Despite the danger our sisters and students face every day they continue to live their lives as best they can. We pray for their safety and health daily.  We Thank God that our sisters and schools are safe haven, and the sisters are able to continue the work of God for the children. Please continue to keep them in your prayers during this blessed time of year!

Sr. Marianne Visit

We were privleged to have Sr. Marianne visiting Massachusetts at the end of September. We hope her visit will enlighten us on the issues in Haiti and open our minds to brainstorming on solutions. Our sisters devote all their lives to teaching and helping these children under many terrible conditions. These 40 brave woman are always giving of themselves for the children and each other 24/7! God bless you all and keep you safe and healthy.

Left to right Christina, Sr. Marianne, Paula, back row: Betsy, Rosemary and Pauline (not present Judy Hebert)

“When a hungry person has bad feelings, he can turn to a gang. That’s what I don’t want for the children of Dammasin School.”

— Sister Marinne

Bins Shipped!

The 62 bins have been shipped and we are awaiting their arrival at Ste. Marie Convent in Port Au Prince, Haiti. They are in a locked container in the port. Last year they were delivered on December 24th. We pray for the same safe delivery this year!

Larry’s food fund

Larry’s food fund has helped sustain students with funds for food and medicine in the last year.  Many children do not eat regularly. It has also helped fund 2 school feeding programs. 

1. A breakfast program at Lilavous school.

2. A snack program, 3 times per month of bread, a drink and occasionally eggs at Saint Joseph of Dammasin School at Dammasin.

When Sr. Marianne and the other sisters are unable to give the children food, they suppliment with popcorn! It is healthy and a filling snack for the children. She feeds 300 students each month three times a month. (pictured above) We are so proud of her program.

The children of Dammasin holding their snack. They are grateful to have anything to eat.  A goal for 2025 is to help them eat more than 3x/month!   

The Haitian Outreach Team would like to thank our donors, The Leclerc Fund, sponsors, friends, volunteers and the Saint Bernard at St Camillus parish for another successful year of helping children in Haiti attend school!

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE HEALTHY HAPPY AND LOVING

Are you looking to give the perfect Christmas gift to someone who has everything?  Give the gift of a donation to Haitian Outreach in the name of a loved one.

Haiti continues to be a chaotic country. The gangs seem to be continuing their rampages despite the Kenyon soldiers and Jamaican soldiers joining ranks in Port au Prince. The problem is that the gangs outnumber the soldiers. The summer seemed to have some quieter times, but again as fall comes around the gangs seem to be heating up. Thank God that our sisters and students are safe.

Beginning in May….

The Haitian Outreach Leadership Team with the assistance of local volunteers began sorting stored clothing and backpack items into rooms to prepare for our summer backpack assembly program in the hall of St. Bernard parish.

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Volunteers from the parish, Associates of the Sisters of the Presentation of BVM, employees of Enterprise Bank, as well as new faces came to help prepare items for the student’s backpacks. We are grateful for all the helping hands.

Ellen and her family are long-time sponsors for Mitchela in Haiti and comes to see us every summer. She has sponsored her since she was a young child. She is now 16yo and starting H.S.-2 this year!

We finished our backpacks in August. Packed everything in closets, cleaned the hall and it was ready for the Religious Ed. class to take over the hall in September.

We lost some students again this year, because they are unable to walk to school or finish a year of learning. We are grateful to those sponsors who sometimes have to accept a new student to sponsor. What is important is that the children go to school and graduate from high school. Our sisters provide a wonderful education for the children.

We hope to be able to ship our 61 bins on/around September 14th. Thanks to Eagle Shipping! The price is holding steady. Please pray for a safe voyage and transfer to St. Marie Convent in Port au Prince, Haiti. Of Note: We were very low on size medium girls/teens clothing this year and just made the deadline.

Of Note: We were very low on size medium girls/teens clothing this year and just made the deadline.

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The organization, “Days for Girls” again contributed 75 kits for our young woman in Haiti. Thank you for assisting us to teach young woman about good hygiene and health.

It is amazing to see how the children grow and get taller each year. Todd, one of our website developers is working on putting the pictures on the website so you can take a look at everyone. It takes hours to label the pictures and then get them on the site. Thank you Todd & Mary for your expertise with this.

Mary and I did not get very far updating the website. We hope to continue that task this winter. Updating information is very important. You can always find our most recent newsletter on our website.

We hope to send pictures of the students, thank you letters and data sheets, to sponsors around Christmas time. This shows sponsors that we are in contact with the children we support directly, and they received their backpacks. We still need to obtain the letters and data sheets from Haiti. DHL has been very restricted and it is taking more time than we thought to obtain what we need. Ever ready Magdala and Sr. Cadet wait for the pick up to send off these precious documents to us in the USA. We thank our sponsors/donors for their generous donations to these children for tuition and “rice money”. It is what keeps them and us going.

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We are looking at taking two high school graduate students who want to attend technical school, refrigeration classes and nursing. We always need help to keep these students in class. Universities are expensive everwhere!

Our seminary student moved to a Jesuit school in Haiti after the fire at the seminary and has had some illness this year. Not surprising in Haiti. He is doing much better and we

are still working on getting him into a seminary in Canada or the USA. Please keep him in your prayers.

We had a young man, Jonathan, graduate from technical school in August 2024 (refrigeration) and expect another who is studying electronics to graduate June 2025. We do our best to help students who ask to attend universities and greatly appreciate sponsors who help us make it happen. Without all of your generous donations, we would not be able to assist university students to graduate in our program. This is an expensive undertaking, as many of you are aware. We are very proud of these students and their accomplishments!

We continue to explore opportunities to receive funding to assist our sisters and the children in Haiti. We are hoping to get another grant to put solar electricity in Saut D’Eau school and the Technical school on St. Marie grounds. We can’t even imagine what it is like not to be able to flip a switch and the lights go on. We take so much for granted here!

We will again donate funds to Sr.Verlaine Cadet for her breakfast program at Lilavois and to Sr. Marianne Duvil to continue the snack program in Damassin school. We are unable at this time to send funding for a third school. We strive for this goal in the future! These programs are life-saving for the students who participate and receive something to eat. Children need food and nutrition to be able to learn and grow.

