HelpBringsHopeForHaiti

Construction starts on new 1200 student School in Trou du Nord, Haiti

2009-09-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

New International Field Coordinators arrive in Haiti with board member John Laurent

2009-09-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Water Filter systems for Schools

2009-09-12T16:58:00.001-07:00

HBHH visits Pure Water of the World factory to see water filtration systems that can be installed in schools to produce clean drinking water.

September 2009 Mission House is Complete!

2009-09-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

International Field Coordinators arrive in St. Suzanne.

2009-09-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

Fr. Medenel and the Mayor welcome Andrea and Jack to Haiti and to their new home.

New School in Trou du Nord breaks ground

2009-09-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

June 2009 Mission Team

2009-06-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

HBHH Mission House is started during June 2009 mission trip.

2009-06-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

June Mission trip- Painting and more painting!

2009-06-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

2009 June Mission Trip

2009-06-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

Off to work in Cotelette! Fr. Medenel models a pair of sunglassses!

Free time, and off for a hike in the beautiful mountains of St. Suzanne.

June 2009 Mission Pics

2009-06-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Making lunch for our work day!
Engineer of Mission House with David, Patricia and Fr. Medenel

Brad and David check out the work and make sure all is going as planned.

No mission trip is complete without lots of soccer!

New School Painted by American Mission Team

2009-06-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Each day at least 5o Haitians arrived to help the American team of high school and college students and adults paint the new school in Cotelette, Haiti. It was a joy to watch the Americans and Haitians working together to get the huge job completed in only 4 days.

In the beautiful mountains of St. Suzanne, the village of Cotelette has a school that anyone would be proud to attend!

This school brings the hope of education and the knowledge that they are not forgotten!

Mission House almost complete!

2009-06-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

Feb 2009 trip highlights

2009-02-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

Feeding the poor in Haiti is always in great need. This trip, we were blessed to be able to help give out much needed food. Notice the hundreds of villagers waiting in the rain.
Fr. Medenel really needs a new car!!! Car trouble in Haiti is always an issue, especially with Fr. Medenel's car. No trip is complete without waiting on the side of the road for help!

Fr. Medenel travels up and down the horrible mountain road most days to carry out the needs of the village. His car is one of the few cars that exist in the village.

Feb 2009 Haiti trip highlights

2009-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

House calls were made by the HBHH doctor to bring food and medicine to those too sick to get to the HBHH medical clinic.

Jamie Derzypolski of WBVM's Spirit FM 90.5 and Jorge Narvaez of Loco Video Productions do donated their time and talent to come to Haiti to video the work HBHH is doing in Haiti.
We visited the Montessori vegetable gardens that the children are so excited to work in while visiting one of the schools HBHH support in Haiti.

HBHH meets about future school in Trou du Nord

2009-02-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

CHF International is a partner with HBHH to make a new school possible in Trou du Nord. This new school will replace a school that is falling apart.

The new school will have a minimum of 12oo students. The old school has elementary and middle school education, but the new school will add high school education as well. In Haiti, high school education is rare, which makes the project even more exciting.

Patricia Eddy, Ex. Director, Andrea and Jack Koczela future International Field Coordinators for HBHH met CHF leaders to finalize the project. Bishop Chibly Langlois and Monsignor Leckner with numerous leaders and members of the Trou du Nord community came to show their support.

Breaking ground for the new school is expected in the fall of 2009.

Feb 2009 Trip

2009-02-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Jamie from WBVM's Sprit FM 90.5 radio station in Tampa, FL meet with Fr. Jean in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Much of the radio equipment Fr. Jean has was donated by Spirit FM.
We visited with some of the students and their parents that are sponsored by HBHH. HBHH makes it possible to send these young people to school. It was so fulfilling to hear their stories about the difference our help is making in their lives.

School children growing their own food!

2009-01-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

In St. Suzanne Haiti at the Notre Dame de Lourdes primary school, more than reading, writing and arithmatic is going on. With the severe food shortage, school director Sr. Adele decided to take matters into her own hands by teaching the children to grow their own food.

This program started with a little help from HBHH, but all of the work is done by the students who will reap the rewards of their labor. Imagine their delight to eat some of the vegetables that they have grown with their own hands!!

Yes, times are very tough in Haiti, but the future seems a little bit brighter when you watch this students learning to take care of themselves!

Emergency Relief Arrives in Haiti

2008-10-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Emergency food and supplies arrive and are distributed by Bishop Chilby's helpers in the Nord Est Area.

Other emergency food was shipped to Port-au-Prince to be distributed in other ares of Haiti that were devastated by the hurricanes. So much is needed to really make a difference!

HBHH has sent not only food and clothing, but also emergency funds to Fr. Jean in the southern part of Haiti and to Bishop Chibly in the northern part of Haiti to purchase emergency food.

