December Update - Happy Holidays!
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.)