We are privleged to have Sr. Marianne Duvil visiting Massachusetts at the end of September. We hope her visit will enlighten us on the issues in Haiti and brainstorm on solutions. Our sisters devote all their lives to teaching and helping these children under

many terrible conditions. These brave woman are always giving of themselves for the children and each other 24/7! God bless you all and keep you safe and healthy.

Come one Come all!

A Pancake Breakfast is planned for Sunday October 6th at 9am and 11am in the St. Bernard at St. Camillus church hall. This breakfast is sponsored by The Highlands Nsg & Rehab. in Fitchburg, and proceeds will benefit Haitian Outreach food fund.

The cost is $5.00 per person and $10.00 for a family of 4. A basket raffle will be held and the winner will be drawn on Sunday after the 11am seating!

Created by the students of the 3rd Grade at St. Bernard’s Elem. School with the assistance of their Art Teacher-2024!

Please extend a warm welcome to our newest leadership team member. Betsy has taken on the task of keeping an eye on Pauline and the financials for Haitian Outreach. The only problem Pauline has is not sending all our funds to Haiti to help them all! Welcome Betsy!

Haiti continues to move deeper and deeper into a Humanitarian Crisis. Food and water are scarce. People are frightened. We pray daily that there will be a resolution to the problems in this country. The sisters and students are currently safe.

FEBRUARY WAS HAITIAN OUTREACH MONTH!

Haitian Outreach was given a free membership in the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce. This is a great opportunity to get our information to a larger group of people. Pauline and the Leadership team will attend meetings as needed throughout the year. Thank you Enterprise Bank!

Deacon John and Pauline started the month by speaking about Haitian Outrach at masses at St. Bernard parish at St. Camillus church the second weekend of February. There was a great response by parishioners! Thank you!

They were invited to St. Bernard High School and happily accepted the invition to speak to the students. Ms. Dzerkacz was successful in collecting school supplies and the students collected $535.00 from a “dresss-down day” which will be used for their new sponsor student: Jennyka Lurat in Haiti.

Thank you Ms. Dzerckaz and the students for your joint efforts in helping us continue our mission!

The 3rd Grade at St. Bernard Elementary collected the most backpacks EVER What a huge success! Deacon John and Pauline walked into the room to find 35 full backpacks on the students’ desks, which did not hide the amazing proud smiles on their faces!

Mrs. Gallagher displayed a painting in the hallway that the students all had a hand in creating. It is a Haitian drawing of a market place. Great Job Everyone!

Thank you Mrs. Gallagher and your students for collecting the largest amount of backpacks ever!

We hope to be able to distribute tuition paperwork as usual in May to sponsors. Information on individual students has not been sent to the USA as of yet because of the difficulties in the country. The gangs now control the airport and the port.

FOOD PROGRAMS IN HAITI

In January 2024 we began to help a second school implement a “Snack Program”. Funds were sent to Sr. Marianne Duvil and the principal of Damassin school. It was agreed that the sisters could give 300 students a snack 3 times a week of bread, peanut butter, and a drink. It has been a very successful program, and we hope to be able to raise enough funds to start this in another school next year.

Those faces tell it all!

Our donations also supplement funds to Sr. Verlaine Cadet each year for her breakfast program at Lilavois. Children must eat to be able to learn.

SHIPPING

Eagle Shipping was able to deliver 62 bins to St. Marie, Bureau Leclerc the day before Christmas! Magdala and the staff went right to work to get them ready to distribute where they belong. It has become very difficult to travel the roads because of gang violence.

University Students Update

Thierry St. Hilaire after presenting his Thesis in November, is now working in a law office in PAP as an intern. He hopes to get his license to practice law as soon as possible.

Anisse Mombrun interviewed and was accepted to an accounting position in a bank in PAP.

Junior Samedy graduated from university in January 2024. We pray that he will be able to find engineering work in the country and support his family.

Samuel Louis, seminarian has encountered issues. The Seminary in Haiti he attended has closed its doors. He was able to return to his mother in PAP and is hopeful to attend a university run by Jesuits this year. Some universities are closing because they cannot survive in the present atmosphere.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Knights of Columbus (KOC) from St. Anthony/St. Bernard in Fitchburg held a Pancake Breakfast to benefit the food fund for Haitian Outreach. What an amazing job they did and $700.00 was raised for food in Haiti!

Thank you to everyone who cooked, served, and cleaned up, etc. This was a great success!

The Highlands Rehab & Nursing Home in Fitchburg is planning to hold another Pancake Breakfast in June for Haitian Outreach. Watch for information.

OPENING FOR SUMMER- 2024

Haitian Outreach is planning to open for Volunteer assistance in June of 2024 in the St. Bernard’s church hall. Saturdays from 1-3pm. More information will be coming forth.

Haitian Outreach is collecting shampoo, deodorant, and always school supplies. Thank you, Susan Saari, for being a vigilant backpack buyer!

Leadership Team: Standing in front of 62 bins which were delivered to St. Marie – Bureau Leclerc safely on December 24th, 2023!

May You Receive Many Blessings During This Beautiful Holiday Season - Happy Holidays!

Haiti continues to be in a great Humanitarian Crisis. Many people do not get the necessities of everyday living. Haitian Outreach on the other hand has good news to share!

Bins shipped in the first week of September have reached the port and are stored and waiting for a safe opportunity to be delivered to Bureau Leclerc. We were able to connect with a new shipper: Eagle Shipping and all seems on track.

YeYe, Magdala and our workers have been busy delivering backpacks to the students. Because of the countries’ situation we may lose a few more children this year. But we always have new students for sponsorship. God oversees who each of you sponsor and support. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Kudos to YeYe, Magdala and all who put their lives in jeopardy to help us continue our Mission.

Remembering Sr. Marie Diligent and Sr. Marie Eduma

Sadly, we recently lost 2 sisters in the last week of November. Sr. Marie Diligent and Sr. Marie Eduma. Both passed away from natural causes. The sisters had a double funeral Saturday, November 25th. I certainly believe that sisters go straight to Heaven!

