The Christian Haitian American Partnership

CHAP Board Meeting 02/15/2010

2010-02-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

Members of the Board met on Feb. 15 to discuss developments, progress and plans for continued support and relief of the parishes, schools, and nutrition clinics under the direction of Pere Val and Carmel. During a phone conference,the Valdemas reported that all of the students and professors are alive, but the schools will be closed for another month. It was noted that all of the buildings in PV’s parishes have survived the earthquake, with the exception of the church in Gorman. Our two water/sanitation projects are intact and providing life sustaining safe water.

Several members of the Board have been directly involved in efforts to collect medical supplies and crutches to be delivered to Haiti. Contacts have been made to deliver via both private planes and humanitarian airlifts.

Since the earthquake, CHAP has raised over $35,000, which will be forwarded to Pere Val in installments. The CHAP Scholarship Program has raised sufficient funds to send $6,000.00 per month to pay for teachers salaries at the schools for the remainder of the school year. Letters have been sent to all of the benefactors of the Scholarship Fund, to request their continued support in this crisis to sustain the educational system.

Water Missions Update

2010-01-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

Organizations that we are in discussion with include:

World Vision, Convoy of Hope (Hope for Haiti), Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, Samaritans Purse, Baptist Haiti Mission/Global Outreach, World Relief, Americares, Adventist University of Haiti, YWAM, Food For The Poor, Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic, Engineering Ministries International, World Relief, Canadian DART, Salvation Army, USAID, Cure International, Good Samaritan Haitian Alliance Church, Operation Mobilization, Tabernacle of Glorie Church, Blue Ridge for Christ.

Day 12 (January 24th)

Living Water Treatment Systems in Haiti Count: 12 – 9 installed (in response to the earthquake). Each units costs approximately $8,000 and provides sustainable water for 3,000.

A second LWTS was brought online at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port au Prince International. Projects Director, Andre Mergenthaler, is settling in after a long bus ride from Santo Domingo Dick Johnson (WMI volunteer still in the DR) is still stationed in Santo Domingo assisting with customs clearance and transportation of the equipment being airlifted into Santo Domingo. The equipment coming in consists of a water system due to arrive today and the solar pumps due to arrive Wednesday (they were originally due to arrive yesterday).

We are looking to move equipment to a new partner organization for storage purposes. The new partner is a Mennonite group known as Blue Ridge for Christ and they have a centrally located secure compound that we will be moving goods to starting tomorrow. Please pray that this relationship continues to develop. This is a great group that we have been in communication with for a long time.
We are still exploring options for moving equipment into Haiti. As you can see we are running short on available systems and need to see something happen fast. We will be meeting Monday morning to see how we can fast track additional equipment into Haiti.

The truck and trailer were not unloaded due to congestion and we are still waiting to receive the goods as of 9PM Sunday evening. The 10 LWTSs that were due to arrive today have been delayed. These systems were being moved via navy vessel and were supposed to be positioned at GITMO and then airlifted into Haiti.

The current requests for water systems are as follows:

Samaritans Purse – 12
Operation Blessing – 20
Food for the Poor – 21
Convoy of Hope – 20
Adventist University of Haiti – 3
World Relief – 1-5
Operation Mobilization – 6
Morning Glory Church – 1
God's Little Angels (orphanage) – 1
Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic – 1 (for a staging station at the bordertown of Jimani)
Family Health Ministries (Leogane and Blanchard Clinics) - 1
Grace Childrens Hospital (Carrefour) - 2

George C. Greene IV, PE
VP International Programs
Water Missions International
Direct Dial: 843-266-4965
Phone: 843-769-7395 ext. 205
Fax: 843-763-6082
ggreeneiv@watermissions.org
www.watermissions.org

Update from Rebecca Lovelace

2010-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

Episcopal Bishop Tommy (TJ) Johnston has just returned from a critical assessment visit to Haiti. He met with Pere Val, the Haitian Bishop and toured many sites of devastation. On Sunday, Kathy Benson, Bill Greene, Jeanne Fourrier and I met with TJ, and representatives of the group that does mission work on La Gonave, where Pere Val worked for 14 years. TJ spent almost a week in Croix des Bouquets, staying part of the time in the courtyard at St. Simeon Church, and a few nights at Pere Val’s home. The first night he decided to sleep inside was the night of the big 6.1 aftershock, which woke him from a dead sleep. He caught us up on the big picture, and the smaller picture.

The big – “macro” picture – is the immediate food and shelter relief that needs to be done for all the newly homeless people in PAP. That is best done by groups such as Unicef, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Episcopal Relief and Development. ,etc. If people want to feed and shelter these, then have them give to one of these groups. The smaller “micro” picture is helping our existing Haiti programs, and working through Pere Val and Carmel. This work will still be going on long after some of the big groups have pulled out, and long after Anderson Cooper goes home.

