Haiti / Haiteen
Fabienne's Testimony
Fabienne’s Testimony
This mother is the beneficiary of the first house built post–hurricane Matthew through Mission of T.E.A.R.S. Hurricane Relief. Her story explains from a "Mothers Heart" why home and family are so critical to every woman, no matter the country or culture.
According to her statements, Fabienne's family of 8 (Fabienne, her husband and 6 children) were facing a number of obstacles and did not have the means to get out of this unfortunate situation. Her husband was overwhelmed and didn't know what to do to take care of his family, with a handicapped wife.
Our Interview With Fabienne:
FEJ - Can you tell us about your life before the construction of this House?
Fabienne: Before FEJ, Mission of Tears and Emmanuel church's team members built this house for me, I was living in a terrible situation, in misery. These circumstances were very hard. My family was homeless and had no food after Matthew.
I was ashamed and felt humiliated. My family and I were living at my aunt's house and it wasn't pleasant. Our life condition was horrible. It is a miracle that God has put FEJ on my path. We are finally getting back on our feet.
I remember how life was hard and painful, yet FEJ has done the most and it changed our lives considerably.
FEJ - Can you tell us more about your children?
Fabienne - Now my children are living in a more stable environment, and are happy now.
Living at my aunt's wasn't easy. She was rude and disrespectful. As a mother, I felt like I was letting my children down, and could not even give them the bare minimum. Now things are better and they are happy and I can see smiles on their faces.
FEJ - Let's talk about your husband: does he appreciate the house?
Fabienne - Oh yes! He's relieved because it was his responsibility to provide for our household and was unable to do so in these living conditions. He is so thankful that the Foundation was able to help us with everyone else who took part in this miracle.
FEJ - How did people in the neighbourhood react?
Fabienne - Once the house was completed they stop making fun of me and my family. It is with a spirit of gratitude and recognition that I speak today, I want to say a big thank you to FEJ, all who helped at the construction of the house, especially Mission of Tears and Emmanuel church members who gave me the opportunity to live a normal life again like people in my neighbourhood you, May the Lord Bless you.
Posted by
missionoftears @ 12:00 am
Hurricane Matthew: Urgent Help Needed
Mission of Tears in partnership on the ground with Fondation Enfant Jesus is actively working to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew which destroyed homes and blocked roads making the cleanup and distribution of food and clean water very difficult.
Please visit our Canada Helps donation page to help raise $100,000 for Emergency Relief Funding.
Consider joining one of our rescue team trips under our Opportunities section.
Medical Supplies are urgently needed, see list of things we need.
Posted by
missionoftears @ 06:14 pm
Haiti Computer Lab Project
We are excited to announce that Mission of Tears working in partnership with Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield and OSM Networks of Belleville has established a project to establish a computer lab at Fondation Enfant Jesus(FEJ) location at La Mardelle in Haiti.
This computer lab is part of the FEJ Vocational Training Centre vision which will provide education and training to 90 students aged 16 - 25 starting in 2016/17.
Visit our web page for more details and to give to this amazing project.
Posted by
missionoftears @ 12:37 pm
Haiti Election 2015
The elections are scheduled for Dec. 27th but now are being contested and boycotted by many. The leading top candidate Jovenel Moise is the from the incumbent party Tet Kale of the outgoing President Michel Martelly. The runner up in the race Jude Celestin is accusing massive fraud and is threatening to withdraw. For that reason Haiti is facing a challenge in democracy as many hold the belief that no election will ever be fair because all politicians are corrupted. Less than 20% turned out for the runoff elections held to reduce the final numbers of politicians from 54 running for president to the now main two of Celestin and Moise.
Many Haitians now look back on the dictatorships of Francios and Jean Cloude Duvalier as better days because the country seemed to have better order and less individual hardship despite the lack in democratic freedoms.
Pray for the elections to end peacefully and to provide a new government that will work to increase the well being of all Haitians.
Video: Coram Deo in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Haiti news report 2015
Haiti is still recovering from the 2010 earthquake. Mission of T.E.A.R.S still works with our Haitian partners toward that recovery. The tent camps are not as numerous but still do exist.
Life in these camps is so difficult it is hard for westerners to even comprehend how anyone could endure this for so long. But many do so each day with little hope of anything changing or of any good to come. Camp life is the hardest on the youngest and most vulnerable, the children.
Mission of T.E.A.R.S. has partnered with a group of Christian Haitians providing a once weekly children' feeding and day program in one of the last large tent camps remaining. The Project became known as "Its a Good Life".
One key group trip of 2014 was introducing this project to the Norwood Pentecostal Church who after visiting this project with us have committed to stand with our partners and Mission of T.E.A.R.S. Here are some of the pictures of the Norwood group in action at the camp site in 2014.
