A hope filled Haitian response
A hope filled Haitian response- by Kevin Conforti 5/29/2020
Hope-Filled Haitian Response
May 29, 2020
The following is an update about what has been happening on campus and around Ranquitte. This is possible because of Haitian leadership and the generosity of our donors.
Covid-19 has us all concerned to one degree or another. Our lives have been disrupted by this pandemic. As of the writing of this, it has been over two months since most of the United States was shut down and almost as long since the first case was announced in Haiti.
It was not a surprise when the news broke that Covid-19 reached Haiti, it was bound to get there. Nevertheless, the news was a little like a gut punch. With Haiti’s limited infrastructure this disease could have devastating effects on the population. How many of the 11 million Haitians can be protected? Many of them live in the cities of Port au Prince and Cap Haitian and we know how this disease spreads rapidly in cities. What about the 20,000 or so who live in and around Ranquitte? Resources are scarce in this mountainous region of North-Central Haiti. Fuel and medical supplies have to be shipped in from one of the cities. Food for many has to be shipped in as well. With the country on lockdown and travel limited the already vulnerable population is now even more at risk.
Enter the resilience of Christian Flights International’s Haitian partners and staff. Lycender Chery, Fresnel Desaguste, and Love Kendy went to work. Lycender had sewing students at his trade school begin to sew masks for the staff at the medical clinic and to be given away to community members.
@Kaity - pictures
{Students sewing masks and modeling them!}
Their next step was to find a way to get food to the neediest folks of Ranquitte. I received a message from Fresnel that started “We have a plan…” (For a number of reasons, I love when I hear or read that phrase!). He continued, “the plan is to try and feed some people in Ranquitte because it has not rained in 2 months and life is very hard for some of us down here.” I read that and I was so excited – they are truly living out the Gospel.
Haitians attempting to solve problems is wonderful news! So, Lycender, Fresnel, and Love went to work, devised a plan. They are working with Dr. Hashmide, pastors, and other community members to feed the most needy of their community. You can see pictures of the results below – buying corn at the market in Ranquitte, preparing it in Ranquitte, and feeding people in Ranquitte . But it doesn’t stop with the feeding! The doctor is also teaching women in the community how to make soap and as she is teaching them this valuable skill, she is also educating them on hygiene practices – especially those to stop or slow the spread of Covid-19.
If you would like to contribute to these valuable efforts, you can click the donate button on our website (www.christianflights.org), mail a check to 404 Koa Ct. Berea, KY 40403, or call our Executive Director, Shannon Conforti at 859-519-8253 for more information.
I’ll leave you with the words of Paul to the church in Ephesus found in Acts 20:35. They are appropriate here for what is happening through this partnership:
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Blessings,
Kevin Conforti, President, Christian Flights International
Corn purchased at the market in Ranquitte and being prepared for distribution
@kaity - pictures
Folks who received corn, oil, soap, and masks from our team
@Kaity - pictures