We are in a unique position because of our long-term relationship with Pere V and Carmel – two proven, effective local Haitian leaders who know how to get things done. TJ said Carmel continues to run her nutrition clinics, and of course, has added children to the program. As a result over our recent donations, she has scaled up the program to handle more than 600 children. She has 2 doctors working with her, and is tireless. Pere Val is still in the process of assessing damage to his properties . The biggest loss was the church at Gorman. I guess the good news there is we had not built a school there; the existing classes were being conducted outside, so there was no school to collapse. A real priority will be to get the schools back in session again – that will probably be at least 2 months away. The government has to give the green light for the re-opening of schools. Meanwhile, the teachers will need to be paid, and there is no tuition coming in, and won’t be coming in for the foreseeable future.

For those of you who have been to Haiti, some individual updates: Jimmy, our driver on the last few Chap trips, lost everything; Bienvenue, the superintendent of Pere Val’s 6 schools, also lost everything; 8 of the people who work with Carmel in the Nutrition Program, are also homeless. There are about 60 people sleeping at the St. Simeon property now. Through a minor miracle, the generator was repaired Friday, and now the well is pumping good clean water. Also, the Rotary well at Gorman is putting out good water, and is providing water for that entire community.

You may have read in the newspaper that the Haitian government is placing a large refugee tent city in Croix des Bouquet. But, as of yet, we don’t know exactly where, but probably near the Nutrition Center, because that is the only area with open land. So, Carmel could be getting lots of new cases for the Nutrition Program.
Going forward: Chap will definitely need to continue sending money for our 2 major on-going programs – nutrition and schools. Carmel thinks they can start accepting mission teams by mid February (but I think this is a bit unrealistic). Any team that goes in the near future would have to sleep at St. Simeon; the Visa Lodge, being one of the few hotels still standing, is overrun with all the people down there. We will explore with Pere Val a construction team for the summer, that would help build something at Gorman and camp out there. Thanks to Rotary, there’s a well and a nice new two-seater bathroom that survived the quake.

What do we need?

1. Prayer – for all the folks there, especially Pere Val and Carmel, as they deal w/this huge tragedy. They need our prayers more than ever.

2. Money – to help us help them. Checks can be made payable to CHAP; PO Box 70132; Myrtle Beach 29572. Mark them earthquake relief; they will be a tax deduction for your 2009 income tax return, if you want to use it for 2009. Or tell folks they can give through Pay Pal on our web site, www.chaphaiti.org – click on the donate button.

3. Consider going on a mission trip, once we get the green light from Pere Val and Carmel. If you’re serious about it, consider getting your shots up to date, and making sure your passport is current. I will try to call Pere Val tonight, with Pierrot’s help, and will update you later.

Rebecca Lovelace
Past-President
CHAP

Dr. Bill Greene's Update

2010-01-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, January 12, Haiti was rocked with one of the most destructive earthquakes in modern times. We have all been inundated with information on the news media. Countless supporters of our efforts have inquired about the children, the schools and our projects.

We have received fragmented information which I will share with everyone. Pere Val and Carmel and their immediate family are safe. Carmel was nearly crushed when a building collapsed in an aftershock. She was rescued by one of her children. To the best of our knowledge, none of the children or the teachers was injured at school, although not everyone is accounted for. The lower grades were out of school were not in class when the earthquake struck. Regretably, upper grades in other locations were in class; countless students and teachers were crushed to death.

The church and school at Croix des Bouquets suffered minimal damage. The church in Gorman was destroyed. The classroom there was outdoors with woven walls and roof. To the best of our knowledge, churches and schools at Fonds Pariesian and Thomasseau are intact. Crochu suffered significant damage. The Catholic Cathedral was demolished and the Catholic Bishop died in the earthquake.

Thankfully our 2 new water/sanitation projects at C de B and Gorman were unharmed. They are providing invaluable water in those communities. Re-opening the schools is a top priority, but this cannot take place for at least 2 months. In the U.S. as a result of the economic downturn, many generous benefactors have had difficulty making payments for the children’s scholarships. But, this is more critical than ever. Scholarship payments will go to provide salaries for classroom teachers to permit the schools to re-open. So, if at all possible, we ask that commitments continue to fund education.