In the NordEst diocese of Haiti 80% of all agriculture crops were destroyed by the hurricanes. This has created, and will create even more problems of the Haitian people.

We want to thank all of our supporters for your efforts. We ask you to please pray and continue to help collect supplies that we can ship to Haiti to help in this very difficult time.

Hurricane Relief for Haiti

2008-09-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Urgent items are needed to help those in great need in Haiti. We are collecting items in the Tampa Bay area until September 19th. Please help us to help those in dire need. Below are the collection sites and items needed.

Monetary donations should be made to HBHH and mailed to 2617 Prospect RD. Tampa, FL 33629. Credit card payments can be done through the website www.HBHH.org or by calling the office 813-258-5558. Thank you for your generosity.

Dropped off sites:
WBVM Spirit 90.5 FM
Broadcast Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg
3816 W. Morrison
Tampa, FL 33629
Monday -Friday 9am-5pm

Catholic Charities
1213 16th ST. N
ST. Petersburg, FL 33705

St. Catherine of Siena
1955 S. Belcher Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33764

Catholic Charities
2021 E. Bush Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612

USF - Campus Recreation Center
4202 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33620

Tabernacle de la Grace Church
4202 N 22 Ave
Tampa, FL 33610
Mon. - Sat 9am to 6pm
Contact Minette at 813-817-5717

Victorious Life Church
6224 Old Pasco Road
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am to 4:30pm

Thank you for any donations.

Items needed:
Mosquito repellent, Mosquito nets
Topical antibiotic cream
Hygiene Kits (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.)
Clothing for men, women and children (summer clothing preferably)
Undergarments
Blankets
Shoes / sandals
Diarrhea medication - expiration date no earlier than April 2009
Malaria medication - expiration date no earlier than April 2009
Pedialyte, Gatorade or any other rehydrating supplies
Drinking water
Flashlight and batteries
Can goods (no access to can openers, so peelable cans preferably)
Bags of rice and beans
Other ready to eat foods

Agriculture Program in St. Suzanne

2008-03-18T17:16:00.000-07:00

The shade nursery built during the 2007 summer mission trip is being put to good use. Bags of trees are ready to plant. The farmers are anxious to continue the program to make a difference in their village.

The lack of trees is a huge problem all over Haiti. Deforestation, caused by cutting trees to make charcoal for cooking, also causes problems with erosion, water pollution and flooding. The erosion of the top soil affects the quality of the soil, making it much harder to grow crops.

In November 2007, Judge John Laurent and Patricia attended a worldwide ECHO conference focused on implementing third world agricultural problems. At the conference they met a group of 4 Haitians from Dezam that did a presentation about "Ti Fores" (little forest). The purpose of Ti Fore is to grow a mix of fruit, lumber and fast growing trees in a confined area. This helps with reforestation, erosion, and provides farmers with long term fruit crops and short term cash crops. As a result, a seminar was set up with this group coming to teach the St. Suzanne farmers how to implement this in their village. It was a huge success. All 32 farmers are committed to planting Ti Fores and teaching all of their neighbors to do the same thing.

PET Wheelchairs Make a Difference!

2008-03-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Donated PET wheelchairs make a huge difference in the life of handicapped villagers. These chairs are colorful and work by using a hand pulley system. All the chairs donated to HBHH were given away very quickly and are in great demand. We hope to be able to obtain more to help others that need help getting around.

Visit to Food for the Poor

2008-03-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

Judge John Laurent, Patricia and Fr. Medenel meet with Fr. Duken (pictured here) in Cap Haitian, Haiti. Fr. Duken showed them the new village that just opened with houses for the poor. The group toured one of the nurseries Food for the Poor has that raises fruit trees. Fr. Duken will supply 1,000-2,000 fruit trees for HBHH to plant during the June 2008 mission trip.

Village buildings get face lift!

2008-03-18T14:04:00.000-07:00

You can see a big difference of the church before and after. The St. Suzanne Church had fresh plaster put on the surface to stop the deterioration and structural problems that existed. Paint was donated by HBHH and shipped to Haiti and the work was done by the villagers. It has made a huge difference on the church and on the parish building. Everyone was very happy with the results!

New bathroom complete at St. Suzanne School

2008-03-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Fr. Medenel proudly shows the new bathrooms that were made available by the hard work of Tampa's Jesuit Key Club members last year.

This bathroom was just completed days before our arrival in St. Suzanne, Haiti. The new bathrooms has stalls on both sides, five for boys and five for girls. Everyone is so happy and grateful for these new facilities.

The new bathrooms at the Christ the King School in Cotelette, Haiti will be finished and ready for use in early April.

