Before We GO

This week I will be attending three lectures given by faculty of the University of Notre Dame Haiti.

1-Fr. Jean Marcel, OMI. Fr. Marcel is the Dean of the UNDH and a specialist in Education and Governance. He has extensive experience in working with agricultural sector in rural villages in Haiti. He will be directing our field school in Haiti.

The title of his lecture is “Challenges for a Sustainable Education System in Post-earth Quake Haiti and the Role of UNDH.”

2-Fr. Jacques Brunet, OMI. Fr. Jacques has been working with the poor peasants in the Haiti over 10 years. He is currently involved in many development projects in Southern Department of Haiti. He has specialized in Philosophy and Theology.

He will speak on the “Lives of Peasants in Haiti: Issues, Challenges, and the Limitations of Current International Aid.

3-Rev. Sister Marie-Judith Dupuy, S.S.A. Sr. Judith is the director of Haitian Apostolate Ministry of the Dioceses of Worcester. She directs several projects that are aimed at improving the educational status of the poor in the Les Cayes region in Southern Department of Haiti. She Pioneered the Bishop Collignon Business School at the UNDH, which specializes in secretarial entrepreneurship education and training for women. In addition she also directs several education related projects for poor children.

Sr. Judith will speak on the “Experiences and Challenges of Partnerships between Worcester and Haiti: Pathways to building a Sustainable Haiti.

In addition we will also have three students from UNDH who will contribute to our discussion.

Trip To Haiti

Dear Friends and Family,

As my twenty-second birthday and Thanksgiving are approaching I look around and see all that I have to be thankful for; wonderful family and friends, a fantastic college education (almost a degree), and a more than comfortable life with an apartment and plenty of food to eat (even if I'm not the best cook). This thanksgiving I have the opportunity to go to Haiti and do more than simply be thankful for my wonderful life, I have the chance to celebrate by trying to help others and potentially improve their lives. I will be working on a research initiative with students from my University and a partner University in Haiti to develop sustainable agriculture projects in a rural area. In addition to this research opportunity I also have the ability to bring much needed relief supplies with me as checked luggage.

I am hoping to raise the funds to purchase:

1-School supplies for children (pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks)

2-Sports items (e.g. soccer balls)

3-Over the counter medicine (Advil, Tylenol)

4-Tents (for families who are still without shelter as a result of the earthquake)

For those of you who may have sent cards, money, or gifts for my birthday please considering sending a donation for the purchase of these items. Additionally, as you begin to think about all of the wonderful things in your life that you are grateful for please think about helping to provide basic necessitates to others have not been as fortunate.

Please feel free to send this note to anyone and everyone you think may be interested

Thanks in advenced for your support,

Rachel

To donate: email me at RaGeber@clarku.edu