Haitian Outreach

What is it about? Who does it help?

The Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Queen Immaculate of Haiti was founded in 1971 by Mother Monique, a native Haitian, (then 55 years of age) and young Sister Gibbs. Mother Monique was answering what she felt was a very “strong call “ to rescue young homeless street girls, to provide them with shelter, food, and proper training to enable them to find employment. Mother Monique died in 1997.Her final wish was that her “Sisters” be not forgotten. The Sisters operate a shelter (Our Lady of Good Refuge) for homeless girls (14 to 20 years old), a novitiate (currently 5 novices), a fish farm, elementary school, sewing school at Lilavois, an elementary school at Saut D'Eau. A school (Lalue) in downtown Port-au-Prince—1500+ students, elementary schools in Damassin, Roche A Bateau, Jeremie, Des Coteaux and a school Croix des Bouquets. Also mission houses at each location. The sisters are 1 of 2 all Haitian religious order of women serving their homeland.

Haitian Outreach Updates

• 1998 - We met Mother Monique in 1983 and supported her work over the years. Each summer we eagerly awaited her visit with reports of each new project. On her deathbed we promised to visit her beloved people and her work. The needs we witnessed when we visited Haiti in January 1998 prompted us to found Haitian Outreach. Fund raising efforts in 1998 provided a small water filtration system for St. Marie’s shelter, a down payment for transportation-medical supplies-110,000 lbs. of relief supplies shipped.

• 1999-2000 - Provided funds to rebuild and furnish St. Joseph School at Roche a Bateau which was destroyed by fire in 1997 keeping the children out of school for 2 years.

• 2001 - Our group hired Haitian labor and we supervised the painting of a Mission House and School situated on the soon to be opened fish farm/school/mission in Lilavois. Donations supplied the paint and materials needed. peaking engagements resulted in a representative from Rotary International joining us to supervise the installation of 32 solar panels to power the new well, which needed electricity to pump the water for the 5 fish basins (a project funded by a group from Martha’s Vineyard) the school in Lilavois opened in September,2001.They also had water. The first 2 of the 5 fish basins (tilapias) were being stocked. What an exciting time! The first fishes were harvested in June,2001.Some of our fund raisers were: plant sales at St. Cecilia's Church—which paid for 4 propane gas stoves with ovens-$1500.00 for transportation of goods to Haiti.

• 2002 - A dining room for the teenage girls at the shelter (Our Lady of Good Refuge) at Canape Vert. We shipped a kitchen sink –-plumbing-dishes- kitchen supplies-and food. Our goal is to add some variety to their daily diet of cornmeal, beans and rice. The Sisters do not have the funds to provide more than shelter, limited food and a uniform. That is the reason we ship clothes-shoes-food –sewing supplies-toiletries-medicine-etc.

• 2003 - New seats for the out door Toilets were donated for the shelter. Sponsorship Program for children to go to school began in Saut D’Eau a remote mountain village and Croix des Bouquets one of our schools. The Sisters choose the poorest of the poor who could not attend school because school is not free in Haiti. The visitors that traveled with us suggested projects which could be done in the future.

• 2004 - More painting done with donations of paint. Window screens were made--doors and benches Haitian labor hired. Schools were visited and more children were signed up for sponsorship at Lalue, St. Marie, Croix des Bouquets and Lilavois.

• 2005 - Shipped over 200 buckets weighing 100lbs.each during the year w/clothes-shoes-food- filled backpacks for the sponsored children which were distributed More painting done –the girl’s dining room –the novitiate at Canapé Vert. blackboards and screens at Saut D’Eau more children signed up for sponsorship. We now have 242 children in school. Hand rails were made and installed at St. Marie for the safety of everyone.

• 2006 - We visited in March because of turmoil in the Country. Visited the schools to update children’s files-measurements-and photos signed up more children for sponsorship we now have 292.new solar panels and car batteries for electricity at St. Marie and Lilavois. Shelter painted and convent at St. Marie with Haitian labor.—more new doors made. 400 buckets shipped and distributed during the year. Thanks to the generosity of many good people we were able to accomplish much good.

• 2007 - We arrived March 4 with 10 travelers. Interviewed and photographed all sponsor children except for 2 who were ill. Distributed backpacks to 290 children. Painted the inside and outside of the novitiate. Used 90 gallons of donated paint. Visited schools (Lalue, Croix des Bouquets, and Lilavois). We lost 9 children at Lilavois because families moved away because of kidnappings in the area. Sisters replaced the nine with children of the same sizes and need. We now have solar panels, batteries, and inverter at Saut D'Eau for electricity. Also the same at Lilavois. A new school is being built at Croix des Bouquet replacing the outdated one. Great news! Louis cook alio olio (spaghetti) for all the shelter and a giant raffle was held for all with many prizes donated to Haitian Outreach at home. The girls at the shelter will graduate in July 2007 after finishing a two year program. A new group will arrive this coming September. All girls received a piece of luggage with toiletries, clothing, etc as a graduation gift. Than you to all who send goods to our organization.

