University Presbyterian Church - Chapel Hill, NC

 

After an adventure visiting the wonderful work of Haiti Fund, we were off to Leoganne. Our rear view mirror was filled with the madhouse of Port-au-Prince (traffic and crowds) and we enjoyed a pretty drive along the coast to Leoganne. As we approached Leoganne, we witnessed the sites, sounds and smells of a mid-sized (150,000 people) Haitian city.

Our destination was Hopital Ste Croix. This was a journey that started 30 years ago for my mother and me. My grandfather, a Presbyterian missionary and minister, put forth a challenge gift that prompted the Presbyterian church to get involved in Haiti, joining forces with the Episcopal church to support the medical clinic in Leoganne. The years have allowed this wonderful place and mission to grow tremendously from its early, meager beginnings.

The hospital complex consists of medical facilities offering an ER, outpatient clinic (serving 350 people a day), OB services, maternity and pediatric ward, 4 operating rooms, dental clinic, and eye surgery. They have a community health outreach as well serving up to 250,000 people in the surrounding area. Their biggest project currently is centered around Filariasis, or commonly referred to as Elephantiasis. It is a widespread problem in Haiti, passed through mosquitoes. With funding from the Bill Gates foundation ($ 5m) and assistance from the CDC, they are out to rid the country of this painful disease.

But the work doesn't stop there. We toured the elementary school on the grounds and met some wonderful local children, playing soccer and enjoying the beautiful morning. There is a church on site that will be expanding soon to accommodate the huge crowds that come to this center of worship. This collection (Hospital, Eye Clinic, Schools, Church) are the hub of hope and development for the community. Great work is being done there and our support is critical. The hospital welcomes assistance in the form of monetary donations, medical supplies/equipment, and manpower.

Many people from the Triangle are active with the hospital, David Wallmer (Family Health Ministries) set up a Cervical Cancer Clinic to challenge this devastating disease which is rampant in Haiti. Jim Sylivant, an electrical engineer, member of Cary Presbyterian Church, has made enormous contributions toward the hospital’s electrical wiring needs (a tricky task in Haiti) and computer installation.

Stepping out from the boundaries of the Hospital allowed us to see the sights of the community. We saw interesting architecture, nice people and lots of activity (commerce and rum production). But one of the most interesting sites was one of the many local Voodoo temples. The murals outside showed an interesting blend of Christianity and Voodoo. Haiti is truly a country of contrasts (wealth/poverty, crowded cities/spacious countrysides, Christianity/voodoo).