Florida parish moves forward with twinning

2008-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Fr. Joseph Waters, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Temple Terrace, FL along with Terry Boehm and Mike Kovac join Patricia on her February trip to Haiti. This was Fr. Waters' first trip to his twinned in Dilaire, Haiti, though Fr. Janvier had made two trips to Tampa to meet the parishioners of Corpus Christi.

The group flew in with Patricia to Cap Haitian and spent three days in Haiti. Their first stop was in St. Suzanne where they met with Fr. Mednel and toured the works of HBHH to see what might be possible in Dilaire. Then, they travelled to Dilaire to learn the needs of the parish by meeting with Fr. Janvier and the parish leadership. The final stop on their trip was at the Bishop’s residence in Fort Liberte where they stayed the night and spoke with Bishop Chibly Langlois about the best way to help Fr. Janvier.

Well drilling Macine donated by Blackbird Technologies

2007-10-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Supplying much needed water in the Nord-Est area of Haiti, just got easier thanks to Peggy Styer, Steve Pann, and Richard Moxley, owners of Blackbird Technologies, Inc. from Herndon, VA.

Randy Brown and Fr. Joseph Waters of Corpus Christi parish in Tampa, FL, worked diligently to get the well drilling machine donated. Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of Blackbird Technologies, those efforts were a success.

The well drilling machine has arrived in Haiti with all the drilling pipes and supplies needed to help the Haitians get the much needed wells dug. The machine has the capability to drill up to 650’ in depth. The well machine has been donated to Bishop Chilby Langlois, the Bishop of Nord-Est diocese. He will coordinate the efforts to start the well drilling process.

Truck donated to Radio Soleil

2007-10-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

An anonymous donor donated a diesel truck to Radio Soleil and to Fr. Jean to be used in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This truck will be used for remote broadcasting in Haiti plus other transportation needs for the radio station.

Radio Soleil is the major Catholic radio station in Haiti. It is responsible for programming that is used in all the stations throughout the entire island of Haiti.

3 Mission groups travel to Haiti this summer

2007-10-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

Three groups traveled to Haiti this summer in May and June. The first group was the young adult group, consisting of young adults, adults and teens. The second group was a medical team of doctors, dentist, nurses, lay people and teens. The third group was a teen mission of teens and adults.

These three groups worked hard in the extreme heat with the help of the Haitian villagers. Much was accomplished and learned by both the Americans and Haitians. A close bond was developed that will carry on forever!

Village Scenes

2007-10-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

2007 Young Adult Mission Trip

2007-10-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

A group of twenty-one flew to Cap Haitian, Haiti, then took a 2 hour trip by van into the mountains to St. Suzanne, Haiti. We were welcomed with smiles and waves as we came into the village.

We had much work to do this week with several major projects to complete. We had a contingent of adults, young adults and teens. We had one group working on the new shade nursery, another group working on erosion control and fixing the foundation of the old school, another group setting up the pharmacy and getting ready for the medical clinic, and still another working on the old wells. And in between, time to have some fun with the villagers and with each other!

2007-10-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

2007-10-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

2007-10-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

Agriculture Program started by HBHH

2007-10-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

John & Patricia met with all the local farmers to see how HBHH could help them in their current farming needs. Discussions about types of seed, and plants that are needed were very helpful.

From that group an agriculture advisory council was put together to work with HBHH. Council members are given seeds and banana trees to get the agriculture program started.

Young Adults build Shade Nursery

2007-10-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

Teen Mission Week 3

2007-10-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mission Teams visit 2 Schools

2007-10-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mission teams visit 2 of the schools supported by HBHH. They were able to visit classrooms and visit with the students.

Florida teachers in the St. Suzanne School

2007-10-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Florida teachers and college graduates help spread knowledge at the Notre Dame School in St. Suzanne, Haiti.
A highlight of the mission trip for us was hearing Jayne teach the students American songs and hearing those joyful voices as the other mission teams worked to repair the school nearby.

Painting New CTK School

2007-10-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Teen Mission Trip

2007-10-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

Medical Mission: June 2007 (week 2)

2007-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Five medical doctors, two dentist, three nurses, two college students, five adults, and four teens traveled to the remote mountain village of St. Suzanne, Haiti, this June. Eleven hired Haitian interpreters assisted the medical team who saw over 2000 patients in 4 ½ days. The two dentists pulled more than 570 teeth in that short time. The medical staff worked past exhaustion in the extreme heat and gave all they had to serve the poorest of the poor.

Three Haitian nurses were hired to teach hygiene and health classes. The patients were required to attend these classes before they could see a doctor. All patients were dosed with worm medicine after the class. Care packages of vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, eye drops, small toy, and over the counter pain reliever are some of the items that were distributed after each class was over.