Sr. Cadet is a tremendous help to us. Always making sure projects are completed and documentation is sent as evidence and keeping us informed.

Many people suffer daily in Haiti due to extremely high prices and violent conditions. Please keep them in your prayers during this beautiful season.

Solar Project complete

We have completed the Solar Project in St. Marie. We now have electricity generated by solar panels and a solid internet connection. Zoom meetings continue to be a great resource to connect and communicate with everyone. Thank you, Lynch Foundation!

We have 3 university students graduating in 2024!

We are very proud of these students and wish them the best as they interview for jobs and make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.

Jobs for graduates

A couple of university students have made progress finding work.

• Thierry who graduated with a Law degree has just submitted his Thesis and has an internship waiting for him in a law office in Port au Prince.

• Annise who graduated with a Accounting degree has interviewed for a postion in Port au Prince and is very hopeful she will be hired.

• Junior expects to be hired for contstruction work after graduation!

These are amazing feats in this country where suppression is great at this time. God gives us what we need to continue to make a difference in the lives of these children. “One child at a time!”

Sponsorship Opportunities

Haitian Outreach still has 8 students in different schools who are unsponsored. We are always searching for permanent sponsors for children in Haiti. If you know of anyone interested, please contact Pauline or Paula.

Fundraiser Update

The Stamp Collection fundraiser did not prove to be profitable. We received many stamps and books of stamps from our sponsors/donors. It was noted that no rare stamps were found in our collection. It cost a little over $300.00 to ship the stamps to Canada. Our collection brought in $200.00 from Estre’. It was a fun easy project, but not equitable to continue in the future. Thank you everyone!

General updates

Mary Clifford and I will continue updating our website in January. Take a peek and let us know what you like and gently what you don’t like @ haitianoutreach.net

Haitian Outreach will again have a whole month of information and solicitation at St. Bernard’s parish in Fitchburg during February 2024! Pauline will speak at all masses first weekend of February. Come and hear what’s new for 2024.

Summer Volunteer Program

Our summer volunteer program involves mentoring young people and getting them involved in our mission. Students come from Fitchburg State Univ, St. Bernard’s H.S., and a program called, Youth in Action. These young people get to look at another place in the world and experience the joy of giving to others. This group visited us in August. Paula Lanson is the coordinator.

Food Program

As we begin the new year, we are proud to announce that we will be starting a pilot program to help students have something to eat at Damassin school. Children will receive a snack and drink 3 days a week at school. If you would like to help us support this program you may donate at our website or send a donation to Haitian Outreach, PO Box 16, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Be sure to note that this is for the program to feed students at Damassin school. We already help Lilavois with their breakfast program!December Newsletter

Happy Holidays!

Leadership Team: Paula, Christina, Pauline & Rose Mary (standing in front of 2023 bins which were shipped in September 2023.)

HURRAH & HALLELUJAH! Our 72 bins from 2022 were finally picked up from Customs in Haiti and delivered to St. Marie Bureau Leclerc! Magdala was right on it getting the bins out to the sisters in the southern schools. She will continue to distribute backpacks and get information and pictures when it is safe to travel. Thank you YeYe & Magdala!

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Tuition was received by Sr. Cadet, and she will be distributing it to the 6 schools for the sponsored students to attend school this year soon! Parents will meet with each principal to settle their tuition.

We presently have 14 students in different schools who are unsponsored. Check out our website to see these students. Some are young. Thanks to donations we were able to send tuition for all of them and a backpack. We continue to search for permanent sponsors for these children. If you know anyone interested, please contact me or Paula Lanson.

Our clothing drive was a HUGE success. We collected 4,855 lbs. of clothing and raised $728.25! A group of volunteers met at St. Bernard @ St. Camillus at 8:00am on a Saturday and moved 422 bags of clothing and housewares into the Epilepsy truck.

Thank you for the many donations and the hard-working volunteers performed!

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The Stamp Collection was also a GREAT success! The stamps have been packaged and sent off to Canada. There they will be sorted and then sold. It was fun and exciting to see the different collections we received. We pray that a rare stamp was enclosed, and our fund raiser will yield extra fund to help our sisters with their “Wish List”. We await word on the total we will receive.

Stamps packed and ready to go to Canada!

Our backpack program has concluded for 2023. A total of 69 bins were picked up September 20th and are on their way to Haiti. We were fortunate to acquire a new shipper and pray that the bins will reach their destination safely. Many thanks Paula, Rose Mary, Christina, Judy, and ALL volunteers who gave of their time and talent to help us make this happen for the children.

Mary Clifford has been updating our website. Thank you Mary!

People we know in Haiti are hungry and afraid. What a terrible way to live! Please continue to pray for peace in Haiti and around the world.

Thank you to our sponsors and donors for your loyal sponsorship and donations which help us continue our amazing work in Haiti! A Catholic Mass of thanksgiving for all donors and sponsors will be celebrated at St. Bernard church in October.

The celebration was a great success with about 150 people in attendance.

View power point presentation of our history

Tuition paperwork has gone out, but there are a few sponsors left to reach, as many students did not attend school because of the violence. We apologize for the lateness. Due to the difficulties in Haiti, things are moving much slower than normal. We remain committed to our students, schools, and our sisters. Sr. Cadet helps us tremendously to know what is happening and who needs the most help.

Many sponsors have decided to take a new student, so we continue the wonderful work we do together to educate students in Haiti. This is our Mission!

Our clothing drive is thriving! We have 120 bags of clothing piled on the stage area in our church hall. Shhhhh. Don’t tell Fr. Dolan. LOL! We hope to get another 130 plus to donate to Epilepsy Foundation at the end of August. The more pounds of clothing the more money we receive for projects in Haiti.

Students are on summer vacation now in Haiti and we will be sending tuition in August to the sisters to distribute and then meet with parents before school starts.

We received 57 new students from our sisters who need help to stay in school. Many sponsors have accepted a new child in need. This is the focus of our work, and we appreciate their loyalty to Haitian Outreach.

Volunteers are flocking to help with the backpack work. The dedication of our volunteers, associates and parishioners is amazing!

