HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-12-07, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1994.
Aid worker calls Haitian stay a camping trip
By Janice Becker
Though Lena Siegers describes
her year-long stay in Haiti as a
"camping trip", the Christian aid
worker had to deal with poor trans
portation, an almost non-existent
communication network and
unavailable health care.
Ms Siegers, an East Wawanosh
resident, left for the Caribbean in
early December 1993, as part of the
Christian Peacemakers Corps
(CPC), a humanitarian organization
which teaches a love for all people
and intervenes against the forces of
violence. CPC is supported by the
Mennonite Church, General Con
ference of Mennonite Churches and
the Church of the Brethren.
After training sessions in CPC's
head office in Chicago and another
in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-
Prince, Ms Siegers embarked on a
12 hour trip which would carry her
less than 200 km to the northwest
coast of the small country, to the
village of Jeremie.
Her team worked with local
groups trying to fight the violence.
CPC only goes to communities to
support initiatives which have been
started by the locals.
"Haiti was controlled by a para
military police, FRAPH and later a
breakaway group, RDR, who ruled
by killing and mutilating the peo
ple. Even a priest in the region was
involved in murders," says Ms
Siegers.
As the embargo of Haiti tight
ened in the late summer of this
year, the situation became more
tense. Though the wealthy and
those in the military were still able
to purchase goods, the average per
son could not afford the bounty of
items available at the market.
One gallon of coal oil for the
lamps cost $45 and soon candles
became very scarce, she says. The
cost of gasoline and diesel rose
above $50 per gallon. The only
people who could afford to operate
a car were the wealthy, the military,
international aid groups, priests and
the Haitian Health Foundation.
The foundation provides medical
care for women and children priced
at only $1 for a consultation, but
the people could not find the
money. Many children died for lack
of care or the families turned to the
traditional medicines of leaves and
lemons, she says.
The difficulty of communication
with the rest of the country was
very frustrating, says Ms Siegers.
"We had a contact person m Port-
au-Prince, to whom we were to
relay information, but in a year, I
think we got through by phone only
two or three times. It was easier to
call the head office in Chicago than
to call the capital."
The group had been sending
reports to the capital by plane, until
they saw the craft go down only 10
minutes after a team member dis
embarked. Ships were the next
option, but the first captain did not
always deliver the information and
then his engine exploded, ending
the trips.
The second vessel used was cap
tained by a Newfoundlander who
was very trustworthy and helpful,
says Ms Siegers, until he had to
start making trips to other coun
tries, often delaying the transmis
sion of messages.
The team had a computer to work
with, but since the village only had
hydro about, three limes a year, for
a day or less each time, modern
technology was of little use. A
manual typewriter was dusted off
for correspondence.
With the arrival of US military
troops in Jeremie, the CPC team
members found themselves in
another difficult situation, being
asked to interpret for the soldiers
and thereby being identified with
an army. Team members tried to
distance themselves as much as
possible from the military yet pro
vide some assistance for co-opera
tion.
Ms Siegers says she saw little
change in Jeremie between the time
the troops arrived in October to her
departure in December.
"Continued support is needed for
the region as well as other areas
CPC is working," she says.
Ms Siegers will be telling of her
experiences in Haiti to church
groups and media outlets during
her stay in Canada.
As for her future, Ms Siegers is
unsure of what comes next. She
plans to take a few months off to
visit her children, David, Nathan,
Andrew and Susannah as well as
other family and friends.Working for non-violence
Couple marries in Goderich Lena Siegers displays a few of the mementoes brought
back from Haiti after a year of aid work through the
Christian Peacemakers Corps.
GOWANLOCK - JOHNSTON
Grace Johnston and Joe
Gowanlock were united in marriage
Oct. 15, 1994 at North Street
United Church in Goderich. Rev.
Kathi Urbasik-Hindley officiated.
The bride is the daughter of
Larry and Helen Johnston of RR 1,
Auburn. The groom is the son of
LeRoy and Nina Gowanlock of
Goderich.
The wedding party included
Jennifer Johnston (sister-ih-law of
the bride), Penny Moss (friend of
the bride), Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot
(friend of the bride), Walter
Johnston (brother of the bride),
Gerry Nurse (friend of the groom),
and Gary Oke (friend of the
groom).
The dinner and reception were
held at the Goderich Arena. The
couple travelled to Mexico for their
honeymoon and now reside at RR
4, Goderich.
MS FACT #21
Multiple sclerosis can
cause loss of balance,
impaired speech, extreme
fatigue and double vision.
Multiple
Sclerosis
SOCIETY OF CANADA
1-800-268-7582
$800?° CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN WIN ONE OF EIGHT $100. MERCHANDISE VOUCHERS
PROVIDED BY THE CLINTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOC. (B.I.A.)
($100 Merchandise Vouchers are redeemable at any participating
Clinton B I A Business or Service)
COUNT THE NUMBER OF SANTAS IN THE NOV. 29TH ISSUE
OF FOCUS TWO SECTIONS
Check each page (or a picture of Santa (the one beside the coupon) (pen write your name,
address, telephone number, and Santa Count or answer the following question:
"What Does Santa Call Clinton?" on the coupon below and mail to:
CLINTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOC.,
P.O. BOX 400, CLINTON, ONTARIO N0M 1L0
Contest closes December 13, 1994
Winners will be notified by telephone, and merchandise vouchers
will be mailed or arrangements made for pick up
Name______________________________________3
Address___________________________________ i
Telephone #________________________________ !
My Santa Count or Answer To Question Is_______ !
Contest Closes Tuesday, December 13
i------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
20 Point Service
Winterizing Checklist
includes oil, lubrication & filter
& winter check
Checked - OK
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
Needs Attention
□
□
□
Inspect brake hydraulic system (master cylinder level & signs of leakage). □
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
Replacement of engine oil and filter.
Chassis lubrication.
Inspect brake pads & shoes for wear.
Test emergency brake.
Check coolant/antifreeze
Check heater/thermometer.
Check tire tread wear (all seasons/snow tires).
Check air filter.
Inspect C.V boots (front wheel drives).
Visual check of exhaust system.
Visual check of suspension (shocks/struts).
Check transmission fluid and condition.
Inspect PCV.
Inspect belts (cracking, fraying, wear).
Inspect condition of radiator hoses & heater hoses.
Inspect for coolant leaks (radiator, surge tank, water pump).
Inspect windshield washer operation & fluid.
Test operation of turn signals, brake lights, headlights & taillights.
Inspect undercarriage/check for signs of leakage.
Your Name Phone
J.L. McCutcheon Motors
Brussels 887-6856