Bill Greene

Bishop's Letter January 23

2010-01-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

23 January 2010
Mr. Robert W. Radtke
President
Episcopal Relief and Development
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Dear Mr. Radtke:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you from the tent city we have set up behind the rubble of College Ste. Pierre, our marvelous senior secondary school that is no more. As you know, we have gathered approximately 3,000 people here alone. Across the land, the Diocese of Haiti has set up at least 21 refugee camps, caring for more than 23,000 people.
In this letter, I wish to make clear to the Diocese of Haiti, to Episcopal Relief and Development and to all of our partners that Episcopal Relief and Development is the official agency of the Diocese of Haiti and that we are partners working hand-in-hand in Haiti’s relief and recovery efforts.
I also am announcing in this letter that I am appointing The Rev. Lauren R. Stanley, Appointed Missionary of The Episcopal Church, to work directly with ERD on my behalf. I am asking all partners in The Episcopal Church to communicate directly with Rev. Stanley, so as to keep communications with the Diocese of Haiti open. Rev. Stanley is to communicate and work with ERD on my behalf.
In addition, I am asking that all of our partners in the Presbyterian Church USA work directly with ERD, with Rev. Stanley as the central communications person. PCUSA has worked with us for many years, and we are deeply grateful for their compassion and their commitment to the people of Haiti.
We in the Diocese of Haiti have a vision and a plan for this relief and recovery effort. We know the situation on the ground, we are directing emergency relief to those who need it most, and we already are making plans and moving forward to help our people. Since the earthquake struck, we have been and will continue to work closely with your two representatives here, Ms. Katie Mears and Ms. Kirsten Muth. I have complete confidence in you and your agency.
Finally, I wish to make it plain: I know that many of our partners wish to come to Haiti right now to help. Please tell them that unless they are certified professionals in relief and recovery, they must wait. We will need them in the months and years to come, but at this point, it is too dangerous and too much of a burden for our people to have mission teams here.
Please tell our partners, the people of The Episcopal Church, the people of the United States and indeed the people of the world that we in Haiti are immensely grateful for their prayers, their support and their generosity. This is a desperate time in Haiti; we have lost so much. But we still have the most important asset, the people of God, and we are working continuously to take care of them.
I hope that this letter will help all of us work together to help God’s beloved people in Haiti. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. If others have questions or concerns, please ask them to contact you or to work directly with Rev. Stanley.

Faithfully,
Mgr. Jean Zaché Duracin
Evêque d'Haïti

A Letter to a Benefactor

2009-08-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Christian Haitian American Partnership
Box 70132
Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29572

August 9, 2009

Dear Dorothy,

I received your donation and your letter, which described your recent hardships when your home burned to the ground. I feel compelled to reply.

Over the years, my colleagues and I at CHAP have made many appeals for our impoverished brothers and sisters in Haiti. I have felt privileged to act as the hands and heart of Our Lord, in doing what He has called me to do. I have often felt like an honored spectator, admiring the results of the work which He has done through us.

I have been absolutely overwhelmed to see the outpouring of generosity of Americans for poor people they will never meet. I am regularly heartened by so many kind souls who make monthly contributions of $20 from limited budgets.

I have been given the unique opportunity to witness the effects which our scholarship program has had on hundreds of impoverished children.

So, I want to thank you for your committed devotion to help us to do the work of God in the country of Haiti. I know that rich rewards await you, when you see Him face to face.

God bless,

Dr. Bill Greene

Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Update

2009-07-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

July 23

There are many churches and dioceses which support Pere Val and Carmel in their work in Haiti. The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama has been strongly committed.

For an update of the work being done at Lipswa Timoun (the Nutrition Center under construction) and Crochu during recent missions, visit http://www.dioala.org/ministries/companion_diocese_haiti.html. You will find some excellent narratives and photos.

Dr Bill Greene

A Letter to Our Benefactors

2009-07-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2009
DEAR FRIEND: We have mailed to you a letter from the child you are sponsoring in Haiti. In mid-May, CHAP sent a team of 12 to Haiti, including two dentists, an optometrist, a nurse, a pharmacist, a Socastee High School teacher, a priest, and several other “worker bees”. All the school children were given toothbrushes, & taught to brush their teeth. Then each child’s teeth were painted with a fluoride solution, giving them protection for 6 months. Our optometrist fitted over 300 people, including some of the children, with glasses donated by the Lions Club. A highlight for all team members was interacting with the children, and once again we learned that a smile is a universal language.

Dr. Jeanne Fourrier, who first went to this area in 2003, was on this recent trip, and reports: “The school children looked healthier and they seemed alert and happy. There were many more in school due to the tremendous support of the scholarship program Dr Greene began 2 years ago. The way out of poverty is education. With the nutrition program, we are feeding the malnourished children who can then be educated and can make a real difference in this impoverished country. Thank you so much for your support.” Paul Browning, Socastee High School principal, visited the schools on a CHAP trip in February. He writes: “ The positive spirit of the children, and the commitment and dedication of the adults washed over every aspect of St. Simeon. From Thomazeau to Gorman to Lilavois, each visit to schools, churches, and nutrition sites revealed the same spirit and a genuine appreciation from those being served. One could clearly see that the CHAP mission of supporting education, nutrition and safe water was changing lives and turning despair into hope.” Making a difference in the country of Haiti is a huge, and never-ending , undertaking. Jesus tells us in Matthew, Chapter 25, that when we do it for the least of these, we do it for Him. On behalf of the children in the schools of Gorman, Crochu, Fond Parisien, Lilavois, and Thomazeau, THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS TEAM EFFORT!

You can get updates through our blog: www.chaphaiti.blogspot.com

God bless you.

Rebecca Lovelace
CHAP President

A note from Dr. Greene:

Our program has been a resounding success. God’s hand at work is easily seen. The recession has seriously affected our benefactors’ ability to maintain their level of support. But, we want to continue to help. If you are able to offer financial support for another year, we want to maintain your relationship with your dear child. Yearly contributions of $240 or monthly contributions of $20 will provide scholarship support for your child for another year.

May God richly bless for your efforts.

Rotary Service Above Self

2009-03-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

March 26

Dear Friends of Haiti:

I want to share with you some awesome news. Last weekend I attended the Rotary District Conference in Columbia, S.C. During the Saturday Night Banquet, awards were presented.