Collection of cancelled stamps has proved to be highly successful! We have collected a LOT of stamps and in September they will be sent to Caritas Estre in Canada. They search for rare stamps and sell to dealers in Canada. Haitian Outreach will receive the benefits of their findings!

A group of teens and adults will visit us in August to help with the final backpacks and shipments we are preparing. We are looking forward to collaborating with them.

Haitian Outreach remains open at St. Bernard at St. Camillus church hall, Saturday afternoon from 1-3pm for drop offs or volunteers through August 30th. Thank you all. Many hands make light work! Continue to pray for peace in Haiti!

25th ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO CHILDREN IN HAITI!

Our celebration was AMAZING! Approx. 150 people came from far and wide to celebrate the work we all do for Haiti! Thanks to Paula for all her hard work putting the event together! We were fortunate to have Sr. Cadet and Sr. Marlene be with us.

HAITI UPDATE!

Haiti is still an extremely dangerous country. People are afraid and unable to get necessities for everyday life. You are helping them. Please PRAY!

Our sisters continue to open schools and students come when it is safe. Sponsorship & Donations from you give them hope for their future!

2021 BACKPACKS

Recently Magdala along with a new driver (who works for the sisters), and our staff went out to the schools to deliver backpacks. Thank You God!

DEAR SPONSORS

We hope you will understand the situation in Haiti is very bad. We just received the paperwork on the children when the sisters visited. We are working diligently to get this in the mail to you. Many students did not return to school, and the sisters replaced them. We have a lot of new students who the sisters feel are in great need. Without your help to keep children in school, the country will take a step back. The most important thing is to educate the children God gives us each year. Many families have moved away from Port au Prince because of the danger. If your child is no longer part of our program, the backpack was given to a new student. Pray for them!

SAUT D’EAU

This school received a grant for meals. Sadly, this has come to an end, and these children will no longer receive a meal each day. We are told by Magdala that some students in this school do not have shoes and walk barefoot to school. We must continue to support these children as much as possible. Thank You.

LYNCH FOUNDATION

This solar project will begin as long as it is safe, when the sisters return to Haiti. We’ll keep you updated.

REQUEST FROM SISTERS

Sisters are asking for linens, i.e., towels, face cloths and bed linens to be sent to St. Marie convent.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Haitian Outreach will be open to accept volunteers beginning Sat. June 3rd at St. Bernard Parish Hall, @ St. Camillus Church, Fitchburg. Volunteers are asked to come between 1-3pm to assist with preparations for the filling of a backpack for each sponsor child. We look forward to seeing you!

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR SUMMER 2023

If you know someone who needs community service, please contact Paula Lanson at 978-407-6484.

SPONSORSHIP

We have new students for sponsorship. Contact Pauline or Paula if you know someone interested.

25TH ANNIVERSARY SLIDE SHOW

If you would like to view the amazing slide show from our celebration, please go to www.haitianoutreach.net

Pauline & Deacon John gave an update at masses on weekend of February 4th at St. Bernard Parish @ St. Camillus church.

Parishioners were very interested in what is happening in Haiti and the work that Haitian Outreach does with students despite the hardships. The parish prays each week for an end to the violence and insecurities.

A Boy Scout troop in the parish volunteered to help in the summer!

Many parishioners were concerned about bins not arriving at the final destination- Bureau Leclerc. Pauline spoke with Francoeur at the shipping company. He assured her bins are safe and secure in port and will be delivered as soon as it is safe to transport the goods to Ste. Marie.

Parishioners continue to donate school supplies and much more.

We were able to acquire a sponsor for our student: Samuel Louis, who is in Seminary in Haiti! We and He are very grateful!

On Feb 3rd Deacon John and Pauline spoke at St. Bernard’s H.S. to the student body. Students were given food for thought as they compared a morning in Haiti to a day in the U.S. Many Haitians do not have running water or food available to them each day.

The students collected 6 large boxes of school supplies!! In addition, they collected money from a dress-down day and raised $500.00 for their sponsor student: Fleurdy Royer, who attends Lilavois school! Great job!

Students in the Honor Society will assist Ms. Dzerckaz to prepare and label invitations for the 25th Anniversary celebration coming up April 30th! Mark your calendar!

Thank you to the student body, teachers and especially Ms. Dzerckaz for their continued support of this wonderful ministry to educate children in Haiti.

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On February 16th we visited the 3rd Grade at St. Bernard’s Elementary school. This was our first time back since the Pandemic. These beautiful students collected 40 backpacks with school supplies and other items for Haitian Outreach! The students were very interested in why Haiti is having so many problems. Not an easy situation to explain to these 3rd Graders. We would like to thank all of St. Bernard’s Elementary and Mrs. Gallagher for their generous and continued support!

I.C. Federal Credit Union donated pens, pencils, bags, paper, office supplies and lots of clothing they will no longer use to Haitian Outreach! It was a truck full of items and more!

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Thanks to all donors for their generosity. We could not do what we do without all of your help!

25th ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO CHILDREN IN HAITI!

Haitian Outreach has hit a milestone! For the last 25 years volunteers have worked to educate the children of Haiti. We plan to celebrate April 30th 2-4pm at Lodge of Elks, Leominster, MA. Invitations going out in March.

Come join us!


HAITIAN OUTREACH UPDATE

In 2022 we had 282 students receiving tuition and backpacks. Eight of these are University students. We have 3 students graduating from a university in 2023: Telecommunications (2), and Administration (1). More than 100 students have graduated from high school, since we started to keep statistics in 2016. 


We are so proud and excited to announce that we have a young man in seminary in Haiti - Samuel Louis! Please keep him in your prayers.


CAN’T TRAVEL YET!

We were unable to travel to Haiti in March 2022 and are unsure about travel in 2023. The government is planning a vote for President. Things have calmed a little, but it is still dangerous! 


Our staff in Haiti is ready, willing and able to deliver backpacks and collect information and pictures on our students as soon as it is safe to travel. 


We shipped 72 bins the last week of August. They arrived in port, but have not been delivered to Ste. Marie yet. Customs is backed up because of issues in the country. We expect them to arrive at Bureau Leclerc anytime now as customs has finally reopened in Haiti! 


HAITI SCHOOLS OPEN!

