to reforest their land.  If you would like to support this effort, please see Opportunities to Serve.

A Hearty Thanks to the NC Baptist Men

Since the earthquake of January 2010 the North Carolina Baptist Men have been responding to the needs of Haitian by sending, weekly, 10 medical volunteers and 10 construction volunteers to the Global Outreach Center sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse.  They have been sent a team of coordinators to be in charge of food, housing, transportation, and medicine for treating people in 10 mobile clinics and orphanages.  They have also supported the salaries of Haitian doctors, nurses, drivers, interpreters and people who work in the pharmacy.

In the fall, 2011 issue of Baptists on Mission, they report that they are ending this disaster response effort, transitioning the project into a long term opportunity for medical teams to continue in Haiti.  Hearts and Hope for Haiti has been proud to serve with these North Carolina friends.  They have supported our Haitian Academy doctors and nurses and accommodated medical teams from the Indianapolis area.

They complete the article by saying, “We are beginning the transition phase of beginning a medical plan to help our Haitian doctors and staff set up their own ministry to continue when NCBM leaves at the end of October.  Several meetings have been held and a business plan is being formed.  It is an exciting step for Dr. Merline, Dr. Viad and Dr. Francise and NCBM to be able to continue a medical presence here in Haiti.”

As of August 26, 88 teams of medical volunteers and Haitian doctors had seen 101,421 patients since the earthquake of 2010.  To see more of their disaster work, long on to www.ncmissions.org .Thank you so much to Galon Moss, Scott and Janet Daughtry and all North Carolina Baptists who have helped Haiti so much and continue to support the efforts of our doctors as they make this transition.  The incidence of cholera has decreased.  Both Doctors without borders and Samaritan’s Purse cholera hospitals have closed.  It is only in rural areas without road access to hospitals where cholera is still increasing.  Off site clinics by North Carolina Baptists Men and our Haitian Academy doctors help with this situation by identifying patients with cholera and treating them.  These off-site clinics also provide education for prevention of this and other diseases.  18,000 Haitians were infected by cholera in a three month period and only 30 died from the disease thanks to this help and education.

The Real Deal of the Status of Haiti
By: Kay Walla

I am really saddened when people approach me with the comment, “Doesn’t look like much is happening in Haiti, does it?”

In a recent issue of The Economist I read about Haiti, “Better a tent than a slum. A large number of people are choosing to stay in them.  Life is better there than in the slums.  They pay no rent.  Latrines are provided and clean water supplied by agencies or their government.  Medical services are easier to find and probably free…”  While the media may show only the worst, those who go and know, realize that Haiti is moving forward.

A new president, Mr. Michel Martelly was elected just a few months ago.  His first goal was to be able to send all Haitian children to school.  To do that he placed a tax of $1.50 on all moneys transferred to Haiti and issued a charge 50cents for all phone calls from other countries to Haiti.  All of this money is earmarked for education.  After 5 months he says he has collected five million dollars, enough to send 100,000 children to school without charge.  82% of the schools in Haiti are private and children have not been able to attend as they could not pay.  This will be a life changing experience for the children of Haiti and their parents, as well as to the country of Haiti.

Doctors without Borders just recently opened a new hospital of 185 beds in Cite Soleil, the poorest section of Port Au Prince.  This hospital will be treating trauma, pregnant women and will provide general medicine.  This is wonderful help for these people who no longer have access to hospital and clinics destroyed during the earthquake of 2010.  President Martelly visited Spain where he was promised 50 million Euros to support small businesses in Haiti.  The President has invited Spain and other countries to invest in Haiti in things like electricity and tourism.

Where we are in often measured by where we have been.  Haiti has come a long way in the past 19 months and is currently embarking on new projects for the people’s benefit.  To quote President Bill Clinton in his Foundation Update, “There are many signs of hope and progress.  Every day the resilience of the Haitian people is evident as they work to rebuild their country.”

Do they still need our help? Yes, always; a hand up, not a handout.  Thank you to all who have kept the faith and the contributions coming in.  Every HHH dollar goes directly to a school or clinic known and monitored by the HHH Board of Directors.

Wedding Bells

Hearts and Hope for Haiti is proud to announce the upcoming wedding of Dr. Merline Milen and Dr. Vladymir Roseau who will be married in Les Cayes, Haiti, on November 17.  The newlyweds will be spending part of their honeymoon in Indianapolis, November 24- December 1.  During that time, you can contact them at 317-726-1577.  You can also send an e-mail to docmerline@yahoo.com or roseaumd@gmail.com

Hearts and Hope for Haiti Board of Directors

Officers:
Kay Walla, President
Dave Duba, Vice President
Carla Trusty Smith, Secretary
Gary Walla, Treasurer

Board Members:
Al Dalton
Peg Duncan
Dave Rodgers
Lauren Smith
Larry Stevens

Opportunities to Bless:

Please designate the project you’d like to bless and mail your contribution in any amount to:
Hearts & Hope for Haiti
530 Round Hill Road
Indianapolis, IN 46260