Haiti Earthquake Relief: To Make a Good Life

June 14, 2010:

Matthew 25 House is a house of hospitality for the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas and has been in Haiti for more than 30 years. The focus of the house changed on January 12 when it became a medical triage, surgical and medical follow up care center in the soccer field next door. The soccer field next door housed 2000 people in every type of tent, many of whom required constant medical care. Matthew 25 became a center for many small NGO's. Sister Mary's (Director, Matthew 25 House) skepticism changed to the realization of what relief the acupuncturist groups have provided to the make shift camps over the last 5 months.

I had a chance to interview Jean Michelet Bonitor, Director of the Computer Science department at the university. According to him, Haiti has no future. The different governments have sustained such continued corruption that Haitians have nothing and the country is falling apart. Huge foreign financial help does arrive in Haiti, but none is distributed to the general population, the people in most need. He stated that the greatest help Haiti could ever receive is to be taken over by a foreign government! Wow, I only run into happy looking students on campus. These 20 yr old students are pursuing their dreams to be doctors, teachers... Life is life... and to make a good life they need dreams, and a way to make dreams come true.

I am so happy to be a bridge to everyone I come across in Haiti. There is nothing more powerful than connecting one to one. And I am so grateful for the amazing and loving support that showered over me during my preparation in Santa Fe. It has made this all possible. The gratitude for this outpouring of love and service will live in these people’s hearts for their lifetime. It's not over yet ... my work will go on. To be an inspiration for others to open their heart and let joy fill it in is a passion that I will continue to pursue.

Big hugs and huge thanks for caring so much.

Much love to you. xo, Laurence