To my great surprise, I received the Rotary International Service Above Self Award for my mission work in Haiti. This is presented to only 150 Rotarians worldwide (there are 1,200,000 Rotarians). I was INCREDULOUS.

In researching this honor, I have learned, “The Rotary International Service Above Self Award is Rotary's highest honor for individual Rotarians, recognizing those who have displayed exemplary humanitarian service with a focus on active involvement in helping others through Rotary.” We have had only 9 members of District 7770 (S.C.) receive the award since it was instituted in 1991.

Last year in Myrtle Beach, my good friends and mentors, Dr George and Molly Greene of Water Missions International each received the award. I can not think of 2 more deserving Rotarians. I was so proud for them. Now I have joined a very distinguished cadre.

God has been so good in calling me to the missions, and providing the talents to truly impact our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as well as our brothers and sisters in the USA. I have tried to obediently follow His call.

I can not wait to see what He has in store for me next.

Dr Bill Greene

PS MaryEllen did not attend the conference; she was not feeling well. So, I was FORCED to find other dancing partners.

Ministry of Presence

2009-03-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

February 2009

Haiti fills my thoughts today. I can’t get the faces of those beautiful Haitian children out of my mind…..I pray that I never will. This divine adventure was a ministry of presence, but, for whom? When asked to be a part of a 4 person mission team to Haiti, I said yes without hesitation because I knew the Lord wanted me to go.

Mary White, CHAP director, and I attend Church of the Resurrection in Surfside Beach together. Dr. Paul Browning, from Socastee High School, is a fantastic principal and is the safest man in the world, according to my kids. Rev. Bob Caswell, CHAP chaplain, well he is just wonderful and has been a spiritual mentor to my entire family. Mine was the role of President-elect of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of SC. Together, we were going to Haiti. For Paul and me, this was a whole new experience.

Mission work has been on my family’s heart for years. In fact, my oldest son, Lewis, had traveled to the Dominican Republic with a college ministry from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on a mission trip, three years earlier. Now, it was my turn to follow my child’s lead. How could I ever say anything but yes! This was a team for whom I had the utmost respect. Please Lord, let me just try to convey the overwhelming emotion that holds my heart.

What have I ever done in my life to deserve such crazy love and respect? My friends and church family had sponsored me for expenses almost exactly to the penny….God thing. I was getting encouragement from every turn….God thing. My small group, Bible studies, book club, gym, bunko group, church families of people that I didn’t even know, my day care center families (I own Wee Care Day School in Myrtle Beach), were all in support on my trip to Haiti. I’m just a regular Horry County girl that doesn’t really travel much in, of all places, Haiti. Haiti can be a very scary place. Especially for a flaming chicken like me!

Haiti defies sanity. Where are the roads? I hope to never take a short cut again. No electricity, water with parasites, no water, bring you own toilet paper, never go to a Haitian hospital, large guns, barbed wire, stone walls with upturned jagged broken bottles cemented on top….in this paradise is extreme poverty and filth. What could I ever offer to so many? It’s called a Ministry of Presence. But, I found that it was given to me. I was there to give, but the gift was given to me and my team. I think that every missionary must have known the answer already. But, for this trip, it was my answer to find. How clearly you can see the hand of God, when all is stripped away. People living in faith, love and hope for they are children of the Beloved. Father Val and his lovely wife Carmel are truly anointed, as they lead 6 churches and nutrition centers. Lives and souls are being saved through their tireless efforts.

How will I ever be the same following this trip; I pray never. My job is to speak and act on my revelations seeded in Haiti. A fresh view of God’s creation and my role as His child with my brothers and sisters all over the world, how blessed am I to have met so many of them. They were waiting for me, and I them. I found that a comfort zone can be a chain holding you back from living in the Spirit. I look forward to the day when Steve and I can take our children with us as a whole family for mission work, even for a week or two, or better yet, as God leads. I let God lead me both directly and indirectly through friends and strangers to what was a divine adventure of a lifetime….until next time. God Bless You.

Scripture Notes: Matthew 28:19, James 1:27, John 1:16

Sue Brunson

Haiti Impressions

2009-02-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

Socastee High School has had an association with the CHAP effort in Haiti for several years. Our efforts have included funding for supplies and teacher salaries, labor to assist with packing supplies for medical missions and assistance in producing biographies for the scholarship program. In February 2009, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Haiti with a CHAP team.

My entire visit was a series of awakenings for me. I had never visited a “Third World Country” and was truly taken aback by what I saw. Living conditions were primitive and abject poverty was everywhere we looked. My first thought was “What in the world have I gotten myself into?” That all changed as soon as we met the people at St. Simeon parish in Croix-des-Bouquets. The positive spirit of the children and the commitment and dedication of the adults washed over every aspect of St. Simeon. From Thomazeau to Gorman to Lilavois, each visit to schools, churches, and nutrition sites revealed that same spirit and a genuine appreciation from those being served. Every visit brought beautiful songs of hope and thanksgiving. One could clearly see that the CHAP mission of supporting education, nutrition, and safe water was changing lives and turning despair into hope.

