All our prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Mass ended by 8 am. It went by surprisingly quick since we don’t know Kreyol.  Pere Bertrand   had many of the older students paired with the visitors of from the surrounding chapels as hosts. They were ambassadors for them. After mass the students took them for a breakfast at school & later hosted some classes for them. They plan to be in Cerca La Source till Ash Wednesday.We quickly had a bite to eat, said our good byes, & were off to Port au Prince. It was a bitter sweet….sad to go……but happy that St Francis seems to be thriving. The return trip was long but we knew what to expect this time. However we weren’t expecting to have 2 live chickens in the back along with some dried fish we picked up. We also had two additional travelers, Noceline, a young girl who is studing to be a nurse in Port au Prince and another girl who needed a ride to Port au Prince.We managed to be patient as Junior’s gas tank could only be filled part way or else it would leak. Only a few times did my mind wander thinking how far we would have to walk if we ran out of gas.! But God is Good & we made it 7 hours later, intact & safe.  The last 1 1/2 of travelling was on paved roads but quite winding & mountainous. This improvement has made an impact, not always positive. We saw 2 serious accidents. One involving a Tap Tap, the Haitian bus loaded with people & stuff and the other a car & truck.  People are able to drive faster but the risks seem greater because  people &  animals are still walking on the roads.  In addition, there are  many more vehicles & curving blind spots that can cause deadly consequences. We were fortunate Junior was a skillful driver using his horns around all curves!We arrived in PAP  before dark, with the chickens still alive!. We dropped off Noceline & saw her apartment. It wasn’t like the standards we are use to, but I am sure it was exciting for her to have “a place of her own”  We stayed at Matthew 25 visitation house that night. There, we met Vivian & Patrick , the  managers who are from Boston. They have been a part of this ministry for 4 years.The next morning we were up early to go to the airport. We stopped briefly at Junior’s “community center” where he hopes to have a youth recreation center, provide English classes,  & a  guest house for visitors. He has quite a dream. The building he rents has a lot of potential. We boarded the plane set for the USA taking in the last sights, sounds & smells of Haiti one last time.We thank God for the opportunity to grow with our Haitian friends  and to continue Holding Hands with Haiti.

 Much of the morning was spent visiting the local market & experiencing the many colors and smells of the products, including a small taste of the local moonshine.  When we returned to the parish, we had a most productive meeting w/ Pere Bertrand regarding parish & school needs and priorities.  We look forward to sharing his ideas & our reflections, which we hope will crystalize into a new three year program on our return. If our hopes are turned into reality, this will enable all members of St. Stephen Parish who are interested to become more involved in a personal way by choosing to participate in one or more initiatives. 

Tonight, Pere Bertrand promises us an opportunity at dinner to become acquainted w/ members of the parish counsel and others of our sister parish and the surrounding chapels.   We will then meet again the cow we saw meet its demise on Tuesday, albeit in different form. 

Tomorrow, we will climb back in Junior St. Vil’s borrowed Blazer to return to Port au Prince, where we will spend the night at Sister Mary’s Visitation House, Matthew 25. Monday morning we will board Spirit Airlines, appropriately, to return to Detroit & the wonderful  winter in Michigan.

We then approached the Locian River from a ridge high above the valley.Spectacular scenery with many people bathing, washing clothes,moving  supplies on burrows and their heads, swimming–generally appearing to be enjoying themselves– especially watching us 3 rookies hopping from rock to rock trying to avoid getting soaked ,which we did. As usual we had great guidance from Junior St. Vil. It was a great aerobic hike,which we all need because the food has been good and plentiful. On the way back we stumbled by the Prestige Mini-Bar & of course had to help out the local economy.

Had a great lunch, met Noseline a nursing student in PAP- sponsored by Jeri .

Now awaiting  dinner!!!!!

