For two weeks during March 2002 I had the opportunity to experience Haiti with our "exposure trip to Haiti" group. This was a trip that had been on my agenda since shortly after meeting Father John when he first came to OLPH parish and I learned about his very special mission. As a founding member of the HTFH board I knew that traveling to Haiti was important for me to better understand the people and their challenges, and therefore ultimately make my efforts to help be more informed, and hopefully more effective, as a board member. That the trip would be a very moving experience was not in doubt for a moment, having heard so much about previous trips through our preparatory meetings I felt confident that nothing would really shock me. I have seen poverty up close before but have always been aware that there are many "safety nets" in most first world nations. In Canada there is a government department or non-profit agency there to help, no matter what the problem may be. Government sponsored help in Haiti is sparse or non existent in most areas so organizations like HTFH are desperately needed to provide an array of essential services. Our efforts to assist with schooling and a feeding program for children, and wages for their teachers in Labadie are obviously needed, and appreciated.

Steve and Meg

I was amazed at the tenacity of a young boy of 8 or 9 years who insisted on holding a paint tray for me for several hours while we put the finishing coats on the classroom walls and ceiling. I didn't need to understand Creole to receive his thanks and appreciation. His big smile said it all. A similar phenomenon occurred while helping with shaving and massaging bedridden men in a hospital ward in Port Au Prince. Yes they were strangers but they were as brothers. They too communicated their thanks and appreciation of our efforts through smiles and obvious signs of contentment at the attention paid to them. I had the special treat of sharing this journey in distance and different worlds with one of my daughters. It was great to see Megan and the other younger people on the trip helping in the hospital. Haiti is definitely not Club Med. It bodes well for future generations to see teens and people in their early twenties unselfishly sharing their March break with the Haitian people. For those of us on the trip who haven't seen our twenties for many years, we had the chance to view Haiti through the eyes of a parent. Seeing the slum that is Citie Soleil and the dismal conditions that parents must raise their children in can really be distressing to view. Seeing a child with a distended belly or other obvious signs of malnourishment can also be heart wrenching for any caring parent to see. The heat in the slum and the stench of the open sewers served to remind us that we weren't viewing a documentary on the Learning Channel, this was up close and very real. The Haitian people do not need our pity. They cannot learn, eat or get shelter with this sentiment. My dominant feeling when seeing the dismal conditions in the slum was one of determined resolve to help them help themselves. They are a very tough and resourceful people. I was so impressed with the results of their craftsmanship in fabricating so many items with simple hand held tools, no fancy power tools for them.
The trip was full of unexpected bonuses. I got to meet and know people from our community, people who in the normal course of my day-to-day existence would not normally associate with. Different ages, different lifestyles, but did we ever share a wonderful gift of being "called". I met and befriended other giving people who really care about others, even strangers in a foreign land, who have needs and feelings, hopes and desires just like us. It just happens that they weren't born into the wealth of opportunities that we accept as our birthright here in Canada. I don't pity the Haitians I met and observed. I admire them. If they will accept my outstretched hands I will be helping them for as long as I have the means and the energy. Can't wait for March 2003 to see these wonderful people again.

Steve McDougall
Vice-chair
Hearts Together For Haiti