As an educator, I believe that expanding the umbrella of educational opportunity would complete the cycle of hope for people who are trying to change the future for the children of Haiti. Under the able leadership of Father Valdema and his lovely wife Carmel, with the support of organizations like CHAP, it is possible that a prototype could be completed that could lead children to high school completion and subsequent post-secondary studies.

Paul Browning, Ph.D.
Principal
Socastee High School

Education Mission Trip

2009-02-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

February 2 -7, 2009

Upon arrival at the airport, we were met by a group from the Episcopal Diocese and escorted to an air conditioned lounge to wait while they cleared our customs forms and collected our luggage. We gave them our passports and luggage claims and $4.00 cart fees. Since we were carrying two shoe sizes boxes of prescription medications for Pere Val and Carmel, a new printer for St. Simeon, numerous school supplies and printer cartridges and about 10,000 vitamins, we were grateful not to have to answer any questions if our luggage was searched or pay an import tax. We waited about 45 minutes in air conditioned lounge with a TV and other dignitaries. Our bags were delivered to Pere Val and Carmel waiting for

us at the curb by the front entrance with the ambulance; thus we avoided the usual

rush at the back exit from the airport.

On Tuesday 2/3/09, we visited the school at St. Simeon in Croix-des-Bouquet. There were 68 students in one first grade class we observed. This school serves pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, currently with 458 students enrolled. The Board of Education has requested that Pere Val expand to the ninth grade. Dr. Browning felt this would be advisable, if at all possible, to establish continuity for the students. They currently have an atmosphere of trust, love and learning, and would have a higher rate of students who continue their education. Carmel indicated that, if they went to the ninth grade, the government might provide some assistance with books. Directly across the street from the St. Simeon complex is a school for nursing which is currently vacant. The Valdema's will investigate the possibility of leasing or purchasing this building for a school expansion. It is already set up for a nursing school, so it should have the necessary science labs and library. Perhaps they could rent the building as a temporary high school.

On Tuesday afternoon, we visited the nutrition program at St. Michael's in Thomazeau. The parents stayed longer to await our arrival. We were treated to a song to thank and welcome us. Then we were given a tour of the classes there. Currently there are 358 students. As with most of the schools, we observed eight to twelve students squeeze into one crude wooden bench. We then toured a second nutrition clinic held on the other side of Thomazeau, as the need there is so great.

On Wednesday 2/5/09, we went to Gorman to see the school there.

The church of the Transfiguration site had been flooded and the water marks on the building show it was submerged in four to five feet of water. Carmel informed me that there was no school this fall for over a month due to the extreme flooding both in Gorman, Fond Parisean and Croix-des-Bouquet area. Several classes meet in the church building and additional classes meet in reed thatched shelters outside the church. The roof on these structures has many holes and they cannot have class in the rain. They serve 130 children at this location. There is no nutrition program in Gorman, because the area has many farms and the need is not evident. While we were there the water tower and the bathrooms were being constructed. We watched the workers mix the cement by hand and apply the blocks to the bathroom walls. The hole in the ground, that I believe is for the septic, was filled with water. Each class sang a song to welcome us. The upper classes sung first in Creole, then in English and the fifth grade also sang for us in Spanish. The reception by the students was very touching. The principal brought a cooler from home with four sodas to serve us. We were all aware of the magnitude of this gesture of generosity. The population of this village is about 900.

We then toured downtown Port-au-Prince, past the palace, public park, the UN installation, the American Embassy and the Episcopal Cathedral. Sue Brunson was able to see the office of the Dames Episcople at the diocesan compound. The Haitian E.C.W. logo has a candle to signify that the ladies are the light of the church in Haiti. We saw the native art work decorating the inside of the cathedral and were able to visit the gift shop. We then visited the high school that Pierrot and Natalie attended when they were in Port-au-Prince. We were able to pick up Dominick, one of Pere Val’s twins, and provide him and a friend transportation home from school. They usually ride the local tap-taps.

Our final day, Thursday, we went to St. Marc's School and Church at Lilavois, which is a suburb of Croix-des-Bouquet. 230 children attend school there. We also visited the nutrition program being conducted there. As with the other sites, the parents were very pleased to greet us and sang a song of welcome. There are two classrooms which also serve as the sanctuary for Sunday services. The female lay reader was present to greet and welcome us. This site has a hand pump in the front for water, which was provided by the church in Alabama. When we arrived at the compound of St. Simeon, Carmel was there with the Director of the Health Ministry. She was visiting to inspect Carmel's program for official approval for Lewspa Timoun (our nutrition center). She has been preparing for this approval for two years and the final step will be for training for her staff. The officials have become much stricter since the tragedy of the roof collapse in Petionville. Carmel converted the accounting office to a make shift office for the program. We were fooled too, to think it was her office. She did not want to receive Dr. Marhone in the rectory living room, but rather felt it more professional to have an office. Dr. Marhone graciously received us and listened to our praises for Lewspa Timoun program. She wanted a picture of us for her camera. This lovely lady has devoted her whole life to children's nutrition. We exchanged e-mail addresses.