Schools in Haiti are opening slowly. Universities opened at the end of December. Lilavois opened in November and Lalue has recently opened. Saut D'Eau also opened in December. Schools in the south are open and running. 


LARRY’S FOOD FUND

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to distribute $1,970 to 21 families in Haiti in need of food and medicine in 2022.


In Addition: Haitian Outreach sent $5,000.00 to Lilavois and $5,000.00 to Saut D’Eau to assist in continuing their meal programs. We hope to continue this support and expand it to Damassin school who would like to feed 300 students, 1 meal, 5 days a week. Working on cost now. Your donations help us feed our students.


FUNDS SENT FOR EARTH-QUAKE REPAIRS

In 2022 Haitian Outreach sent $4,000.00 to rebuild the convent AND repair the school in Coteaux-completed! A picture of the new convent was received. Also, $3,000 was sent to Damassin to repair damaged fencing, and the school. This work was completed and Sr. Marianne had enough left to purchase 2 solar panels and 2 batteries. 


STE. MARIE ROOF REPAIR

Money was sent to replace the roof at Ste Marie. The sisters decided a new roof was not necessary. They repaired the roof and used the remainder for expenses for the sisters and the convent.


GRANT FUNDS

We are extremely happy to announce that Haitian Outreach was awarded a grant from The Lynch Foundation! This will allow us to add to the height of a partial wall around the convent, purchase solar panels, internet access, new phones, new computers, a converter and batteries for the convent property. Sisters will have constant internet and electricity and we will have it when we visit. Hurrah! This will also allow us to communicate with the sisters at all times!

We hope to apply for other grants this year for solar projects. 


BACKPACK ITEMS

Our list of items we collect is attached. Along with our usual items of school supplies, non-perishable foods and student clothing. We are specifically requesting packages of dry milk this year to place in the backpack of each child, along with the regular items we put in. We always need coloring books, lip balm and nail polish. All donations are always appreciated!


Haitian Outreach will have a bin in the back of St. Bernard church in Fitchburg to collect items during the month of February. Updates will be given at all mass on the first weekend of February. Come and hear our update. Haitian Outreach will again visit St. Bernard Elementary and St. Bernard High School during February- Catholic School week. Both schools collect backpacks, school supplies and food for our backpack program! Many thanks to all who contribute to this wonderful ministry!


DAYS FOR GIRLS!

Our staff members, Madgala and Katiana have completed the on-line “Days for Girls” mandatory education program. They are awaiting the menstrual kits to start training and distributing the kits as soon as they arrive. 


THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteers help sort and prepare items for backpacks and other goods for transport to Haiti. We are very grateful to those who come during the summer to help us and make our work a little lighter! Our Team works hard to accomplish this huge task every year! Thank you all!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Starting June 3rd Every Saturday afternoons from 1-3pm, except holiday weekends we will be needing volunteers to come to St. Bernard’s church hall, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg. Come help us with our Mission!


MENTORSHIP PROG. FOR SUMMER 2023

This program will continue into 2023 during June, July & August. If you know someone interested, please call Paula Lanson at 978-407-6484.

REMINDER: 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION


SUNDAY, APRIL 30TH FROM 2-4 PM at the Lodge of Elks, No Main St., Leominster, MA

MUSIC, HORS D’OEUVRES, AND BASKET RAFFLE

FREE event - Asking for nonperishable food items at the door.

As you know Haiti has been in a great turmoil for the last couple of years. Gangs rule the city of Port au Prince and are trying to move into all sections of the city. They have displaced families and kidnapped professors, teachers, religious. People on the streets have been killed. Police officers have lost their lives trying to defend their country. I heard that a couple of our families have lost the shelter they live in and are now living in a church basement. It has been a dangerous and tumultuous time for our sisters and students.

My question is: What causes people to be like that? The answers are clear to me but not in my realm of thinking. Greed, Power and most importantly the lack of a loving God in their lives. Our students and sisters surrender to the Lord each day and pray for peace. In 2022 human beings should not have to live in such poverty and danger anywhere. Recently, I was reminded that God does not respond on my timeline. He has is own and I must wait for things to change. This is difficult for me. I am an American and want it hot, fresh, and now! Only God is in charge! I must wait for His time and continue to pray for the safety and security of our students and sisters. Only God is in charge!

We ask for your continued prayers for Haiti, our sisters and the students we assist. We pray every day for their safety and a return to a peaceful lifestyle. It will come, but not in my time, in God’s!

People in Haiti do not have running water and are unable to buy clean water. Sometimes it is contaminated and can make them sick. The gangs block the roads so truckers can’t enter the city. This affects all transit for water, food and necessities that people need.

Haiti has been on Lock-down for the last 3 weeks. Grocery stores, banks and businesses have not been open for consumers to buy. We are fortunate to be connected to the sisters and some families in PAP (Port au Prince) to be able to help them. We alone cannot feed all the poor in Haiti. We trust God to help us decide the ones He chooses us to assist. There are thousands in need of common necessities.

The government has announced that schools can open in October. It has not happened. Sr. Cadet told me that one of our schools has opened in the south. She says the bank is now open 3 days a week so she can get tuition for the schools and students that we transferred. She must make numerous trips because the bank cannot accommodate multiple amounts of tuition at one time. I worry for her safety, but she assures me God is with her and she is not alone.

The gangs center in Croix de Bouquet (CDB) and were close to our school and the orphanage. Prayer is the only way to protect them. God is in charge!

In other news, Haitian Outreach was awarded the Lynch Foundation Grant specifically to install solar panels on the Bureau LeClerc and secure the convent area from solar panel thieves! This will enable us to have constant electricity when we visit and always have internet access to reach the sisters and YeYe (Our staff person) as needed. We are grateful and very appreciative to the members of the Lynch Foundation.

Our staff members in Haiti: Magdala and Katiana will begin the “Days for Girls” https://www.daysforgirls.org/ program as soon as school settles in for the session. The 100 reusable clothe menstrual kits are on the way! We look forward to working with Sr. Irma at Lalue school (Lalue is an all-girls school) and our staff instructing the girls about hygiene and menstrual health. This program will help students, teachers and many young women in this first pilot school.