The pharmacy was the last stop, where the team members worked hard to fill all the medical prescriptions that the doctors ordered for those patients. Many of the medications were donated in the US. Peanut butter, collected in Tampa and shipped to Haiti, was given to those most malnourished and to as many as possible.

The birth of baby Christian was joyous. The team also did several minor surgeries. All were exhausted at the end of the trip, but felt that they had done what they could to make life a bit better for the villagers.

2007-10-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

2007-10-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

2007-10-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Medical Mission June 2007

2007-10-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

2007 3rd Mission Trip: Teen Mission

2007-10-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

18 teens, college students and adults traveled to St. Suzanne, Haiti, to help where they could in a beautiful mountain village. The goal of this trip was to paint the new school built by HBHH in the remote village of Cotlette. The team traveled by foot or truck to and from Cotlette every day, a 30 minute car ride or an hour walk through the mountains.

The group also installed tether ball poles at the existing school in St. Suzanne and taught teachers and students how to play volley ball and tether ball. The teens played soccer with the village kids, always a joyful experience!

The teens distributed rosaries that were sent to HBHH by numerous rosary maker groups from all parts of the United States and Cananda. Many other projects were done by this great group of Americans willing to bring hope to the Haitian people. The group loved the joy of the Haitian people and know their experience this summer will change their lives forever!

WELLS: Ron & Michael

2007-10-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Ron’s passion since finding out about our work in Haiti has been wells, even though he had no experience in that area. God worked a wonderful miracle by having Michael, from Montana, find us in Florida.

Twenty years ago Michael put in the first 3 wells in St. Suzanne. Those wells have stopped working. HBHH has successfully installed one new working well in the center of the village, but more wells are needed.

Wells are desperately needed at the clinic and school, and in the village of Cotlette, where we have built the new school. Ron, under Michael’s direction, led the mission teams this summer to help solve those problems. The team also worked on trying to fix the 3 older existing wells. Although the wells didn’t get finished, the problems have been identified and the solution has been found. Ron & Michael are getting the supplies they need to finish the wells and are planning their next trip to finish their work in the near future.

Trying to find Water

2007-10-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Mission team members help Ron and Michael try to get the old and new wells working.

Faces of Haiti

2007-09-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Jesuit presents check to HBHH

2007-05-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Jesuit Key Club president, Randy Miller and Key Club officers present Patricia Eddy, Executive Director of HBHH, a check for $14, 692.02! Key club members, led by Eileen Charette, worked very hard to raise funds for HBHH by hosting a golf tournament in Tampa, FL. Teachers, students, faculty and alumni worked with the key club students to make this fundraiser a huge success.
The money will be used to build much needed bathrooms at two schools in Haiti. These schools are in two different villages, Notre Dame elementary school is in St. Suzanne and Christ the King elementary school is in Cotlette. What a great example these Jesuit teens are for the youth of America!!

School Bus donated to HBHH

2007-05-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Jerry Parker obtained a donated school bus for HBHH from the Manatee School System. This bus has been taken to the Port of Miami and will ship to Cap Haitian at the end of May.
Fr. Medenel and the villagers from St. Suzanne are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bus. It will help them to not only transport students and villagers, but will help to transport much needed supplies to and from the village as well.

Container 5 leaves for Haiti!

2007-02-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

French Missionary priest, Fr. Bernard, along with Jesuit Key Club members and other volunteers help load the 5th container for Haiti on February 19, 2007.
This container was filled with over $135,000 worth of food, medicine, clothes, bikes and other items needed in Haiti.
We are now working on colleting items for our 6th container that will leave at the end of March.

Items needed:
Tools-all types
Ladders, scaffoling material
Gutters and supplies
Large water containers
Garden tools and containers
Painting supplies

Medical:
Vitamins, adult, prenatal & child (no gummy's)
Perscription drugs, Dr. Samples
Tylenol, Advil
Over the counter meds
Microscope, Otoscope
Eye glasses

General:
Bar Soap, chlorox
toothbrushes, toothpaste
laundry detergent-powdered
Powdered gator aid
Powdered Milk
Dry Beans and rice

2007 Haiti trip

2007-02-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

During the last week of January and first week of February, Patricia Eddy, Judge John Laurent, and Susan Peloubet traveled to Haiti to meet with Fr. Jean, Fr. Medenel, Bishop Chibly and other leaders in Haiti to learn the best way to help create jobs and food programs in Haiti.
Fr. Jean, Fr. Medenel, Susan Peloubet, Bishop Chibly Langlois and John Laurent pose for a picture in Fort Liberte, Haiti. The group visited 10 different villages and met with numerous farmers, agronomists, and leaders trying to find out as much as possible.
The main purpose of this trip was to try to figure out the best way to create jobs and food for the villagers of St. Suzanne. Judge John Laurent, with his extensive agriculture background, was invaluable. The group visited several cooperatives that have been successful for years. The biggest problem that was found was WATER. Solutions must be found to insure that the crops and animals have a good source of water, especially in the dry season. While in St. Suzanne the group met with city and government leaders. The mayor, a congressman, a judge, and other city officials pose with Patricia Eddy and Fr. Medenel during one of those meetings.