The entire compound was undergoing painting and general sprucing up, in preparation for the feast of St. Simeon on Sunday. The painting was to cover the water damage from the hurricanes this past fall. The principal, Mr. Benvenue, was finally able to repair the mural on the kindergarten wall. He worked on the painting all three days we were there. They were expecting 500 guests to attend the festival including the Bishop and his family. We were sorry we did not realize that the feast of the Holy Family, Jesus’ presentation at the temple, was the feast of St. Simeon and had not planned to stay for the weekend, too.

We then traveled to Fond Parisian, St. Sacrament Church and School. This church building was devastated by the hurricanes. It has a new roof and repairs, through the generosity of a good friend, Frenchy of Mt. Pleasant. The school is still missing the roof in over half of the building. Enrollment there is 140 children. There is now competition for students from 'Love a Child' program located just down the road. They employ television advertising in the U.S. and are able to provide free education, uniforms, lunch and have an orphanage at this location. As with all his schools, Pere Val charges tuition to those who are able.

In the afternoon, we observed the weighing of the starving children and the distribution of akamil for the nutrition program held at St. Simeon's. Again, the parents welcomed us with a song, then participated in the training part of this program. They weigh each child in each visit and provide records and well baby immunizations. It was comforting to see some parents leave without bags of akamil, as their babies no longer needed it. The program provides for three or more months of nutritional supplements, as needed. Currently Carmel has over 1200 children enrolled in programs at Cruchu, Croix-des-Bouquet, Lilvalos, Thoman, and two at Thomazeau.

The final leg of our tour was a stop at the iron market in Croix-des-Bouquet. Our team, consisting of Dr. Paul Browning, Principal of Socastee High School, Sue Brunson, president-elect of the Episcopal Church Women of S.C., Rev. Bob Caswell and myself, felt we had a very fruitful trip.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary White
C.H.A.P. Executive Director

Scholarship Update August 25, 2008

2009-02-10T13:26:00.002-08:00

Dear Friends of Haiti:

We have just completed our first year, providing an education for some of the poorest children on the planet. God has been so good to us. Thanks to all of you, our results have far exceeded our expectations. We have raised $172,257. This has been an ecumenical project with support and volunteers from many different denominations. Although we are based on the Grand Strand of South Carolina, dozens of out-of-state tourists, who heard our story during a vacation visit, have taken part. The tuition for each child is $240. Many have generously sponsored a teacher for $1,740.

Pere Val, our Haitian priest, visited with us two weeks ago, and gave a stirring report of the impact of our work in the 6 schools he oversees. All teachers have been paid on time, for the first time ever. More than 200 children in Gorman are attending classes in outdoor classrooms under woven banana leaf roofs. This town had no school; without our assistance, these children would never learn to read. From my visit in January, I can attest to the fact that they are now reading.

I hope you have all received communication from your adopted children; most included precious, hand-drawn artwork. If yours has not arrived, please let us know.

We have big dreams. This summer, two more schools have been adopted. We have 200 additional children from Lilavois and Crochu. I visited Crochu on my last medical mission. It is a destitute village on top of a mountain, reached only by the heartiest of missionaries. We hope to construct a building there, as well as in Gorman. At present, the children attend an open-air school.

Mail communication is costly. We now have our own dedicated website, which will be updated with news and photos, frequently. Please visit CHAPHAITI.ORG. We intend to provide you with two personal communications from your child in the coming year.

All of our work comes to a screeching halt without the support of you, our caring benefactors. We hope you will consider adopting your child, or many more, for the new academic year. The rate is the same as last year. Contributions can be made in a single payment or broken down into monthly installments. We are so heartened by your participation. So many faithfully make $20 payments each month, from carefully controlled budgets.

God Bless,

Dr. Bill Greene

Join Us In Creating Miracles

2009-02-10T13:26:00.001-08:00

Haiti has been ranked as the third poorest country in the world. This densely populated Caribbean nation of 8 million people has an average per capita income of less than $2 per day. It suffers from the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the Western Hemisphere. 60% of the people go to bed hungry every night; 70% are illiterate. If you are unfortunate to be born in Haiti, you have one chance in ten of dying before your first birthday, one chance in five of dying before your fifth birthday, from diseases which cost pennies to treat. We have set out to make a difference in four areas: health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, and most importantly, education.

Our Accomplishments

We have established a 501C(3) tax-exempt corporation known as the Christian Haitian American Partnership (CHAP), and made a commitment to provide assistance through a poor Haitian priest, Pere Val. We have raised and donated more one half million dollars. Our partners in this effort include area Rotary Clubs and Rotary International, the Chapin Foundation in Myrtle Beach, churches, schools and individuals with a big heart. For more than a dozen years, we have assisted Haitian hospitals with numerous medical and dental teams. We have donated $1 million in medications.

6,000 children and 30,000 adults in Third World Countries die everyday from drinking contaminated water. This is a pervasive health hazard in Haiti. We have received 2 Rotary Matching Grant totaling $150,000. We have completed our first major project in Croix des Bouquets. We have dug a deep-water well, and have provided a pump, diesel generator, elevated water tank, septic system, solar panels and electricity. A similar second project in Gorman is in progress.

