For years, we have been working with our local partners - Haiti Mission in Jeremie & Rotary Ancaster/Höpital Albert Schweitzer in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti. Two years ago, when the earthquake hit, our work took on even greater meaning and urgency. Our local partners reflect on the importance of our work - before and after this devastating disaster.
No one knew nor could anyone anticipate what happened January 12, 2010. The role of Ryan’s Well and Haiti Mission, Inc (HMI) being part of the support system to save lives in the aftermath of the “horror in Haiti” began in May, 2008 when fate had an internet search of possible funding sources for water well drilling in the Jeremie region of Haiti and a visit to Jeremie by (Ryan's Well Board Member) Bruce O-Callaghan coincided to begin a joint venture between the two. That first well-project drilled for the school and community of Kay en Rond was a grand success. It still pumps some of the best potable water in the area today.
Soon afterwards, the Ravine Sable water system was funded by Ryan’s well and coordinated and accomplished by HMI. This system which included three fountains and privacy bath stations delivered potable water to an area of Haiti that had never had its own water source. Now as HMI completes three more wells in this area sponsored by Ryan’s Well, these wells and water systems have been a major factor in these villages having one of the lowest rates of cholera in Haiti. The school children are healthier and the area is experiencing considerable economic growth in large part because of this partnership between Ryan’s well and Haiti Mission, Inc.
Be assured of our thanksgiving for the confidence you have placed in HMI. We hope to continue to build on what has been a wonderful blessing for so many who often have a hard time finding anything for which to be hopeful. - Lloyd, Haiti Mission, Inc.
Today is again (and I think permanently) a national holiday. Many people will be pausing for a minute of silence just before 5pm. This has certainly been a year to reflect on. We remember all the lives lost in the last two years, but mostly we are focused on going forward. On providing new water points and on finding solutions for the wells with water quality issues, on improving how we provide handwashing and sanitation services connected to the wells we do, on keeping going with latrine and handwashing projects in areas where wells aren’t the best technology to use.
Many Haitians told us last year that they would rather focus on fixing the future than on dwelling on the past. I see the same thing this year, even more now that the rawness of the earthquake and the shock of cholera’s arrival have faded somewhat. We continue to coordinate with the French Red Cross, the WASH Cluster for the Lower Artibonite, and the governmental water agency DINEPA. Talk among the water and sanitation team and among the Rotarians is about how to get the current projects completed and about where and how to do the next ones, to spread access to potable water and sanitation. - Dawn, Höpital Albert Schweitzer
Learn more about our current Projects Needing Help in Haiti!