When Fr B was having a clean water conference with the students, we went to Zanmi Lasante the Partners in Health clinic to bring 3 prospective candidates for Healing the Children program. They neede xrays which took roughly 3 hours long…no fast track ER in Cerca La Source. We hope they can be accepted into the program.

We have had numerous problems with the computer & this is actually the 3 time in getting this blog off….it has cuts off frequently.

The Carnival at school was so exciting for the kids. They had a variety show, music, dancing, singing & a terrific soccer game. They had many costumes & masks for the Mardi Gras festival. EGR white vs. EGR blue. The players really enjoyed the donated soccer balls, uniforms & shoes. The cow was served with coleslaw, rice & beans……a special treat.

After 6am Mass, we walked to the river & watched students take off their shoes to cross the river for school. They told us there were days when the hurricane came & they couldn’t get to school for a week. Later in the morning we went to the 8th &9th grade class to take photos of the students. This is to start the initiative of a penpal exchange; we have approximately 50 students & hope to have St Stephen parish students get involved. Several students were making paper hats & decorations for Carnival tomorrow. Pretty clool ones. There is a palpable excitement in the air for this Mardi Gras type festival all over Cerca La Source

We went to the market …….organized chaos!  with many merchants & wares. We saw the Haitian mud cakes for sale. The clay earthen pies to ward off hunger pains. The mid week market was busy in anticipation of Carnival. Fr B had a cow purchased for the festival. He only purchases a cow twice a year. This will provide food for all the students & people of the parish tomorrow at the Carnival party. We witnessed the slaughter, the skinning, chopping & cooking. Every aspect of the cow is utilize……I mean everything.

We met with many friends of Jeri, Matt, BethAnn, Marion etc. We will tell you all about it. However I did meet with Mericlude Emmanuela about her Le Femme group. They gather women to create crafts, sew clothes & participate in village projects. I have had an interview with her since she is one of the oldest & longest member of the village at 49y/o. I will share this with after I return.

Hank is recording our journey by his photographs we hope to post some soon. He is only at 400 pics so far! Larry is busy getting information from the Agronomist that works with World Vision. It was a good discussion that we had along with FrB.

Stay tuned to hear about Carnival tomorrow…..Larry & Hank will contribute a post then.

We made it to Cerca La Source! After arriving to Port au Prince, we met our loyal friend & interpreter Junior St Vil at the airport who drove us to Cerca La Source. The warm, sunshine was waiting for us. We got up to 15 mph on pavement which was to Mireblais then we hit the typical Haitian roads, (only an hour into it out journey). We were hoping for paved roads all the way to Hinche. So when you pray for our safe travel include safe travel & smooth roads. The sights along the way actually keep your mind off the bumpy roads. We passed the hydroelectric dam of Lake Peligre, quite an impressive site. The dam was built by the US quite a long time ago. The Lake & terrain was beautiful. Only a few canoeist were on the lake but it was a pristine sight. A US developers dreams! Stick homes on million dollar views. The rivers had people wading, or washing their clothes. We went through the valleys, up the mountains, & encountered rough roads. We took a pit stop in Hinche to stretch our legs, saw the Cathedral for the dioceses. (currently without a bishop) & the local hospital. We perservered on . We traveled through Thomassique & saw the St Josheph clinic from the outside. This project was funded by Richmond Diocese and it looks pretty nice. Finally after seven hours later, we made it to Fr Bertrand’s rectory, safe & sound but tired & weary. A bit hungry too, so we had delicious spicy chicken soup, rice, beans along with san (cooked goat blood)….yum, yum. 

