Helping Haiti Rebuild

OSPIHM members unite in concern for Haiti, the homeland of Theresa Maxis Duchemin, founding member of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and later foundress of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

A common project has been support for Les Petite Souers de St. Therese (Little Sisters of St. Therese) an indigenous Haitian congregation that works throughout Haiti in varied ministries.

Reconstruction is progressing, slowly, in Legone. Three committee members visited the Little Sisters of St Therese in Fall, 2011.  "We brought more than money and supplies," reported Camille Brouillard IHM. "We brought a real connection to our Foundress, our sisters, our donors, and God's great love that unites us all.  They (the Little Sisters) teach us about faith and humor and collaboration."  The American sisters heard one sister's story of surviving  two days in the earthquake rubble and thought dead.  (The sisters lost four of their members in the earthquake). Now members have resumed their ministries of teaching and health care in temporary structures.  They have a prioritized plan for rebuilding, and two of their sisters have received  training in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in Quebec.

Through contacts with many non governmental agencies in Haiti, the Haiti Committee learns how to share resources with those most in need and which groups are most able to use funds with careful stewardship.  

eileen coleman greets students

History

The TRI-IHM Haiti Outreach Project was launched in 1993 with the Tri-IHM Governing Board statement:

"The IHM Sisters and Associates, impelled by the gospel (Luke 4:18-19), stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti, the poorest in the Americas, in their struggle for dignity, life and human rights both in Haiti and in the United States."

In 1995, the three IHM Communities began a common project of financial support for the Little Sisters of St. Therese in Haiti to assist with the their ministries in education, health care, food, and sustainable development projects.

In 2006, Representatives from each of the three IHM congregations and the Oblate Sisters of Providence met to broaden the vision of a common Haiti project. At the gathering, the committee members listened to each other with awe at the many ways each congregation had already been involved with the Haitian people  dating back to 1959. Past ministries of support for the Haitian people included:

  • Twinning of schools in Miami and Haiti
  • Traveling to Haiti on human rights and elections monitoring delegations with Pax Christi
  • Investing in Fonkoze
  • Teaching Haitian children living in New York
  • Working in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean
  • Supporting projects of Partners in Progress in Fondwa
  • Observing the lives of the Haitian people through individual visits

The committee's common desire is to widen and connect the circles of involvement of sisters, associates/companions, families, co-workers, church members, and students with the people of Haiti.

For questions or comments, please contact Sr. Jane Gaughan janegau00@lycos.com; Sr. Mary McGarrity smary1@hotmail.com; or Sr. Anne Murphy ammurphy@ihmsisters.org