. . . We Should Not Give Up on Each Other!
Throughout my life, I have been thankful that God has not given up on me, or anyone else. He has taught me that we should not give up on each other, particularly when our brothers’ and sisters’ needs are at their greatest.
This is important to remember, especially right now, as Haiti is at the forefront of U.S. International news because of a frightening surge in violence and increasing gang activity due to the assassination of their sitting President on July 7, 2021, and the subsequent lack of a legitimate government. This situation is unlike any other in Haiti’s recent history.
I am very sad when I hear some people say, “Oh, Haiti is at it again. What’s new.” It is as though they were saying let’s give up, but we know we will not give up on our Haitian brothers and sisters. The Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti has been walking with the people of Haiti for about forty years. Our ministry was founded by Bishop Daniel Reilly, Laypeople and Clergy who visited the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and took a great interest in helping the Haitian people. Our Diocese officially twins with the Archdiocese. Bishop Daniel Hart and our present Bishop Michael Cote have continued their support for this Ministry.
Our operations in Haiti have an all-Haitian staff of approximately 24 men and women at our Center in the Christ Roi neighborhood of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. Through our Parish Twinning Program, we work in 14 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. Our services include clinics, healthcare services, food and nutritional supplement programs, education programs and opportunities, small business development initiatives, and many other programs.
Haiti is the poorest and most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere. More than 11.5 million people live in Haiti and 3 million live in the Port-au-Prince area. Our staff remains vigilant and committed to serving the men, women, and children who come to us for help in Christ Roi and the surrounding neighborhoods as most clinics and healthcare services have closed or are temporarily shuttered. Our Twin Parishes in the U.S. (Diocese of Norwich and other Dioceses throughout the country) remain committed to helping their Haitian Twin Parishes. This past week when most of the country shut down, our staff in Haiti closed our doors for only a few days before reopening because the need was so great. Indeed, more than 80 people visited our Clinic this past Monday.
We need your help. First, and most importantly, we need you to pray for Haiti. Secondly, we ask you please to support our work in Haiti, which helps Haitians directly through our many services and programs.
Donations can be made online at OutreachToHaiti.org or by sending a gift to:
Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti
815 Boswell Avenue,
Norwich, CT 06360.
You can be assured all donations to the Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti go directly to our programs and services.
In closing, I know personally that most Haitians are hardworking, creative, diligent, and have great faith in God. They want what most of us want, which is to have a roof over their heads, a table with food on it, and educational opportunities for their children. For the great majority of Haitians they have no choice but to go out to work daily and find food no matter what ill deeds may befall them.
We remind our Haitian brothers and sisters that God has not forgotten them. They teach us to have hope even in the most trying times of life. Each of us has the opportunity to let God’s light shine. We are reminded in Romans 12:5, “We belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.”
Susan Wallace
Executive Director
860-800-3604