Hank & Larry went to 6am mass. I slept in, dreaming of the church bells & choir voices.  In the morning, we toured the school & was introduced to the new principal Sr. Declama & sister Magdelena, her assisstant. They are from the order sisters of the child Jesus.  All the students sang to us welcome songs. It was delightful hearing them & seeing their smiling faces. The older students were undergoing exams which we interupted. Some of them looked nervous but sister says their are some very smart students. Another highlight was an afternoon snack with Sr Declama, & her home roasted peanuts & local fruit wine.  We distributed school supplies & gifts. Later we had a large meal with beets, potaotes, carrots, rice beans & goat (PJ it was Toby’s cousin! : ) Again quite tasty. I am impressed how heartily Larry & Hank have embraced Haitian Food. It has been nice to introduce them to people of St Francis ,I have met & befriended from my previous trips.

Tomorrow is the Market day. We will share another update them.

There has been progress in Cerca La Source. There are street lights supported by the USAid project in various parts of the village. It is run with Solar panels. Fr B also has solar panels on his roof. The community building is progressing but remains unfinished. Hopefully we can get pictures posted soon. Cathy

Also, this group will be traveling through Port au Prince, which is a very different experience from going through the Dominican Republic, as some other groups have.

Please pray for  our travelers that they make a safe and successful trip.

-The Holding Hands with Haiti Ministry

Dear friends

I am terribly sorry to stay close one more time without sharing news.
The problem the things are very difficult for me. two weeks ago I was at Sto  Domingo for a meeting about hatropha (a tree ) a new way to make diesel with plant ( bio diesel ). I wanted to know this project to know how I can introduce my community.it is a new way to make money.Since two weeks I have a short down with my Jeep it doesn’t work ,until now I cannot repair it. Now I am at Hinche just to write you and I find your e-mail ,I use a taxi moto to do that I will come back this evening for the mass tomorrow I will come back at Hinche on monday to

I have to say to you since five months I have a special time in the parish. The principal of the nons who are in the parish dicide to move them in an other mission,so Sr Polinice as gone. I am the only one to plan the new year of school : repair the benches broken and black board, built 25 new benches for the new classroom, meet the teachers and parents of the children.  I have to buy uniforms ,shoes ,books , chalk, material supllies and built a new space at the direction to receive the parents and teachers and plan at the same time the feast of the parish where I have to receive more than 30 priest of the diocise with the Bishop and more than 5 000 people who come pray with us, because  it is a parish of pelerinage .Over all the hurricane came and take his place…bethwen that the satelite dish doesn’t work.

During the 5 months of silence I received 10 000 USD for the school I use it to come up with my budget about the teachers salaries feed the children until june, repair the benches, black board built 25 benches more, built a fence to share the shool from the sisters house, buy uniforms ,shoes,soap, material supplies, for this year the situation become more difficult the families lost everything in their gardten, so they ask me to do everything for them about school for their children. All are expensive now, in the store we use to buy food we have som debts as we are a good payer, they give me the food without money,the problem is the money that I use buying food cannot feed them 5 days a week as the past, now we give them a hot lunch 3 times aweek ( mond, wen,and fri) and the others days we give them only Bread and Juce.

I want to let you know  I am a bridge from St stephen Church to the teachers and the children in the school of St Francis Church in Haiti. The money that you send is for the school(teachers parents and children,),they are the fisrt to benefict of this relationship,I don’t want to be an obstacle. I work very hard to keep the school working as you and the people at St stephen works very hard to get your money and share it with us, I am personaly appreciate that and I continue to give myself to help them in anyway I can. I understand your big concern to give a good report to the people at the Church and Iam ready to help about that, but you must know also nothing is easy in this poor contry,now if I have to go somewhere I have to pay a taxi,I cannot pay to fixe my  truck yet . sometime you buy something it is difficult to get a receipt. I am open to your questions ,sometimes the the satelite dish works somtime no.  Monday I will be at Hinche To see if you write.

My greetings to Fr. Paul and the people at the Church

Fr.  Bertrand

The story below appeared in the Grand Rapids Press yesterday (Sunday, April 20, 2008) in Nancy Crowley’s column. There is a young woman from Cerca La Source who, I think, attends this school. Her name is Nozline (I don’t know her last name). I think it’s interesting that our city has so many connections to Haiti…

Jeri Kessenich of the St. Stephen Haiti mission with nursing student Nozline.