Our Education Initiative

Haitian parents know that education is the most important tool to permit their children to escape from the grasp of poverty, and achieve financial stability. On mission trips, we often see children studying under scattered street lamps, because their homes have no electric power. But, there are no public schools in Haiti; private schools are primitive at best with few supplies and austere buildings. One year of education costs $240 - an unreasonable expense for the average Haitian family, earning less than $2 per day. Pere Val is responsible for 5 schools with over 1,500 students. Teachers earn $1,740 per year. Because of tuition shortfalls, many teachers go for months without money to support their own families.

We are committed to provide the funds for 750 of the poorest children and orphans to attend school, but we cannot do it alone. We appreciate your commitment to adopt a Haitian child for a year. A single contribution of $240, or a monthly contribution of $20, will assure a needy child a seat in a classroom for a year.

This packet provides information and pictures of your child and the environment in which they live. The school superintendent, Bienvenu (which means Welcome in Creyole) has assured me that correspondence will be provided between the needy child and the host family, to report progress in school and personal experiences.

As a result of a Haitian education, we have witnessed many who have escaped the oppressive poverty to lead happy, productive lives as doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers. Your care and concern will have a dramatic, enduring effect on the life of one of the poorest people on the face of the earth.

May God bless you bountifully,

Dr. Bill Greene

Contact us at GUDOC96@HOTMAIL.COM.

Send donations to
The Christian Haitian American Partnership
P.O. Box 70132
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Checks are made out to CHAP; they should include the child’s I.D. number.

To learn more about our work, you will find videos, articles and photos on our website ChicoraRotary.com ( then go to Haiti ).

To keep abreast of current events in our education initiative, visit CHAPHAITI.ORG for photographs and stories about our children and their schools.

St. Andrew Scholarship Appeal

2009-02-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

July 2007

A friend asked if I would like to join her in building a Habitat for Humanity house – it seemed like a good idea, but I was busy doing something else.

I heard a touching appeal for Medecins sans Frontiers, Doctors without Borders – but I was short of cash that week.

I was invited to serve food at the Homeless mission, but the date went bye and I forgot.

How many times have our good intentions been foiled by silly excuses? Many of us nurture good intentions to assist those who are less fortunate, but it seems like life gets in our way.

I have just returned from my sixth mission to Haiti. Msgr. Chet has graciously invited me to briefly share my experiences with you this morning / afternoon / evening.

Many of our parishioners have heard me speak before about Haiti. On 5 earlier mission trips, I went to serve as a surgeon and to operate in primitive hospitals. But, this trip was different; I went as a humanitarian, to live among the people and to personally experience their way of life. I really was not prepared for the unspeakable poverty I witnessed. This Caribbean nation is the third poorest in the world. This densely populated country of 8 million people has an average per capita income of $1 per day. It suffers from the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the western hemisphere. 60% of the people go to bed hungry every night; 70% are illiterate. If you are unfortunate to be born in Haiti, you have one chance in five of dying before your fifth birthday, from diseases which cost pennies to treat.

In the past, we have sponsored dozens of mission trips to provide medical, dental and surgical care. We have donated more than ½ million dollars in financial aid and more than $1 million in medications. I have personally had the opportunity to perform more than 100 surgical procedures on the poorest of the poor. This time, I visited a Haitian priest, Fr. Fritz Valdema (Pere Val). I worked at his side to minister to his people. He is a remarkable charismatic leader. At a prior assignment at La Gonave, he built 12 churches and 11 Schools.

Haitian parents know that education is the most important tool to permit their children to escape from the grasp of poverty, and achieve financial independence. Although we take education for granted, there are few public schools in Haiti; private schools are primitive at best with few supplies and austere buildings. With few books for lessons most learning is done by rote memorization. Because of the oppressive poverty, the teachers often go for months without income to support their own families. Many nights, I have seen children studying under scattered street lamps, because their homes have no electric power.

I visited 4 churches and schools, but I was especially moved by a visit I made to Pere Val’s parish in Gorman. Although it is less than an hour’s drive from the capital of Port au Prince, I felt like we had traveled back into the Dark Ages of civilization. We drove thru the middle of a garbage dump to reach the town. There was no electricity, no plumbing, no sewers. There was only one well to supply waterto the village from a hand pump. There was Pere Val’s church, but there was no school in the town and no transportation, except for donkeys. Children who grow up in the town receive no education; they never learn to read.

I was greeted in the church by more than 200 poor children, dressed in their best Sunday outfits. Pere Val has promised to open a school there this fall. But there is no money to pay teachers. One year of education costs $240 - an unreasonable expense for the average Haitian family, earning only $1 a day. How is this going to happen? Pere Val has a strong faith in God, and he prays.

When I speak about Haiti, people always ask the same question. You are a surgeon; you have skills to contribute. I am an average American. What can I do?

On my mission trip, I photographed more than 500 of the poorest children on the face of the earth. Their teachers created biographies to tell American families about each student’s life. I have come to offer you the opportunity to become a member of my mission team. I am asking you to adopt a child, to provide a scholarship for one child to attend school for one year. I am not asking for spare change from your pocket. I need $240 per child and I have more than 500 children who need help.

