To the children in Carrefour and Petion Ville, and the people of Haiti. In spite of their difficult circumstances, they still rise.

The events of January 12, 2010 in Haiti caused many in the world to turn their eyes towards that country.  Before January 12, we knew in the United States of the difficulties and hardships experienced by the people of Haiti, and EEE had already been helping with donations of food and other supplies.  The earthquake, and the intense coverage of the disaster by television, radio and newspapers meant the problems there acquired a priority and an emphasis that could not be ignored. The question was: how could EEE best do something to help. We began by arranging a shipment of non-perishable foods, clothing and other supplies. But Elizabeth wanted to do something personal and direct, that would tell some of the children whose lives had been disrupted by the earthquake that people here in the United States cared, and that children here wanted to offer their support, and their sympathy. She got children from schools and churches in the New York area to write letters saying this in their own words, and then had the letters translated into French and Haitian Creole and bound into a large, cloth-cover scrapbook binder, which she would take to Haiti. (Over 275 letters and hand-made cards were collected.)

 We were fortunate to have a friend of many years who herself came from Caille, but also lived in Carrefour in Haiti prior to emigrating to the U.S.  She offered to accompany Elizabeth there. Not every one encouraged this expedition: There were warnings of possible danger, and of the difficulties that would be experienced in getting about the country. Nevertheless Elizabeth persisted with her plan and on April 29^th, flew from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York to Port au Prince.

 She was fortunate to be traveling with someone who was Haitian, and whose family and friends there went out of their way to help. With their advice and assistance, she was able to see the devastation that the earthquake had caused, but at the same time found people getting on with their lives, and making a start with rebuilding. It was good to see that the supplies, which had been shipped out to Haiti a few weeks earlier, had arrived safely and been distributed in the ways EEE had requested.

It had been decided to have a party for some children whose school had been damaged by the quake, and this school was a few miles outside of Port au Prince, in Petion Ville. Elizabeth started out on this journey in what Haitians call “a machine”.  This is a pick-up that is partially covered, and passengers have to jump into it from the opening in the rear. (This type of vehicle was the means of transportation for most of the time.) The place where the party was being held was in a hilly area, and the machine gave up half way up one of the steeper hills on the curve at Bourdon leaving its passengers and driver stranded.  The quick-thinking driver then turned his attention to finding an alternative means of transportation. Elizabeth, and the driver went the rest of the way on the back of a motorbike.  (If you are keeping count, yes, you are correct!  There were two passengers and the cyclist on one motorbike.)

They arrived at the location of the party when it was in full swing: 120 children crowded into a small room, with some overflow in a courtyard. Elizabeth brought warm greetings from the children in New York, gave them the binder with all the cards and letters, and in turn, the children there gave her close to 160 notes and letters.  The word on the street is that she cried when the children sang, “ We are the world”, when the letters were being exchanged.

In addition to this memorable visit with the children, she was able to give a sack of rice, and a sack of beans to the elderly in need in St. Therese’s parish, Petion Ville; and  make a guided tour of the Red Cross hospital facility which is set up on the stadium grounds in Carrefour. (The countries represented there are Haiti, Finland, Columbia, Germany, Israel.  The Qatari Red Crescent was there as well.) She was alsoable to visit the devastated area of Croix du Prix.

 The visit lasted only four days, but a lot of experiences were crowded into that time, some of them heartrending, and some joyful. Elizabeth was left with a memory of a people whose hope for the future is still alive. Now it is for us to do our part, and to keep the promises we made when we first saw the devastation that the earthquake caused.

You can make a difference



The following must be recognized for their effort in helping to make this trip successful –

CHANT - For the generous donation

Maurice and Kat Wilson, Mimie Wallerson – Several large bags of clothing

Ten jumbo barrels of clothing, toiletries, and other items were shipped.

Ms Nicole Stroud - and children, PS 105, Sen. Abraham Bernstein School, Bronx, NY;

Ms. Caiden and Students, the Dwight School, New York, NY;

Fr. Patrick West, Augusto Lucero and children, in the religious instruction classes at Our Lady of  Solace Church, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY;

Ms. LaVerne Walker, C-STEP program New Paltz, New York;

Ms. Minneci, and children, St. Lucy’s School, Bronx, New York;

Ms. Verushka White – and children, PS 329, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY;

Ms. Alice D’Orazi – and students, Cathedral High School, New York, NY;

Ms. Woldine Guerrier – and children in her son’s class, at PS 9, Sarah Anderson School, New York, NY;

Children’s Party –

Jenny Arecius – whose financial help provided for the purchase of food and beverages;

Robens Arecius; Wally Steven Laguerre; Julien Menelas; Penord Badin Jr; Yfils Louis; and Dy Lucito Keslin – for working tirelessly in organizing the party

Evelyne Massillon; Clemerie Massillon; and Pena Badin – for providing the delicious and nutritious meal.

Helping The Elderly –

Keith Wilson – whose donation purchased the food given to Fr. Peters for elderly people affected by the earthquake.

Paying For Trip –

David and Elizabeth Anstey – for paying the airfare, hotel, taxi to the airport; transportation from JFK airport, and incidental costs while in Haiti.

Those who assisted in making this trip to Haiti possible, and memorable –

Rosemarie Ferjuste – a friend and travel buddy;

Montes – collected Elizabeth from the airport in Port-au-Prince; found the hotel, Auberge de Quebec, and made the reservation for Elizabeth while she was in New York; arranged to have a driver with a machine available; was always willing to help whenever possible;

Stanley – the driver who took us around most of the time;

Davilia – saw to it that Rosemarie and Elizabeth were well fed;

Yvonne – opened her home to Elizabeth;

Medeline and Evans– made their cell phones available, and were just fun to be around;

Natasha, and her daughter Naisha, Carlene, – for being good sports: they had to wait at the roadside with the machine while Montes and Elizabeth hopped on  the motorbike to take the letters to the children.

Wesley, and May May– for being there and welcoming;

Fr. Peters – for speaking with Elizabeth about the needs of those affected by the quake;

Florence – for showing how the quake completely destroyed her home which she had completed about a year ago, and the conditions under which she now lives; for sharing her emotional pain as she tries to cope with all that has happened.

Additional thanks to the following for their support –

 Alain Pierre Louis, Michelle Marshall, Winsome Leslie, Carlyle Miller, Gail Clement

The unwavering belief in this effort demonstrated by all donors and volunteers is truly appreciated by everyone who benefited from their generosity.