Land Erosion

2007-02-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that the lack of energy has caused huge problems in Haiti. Charcoal is used for fuel and this has caused huge problems resulting from the cutting down of trees to make the charcoal.

Last summer this hill, next to the St. Suzanne clinic and school, was in much better shape. It was a huge shock to see what has happened in such a short period of time.

HHBH has asked Fr. Medenel to start negotiations with the owner of this property to purchase this land in an effort to save it. If funds are able to be obtained, Judge John Laurent will lead efforts to start planting a variety of trees, vegetables and grass.

HBHH has a plan to plant a variety of trees that will re-nouish the soil and stop erosion. These trees will have different uses- food, lumber, nutrients, and charcoal. The trees will be planted with vegetables, and different types of grasses. Every thing that will be planted will be in an effort to stop the erosion and help dramatically with the water table, in addition to providing food, jobs and income. The different types of grass will also provide feed for the grazing animals.
If you can help us in this effort, please do. It will take donations to buy the property, buy the trees, and build water cisterns. We will have to find a way to pump the water to the cisterns to keep everything growing in the dry season. Not an easy task, but a very worthwhile effort that HBHH is sure will be a success.

Food and Jobs

2007-02-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

Patricia Eddy, Judge John Laurent and Susan Peloubet meet in early February, with local farmers, co-ops, agronomists and other authorities to try to decide the best course of actions to create jobs which will produce foods for the Haitian villagers. The group visited this coffee co-op and met with those that have successfully run it for over 10 years.
Another co-op was visited in Terrier Rouge that used solar panels that were removed for safe keeping each night. Those panels are used to pump water to the cisterns. Farmers then use watering cans to water crops each day. Another farm project in Pignon plants mango, banana, papaya, and many vegetables. This farm is also experimenting with a fruit drying process to see if that would be a good way to preserve the fruit.
The group looked at many options of farm animals from chickens, goats, rabbits, to pigs. Each group has its own set of challenges. HBHH feels very blessed to have Judge Laurent, an agriculture specialist, to help implement the best plan when funding becomes available.

2007-02-12T10:25:00.000-08:00

Pignon Agriculture projects: (picture 1)

Terrier Rouge Co-op with solar panels: (picture 2)

Pure Drinking Water in St. Suzanne!

2007-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

At last, the villagers have pure water that was tested in a US lab as being pure! This is huge for the villagers. You can see them gathered around the well, waiting their turn from one of the 4 spigots of clean water.

In Haiti, nothing is easy. While the problem of water has been solved, problems still arise. It cost $7 each day to pump the water needed for the villagers. This money is not something that Fr. Medenel, the local priest, has available.

The last picture sadly shows the well quiet. Because of the shortage of funds, the well gives water only every other day. HBHH is looking for donors to help with this problem . For only $50, you can help give water to this village for one week! Please help if you can!

Education and Schools

2007-02-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

We were full of joy at seeing this young boy in the village with one of the note books and backpacks that were donated this year sitting outside doing his homework! What a difference from last year when notebooks and book bags didn't exist.

The new Christ the King Cotelette School is near completion. At this time the school has 5 classes of students with close to 200 students. Next year that number can double with the completion of 4 more classrooms! It was a joy to see the student and teacher's desks in place. It looked like a normal school! The desks are a bit large for the small classrooms. But we were told that it was worth it, for the advantage of each student having his own desk.

The bottom picture is the refurbished classroom in the older St. Suzanne School in St. Suzanne. This school has close to 500 students and has split sessions. It was amazing to see the transformation made possible by the Hillsborough School system and the teen mission group that worked so hard giving the school a facelift.

Container #5 almost ready to ship

2007-01-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

Volunteers from all over Tampa show up to help finish the packing of items for our 1st shipment in 2007, but our 5th 40' container to date. Members of the Creole Club at USF show support by helping the other volunteers.
Container # 5 leaves Monday Feb 19th to be distributed to St. Suzanne, Haiti, and to Caratas, Haiti's Catholic Charities. The container is filled with bicycles, food, clothing, shoes, medical supplies, medicines, and school supplies.
All these things will bring great joy and hope to the Haitian people.

