INSTITUTE MARANATHA NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2023
A community project sponsored by the Ford Haitian Foundation.
Piti Piti zwazo a bati nich li (“little by little the bird builds her nest”)
We have just returned from the April medical team visit to our clinic serving the area around Maranatha called Grison-Garde! (www.thehaitimission.org). What?! What did you say? You went to Haiti?
Wi! Haiti is in many ways two countries. The south in the Port-au-Prince area is rife with crime and unrest (and our teams never go there), but the north—the Cap Haitien area (pictured above)—is traditionally peaceful and has remained so despite all the recent troubles in the south. Despite fuel at $10 per gallon and rampant inflation, the city carries on with its usual vitality. All was peaceful and welcoming both in Cap and in the Maranatha community.
The schools, orphanage, and other facilities at Maranatha look great with solar power 24/7, computer lab with internet fully attended, happy hens abounding, the fine brass band striking it up, bourgeoning gardens, and a whole lot more ... all with love and all made possible by your gifts.
Pecnel has returned! Marantha’s star student of the past: top of secondary school class, graduate of tailoring school, and graduate with honors in civil engineering from the University in Cap Haitien is back at Maranatha. The sad news is that his chances for employment as a civil engineer in Haiti are slim. That’s how it is in a country with true unemployment at least 75%!
On the other hand, Maranatha now has a fully qualified facilities manager. Having spent his early life as an orphan at Maranatha, Pecnel is esteemed by all for his energy and intellect and most of all because he is a good guy too!
Sad to say, our old friend “RoRo,” one of the original homeless old folks admitted to the Cottages for the Elderly, has passed away. He was the gardener extraordinaire whose “jaden” of flowers, vegetables, and fruit was so lovely. RoRo was very old and had suffered a stroke. We miss his smile and hug.
Seventeen older homeless folks still live in the cottages of the elder project in nearby Marokee. Many children from that deeply impoverished community visit the cottages frequently which adds a bit of vitality! The elders are well fed and clothed and are living out their difficult Haitian lives in special comfort … a blessing, supported by you!
Wi! Haiti is in many ways two countries. The south in the Port-au-Prince area is rife with crime and unrest (and our teams never go there), but the north—the Cap Haitien area (pictured above)—is traditionally peaceful and has remained so despite all the recent troubles in the south. Despite fuel at $10 per gallon and rampant inflation, the city carries on with its usual vitality. All was peaceful and welcoming both in Cap and in the Maranatha community.
The schools, orphanage, and other facilities at Maranatha look great with solar power 24/7, computer lab with internet fully attended, happy hens abounding, the fine brass band striking it up, bourgeoning gardens, and a whole lot more ... all with love and all made possible by your gifts.
Pecnel has returned! Marantha’s star student of the past: top of secondary school class, graduate of tailoring school, and graduate with honors in civil engineering from the University in Cap Haitien is back at Maranatha. The sad news is that his chances for employment as a civil engineer in Haiti are slim. That’s how it is in a country with true unemployment at least 75%!
On the other hand, Maranatha now has a fully qualified facilities manager. Having spent his early life as an orphan at Maranatha, Pecnel is esteemed by all for his energy and intellect and most of all because he is a good guy too!
Sad to say, our old friend “RoRo,” one of the original homeless old folks admitted to the Cottages for the Elderly, has passed away. He was the gardener extraordinaire whose “jaden” of flowers, vegetables, and fruit was so lovely. RoRo was very old and had suffered a stroke. We miss his smile and hug.
Seventeen older homeless folks still live in the cottages of the elder project in nearby Marokee. Many children from that deeply impoverished community visit the cottages frequently which adds a bit of vitality! The elders are well fed and clothed and are living out their difficult Haitian lives in special comfort … a blessing, supported by you!
We’ll take this chance to follow up on the lives of several young adults who grew up at Maranatha, some from the very beginning back in 2001, starting with lovely Lovelie (our wonder nurse, above). She just completed a much-needed redo of the orphanage rooms). The 12 girls and 10 boys were “full of themselves” as always.
Below are a few more young folks who were raised and educated at Maranatha and are now pursuing professions of their. Thanks and best wishes to all y'all, and thanks for helping keep hope alive!
Below are a few more young folks who were raised and educated at Maranatha and are now pursuing professions of their. Thanks and best wishes to all y'all, and thanks for helping keep hope alive!
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