St. Anne Anse-A-Veau – Haiti

Since 2002 our parish has been partnering with the American Haitian Foundation, Signal Mountain, TN.  The mission of the AHF is to help meet the spiritual, educational, and nutritional needs of Haitians in the de Nippes region of Haiti.

Our first endeavor was to assist the parishioners of St. Anne’s in Anse-a-Veau rebuild their 200 year old church and construct a social/education wing to the rectory.  During this period a feeding program for the children was begun.  So successful was this effort that St. Anne’s became the See of a new Diocese created in 2007.

Through the AHF we then moved our efforts a few miles west to assist with the operation of the AHF k-12, 900 student school in Petite Reviere de Nippes.  Our main concern and direction there has been the daily feeding of all the students. 

In 2009 we were able to assist with the establishment of a dental clinic at the school staffed by former students of that school who were trained with scholarships from the AHF.

Needless to say, the earthquake of January 2010 has been devastating to all of Haiti.  Damage to the upper floors of the school has resulted in the building being unusable until repairs can be made at considerable expense. Currently most of the people of Haiti are frightened to enter still standing buildings.  Therefore the school grounds are serving as a massive campground with tent like structures being setup with whatever means to provide shelter.  Fortunately, while supplies exist, the AHF has been able to set up feeding stations for the locals and the massive migration of survivors streaming away from Port au Prince.  Within the first 3 weeks, over 40,000 meals were served.  The need will continue for a long time.

 

St. Francis of Assisi parishioners can be proud of the generosity and concern they have shown to help some of God’s people most in need.

The spiritual director on the ground is and has been since its inception the Rev. Fr. Herve Granjean.  Besides serving as pastor of a parish in Miragoane, he coordinates the AHF efforts.  Fr. Granjean, who was elevated to Monsignor in July 2010, has made several visits to Fairfield Glade over the years to maintain our connection.  Likewise, several parishioners of St. Francis have traveled to Haiti to assess the needs and results of our efforts.

 

The Internet links listed above will allow you to see more fully the extent of our efforts.