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.COM843 997 6915
For more information, go to CHICORAROTARY.COM then open the Haiti link.
taurant 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.