Fr. Medenel stays busy on 1st Tampa Visit

2007-01-27T11:59:00.000-08:00

Fr. Medenel,the Pastor of St. Suzanne in Haiti, didn't get any rest while he was here for one week in Tampa. Fr. Medenel had lunch with Fr. Daly and Fr. Bernard and other CTK parishioners. He visited the Christ the King school and met the principal, Jayne Forbus.
Fr. Medenel spoke to a local "Challenge Group", and thanked them for the shoe drive they did for his parish children. He shared with them what Christmas is like for the village children in Haiti. "The spirit and love of baby Jesus is the only present that all Haitian children receive," he told the 10 year old club members from 4 different elementary schools in Tampa.
Fr. Bernard and Fr. Medenel enjoyed seeing the Tampa Aquarium. Fr. Medenel carved his 1st pumpkin. He met with some of the Jesuit Key club members.
Fr. Medenel visited Fr. Ed Palka while in Dade City. Fr. Palka gave him some liturgical items that were much needed. The purpose of the Dade City visit was to visit Morning Star Fishermen, a fish farm designed for 3rd world countries.
Fr. Medenel got to meet some of HBHH's supporters while asking for much needed help in his parish. He was very grateful to everyone he met and all the help that he's been given by the HBHH supporters.

Fr. Medenel Visits Tampa November 2007

2007-01-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

Fr. Medenel, pastor of St. Suzanne in Haiti comes for his first visit. Fr. Medenel spends a day helping to collect some of the donated good that will be shipped to him in Haiti. Dr. Redd donates toothbrushes and toothpaste, Sr. Florine, the principal of St. Joseph's Catholic school donates peanut butter, English/French books, church vestments, computers, school furniture and used clothing.

Eileen Charette, head of the Jesuit Key Club, and Chris Van Pelt collect peanut butter at Jesuit High School. Frank Prusak, HBHH's warehouse coordinator, picks up donated peanut butter that will help with the severe malnutrition in Haiti.

Bishop Chibly visits Fr. Waters and Corpus Christi School Children on Hat day

2007-01-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

Container # 4 loaded for Haiti

2006-10-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

Fr. Waters and Corpus Christi parishioners, St. Francis Cabrini parishioners, Christ the King parishioners and HBHH helpers load the 4th container to leave for Haiti this year.

This container has construction, school supplies, medical supplies, bikes and other items destined to Haiti.

Bishop Chibly visits WBVM 90.5FM in Tampa, FL

2006-10-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

John Morris, manager of WBVM 90.5 FM, meets Bishop Chibly Langlois from Ft. Liberte, Haiti. John shows the Bishop around the radio station and shows him the latest technology in Radio communication.

Bishop Chibly is trying to get funding for his radio station in Haiti. He needs $48,000 to build a radio station in his diocese.

Radio in Haiti is not just entertainment, it's mostly education. Over 60% of Haitians in the North East area of Haiti do not read or write. Electricity is not available. Generators are used for power and is very rare. Radio is crucial to share health, medical and education concerns with the people.

Upcoming Events

2006-10-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Please note the upcoming events for HBHH:
1. Bishop Chibly of Fort Liberte, Haiti visits Tampa Oct. 23-25, 2006
2. Fr. Medenel from St. Suzanne, Haiti will speak at all the masses at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, November 4th-5th,2006. He will be available after each mass, please come by to meet him.
3. Advent Social for Women: Mark you calendars, December 3, 2006 at Christ the King in Tampa 7-9pm. Tables are $80, $10 for individuals.
4. Next container leaves Friday Oct. 27th.

The next Mission Trips are booking up fast, please contact us right away if you are interested in one of the next trips.
1. Medical mission trip June 2-9, 2007
2. Teen mission trip May 26-June 2, 2007
3. Teen mission trip June 8-16, 2007

Peanut Butter Drive gets Results!!

2006-10-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Students from St. Joseph's school load peanut butter and other supplies donated to Haiti.
St. Joseph is one of many schools participating in the the peanut butter drive for Haiti.
Malnutition is a major problem for the children of Haiti. Red hair and swollen bellies are a clear sign that they are severely malnourished.
Peanut butter is a great source of protein. If you can help, please contact us.

HBHH sends 1st Medical Team to St. Suzanne

2006-07-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken on our 1st day. We saw 1000 patients in 4 1/2 days. The trip was exhausting but it was so rewarding to be able to help so many people.

The doctors, nurses, interpreters and helpers were very dedicated and hard working. This trip was an experience that we will never forget.

So many sick patients!

2006-07-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

The medical conditions were shocking! There were so many sick people so desperate for help.

Many of the patients had to be carried into the clinic because they were so weak. I was amazed at how many people had high fever. I could not imagine how they had the strength to walk long distances up the hill to get to the clinic. Many of the diseases we never see in America. It was so helpful to have a Haitian Doctor with us that understands the medical needs of the Haitian people.