Bev shares a Bible Story with the children
The children start out shy but soon all are making crafts and proudly display them
The puppet show and its gospel message was a huge success and the children loved it
Thanks to those behind the scenes like Kim, Jackie and Bev and all the rest of the group for a job well done.
There was time for special one on one moments
The children are all thankful for the food some even more than we may understand.
Those in the camps still need our support specifically the children. You can help them by providing to Mission of T.E.A.R.S a generous gift to support this project.
If you or your church or group have the expertise Mission of T.E.A.R.S. can provide the venue for your ministry time in Haiti. Contact us for more information on our next upcoming trip.
Haiti news report 2014
Haiti kept Mission of T.E.A.R.S. and our partners in Haiti very busy in 2014. Planning to ship a forty foot container began in late 2013 along with planning for groups to travel. Space limits the ability to present all those events but here are a few highlights captured in pictures presented below.
Container that was shipped to Haiti in 2014 and being unloaded on arrival.
Rev. Lewis shares in the anniversary of this local church 50th year milestone of ministry in Haiti.
Repairs underway to the church badly damaged in the earthquake in 2010.
This church was rebuilt over the last several years after being totally destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.
The younger children in a make shift school room. The school was attached to the church.
Mission of T.E.A.R.S. organized and hosted an interactive leadership seminar held in Port au Prince introducing our NGO partners in Haiti to one another and to our Canadian church friends.
Some of 35 attendees at the Leaderhip Conference
Each NGO and staff received a Certificate from Diane and Mission of T.E.A.R.S validating there participation or training received at this one day seminar
Diane explains to the group who traveled with her to Haiti about the vocational garment making program and training set up by Mission of T.E.A.R.S. and our Haitian partner at this sight.
Job making for both women and men
Finished Products for sale
Diane helps in class at Christian Light School
Group from the Norwood Pentecostal Church that traveled to Haiti with Mission of T.E.A.R.S. spent a day at Christian Light School teaching and with the kids at the on site orphanage
Pastor Jeff from Norwood Pentecostal Church happily holds this little orphan baby
Diane standing in front of a building leased by Mission of T.E.A.R.S to provide a start to a girls shelter and training program in Haiti post quake. It was intended to house older girls who had lost families and were orphaned after the quake. The home was run in agreement with 'His Home'.
Dr. Brian Nickles from Peterborough Ont. and Play Therapist Sandra Web from Cobourg Ont. who traveled with Mission of T.E.A.R.S to asses the effects of post trauma effects on the girls who survived the quake. They are shown having the girls complete some simple assessment tasks.
Mission of T.E.A.R.S provides opportunities for persons traveling overseas to use their talents and professional skills like Jackie who is seen here with the resident doctor at a clinic in Haiti.
Another medical team works with a little baby in Haiti
Post Earthquake Haiti Update
HOPE AMONGST DESPAIR
Mission of T.E.A.R.S. ca would like to give you our supporters a progress report for our HAITI projects. None of which could be started, finished or still underway without your financial help. For us it is a privilege to share what all of us has accomplished together. Your compassion has changed many lives including families, those orphaned before and after the quake. We were able to assist by supplying emergency food, shelter, safe water, clothing and other urgent supplies to meet the immediate needs. Schools have been rebuilt and new schools are currently under construction. Vocational training has been introduced as part of our sustainable program for GIRLS AT RISK who has been rescued from tent cities for their own physical safety. To address the physiological needs of each girl we have taken play therapists and physiotherapists to implement an individual assessment for each girl they have interviewed.
Review: JANUARY 2010
JANUARY 12TH 2010 was a day in the history of Haiti which will forever be burned in the memory of people around the globe. The earthquake devastated large portions of Port au Prince and effecting millions of lives throughout the country. It has been reported that somewhere between 245,000 ? 300,000 people lost their lives. Thousands were injured and even more lost their homes. The country was not equipped to take on this depth of crisis, thus the devastation made room for several countries to send their highly qualified people to assist HAITI. As we flew over the country and then drove through the roads inside Port Au Prince there was a strong impression to me that people would be living in tents for years to come.
THE COST OF THE EARTHQUAKE
Roads, hospitals, police stations, churches destroyed the places where people should have been able to run for help was also in crisis some had been totally destroyed. Mission of T.E.A.R.S. was able to get in touch with our on ground partners thus providing us with a firm plan to begin our assistance. We continue to appeal to our supports to help us help HAITI.
Mission of T.E.A.R.S has been assisting in HAITI since 1997. Aproximently 85% of people in Haiti live in extreme poverty. If we don?t help this small country only a 4hr flight away from Toronto then we can only expect more unrest, political upheaval and rapid spread of disease.
