Haiti Friends Zoom Call – August 4, 2023

On August 4, 2023 the Haiti Task Force had a Zoom call with Pastor Luc and Haiti Friends from Pinnacle Presbyterian Church (AZ), University Presbyterian Church (AZ), and the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville (NJ), including our dear friend, Lorene Burnett.

Pastor Luc was in Florida as his son, Timothee, graduated from Florida International University. He hopes to attend law school beginning in the fall of 2024.  Daughter, Priscilla, is completing a nursing internship at Memorial Hospital in Miramar, FL.  She hopes to pursue further education to become a nurse practitioner so that she can return to Haiti and care for the sick.  Pastor Luc will be in Haiti until the end of August.

Pastor Luc reported that it continues to be very dangerous to be on the streets in Haiti.  The gangs have more power than ever – no one is exempt – not even the police are safe. Kidnappings – and killings – are daily. Pastor Luc primarily stays inside and only goes to the church on Sundays, getting there early to tend to things he usually would do during the week. When Pastor Luc travels to the church, he doesn’t wear his tie, so not to bring attention to himself; when it is time for worship, he puts on his tie. A church member was kidnapped on his way to work, but his family paid a ransom to free him.

The Harmony Schools in PAP, Leogane and LaSalle just recently closed for the summer.  The school year had started late because of the violence; the government stated that school should stay open until July 27.  Pastor Luc had hoped to have a Vacation Bible School, but because school closed so late in the month, there was no time.

At the end of the school year, Pastor Luc did have someone come to the PAP school for teacher training, and a psychologist came to speak to the parents.

PAP school had 520 students from pre-school to grade five.  There were just 11 teachers, but Pastor Luc is hoping to hire another teacher.  The school is in session from 8 am – 1 pm.  There is a sewing teacher, and a group of students made their school uniforms and some other clothes.  A number of students (39 ninth graders and 17 twelfth graders) recently took the government exams, and they should have the results at the end of August.

Each Sunday in church in PAP there are over 600 people in church.

In Leogane, the students/teachers are very happy with their new school. There were about 110 students; Pastor Luc is looking for another teacher. The church needs pew benches made, and it needs to be painted. Pastor Luc hopes those things will be completed this fall.  Currently they continue to worship under a tent.

The Harmony Schools follow the government regulations for teachers.  Teachers must complete high school plus two more years of education and get a certificate from the government or private agency.  The applicants to the Harmony Schools fill out a form and the principals look at the handwriting (needs to be legible) and the way the applicants form their sentences.  Teachers are paid $150 per month/ten months a year.

Unfortunately, the school/church in Thoman is not doing as well.  Major flooding this past spring damaged the building and the wall around the building.  The roof also needs to be replaced. The school had to close early because of the damage.

Pastor Luc learned that the women at the women’s prison were in dire need of help, as many were dying because of lack of food and water.  He visited the prison and supplied some food, water, and quilts for bedding, as the women were sleeping on the ground.  He spent about $2500 for these supplies.

The PAP medical clinic is open four days a week, and 50-60 patients are seen each day.  The workers at the nearby hospital are on strike so it is not open.

Schools will reopen on September 11.  He has already gathered the principals of the school together to prepare for the opening.

Food and water are available but very expensive, especially for individuals.  At the end of the school year, every child and teacher in PAP went home with a bag of rice and black beans, which was enough food for just about three days.

Jeff Vamos (Lawrenceville) and Wes Avram (Pinnacle) will look into whether PCUSA can help with a pension plan for Pastor Luc.

Helen Griffin of University Presbyterian Church has written an article about the making of female hygiene kits for Harmony Ministries, which will be published in the Presbyterian Women’s magazine.

Greatest Needs:

Short term:

  • Prayers
  • Help to pay for teachers
  • School Supplies
  • Uniforms

Long Term:

  • Prayers
  • Rebuild Thoman church/school – Pastor Luc wants to finish Leogane before moving on to Thoman.It will be very expensive to rebuild as materials must be purchased in PAP and transported to Thoman.  As those have been to Thoman know, the trip up to Thoman is arduous and added to the trip is the safety of those traveling there. Pastor Luc estimates it might cost up to $100,000 – $150,000!

Return to Haiti Task Force Update: https://pclawrenceville.org/haiti-task-force…date-august-2023/