Haitian Outreach shipped 72 bins the last week of August. Our shipper, Francoeur comes and picks them up. Transports the bins to Boston shipyard where they are loaded into containers and shipped to Haiti. It takes approximately 2 weeks for them to arrive in port. They should be there and on hold until Customs opens again to move goods through. Please ask that our 300 backpacks and goods for all 10 schools and the orphanage arrive very soon at our Bureau Leclerc. God is in charge!

Bless you all for your support of what we do to help those less fortunate than us. We try to make their lives a little better by giving them a little hope for a better future.

Watch for our newsletter in December.

– Pauline Aliskevicz, director of Haitian Outreach

The final 45-gallon bin with our precious cargo has been sealed. Hours of work, filled with happy voices and joy as the Haitian Outreach volunteers sorted pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, notebooks, toys, jewelry, and clothing. Others assembled soap, deodorant, shampoo, face cloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Food donations were packed in another room by Carol and Pat. Judy and her volunteers pull together, flip flops, socks, and underwear for each student. Other volunteers helped to pack the backpacks made specifically for each child we sponsor.

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Each year when the work of packing the backpacks is completed, the Haitian Outreach team members are relieved, and excited! We did it! The legacy of Haitian Outreach’s 24 years of support and sponsorship of the children of Haiti keeps going! The spirits of our founders Lorrie and Norman Charpentier as well as past directors Claire and Louis Giuliani sustain us as we continue their work.

Now is the time to give thanks to Haitian Outreach volunteers, sponsors, and donors. We have such a great support system because of each of you! We can continue our mission to assist the sisters of the Queen Mary Immaculate to educate the less fortunate children in Haiti.

We can’t name each of you here for fear of leaving one of our valuable supporters out. Know the Haitian Outreach team, Pauline and Deacon John, Paula, Christina, Judy and Rosemary are forever grateful. We had a great turn out with some of the youth this year as well. We had families join us, and confirmation students along with college students.

We do want to give special thanks to our Advisory board members, Todd Parker and Mary Clifford for the work they do on our beautiful website. We also thank Sue Saari and the parishioners of St Bernard @ St Camillus as well as the pastor Rev. Joe Dolan for their support and for allowing us to use the hall.

It’s Holy Week, a time for reflection upon the sacrifice of Jesus.  I message Sister Marianne that, Haitian Outreach has wonderful news. Larry’s food fund is sending enough money to feed every child in her school, an Easter Meal with meat!  Sister Marianne Duvil is the principal of St. Joseph’s school in Damassin.  It is located in the southern area of Haiti. This area sustained some damage during the last earthquake.  Recently, Damassin has been cut off from Port au Prince, because of gang violence.  She has 300 kindergarten and elementary age children plus staff at the Saint Joseph’s school.  Her 300 students always come to school hungry, sometimes they faint due to hunger, and she is deeply troubled by this fact.   Today, Sister Marianne is suffering with terrible backpain and has been in bed.

Sister Marianne is thrilled to be able to give her students a full belly, if just for one day.  Establishing a breakfast program in Haiti involves a continuous process of applying for grants and donations.  Unfortunately, Sister Marianne doesn’t have the skills or resources to undertake a project like that.  

The students ate their meal in their classrooms! Food consisted of chicken, rice, peas, beans, macaroni, fried plantains (bananas), and a juice drink. Sister Marianne and the school staff were able to feed 300 students and staff.  She also had food for many of the neighborhood children that came to the school when they heard food was being served.

Food insecurity is a huge problem for the students in our program and all the poor in Haiti.  Prices for essentials have skyrocketed because of political insecurity, gas shortages, and gang violence.  We think about giving up candy, wine or meat on Friday during Lent; they think about when their next meal of rice, beans or macaroni will come.  

Sometimes, when we are in the safe space of the USA, we don’t think we make a difference in a place like Haiti, but we can, and we do.  It may not be on the scale of Bill Gates or Mother Theresa, but light is light, and love is love.  Hope can’t be measured on any scale but, only in the perception of the individual.  Our generous donors to Larry’s food fund and Haitian Outreach, have given the gift of hope, of food, of lifting spirits, letting the sisters of Queen Mary Immaculate and the children know that Haitian Outreach and its supports have not forgotten them.

Oh, by the way, Sister Marianne popped up out of bed, back pain better and rode on the back of a moto cycle to pick up the money to purchase food for this special Easter Celebration!  

Enjoy the faces in the pictures here. We do make a difference, “One Child at A Time”.   We have wonderful donors, sponsors and volunteers, who make up Haitian Outreach.  Sister Marianne wants to thank you all for not forgetting the least of our brethren as they struggle to live in Haiti.

- Paula Lanson-co-director

On March 20, 2020, we were in Haiti when Americans across the world were notified to return home due to the pandemic. Though we expected to return in 2021, we did not in part due to the pandemic but also because persistent political instability and rising crime makes it no longer safe for us, the people of Haiti, and particularly our sisters and children. To say it is disappointing not being able to see the children is an understatement.

Since 1998, Haitian Outreach has been in Haiti every year delivering backpacks, and distributing food, clothing, and living necessities to the orphanage and surrounding communities. We have been there through political unrest, witnessed the devastation of the 2010 earthquake, and the rebuilding over the next few years. Haiti’s recurrent disasters continued to conspire against the people of Haiti, and we provided support and resources after Hurricane Mathew in 2016 and the earthquake in August 2021.

Despite these challenges, Haitian Outreach persevered. Last year the sisters received each child’s tuition and, when it was safe to travel, our Haitian Outreach team in Haiti were phenomenal distributing the backpacks for the 2021-2022 school year. Sponsorship paperwork is being copied and put together, as we speak, and is expected to be mailed by end of April beginning of May. You should be receiving photos and letters from your student(s), along with a newsletter and data sheet for the 2020-2021 school year. (Most students picked up their tuition, but some were unable because of the dangers of travel and gas shortages. You will see a note with your paperwork.)

We are successful because we are connected here in the USA and there in Haiti. We are successful because you, our sponsors, are so dedicated to Haiti with your generosity supporting the children’s education and assistance of donations during challenging times.