• 2008 - We visited Haiti in April with 14 workers and Sr. Judith Dupee, head of Haitian Apostolate for the Diocese of Worcester as our guest. We interviewed, photo graphed, and delivered backpacks to 320 sponsored children at Lalue school, Croix des Bouquets, Lilavois, Saut D'Eau, and St. Marie. We met the 57 new girls in the two year shelter program at St. Marie and photographed them and distributed clothes and toilet articles to each girl. Our two week stay started quietly but soon demonstrations began in the city as hungry Haitians marched to protest the rising cost of rice which as tripled in an economy where 90% of the people have no jobs. We got caught in some of the burning tires and roadblocks, but thanks to our great drivers (Richard and Yeye) we arrived safely back to St. Marie. Taking advantage of our lockup at St. Marie during the demonstrations, Louis cooked spaghetti in olive oil and garlic for the sisters, girls at the shelter, and all the people of Canapé Vert. The next day Norman, Claire, and Nicole made pancakes for all and Gloria cooked spam and baked cakes. The food was enjoyed by all. Sunday we celebrated the grand opening of our newly constructed building "Bureau Leclerc" dedicated to serving families in need of food, clothing, shoes, and sponsorship with Drack Bonhomme as our Haitian representative at the site. We also have a new trainee Winddcheley Saturne who will assist Drack. We hired seven Haitian men to paint the rest of the novitiate as well as our new building, the entrance wall, and some painting at the shelter. The men were very grateful to earn a wage to feed their families. This year two young ladies came to Haiti with us, Nicole (our Granddaughter) and Jessica who worked diligently on the files and paperwork. We lost six sponsored children this year because of relocation but we signed up 30 new children who desperately need sponsors. Pray that we find them one. Thank you to everyone that made this mission so successful this past year, thanks to your generosity, we shipped 450 - 100lb filled containers for the poor of Haiti. This year we lost our benefactor, Sterilite, who donated the containers in the past for which we are very grateful. This makes it very important for us to find a supplier at a reasonable cost or donations so we may continue our mission.

• 2009 - This year we visited Haiti on March 10-24, 2009. Ten travelers, including a nurse, doctor, plumber, electrician, and workers went to continue the Haitian Mission. We found our 356 sponsored children well, happy and thriving. We lost ten of our sponsored children, but the good sisters replaced them with our other needy ones to benefit from the generosity of the sponsors for the tuition assistance for the 2008-2009 school year. The children were thrilled to receive a backpack from their sponsors. The new Family Center is going well with the help of Winddcheley, the young man we brought here for training last summer and his assistant Wesner. Drack Bonhomme, our first trainee, has graduated from college in Haiti and accepted a position with the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The 42 good sisters send their love and gratitude to all and thank you for your assistance in helping to educate, feed and clothe the poor of Haiti.

• 2010 - We went to Haiti after a delay in flights because of the earthquake which struck Haiti in January. We flew March 19 and returned April 2, 2010. When we approached Haiti the destruction was unbelievable. Once on the ground it was worse than imagined. At the compound at Canape Vert, Port-au-Prince the mother house and the noviciate and the shelter for girls and the visitors quarters are all destroyed. We lost two nuns, ten shelter girls and three sponsored children in the quake. We still have fifteen sponsored children that we cannot find but three young men who help us in Haiti Wesner St. Charles, Yvens Jean Baptiste, and Makenson Merisca are still searching for them. This year we had to stay in Lilavois at the fish farm because of the conditions at Canape Vert. Lilavois has damage and the sisters are sleeping outside. Our compound at St. Marie is overrun with families who have set up sheet tents on the property because their huts are all destroyed. We have about 360 families living there with the sisters. Debris is being cleaned up at the compound thanks to many generous donors to Haitian Outreach. The visitors quarters has been demolished and an area cleared for the nuns to live until their mother house is rebuilt.

  We are fortunate that our newest building "Bureau Leclerc" remained intact a few minor cracks but they have been repaired and a new bathroom has been installed with a bathtub, shower, sink and flush toilet to be used by the nuns. This building is our Family Center where our shipments of backpacks, food, shoes and clothing are kept to distribute to the poor.

  We never charge for the supplies in our Family Center. All we ask is that each family try on the clothes to make sure they fit and the same with the shoes which, by the way, are in very short supply. When the quake hit our supplies provided much needed help for all. There has been no government help to the people at all since the quake. The only visible help has come from the U.S. at the airport, rice distribution to some. The French Red Cross has a few first aid tents and the Swiss Red Cross distributes water for washing not for drinking. USAID has a program where Haitians are hired to clean the rubble with hammers and shovels and wheelbarrows but everything is done by hand. There is no large equipment there to help pick up the debris. The Salvation Army is there and the Mormon Church. If small nonprofit church groups like ours were not in Haiti, nothing would get accomplished. Some groups are helping with medical, some with feeding children, some with distributing tents, some helping to clean up the debris. The Haitians are amazing people. I don't know how they are managing. Conditions are deplorable

  At St. Marie we have hired about ten men to help with the cleanup and they are being paid $4.00 per day which enables them to feed their families. There is plenty of food and water in the marketplace but only for purchase. Nothing is given free. Tents are desperately needed because most poor families are living in tents made of bed sheets and the rainy season is fast approaching. Our sponsored children were very happy to see us and the sisters set up a day of "Joy" so the children could come to be interviewed, measured and photographed receiving their backpacks from their American "Godparents." This was repeated at all the schools we service. Because of all the destruction we took names and photos of 50 children who desperately need sponsors. If you know of anyone interested please let us know at 978-345-7223.