CHOLERA: The disease continues to spread from country sides now into tent cities. Medical teams continue to fight this horrible painful death. It respects no age or social standing inside this torn country. It can only be beaten by safe foods, safe water filtration, and quick emergency to medical facilities. It becomes more personal when someone you know has been attacked with Cholera. We will continue to help funding for this disease.
SOME FACTS ABOUT HAITI
The population of Haiti is almost entirely black and mulatto due to its historical origin as a slaveholding agricultural colony of France. The countries powerful and political elite are mainly mulatto with ethnic minorities comprising of Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese immigrants from the trading communities. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. Known as the "world?s poorest children in the western hemisphere? the vulnerability of Haiti?s 1.2 million children rose significantly in the context of conflict and instability not including the earthquake of 2010. Many children are forced to make their way through life abandoned, malnourished and neglected. At Mission of TEARS we closely collaboration with licensed orphanages, medical communities and schools.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR HAITI
We are continuing to build the school in Port au Prince. The school will assist 250 children ranging from kindergarten to high school. The initial start of the construction started in May. Our thanks go out to the city of Sudbury and its people for their vision of helping MISSION OF T.E.A.R.S get the project started. Still needs to done to help Haiti finish this vision. Read a comment by Dr. Brian Nichols from Peterborough ON. "This is a quality program, with a huge amount of obvious care being given to the whole child.?
FEEDING PROGRAMS
Our on ground partners feed 240 to 275 meals a day. A nutritious meal is made of peanut in which formed balls are infused with skim milk powder, vitamin supplements, these are affectingly known as "MOCHO?MUMBA? balls. A slice of bread, along with fresh fruit gives the individual a balanced meal. Very small babies receive vitamin enriched formula and vitamin drops.
CORAM DEO
MISSION OF T.E.A.R.S continues to support Karen Bultje in her vision of Haiti. She began her Haitian journey in 1996 and a native of London ON. Ms Bultje has several followers who financially continue to support her. We invite you to visit Karen on her blog at haiticoramdeo.blogspot.com.
KAREN is expanding a school for the physically disabled and including the blind and hearing impaired. She works tirelessly in providing medical care for so many Haitians families and their children. Karen has earned the trust of many Haitians and has won a place in their hearts. She lovingly ministers to the poorest of poor and has gained favour with those in authority in various departments and several missions stationed in Port au Prince and surrounding area. She administers the medical facilitation outreach centre, and has assisted more than 4500 people each year. Karen hosts, at Coram Deo, volunteer medical teams, contractors, teachers, and the Canadian military.
LIFE IS GOOD
On Saturday aproximently 350 children from the depressing tent cities get to enjoy singing songs, dance, games, stories and snacks along with interaction with positive adult role models. These little people have been relocated after the earthquake into the rowdy row on row of tents many are torn and falling down. No playground or school gymnasium for these ones. Many wait on the list to go to Saturday day camp. We still need more funding to help the ones that wait outside the fence looking in.
Imagine being a girl 8 yrs old losing your parent or both parents during the earthquake. Gone is your home it used to be a place of belonging, your caregiver and security, most likely all your prized possessions? pets, toys and clothes. You along with thousands of all ages are placed into tent cities no one to protect you from the evil that lurks outside your little tent. No privacy, no private toilets, no running water, you need to fight for any morsel of food everyday, no education available to you. Nothing! GIRLS AT RISK
Everything you need or want answered with a big no. It is well known and documented that girl?s who are living in vulnerable conditions in Haiti?s tent cities are physically assaulted every night. What was meant for temporarily aid now becomes your prison. Who would you go to for help and that would not betray your trust?
THE SOLUTION
In working along-side HIS Homes for Children we have undertaken to provide a safe house for up to 24 girls ranging from 8 yrs to 16 who have had horrible acts perpetrated against them while living inside the tent cities. The girls are escorted to and from appointments, school and church. It has been discovered that having an escort gives the girls peace of mind and a sense of security they had lost.
Mission of Tears has purchased sewing machines to begin vocational training. Also employed is a qualified Haitian seamstress who will guide the girls into a possible lifetime career of becoming a fashion designer.
Educational classes continue in Creole but with English and French lessons also being interjected. Health care on an ongoing basis is provided for each girl brought into care.
OUR GOAL
To open a store front premier bourgeois clothing store which caters to the Haitian who would need a gown for special occasions but perhaps cannot afford the full price of buying. Rentals at a reasonable price would also be available to serve them. The girls once qualified would learn: computer, serving the public, seamstress, jewellery, hair and aesthetics complete with business skills.
Here?s what you can do.
Help support a class for $100.00 a month.
Help support a girl for $30.00 a month.
DONATE the cost of a wedding gown, grad gown under Haiteen.
CONCLUSION
The rebuilding of Haiti is more than the restructuring of buildings and other structures. It?s helping to repairing the lives of each individual. The biggest thing Haiti needs right now is not to be forgotten.
