Biking for a Purpose
It was this time 3 years ago that our first Bike4Haiti group was preparing to trek from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. in order to raise money for a new school in our partner community of Meloniere.
Haitian Staff Bridge the Distance
Haiti H2O has always valued relationships with our Haitian partners. These friendships have grown over the more than 15 years that we have been working in rural Haiti. But, between the pandemic and turmoil in Haiti, it has been difficult to travel there over the past 3 years.
That’s why I am so grateful for our staff in Haiti. Jeanne and Jules are our “boots on the ground” at a time when it has been hard to be there in-person.
Meet Enock Sanon
Enock Sanon joined Haiti H2O in January to support our staff in Haiti and the projects in our partner communities. Enock grew up in Haiti and came to the U.S. to study at Geneva College. There he met his wife, Elizabeth Jabco, who had traveled with Haiti H2O on a trip to St. Martin. Enock then went on to complete a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development at Eastern University, near Philadelphia. He now lives and works (full-time) in Delaware with his wife and two children. We are excited to welcome Enock as a part-time consultant to facilitate communication with our partners in Haiti and provide oversight to our projects, ensuring their long-term viability.
Read more about Enock:
Runner Interview: Jaime Stilwell
Jaime Stilwell’s first run with Haiti H2O’s Run for Hope was unorthodox to say the least: although she had already registered and been training for the half-marathon in 2020, by March the Pittsburgh Marathon was canceled amid the growing fears about the CoVID-19 virus. Haiti H2O had to pivot and Jaime pivoted with us. The race went virtual and although fundraising in such circumstances could have been a major challenge, Jaime credits her donors with giving her the energy to continue. “[The fundraising] kept me honest,” she admitted. Jaime ran virtually and the ‘unprecedented’ run of 2020 was a success.
Moving Forward
Jeanne and Jules have been in regular contact with our partners, including their quarterly visit to all four communities in December. These visits are a real encouragement to the church and community leaders in each village. They are able to share local news and activities, and also any current needs from their neighbors.
Consistent Care
Throughout 2021, Dr. Sony and his medical team participated in Quarterly Medical Clinics in Plain Matin. With the support of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, the clinics were able to be held 3 times last year, and we are planning on going forward with four clinics every year.
In the Midst of Darkness
In October, I had the opportunity to visit with our partners in Haiti. Our in-country directors, Jules and Jeanne, thought it best to catch a flight from Port-Au-Prince and fly direct to Les Cayes so we could avoid travelling on the dangerous roads where there had been so many roadblocks and kidnappings. Arriving on a small plane, we soon headed off to visit the four communities Haiti H20 has partnerships with.
Community Visit Updates
Jeanne and Jules made their regular quarterly visits to the communities in late September. Here are the key updates:
Riding the Trails
In 2018, as Director of Youth Ministry at Church of the Ascension, I was planning an international mission trip for the following year, and given that there were teenagers from Haiti H20’s founding families at the youth group, Haiti was very much on my radar. The dates were set and training sessions began, but in the spring of 2019 the U.S State Department put Haiti on the red list; ‘don’t go there’. So instead of flying to Haiti and using our hands to help build a new school in the village of Meloniere, we decided to ride our bicycles the more than 330 miles from Ascension to the Haitian Embassy in D.C., and raise money for our Haitian brothers and sisters to build the school!
Remembering Madame Pastor Celande
If ever there was an embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman describe above it was Madam Pas. She served alongside her husband in remarkable ways that often was overlooked.
Boots on the Ground
Thanks to your generosity, our team in Haiti is able to get help to the remote communities where we partner. We have sent emergency funds to purchase medical supplies and meet other urgent needs. Jeanne and Jules will be delivering these supplies and funds directly to our partners over the weekend.
Earthquake, August 14, 2021
Many of us have been watching the footage of the earthquake that hit Southern Haiti on Saturday morning. We saw the leveled buildings and watched as children were pulled out from under the rubble. Along with our Haitian brothers and sisters, we lament in shock and disbelief at yet another tragedy for Haiti to endure.
The Opportunity of Knowledge
As a new day begins in Meloniere, 200 students (K-6) start arriving at school, prepared to start lessons. They arrive in their uniforms, looking tidy despite having to travel 1-2 hours on foot. There are no public school systems in Haiti—if they are at school, it means that their parents have enough money to pay for their education. This opportunity is a privilege.
Cycle for Change
It all began with a kayak. Todd and Charity Wahrenberger were looking to upgrade Charity’s old kayak, so they posted it for sale locally. Haiti H2O’s Executive Director, Rhonda Smith, was looking for one to buy. “I’d say that’s were we really met,” said Charity. “I knew Jeff and Sarah [VanderMolen] from the Coalition for Christian Outreach—Sarah was my supervisor—so I had knwon of Haiti H2O and the development of it.”
Al and Marsha Kolbe are Sustaining Partners
Al and Marsha Kolbe are well acquainted with Haiti, and with the community of Bassin Caiman in particular. Marsha first went to Haiti with Friendship Church, a trip led by Jeff VanderMolen (one of Haiti H2O’s founders) in 2003: “When Friendship went that first time, a lot of families came...it was a really meaningful trip.” Reflecting on her first impressions of the country, Marsha said, “I remember the airport—you come off the plane and go to the baggage area—it’s so busy. [All the] sights and sounds...it was a little overwhelming!”