  Also, any donations are gratefully accepted. You can be sure that it will be used wisely and all of it will be sent to Haiti to continue the cleanup in Haiti.

• 2011 - We have returned from our annual trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We were very excited to see what has been accomplished since the earthquake of January 2010. We were happy to see a new convent for the sisters, a new chapel, a beautiful new visitors quarters. Bureau Leclerc, our family center has a safe approval stamp from the government. And our six schools have been repaired, thank you to all of the U.S. benefactors that have made our dream come true. Our sponsored children are well and are attending school. A few of the families left the area for other parts of Haiti so the good sisters have replaced them with very needy ones. Our group worked very hard to photograph, measure, and interview each child. Our driver Yeye took very good care of us. We had a wonderful time and we look forward to our return next year. Our group was Norman & Gloria Charpentier, Louis & Claire Giuliani, Muriel Leger, Greg Moquin, Karen Flynn, Mary Clifford, Yvens Jean Baptiste, and Wesner St. Charles.

  We have brought back photos of needy children who desperately want to go to school. Sponsorship is available for $125.00 per year for tuition assistance. And $60.00 for a filled backpack. You would make such a difference in a child's life.

  Interested? Contact Claire at 978-345-7223 or e-mail MemandGrampy[at]aol[dot]com.

  Thank you,
  Louis & Claire Giuliani

• 2012 - Nine travelers left for Haiti on March 4, 2012 and returned March 14, 2012. We had a very successful trip and we visited all of our 417 sponsored children. We found that most of them are no longer in sheet tents but have repaired their little huts.

  We also noticed that there is much happening in Haiti since last year. We were happy to see that the Bush-Clinton Foundation has been working with the new President Martelli to bring into Port au Prince many pieces of heavy equipment, such as trucks, front end loaders etc., to help haul away the rubble. Haitian men have been formed into community groups of 20 and report each day at 6 am and are given a hard hat and vest and a 5 gallon bucket to gather rubble and dump the rubble into shiny new wheelbarrows and wheel them to the middle of the street where the front end loaders scoop up the rubble and haul it away.

  The men work from 6 am to 5 pm for 2 American dollars a day. The rubble is returned all crushed and then cement making begins to rebuild huts. There is also street and traffic lights installed in many areas powered by solar. They have hired crossing guards to help students cross busy streets, it is funny to watch two people dressed in yellow step into the streets with red flags with stop written in English on the flags and the country speaks Creole and French. Also they are beginning to put street signs on roads which I have never seen in 10 years. Our property now has a sign "Rue St.Marie". The tent city in front of the palace which is shown often on our televisions is now almost empty (five tents left) and people have been relocated. They are also cleaning the park site. We had a 4.6 earthquake around 10:00 pm while we were there and we all flew outside quickly. The looks of terror on the faces of the Haitians is unforgettable. They stayed in the streets all night while we went back to bed. There were two aftershocks the next day.

  Our six schools are mostly repaired and in the Croix des Bouquets school we saw children washing in a large barrel of stagnant water one after the other day after day. Sister Navidad asked for a generator to help keep the water stirring so sanitation would be better and children would be less likely to spread cholera. So, Haitian Outreach provided them that generator. We also chose two outstanding high school seniors from our sponsored kids to receive the annual Leclerc college scholarship for attending university in September. We found our kids very happy and healthy, that they are eating, and so grateful to attend school. The need for education is so great in Haiti because there is no public school system so if the family cannot pay, which most of them cannot, then the child cannot go to school. That is why Sponsoring a child is SO important. Unfortunately only the rich or the lucky ones attend school. The good Sisters look for very, very poor children to bring to us to find a sponsor for them so they may have a chance for a life. We take one child from each family and the parent decides which of their children it will be. That is such a hard choice. We have brought photos of 40 children who dream of attending school and if there is anyone that you know that might be interested in sponsorship PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! You can call 978-345-7223 and we would love to see these kids start school in September. Tuition assistance remains at $125.00 per year and a filled backpack is $60.00. Please keep us and the children of Haiti in mind!!

  Our Family Center Bureau Leclerc is doing well where goods are given to families at no charge. Thanks to everyone that donates clothing, shoes and food that we ship to Haiti on a regular basis. Families this year have been asking for shampoo as it is not affordable or available to them. They are very grateful people and are so happy to see us each year. Thank you so much for all that you do for the very poor of Haiti. The good sisters send their love and keep all of you in their prayers.

  Sincerely,
  Louis & Claire Giuliani