Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-11, Page 14Crossroads 14 Wednesday, May 11, 2005 Exeter Times Advocate Caring for the small and weak in Haiti HAITI — After two years of planning and the postponement of the trip last year, eight Exeter area people were finally able to travel to a small commu- nity Feb. 18 just outside Cap Haitian, Haiti. The group consisted of team leader Jennifer Branderhorst and her hus- band Rick, Trevor Boersma, Bert Langendyk, Sylvia Post, Tara Truemner, Al Vanderlaan and Sandra Vanderlaan. The trip took them to an infant care facility called Children of Promise. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere with the highest infant and maternal death rate. One of every five Haitian children dies of malnutrition or dehydration. The mothers of over half the infants at Children of Promise died shortly after their baby was born. Eighty per cent of Haiti's population is liv- ing in absolute poverty and unemployment. The per capita annual income is only $350 with workers earning less than $3 a day. Children of the Promise has become the largest infant care centre in the north side of Haiti and employs over 40 Haitians providing for their only income. Children of the Promise is a non profit organization founded by an America couple who during a visit to Haiti were approached by several people asking them to take care of their baby. The mother had just died or the child was sick and there was no money to look after them. A visit to the hospital found another baby left abandoned with little chance of survival. In Haiti the family is responsible for the primary care of hospital patients, providing the food, clothes and diapers. The doctors and nurses take of the medical needs only. After seeing the need in Haiti, the American couple felt God calling them to begin a ministry for infants and small children. Five years later, Children of the Promise has cared for 150 babies and in February celebrated the official dedi- cation of their newly constructed facili- ty• They have over 40 children in their care, employ over 40 Haitians and offer assistance to many Haitian family. Their mission statement is to provide for the physical, emotional and spiritu- al needs of infants who've been orphaned or abandoned; reunite the infants with their birth families when- ever possible and facilitate families in the adoption of children with little or no hope of being reconnected with their birth families. In 2003 the Exeter Christian Reformed Church held an information meeting to see if there was any interest to send a team to Children of the Promise. Over 30 people attended the meeting and the planning began. They set their departure for February 2004. However due to the unrest in Haiti, the trip had to be postponed until Feb. 18, 2005. Upon arrival in Haiti, the group was immediately made aware of the pres- ence of UN soldiers and the UN contin- ues to closely monitor the situation. However years of neglect have left the country impoverished. Driving through Cap Haitian they saw fires burning in the middle of the road, garbage piled along the river with pigs rummaging through it, open sewers with makeshift walkways leading into homes. Houses built along the river have one room extending over it. This was the outhouse -draining directly into the river. The roads are full of huge potholes and during the rainy season are often impassible. On arriving at the Children of the Promise compound, they were greeted by the staff, other volunteers and 42 children. During their stay, they were able to build a much needed roof on the veran- da of the new volunteer house, grout the tile floors, repair holes in buildings caused by rats, brighten up the baby rooms with fresh paint and other general mainte- nance work. The most important task was looking after the children. The children always come first. If there was a sick baby, the work would wait. The children are all unique and all have a special story to tell. Magalie was five months old weighing only six pounds when she arrived. She contracted meningitis but has recuperated and is doing well. Jodi's mom died after giving birth. He weighed only four pounds eight ounces and suffered from septicemia and pneumonia. He was rushed to the local hospital where they did not expect him to sur- vive. God answered the many prayers and Jodi is now back at Children of the Promise and doing well. Matthew was abandoned and tested positive for HIV when they first received him and has now reverted to an HIV negative status. Myrlanda was abandoned at the hos- pital when she was just two months old. She suffered from a third degree burn on her head and weighed only two pounds 12 ounces. One year later she weighs just seven pounds and is awaiting approval for a medical visa to receive treatment in the United States. Each child is loved and cared for by the staff and volunteers at Children of the Promise. The nannies have such a love for these children that when Children of the Promise is short on resources for whatever reason, they are often the first to extend a helping hand, sharing what little they may have to help out. When asked what they took home from this trip their response was "an experience of a lifetime." Instead of taking a holiday for them- selves, they were able to help the tini- est of babies and make a difference in the lives of others. It was rewarding and a blessing to see and feel the support of friends and family through prayer and financial support of this ministry. If you would like to learn more about this ministry or if you would like to help in any way, please check out the web- site at www.childrenofthepromise.org. You can also contact any of the team at the Exeter Christian Reformed Church. (article submitted) If you would like to learn more about this ministry or if you would like to help in any way, please check out the website at www.childrenofthepromise.org. Exeter area residents Rick and Jennifer Branderhorst, Bert Langendyk,AI Vanderlaan,TaraTruemner, SandraVanderlaan,Trevor Boersma and Sylvia Post recently spent time in Haiti volunteering with the Children of the Promise infant care agency. (Below) Along with the team went mounds of donated medical sup- plies, equipment, formula, diapers and baby supplies. (photos/submitted) Tara Truemner and Jennifer Branderhorst with some of the children they worked with at the Children of the Promise infant care facility in Haiti. (photo/submitted)