We continue to move forward safely to assist the children in our 6 schools and the 4 schools and orphanage that our sisters run. We are always looking for help to give them the tools that they need so these fortunate children can become successful in their lifetime.

“Haitian Outreach does the work of God buy seeking sponsors to support a child to go to school and get an education.” Director Pauline Aliskevicz states. “I never dreamed we would have university students graduating with bachelor’s degrees, and we do!”

Dr. Paul Farmer, Medical Anthropologist, Physician and Humanitarian, passed away in Rwanda at the age of 62 on February 21, 2022.

Dr. Farmer’s life’s work was driven by his belief that “a person’s place of birth should not decide their access to good healthcare.” In 1983 Paul Farmer went to Haiti. What he witnessed led him to volunteer in clinics while at the same time attending medical school at Harvard University.

As a physician, he made it his mission to improve Haitian lives with quality medical care and at the same time fell in love with the people of Haiti. He would walk miles a day, in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, seeking out and treating people who were ravaged by HIV, cholera and tuberculosis. Dr. Farmer founded Zanmi Lasante, now Haiti’s largest non-government healthcare system and built a state-of-the-art teaching hospital training new doctors, nurses and other healthcare works for Haiti’s future.

Dr. Farmer carried his mission to Rwanda, Peru, Lesotho, and Russia setting up healthcare systems for the underprivileged. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was a friend and mentor to Dr. Farmer said, “He was a once-in-a-lifetime person.” He changed the face of healthcare in Haiti, and around the world.

We are deeply saddened by his death, yet eternally grateful to have had a man like Dr. Farmer on this earth for 62 years. Haitian Outreach, who shares this commitment to the people of Haiti, salute you, Dr. Farmer!

Recently Paula and I visited SBCCHS to talk to the students about Haiti and the hardships that the students in Haiti experience obtaining an education. Lack of food is a big one!

Students were very enthusiastic and willing to help the children in Haiti to obtain an education. As a matter of fact, the school sponsors #572 Flerdy Royer at Lilavois school. Sadly, we were unable to show them a recent photo because the paperwork and pictures just arrived by FedEx and hadn’t been processed yet. We promised to send one, when ready to Ms. Dzerkacz.

The students were excited because they held a “Dress Down” day and raised $500.00 to benefit Flerdy for tuition in 2022 and “Rice Money”. What an amazing accomplishment!

The students of SBCCHS will collect school supplies and non-perishable food to donate to Haitian Outreach at the end of the school session.

Students will be collecting for Haiti and their next 2 basketball games. What a great idea!

Students would like to come and help during the summer when we fill the backpacks and prepare our shipments. We are extremely happy to have these young strong hands to help us complete the work for Haiti!

Many of the student body posed for a photo. How about that Haitian Hat on the student in the front row on the floor!

Haitian Outreach is looking to add Menstrual Health to our Haitian Outreach program goals!

Approximately 200 girls, teens and young women attend school through the Haitian Outreach program.  We have been trying to include menstrual supplies in the backpacks for the older girls, but due to limited space and cost, we have been unable to send more than a few menstrual items.  Why are we concerned with menstrual health?  In a feature story, the World Bank identified menstrual hygiene and management as a major hindrance for women trying to attend school. “A growing body of evidence shows that girls’ inability to manage their menstrual hygiene in schools, results in school absenteeism, which in turn, has severe economic costs on their lives and on the country.” 

Haitian Outreach in collaboration with the Gardner, Ma. branch of “Days for Girls”, have been given 200 reusable, cloth menstrual kits. This generous donation by the group in Gardner, will give our female students a way to attend school even when they are menstruating.  Days for Girls is a worldwide, non-profit group, whose mission is “Cost-effective, safe, sustainable and contextually relevant products to help women and girls manage their periods and engage in livelihood activities”.  

In order to distribute the kits, Paula Lanson had to take the Days for Girls International Ambassador of Women’s Health Course.  When the kits are given out, a course in the users own language, is provided.  The course covers how to use the kits as well as menstrual hygiene and health.  In an effort to empower the women of Haiti, 2 of our staff, Madgala and Niaka, will take the “Days for Girls” course. They will then be able to teach the course and give out kits. Days for Girls in Gardner will continue to donate menstrual kits for Haitian Outreach as we need them.     

- Paula Lanson

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!

At this special time of year, we wish to extend to you our deepest thanks for your support to help us educate children in Haiti! We would like to wish you all Happy Holidays and Peace and Joy in the New Year!

2021 SHIPMENTS

We were unable to travel to Haiti even in September due to the problems in the country. We sent two shipments to Haiti. The first arrived Thanksgiving week to our Bureau Leclerc. The second shipment has not arrived yet. There was a total of 78 bins sent, costing $7,800.00 for 2021.

DIEGO SAVES THE DAY!

Diego, one of our university students, arranged for Zoom on his laptop so we could talk with the sisters and our workers in Haiti. We watched as the bins were opened and items labeled for delivery to children and schools. We are fortunate to have workers who can travel to the schools, when it is safe, and deliver the backpacks to our students. It all works!

BACKBACKS CONTINUE TO BE DELIVERED

Officer Shattner received a FEDEX from us with paperwork and a camera. He gave this to the sisters at the convent. They in turn passed it on to YeYe and our workers. When it is safe, they went to Lalue, Lilavois and St. Marie to deliver backpacks and take information and a picture of our sponsored students.

They will FedEx this back to us when the country is safe enough for delivery! Three schools to go, Saut D’Eau, which is 3 hours outside of PAP, and Croix de Bouquet (CDB) and Mother Monique (MM), which are not safe areas right now. It may take time, but it is happening! Thank you, Sister Irma, YeYe, and Magdala!

“RICE MONEY”

“Rice Money” is supplemental money provided by sponsors to help feed the child and their families. Because we could not travel, it was decided to incorporate “RM” into the tuition. The tuition was wired to Haiti via bank to bank in August. Parents met with the principals to settle tuition before the start of school. They were pleasantly surprised that additional tuition was donated for their child. with an Accounting degree, Thierry is graduating with a Law degree and Arselene is graduating with a degree in Hotel Mgt. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments. We ask that you pray for these students and their success in the future!

