By Bruce Doories
Gang violence, political upheaval, and the pandemic have separated Virginia-Haiti partnerships in faith, education and healthcare for the past four years.
A 9: 15 am September 22 virtual visit to a rural church school in Haiti seeks to reestablish close ties between the Virginia Haiti Collaborative, seven parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Virginia, and St. Marc’s School in the rural community of Cerca-la-Source.
Trinity’s Adult Formation class will join the link from McCracken Hall. The zoom link is here.
“Thanks to Zoom, we’ll get to hear the kids sing, visually tour new facilities, ask the teachers about their joys and struggles of late, and celebrate with the administrator, Father Schneyder Couloute,” notes the co-founder of the collaborative, retired priest Roger Bowen. “Couloute managed to keep the school running during the upheavals in Haiti, some of which continue.”
Thus far, the Kenyan police presence in the country, which began in June as part of a United Nations effort, has done little to restore order to the island nation, especially in the capital. Political, economic and social instability continue to plague Port au Prince.
Before 2020, Virginia Haiti Collaborative facilitated more than a dozen trips with nearly 100 Virginians. Despite travel bans since covid, most Virginia-based faith and nonprofit organizations continued to lend financial and spiritual aid to the people. Through fundraising events, individual donors, and the support of our congregations, more than 300 students who would not otherwise get an education are able to attend school.
“These in-person connections mean so much to us, and to the children and communities of Haiti,” Bowen observed. “You maintain the commitment of the long-term relationship by these visits, and the face-to-face conversations.
“So often Haitians say they feel forgotten by the larger world. Seeing each other, if only on screens, it’s vital to the partnership.“
“Worshipping together, breaking bread together, walking school grounds hand-in hand, connecting with the community there. We’ve all missed that opportunity to come to a fuller understanding of our relationship, and of the mutual support we experience through prayer and service,” Bowen said.
A previous Collaborative project brought solar panels to the school, powering a computer lab. Much of the funding from the Virginia churches has been to meet teacher salary needs, as well as to pay student tuition for many families that cannot afford the fee.
“We hope the Zoom visit will encourage more people to support the collaborative on this end. And, in Haiti, we want the meeting to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to support for the students, and the school’s future.”
