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A Trip to Haiti

On March 14^th, parishioners from St. Mary’s of Vinton and All Saints took a mission trip to the mountain region of Haiti to visit their “Parish Twin” in the Bellefontaine region. Members of the group included Steve, Peg and Kimberly Schmitz,  Steve and Stephanie Pace, Mick and Colleen Eardman and Bill Keller.

Our trip began early in the morning of the 14^th with an overnight in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Our travel continued on to Port Au Prince the next morning and a second overnight at Wings of Hope, an orphanage for severely disabled children.  These are kids that without the food, shelter and care provided by Wings, would simply be left to die on the streets.  The scene is at once heart wrenching and heart warming.

Our final destination was reached mid-day the following day after a 2 hour, 11 mile drive down rugged mountain roads and a final half hour driving upstream in a small river. The village is known as Bassin-Meado.

There were a number of goals the we wanted to accomplish:  survey the region for an FM radio station for the priest, to physically locate the village through the use of GPS equipment (and other villages within the parish – a total of 24), to survey the village for solar power, a soar powered well, and to clearly list the goals of Father Antonio, the parish priest for the next year.  Throughout a very hectic and rewarding week, all the goals were accomplished.

And, there was simply becoming acquainted with the village and its people.   We were fully accepted as part of the parish and treated very well.  The food, while “unique”, was very tasty. Our main meat was goat, cooked over an open fire in a very crude kitchen.  Other items included fruits, bread, rice and black beans, and various soups. While most of us were not used to seeing our dinner walk by on the way to the chopping block, the parishioner’s willingness to share their food with us was very genuine and appreciated.

Kimberly, Stephanie and Colleen were high school seniors that accompanied their parents on the trip.  To say they were a big hit with the children of the village would be a tremendous understatement!  They played with them, helped them with their English and taught them new games like “Duck, Duck, Goose”.  They have made real friends there and look forward to returning on next year’s trip.

The people of Bassin-Meado, and Haiti in general, are truly the forgotten people of the world. Their daily job is to simply put food on the table.  They are subsistence farmers raising limited livestock, volunteer corn and beans and some fruit.  There is no electricity.  There is no potable water. There is no health care. Yet, in spite of all that they do not have, they have a tremendous spirit. Mass was filled with song and the sound of a homemade guitar and bongos.  The evenings saw us entertained by the village equivalent of “Laugh In”.  Everyone participated, including us – through the use of an interpreter.  Mick taught the Iowa fight son, we did skits, dances and generally provided much amusement.  The evenings were loud, long and fun!

Primary transportation is by foot. On Sunday, there was a wedding.  The bride, groom and family and friends left their village at 4 in the morning to arrive to the church by 11. After a 2 hours. including Mass and greeting of friends, they began their 7 hour return trip to their village.  This was typical of their daily life.

Four of the villages, including Bellefontaine, are near a river for water, another 4 have water within a 20 minute walk. The people living in the remaining dozen or so villages have to walk hours to water sources carrying water in 5 gallon plastic pails balanced on their heads.

Health care is 6 to 7 hours away on foot.  Simple injuries such as cuts, minor broken bones and infections can easily become life threatening. The average lifespan in Haiti is 52.

All too soon, our trip ended and we returned via Port Au Prince. We spent an evening at St. Joseph’s School for Boys. Their mission is to rescue street boys and give them an education and a fighting chance for a normal life. Both homes, Wings and St. Michaels were founded by a man simply known as Michael, from Algona, Iowa.  He is truly a man sent by God to provide these folks hope.

It is impossible to relate our entire trip is a single news article. It was fulfilling and emotional. Sunday, while in front of the congregation telling of our adventures, I struggled to keep the tears away.  The people of Bassn-Meado truly encompass the meaning of Faith, Hope and Love.  It was an incredibly humbling trip. For a complete diary of our trip and photos (nearly 1000), please visit http://eiahc.org.  Our trip will be posted under “Journals” within the next week or so.

And, for those looking for a way to make a difference in a very small part of the world and to share God’s love, please check with your church to see if they have any efforts underway in Haiti. If not, I can think of no better place to start. The people of Haiti are truly the world’s forgotten people.