DIEGO NEEDS HELP

Diego is asking for help to obtain a Master’s in Accounting. If anyone is aware of scholarships in the USA, Canada, etc. please call Pauline or Paula to discuss. We have looked into Fitchburg State Univ. They have an online course available for $10,000/1 year. If anyone would like to help Diego get his Masters, please call us.

RECENT EARTHQUAKE

We were truly fortunate not to lose anyone in the recent earthquake that hit the southern part of the country. We raised $7,000.00 which will be sent to the sisters to repair the convent at Coteaux and the fence and gate around Damassin. Watch for further information on our website as the rebuilding takes place.

THANK YOU!

We are extremely fortunate to be well connected in Haiti and in the US so that we can continue this program for the children, school, and our beloved sisters. God connects us to those we need to work with to make it all come together.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Nothing is impossible with God!

The Fall is a time to thank our volunteers, generous sponsors and donors.  As we secured the 82nd Sterilite tote and anticipate their arrival at St. Marie in Haiti, we the Advisory board have an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude to all who have helped us achieve a successful year! 

 Despite the pandemic, political unrest and another earthquake in Haiti, our volunteers, sponsors and donors, gave us the inspiration to move forward.  Haitian Outreach would like to thank each and every one of you here in writing, but the list would be too long. This year has seen a substantial growth in the number of volunteers, both individually and groups joining in our mission: 

“Education of the Haitian Children is the Way to an Independent and Healthy Haiti.”

The only reason we can do this work and succeed is because of You: Our Volunteers, Sponsors and Donors!

We would like to highlight the youth who volunteered with us this year, as they are our future

Thanks to our youth volunteers

This year Haitian Outreach offered a St. Bernard’s High School student an internship opportunity. Jacob, a graduating senior, was the first student to participate in this pilot program. He was there in June to help move bins into classrooms in the church hall- ah to have that strength again! 

We also had a local group of teens partnering with the Lion’s club join us as well.  Boy, can these young people work, no sore backs or knees for them!

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Also joining us were teens and adults from Young Neighbors in Action (YNIA). This is a summer service experience for adolescents’ grades 9-12. The group of 9 was made up of juniors and seniors, a seminarian student and adult chaperones. This energetic group from Douglas, Mass. joined us for 2 mornings.

Youth volunteers in Haiti

On the ground in Haiti, the youth in our program are now assisting us with the backpack program.   Olivier translates for his father, YeYe (Indric) who is our team leader.  Diego, a university student, has become our computer instructor to the sisters and set everyone up on Zoom so we could communicate.  We can now meet with the sisters remotely! 

Also in Haiti are Magdala, a former Haitian Outreach student, who presently works at our Lalue school; Katiana who is a university student in our program; and Naiki, a current student, who started school at age 16 with the help of a generous sponsor. This group will help deliver the backpacks and take photos for us this fall, as we were unable to go to Haiti this year.   

 In all, because of these young people both here and in Haiti the future is bright with hope and goodness. 

Again, please accept Haitian Outreach’s heartfelt gratitude, the gratitude of the Daughters of Queen Mary Immaculate and all our primary, secondary and university students whom we assist to learn and grow.

Paula Lanson and Pauline Aliskevicz 2021

Locally, we offered St. Bernard’s Confirmation class to come work with us as part of their community service. Lindsey volunteered to come and work with us. She was so much fun to work with. Her energy was infectious as she worked in the backpack room, filling the backpacks with clothes, coloring books and essentials.

We have to mention our youngest member of Haitian Outreach, Isaiah, 9 who came with his grandmother weekly. He was such a big help and zipped round the packhouse with this great big smile.

Anne DiMartino is a well-known face around the city of Fitchburg. She worked for the Dept. of Social Services for many years and was and is a great advocate for those less fortunate in the local community. 

Anne is retired now, but still keeps her finger on the pulse of the city. This summer she noticed there were a few young folks in her neighborhood who might be able to use their time to work on a project. She had donated summer clothing to Haitian Outreach and become familiar with the mission to “educate children in Haiti”.

She banded the little group together and gave them a project. They began to ask for help in the name of the children in Haiti in the Haitian Outreach program. (Haitian Outreach is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Fitchburg working locally and thinking globally.) They solicited for 2 months during the summer and then delivered their donations to Haitian Outreach, located in the church hall of St. Bernard at St. Camillus church.

Great Job All!

From left to right: Daniel, Malachi, Austin, Aspin, Audrey & Trinity

Trinity, Audrey & Aspin prepare and separate out the items to deliver to Haitian Outreach!

Haitian Outreach Fall Update

The environment in Haiti continues to be very turbulent. Gangs block the roads and oil and gas tankers cannot get in to fill pumps at the stations. Because of this, people are not able to get basic supplies and travel to work.

The gangs have been kidnapping anyone that they think may be traveling through the country and they can get a ranson from their families. Please pray for the safety and security of our sisters and our students who attend school in Port au Prince. Our hearts go out to them each and every day!

More information will be coming in our next newsletter.

On Saturday morning, August 14th, a 7.2 earthquake devastated the Southwestern part of Haiti! The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 78 miles from Port-au-Prince

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Civil Protection Agency raised the death toll to 1,941 and the number of injured to more than 9,000. Haiti’s 3rd largest city, Les Cayes, suffered the most casualties, with two nearby towns totally destroyed.

The quake was felt in Port au Prince, which had minimal damage and is where most of our students reside.  All of our sisters are fine and presently in a week-long retreat before school starts. Our Damassin school lost the fence and gate around the school, which keeps the children safe. The school in Coteaux has some structural damage. 

All in all, our students and sisters, to my knowledge, are fine at this time.

If you would like to donate specifically to the earthquake, donate here.  Create a PayPal account and donate using your credit card. Donations can be sent to Haitian Outreach, PO Box 16, Fitchburg, MA 01420

Your donations will go directly to the sisters for repairs and rebuilding, as well as to help those in need from the earthquake!

God bless and thank you,
Pauline Aliskevicz – director Haitian Outreach
Paula Lanson – co-director