Visit the Haiti Nursing Foundation website.

Dream succeeds against all odds

Sunday, April 20, 2008
By Nancy Crawley
The Grand Rapids Press

Hilda Alcindor joined me for dinner on a rainy night in Grand Rapids before she flew back to Haiti, where she leads a school of nursing.

Shortly after, food riots broke out in Port-au-Prince, 20 miles from her small, white-washed campus. At least seven people and a U.N. peacekeeper were killed.

Alcindor e-mailed her Michigan supporters that she was OK and life had returned to normal at the School of Nursing in Leogane.

But it was a grim reminder of the incredible odds she and her support network face in trying to graduate their first class of nurses in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

In fact, one of their goals now is more tactical than medical, getting a wall built around the campus.

The story of Hilda Alcindor and this little school is not a typical Press business column, certainly, but it is a glimpse into another world with just the thinnest veneer of life as we know it.

When we worry about grocery prices and health care premiums, those issues take on another meaning in a nation of nearly 9 million where malnutrition and disease are rampant and the government is nearly nonexistent.

The 50-some-year-old Alcindor is a native of Haiti who left her homeland for the United States, where she lived for three decades.

Taking the job of dean in 2004 meant giving up her comfortable life in Miami, where she worked at Mount Sinai Medical Center, drove a Lincoln and raised her two daughters.

Now, she lives in a house with no running water or electricity, in a rural area with a growing food shortage. At times, she has hired a policeman to stay at the house.

The evening we met, she was accompanied by retired University of Michigan nursing educators/clinicians, Ruth Barnard and Marge Van Meter.

Both helped launch the school and now are leaders of the Haiti Nursing Foundation, the fundraising arm.

They had driven over to visit International Aid in Spring Lake to pick up donated medical equipment, gloves, gauze, IV poles and “lab-in-a-suitcase” kits for medical testing in remote locations.

Though they were probably among the least expensive items, Alcindor was particularly pleased with the boxes of toothbrushes she picked up.

“Each student gets a toothbrush, a washcloth and deodorant,” Alcindor said. “They have to learn first about taking care of their own hygiene.”

It is part of the cultural and educational transformation for these impoverished young people, most fresh from high school.

The education is designed to parallel a U.S. education, and the first class — about 13 students — graduates in January with baccalaureate RN degrees.

The school’s mission is faith-based, operating under the Episcopal University of Haiti. The Presbyterian Medical Benevolence Foundation was a major force in its creation.

Funding for the six classrooms and dormitory came from a USAID grant, but the government agency does not fund programming, staff or equipment.

So Alcindor has had to do a lot of improvising to keep the school on its feet.

The first class size was set at 36 students for a very practical reason — she had 18 desks that could accommodate two students each.

But dorm space was the real constraint, forcing her to squeeze four, rather than two, students into a room. She also rented an apartment building and strung a wire across the street so it has power from the school generator.

Alcindor is most passionate, though, when she talks about her determination to build the self esteem and confidence of her students.

She particularly wants her female students to learn to “impose” themselves, her term for standing up for themselves in a male-dominated society.

“I tell the young women to stand straight, hold up their heads and walk tall,” she said.

Tall and imposing herself, Alcindor commands attention as she describes her school’s mission “to fulfill the dream” of producing dedicated, well trained nurses to help their homeland.

This is a mission that came to her at just the right time, she said, when at middle age she was asking God what she should do with her life.

Shortly after she was recruited for the dean’s job and took that as a sign. Now, she travels back to the U.S. several times a year to help raise funds.

Many people in the United States and Haiti pitched in to open the school in 2005. But Van Meter, foundation secretary, said Alcindor is the linchpin to the school’s success.

“She is our best weapon.”

Send e-mail to the author: ncrawley@grpress.com