HBHH Medical Mission

2006-07-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

These are daily scenes from our medical mission. Each day everyone was given worm medicine, vitamins, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste and the needed medicines. Each child was given a package with a beanie baby, a ball, and some beads.

The Doctors in Action.

2006-07-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sisters and Teachers learn to make Rosaries

2006-07-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Thousands of Rosary making supplies were brought to the village. Haitians love to pray the Rosary. In Haiti, rosaries are in great demand and are very scarce.

The teachers and Sisters were taught how to make them so that they can be distributed to all those who would like to have one.

HBHH Teen Mission Team arrives in Haiti!

2006-07-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

HBHH sends a team of 12 teens and parents to St. Suzanne for the 1st Catholic Mission Group to this area.
The team's goal was to work alongside the Haitians to paint the school in St. Suzanne and to help get things ready for the Medical Mission the following week.
This group of teens was wonderful. They were such hard workers, overcoming the hardships Americans are not used to having.
The villagers seemed to love having us in their village. They would return all of our smiles and greetings each morning as we walked up the hill to the school and the clinic to do our work. One of the things they loved was to have us take their picture and then show them on our digital cameras.
Being in Haiti was a great experience for all of us. We all grew to love the joy, simplicity and spirituality of the Haitian people.

Teen Mission Team Starts Painting School

2006-07-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

The teen mission team starts painting Notre Dame School in St. Suzanne, Haiti.
It was wonderful to see the teamwork between the Haitians and the Americans. Everyone worked hard in the heat to give the school a new facelift.
Sr. Eugene, the principal of the school was delighted with our efforts. Our original plan was to paint the exterior of the school. Before we realized what was happening, Sr. Eugene had us painting parts of the exterior that were never before painted and painting the interior of the school as well! Sr. Eugene was the sweetest slave driver you'll ever meet!

Teen Mission Team

2006-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame School in St. Suzanne has 385 students attending the morning school, and 185 students attending the afternoon school. Because of lack of space the school day must be split into 2 shifts. The school is in need of repairs to the windows, doors, and bathrooms. Fr. Medenel and the Sisters are so grateful for all of our efforts to make the school look better until the rest of the repairs can be done.

After a week of hard work, we posed in front of the newly painted Notre Dame School in St. Suzanne.

Teens bring joy by playing with the village children!

2006-07-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

David and Ashley help Fr. Jean

2006-07-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

David and Ashley help Fr. Jean with the new website for Radio Soleil in Port-au-Prince.

Teen Mission Team visit new school in Cotlette

2006-07-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

3 Scout Projects Help Children in Haiti!

2006-07-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

3 Tampa Teens complete their Scout projects this summer in Haiti, bringing joy to hundreds of Haitian children.
Michael collected hundreds of backpacks and filled them with basic school supplies. Julia collected Christ the King uniforms for the new CTK school in Cotlette, Haiti. Evan collected beanie babies, beads and balls which were given to every sick child during HBHH's medical Mission.
These teens worked very hard and showed the real meaning of mission to the villagers in Haiti. Their efforts brough great joy to the children and to their families. Great job Evan, Julia and Michael!!!

HBHH Donates Food for St. Suzanne Needy.

2006-05-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

On my April trip to Haiti, the Parish Council spoke about the needs of the poor, the sick , and the elderly who don't have enough food to eat. The Parish Council spoke of their frustrations that they have nothing to give them. During that trip, Fr. Medenel showed me his pantry that was almost empty. He asked if we could help him help the hungry.
On Wednesday, May 3rd, it was a great joy to see the sacks of food that the parish was able to buy with the money HBHH had sent to them. The villagers were so grateful for everything that was given to them. A group of parish members orgainzed the food distribution. They distributed rice, oil, cornmeal and beans. Everyone was so thankful for the help given them. It will be wonderful to also be able to give medical care to these people this summer.

St. Suzanne Village Scenes

2006-05-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

They Found Water!

2006-05-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

HBHH's goal of drilling wells in the St. Suzanne area has been successful! The first of 3 planned wells has been drilled and the village has a clean and close water supply. (3 wells had been drilled back in the 80's but are no longer working.) Excitement from the entire village was felt as many villagers came by from time to time to see the well being drilled.
When I arrived the work had stopped because a part was needed, but I was blessed to be there when they hit water.

Two of the wells will be drilled in St. Suzanne, while the 3rd will be at the new school in Cotlette. In St. Suzanne, one well will be in front of the Church in the center of the village, another one at the school. It was very exciting to see something that will make a huge difference in the lives in this village.

Visit with Fr. Jean at Radio Soleil

2006-05-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

This trip we visited with Fr. Jean in Port-au-Prince. We met with Fr. Jean and he gave us a tour of the facilities. We discussed needs he has for his Radio ministry throughout the country of Haiti.

