Through the years, HSNNE has given consistent witness and commitment to solidarity with Haiti, sharing the mission with others through outreach, fund raising and delegations. It continually seeks to expand its membership with Haitians in the United States and to form relationships with existing Haitian organizations and different churches. Communication through the newsletter (Kenbe Fèm), fund raisers, acknowledging award-recipients, speaking engagements and expanding public awareness of Haiti and HSNNE are important elements of our work.
The communities below represent areas where HSNNE is active in Haiti.
JÉRÉMIE
HSNNE formed a liaison with L’Ecole Superieure Catholique de Droit de Jérémie,(ESCDROJ), a law school founded by Bishop Willy Romelus in 1999. The school provides access to the legal system for peasants, the poor and those who live in the countryside. HSNNE sponsors programs in alternate dispute resolution for the students. As lawyers, Fathers Eugene Squeo and Judith Reilly have been invited speakers. Father Squeo laid the groundwork for a continuing relationship between the Seton Hall Law School here in Newark and ESCDROJ.
CAVAILLON
Presentation Parish, Upper Saddle River, has formed a twinning relationship with Cavaillon after conducting a one week medical mission there seeing over 1,000 people. Fr. Jack Martin initiated the contact when he was pastor at Presentation.
VALLIERES
Judy Reilly oversees the twinning relationship between Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Park Ridge with the community in Vallieres. Our Lady of Mercy has provided technical support for small peasant group initiatives in fish farming and raising goats, which create economic and nutritional benefits for local residents. They also sponsor school scholarship programs, adult literacy, micro-credit, tree planting and agricultural help and techniques.
DAME MARIE
St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Mountain Lakes, twins with Our Lady of Nativity in Dame Marie to provide annual medical clinic services,serving 500 people. They also conduct a de-worming program for 5800 people yearly, have a four month feeding program and sponsor a sewing program (Catherine's Boutique), where half the proceeds go for food and tuition. Dr. Susan Morrison leads these delegations. An annual pasta dinner in October raises proceeds for Dame Marie. In 2005, they were able to buy a jeep.
PIGNON
Tonie Malone heads the twinning program between St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, and Pignon. Micro credit loans are the cornerstone of their programs -- over 2,000 people hold them. Chickens, donkeys and turkey loans have thrived. The community now hopes to get oxen. St. Joseph Parish assists in the three areas that are the tools of empowerment: 1) education, 2) health and 3) credit assistance.
BORD-de-MER-de-LIMONADE
Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Franklin Lakes, partners with this parish in the Fort Liberté diocese as part of the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas.
GROS MORNE
HSNNE keeps contact with Sister Pat Dillon, RJM, who attended HSNNE’s meetings before leaving for her Congregation’s mission in Gros Morne. Most recently, we have responded to Sister Pat’s request for Half Price Seed project. Gros Morne has an outstanding reforestation project.
PORT-au-PRINCE
Georgette Delinois fund raises for books and tuition for Pere Bazile Moreau’s school.
Other Projects
Self-development programs rank high with HSNNE. We have provided the following types of support:
- leadership training for the members of the S.A.K.L. (Solidarite Ayiti Kap Leve) agricultural peasant group, linking five rural communities;
- financial support through Fonkoze, the micro-credit bank of Haiti -- Fonkoze's micro-credit program for women merchants received a loan several years back that still continues;
- funding for a self-development project in Petit Goáve and a Half Price Seed project (Gros Morne);
- donations for “Ecole Saine Marie” and “Les Ambassadrice" for Restavek children;
- contributions to flood relief for Mapou through Ninaj Raoul of the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees;
- donation of a Bobcat tractor from Ingersoll-Rand through Jack Martin’s follow-up and Ed Miller’s connection;
Bobcat tractor donated by Ingersoll-Rand.
Our Network in Action
An important part of our mission is to educate ourselves and others about true conditions in Haiti. This link describes some of our activities to raise awareness of what is happening in Haiti today.Delegation Adventures
As reported at the October 2005 HSNNE monthly meeting, Dr. Henry Mendoza was part of a team of twelve parishioners from the Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, that went on a medical mission to Cavaillon. With the help of five translators, the team held seven clinic days. Although only 700 people were expected, the three doctors saw over a thousand people at the clinic.
The trip was a success, although it could not address all the health problems caused by inadequate nutrition. Presentation Parish is planning a permanent presence in Cavaillon.
The delegation also visited the orphanage in Les Cayes, which has an exceptional set-up. The orphanage houses sixty-five children and has its own farm and animals. Training in business skills is also provided.