This is a tall order, how can I be so bold? I too have a strong faith in God and I have also prayed. I have seen the great need, and the great opportunity we have to make a difference in this world, one child at a time. I have met Haitian doctors, nurses, engineers and lawyers whose educations have made them happy, productive citizens. These Haitians have acquired the skills to contribute to their society, because someone cared about them. Maybe this time, you will make the commitment to care, to jump on board, to dig deep in order to really make a difference in this world.

Two weeks ago at Mass, we heard a moving sermon from a visiting priest. A man asked Jesus how to seek eternal life. He was told – love God and love your neighbor. I know that Jesus was not talking about a sentimental, mushy form of love. This was a strong call for Christian action. In Matthew 25 we learn the reward for our love. The king tells the righteous: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I am in front of you today, as young people would say, I am in your face, begging you to care. Begging you to hear Christ’s call for us to demonstrate our Christian love through action.

I would like to digress from my prepared words. I have been permitted to speak at all of the earlier Masses this weekend. The response of the parishioners and visitors has far exceeded my expectations. When I spoke with my wife earlier today, she reminded me of how truly blest we are in America. Consider that by giving up only one can of soda a day, you will be able to give your adopted child a seat in a classroom for a year.

After Mass, in the back of the church, we will gratefully accept checks for $240 for a year, or commitments of $20 per month. Today you will receive a biography of your child, along with photographs. The child will correspond with you during the school year. Our second collection today will also go for the scholarship program in Haiti. All contributions are tax-deductible.

I would like to take credit for creating this appeal; but we are adopting a program which the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging offered at St. Andrew’s, working with children in South America. Two years ago, that priest was overwhelmed with our response to his appeal; he ran out of biographies to offer. Perhaps your family adopted one of these children, as mine did.

Would you help me in making a difference for some of the poorest children on the face of the earth?

Remember he told us, “As often as you do it for one of these, the least of your brethren, you do it for me.”

Dr Bill Greene
GUDOC96@HOTMAIL.COM
843 997 6915
For more information, go to CHICORAROTARY.COM then open the Haiti link.

The Call to the Mission Field

2009-02-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

Why am I interested in a Mission experience?

Many of us did not welcome an invitation to do mission work; in fact, some of us actively fought to avoid the experience. Missions involve poverty, danger, expense and traveling way outside of our comfort zone. I personally believe the Lord speaks to us all the time, but we are too busy to listen and respond. “Sorry God, I have too many important things to accomplish, to do what you want me to do.” It is only through reflection and prayer that we are strengthened to respond affirmatively.

As I read the scripture, my mission foundation comes from the end to the Gospel of Mark. At this time, Jesus has suffered, died, rose from the dead, and He has spent 40 days with his apostles to complete their instruction. Just before his Ascension, he had the opportunity to give them His final words. Certainly, in this context, He would not waste time with casual conversation.

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’"

This profound message was not meant to be heard by only 11 men. This is the Great Commission; as Christians, we all have an obligation to spread the Good News. In the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren clearly spells out our Christian responsibility to do ministry (work at home) and mission (work in far-away lands).

Eight years ago, I learned the most powerful prayer I know - only two words, only five letters. It is God, “Use Me.” In a sense of obedience, if you are bold enough to pray this prayer, step back and get out of the way, because your life is about to change in the most marvelous of ways.

If you are reading this message, you have been called. Are you bold enough to respond?

What do I do next?

Feel free to contact us; we want to help you to assist our impoverished brethren in Haiti. When I speak about mission trips, I always hear the same question, “You are a doctor; you have skills to contribute. I am an ordinary American. What can I do?” My response is always the same, “In a Third World country, where most are illiterate, we are like gods, with so many talents which we take for granted.”

Here is how you get started:

You will need a Passport; apply early through the Post Office. It may take several months.
Obtain the recommended immunizations. Go to CDC.GOV to find out what you will need. In our area, it is recommended to make an appointment to obtain them through the County Health Department. This will take a few weeks. The earlier you are immunized the more effective it will be. They are good for 10 years. The cost is approximately $150.
Do some financial planning. We normally go for a week, Saturday to Saturday. We stay at the Visa Lodge in the capital of Port au Prince. It is like a Motel 9 complete with safe water, air conditioning, a pool, restaurant and bar. Transportation is thru Spirit Air or American Airlines. In total, the trip costs roughly $1,000. Sounds like a lot of money. Do not let this figure deter you. If you are meant to go, the money is NEVER a problem.
Add your name to our database. We recognize that only a few of our missionary hopefuls will be able to go on a particular trip. Everything must “fit:” financing, family support, time away from work, health, etc. We send a mass email before each trip to candidates. Then we leave it up to God to choose the team.

If you are bold enough to say “YES,” I guarantee an adventure you will never forget. Many return knowing that have encountered Our Lord through their interaction with some of the most financially impoverished, but spiritually rich people on the planet. Jesus spoke about the experience shortly before he suffered in Matthew 25:31-46. Help us tend to the least of our brethren.

Dr. Bill Greene