Feast of St. Anthony the Hermit and Consecration of the new Church, Jan. 17th, 2019
 

This parish is located in a remote area southwest of Jeremie, on the south peninsula of Haiti.  The parish serves 23,000 people, has one church, one school, six chapels, one clinic and one priest.  A talk with Fr. Romain revealed that his parish receives approximately $70.00 per month in collections. His biggest goal is to pay the salaries of the six teachers at the school.

Through the generosity of members of our parish, we have donated enough funds to cover their wages for the next 6 months. We also were able to bring 100 New Testaments to the Parish, along with many rosaries.

We became aware of this Parish while some members of St Therese parish were working on a pedestrian bridge in the area. A friend who resides nearby told us about the area and asked us to take a look at a section of road that is in poor shape.  We were told that it is impassible by vehicles. Healthcare workers cannot reach the people beyond the main church, except on foot.

The road approaching Lori is a dirt road, at some points just a wide path. After reaching the church and school buildings there is a section that has washed out. Approximately 400 feet long and 25% grade, it resembles a hiking trail. Yet for these villages it is Main Street.  There are approximately 10,000 residents who live past this stretch of road. Anyone who is injured or seriously ill must be carried down this stretch of road to the clinic. School children must also walk through here each day.

Through a separate fundraising process a member of St. Therese parish was able to secure donations from two large construction companies. These donations will fund repairs to the road allowing for passage of motorcycles, and possibly 4 wheel drive pickups (in Haiti a motorcycle is the equivalent to our family car). 


The repairs to the road will allow visiting nurses and other healthcare workers to provide services, and bring their equipment along with them. It will also allow for supplies to be delivered, and for produce to be brought to market.