What do you know about Haiti? Poverty, corrupt governments, gang violence? Or, the first independent black nation in the world? The first country where African slaves overthrew their white owners? A country of proud, resilient and resourceful people?
What do you know about the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti? Do you know that it’s the largest Diocese in Episcopal Church USA? That almost every parish supports a school, and that this is possible because of a skillfully managed partnership program between Episcopal Church USA and The Diocese of Haiti?
What do you know about St John’s Haiti Partnership? Do you know that this partnership has existed since 2006, that our partners are the parish of St Philippe et St Jacques in the village of Collin, in the commune of Gressier? That the school has grown from grades preschool through 6 in 2006 to preschool through 11th grade in 2023? That donations from St John’s parishioners are the only source of income for the school? And that every year we have managed to pay each teacher their full salary for ten months?
This year, we are coming to you with a different ask. We have been in relationship with St Philippe et St Jacques for 18 years, and this year they are in deep trouble. Violent gangs have moved west from the capital Port au Prince to the town of Gressier and to our little partner village of Collin. Everybody who was able has moved away, to nearby Leogane, or elsewhere. Unless something changes very soon, school will not start in September.
In the meantime, the teachers whom we have supported for so many years have no other source of income. So, in consultation with leaders in the national Haiti Partnership Program, our partner priest Rev Markendy Jean and the principal of St Philippe et St Jacques, Elissaint Michel, the St John’s Haiti Committee has decided to start paying the teachers their regular salaries in September, and to continue for as long as we can, whether school is open or not. We think that this is a question of fairness and solidarity with people in dire circumstances, with whom we have had a very long and close relationship. We have already met the $5000 match, but, amazingly, we have been offered a second match of $5000! We are about halfway towards meeting this match as well. Make sure you make your donations soon, to take advantage of this second generous match.
Every year you have generously donated enough to pay the teachers’ salaries for ten months. Are you willing to do so again this year, under these difficult circumstances?
Haiti Committee members will be in the gallery to accept your donations or listen to your thoughts on August 18, August 25, September 8 and September 15. Do drop by. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.
You can donate online here any time.
Blessings and Peace,
Dianne Pizey, Haiti Committee Chair diannepizey@gmail.com
JoAnn Blatchley
Ginny Jacobson
Gerry Lee Lukaska
Vicki Madsen
Bonnie Nash
Barbara Risken
Kari Slade