The new Art and English teacher arrives!

2006-05-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

The main purpose of my 3rd trip was to take Alicia to St. Suzanne for the month of May. Hundreds of art items were brought in our suitcases for Alicia to use to teach the children different art techniques and projects.
Alicia will teach English to Fr. Medenel, the Sisters, the teachers, the children and other villagers that are interested. Needless to say, all the villagers are very excited about learning English.
Alicia will be very busy teaching Art and English while learning Creole at the same time!

1st Container Arrives during Patricia's 3rd Trip to Haiti!

2006-05-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

What joy to see the excitement and enthusiam of the villagers! Everyone helped to unload the trucks that were rented to transport the items from Cap Haitian to St. Suzanne. It took 2 days and 2 trips back and forth to Cap Haitian to get all the merchandise that was shipped. The container was filled with :
Creole Bibles
Student desks for the new school being built in Cotelette.
Medical supplies for the summer mission trip.
School supplies.
Chairs for church.
Furnishing for the Convent.
Refrigerators and stove.
Fabric and used clothes for the Women's Center.
Office furniture and chairs for the Rectory and Schools.
Bicycles

Two other parishes other than St. Suzanne in Haiti will also benefit from this container. Items were shipped from 2 Twinning churches in Florida. These items will go to Terrier Rouge, Haiti and Dilliare, Haiti.

Metal doors, made in Haiti, for the school were also picked up and delivered to St. Suzanne. The doors say "Ecole Christ Roi"- Christ the King School. Desk were stored in an storage area until the new Christ the King-Cotelette school is complete.

Container # 2 Ships to Haiti

2006-04-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the work crew that loaded the container to the very top! What a great group of volunteers!
Student Desk, medicines, and school supplies are on the way to Haiti.
Second shipment worth over $130,000 of goods donated to the poor in Haiti. This container shipped April 17, 2006. More goods to help change lives!

Phase 1 of the new CTK school is almost complete!

2006-04-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

It was so emotional to see the progress of the new Catholic school in Cotelette. Last June when I visited, this was only a dream and a piece of land. Now, phase 1 of the school is weeks away from completion.

Besides, a school, this building is used as a Church on Sundays. Up to now, church on sundays has been in a make shift tent, made from sheets, brought from the villagers homes each Sunday.

Christ the King School in Cotelette

2006-04-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Bishop Chibly and Patricia are greeted by Sr. Eugenie, the Principal, and the children and parents of the new school in Cotelette.
The 1st floor of the school will be finished this month. This picture is part of the four classrooms.
Dividers are being made to divide these classrooms during the day. On Sundays, this is converted to a church so that the villagers of Cotelette can celebrate mass in a covered area, instead of under a make shift tent, as has been done until now. How exciting to see the joy of the villagers!

Children of Haiti.

2006-04-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

2 hopeful Medical Students.

2006-04-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Rose Carlene and Wilford are villagers in St. Suzanne Village. It is their dream to become doctors, to come back and serve the villagers of St. Suzanne.
We are looking for a way to make that dream come true, by sponsoring them for medical school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Contrast of the beauty of Haiti and the Poverty!

2006-04-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Haiti is a really beautiful country. The mountains are breathtaking! But the sharp contrast of the poverty everwhere is a reminder of how much help the Haitian people need.

Children on the Road.

2006-04-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

These chidren are bringing home items needed for their family.

Crossing a Road in Haiti, a River Road!

2006-04-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

The only scary part of being in Haiti on this visit was the roads. Because of the rain, many roads are almost not passable.

Typical Scenes in Haiti April 2006

2006-04-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

Fr. Duken, Patricia and Fr. Medenel

2006-04-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

Fr. Duken is in charge of Food for the Poor in Cap Haitian. It's his ok, that allows us to ship containers to Haiti to help Fr. Medenel and his parish.
We are very thankful to Food for the Poor for helping us help the poor in Nord-East Diocese of Fort Liberte, Haiti.

St. Suzanne Village Scenes

2006-04-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Faces of Haiti

2006-04-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Getting the daily water supply at the Well.

2006-04-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

This is a village well, typical in Haiti.

Water is always a problem in Haiti. We are in the process of drilling 3 wells in St. Suzanne. One at the St. Suzanne Church, one at St. Suzanne School, and one at the new CTK School we are building for Cotelette.

Life in Haiti...

2006-04-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Transportation In Haiti

2006-04-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

There are very few cars. In St. Suzanne, there are only 2 cars in the entire village, besides the Pastor's Car.
Everyone walks, rides a donkey, rides a bicycle or pays for a ride in one of these trucks or "tap tap" as they are called.