Hello Everyone,
As of the end of August 2020, we reached the $1,000,000 mark in donations to Haiti, since we started our work there in 2004! In many ways our Journey is very similar to how we travel in Haiti, as seen in these few pictures……. I thought I would start with these and the story continues below.
Sometimes smooth sailing!!
Sometimes NOT so much!!
Sometimes navigate carefully!!
This is an AMAZING accomplishment, attained only by the Grace of Our God!! We are so richly blessed by so many faith filled and generous supporters, be it family, friends, parishioners or businesses! The past seventeen years have been quite a journey filled with many ups and downs! However, through it all, we have been strengthened by our Faith in Christ and the prayers and support from so many wonderful people! We could not do this without all of you! Thank you!
Your prayers have definitely made a difference in helping us to persevere and continue to keep HOPE alive in Haiti! The work of Project Precious Haiti and HBS Haiti is certainly making a big difference in the lives of the Haitian people! We continue to carry on!
We would like to share some of our Incredible journey with you, through pictures and a few words. Sit back and we hope you enjoy our story which many of you have been with us since the start.
Our first trip in January 2004. We raised $4,700.00 and gathered 1,000 lbs. of “you name it” - bedding/tools/plumbing supplies/medicines till the van was crammed as you see.
We drove to Florida on a Sat. & Sun. Unloaded the bulk of our load at HBS Foundation on Mon. On Tuesday we loaded the rest of our things on a D.C. 3 operated by MFI and off we went for a 4.5 hours flight with a fuel stop in Exuma.
After an “interesting” customs experience, we met our driver from HBS, Faustin, loaded the truck and set off through Cap Haitien, the second largest city in Haiti. It truly “STUNNED” our senses, especially sight & smell, a true experience of life in Haiti.
After settling in at the hospital, we did some walking around the compound, the town, visited the market and met a few people. Our first “jobs” at the hospital were working in the Pharmacy. Here Marg is with Joanna Hodges, learning some of the ropes. To communicate to people at home we had to go down the street to a cyber cafe to email and phone. There were very few cell phones or even land lines - in 2004!!!
The other part of the hospital Joanna wanted Marg to be involved in was Kai Mira, which is the orphanage. While I worked mainly in the pharmacy, Marg adapted well to being with all the kids and working with the therapists there with walking or taking some for a walk. Here she is with her “first true Love”, Estefan. He had a smile that would win any heart. Marg called him the “Charmer”.
2004, we were to be in Haiti for 5 weeks! Day 13 Joanna came and told us we had to leave as there was a coup starting to overthrow the President. That night the rebels went through creating havoc. It took 3 days for MFI to come in and get us. This picture is a remnant of a road block near the airport. We, with 15 others, rode in the back of a truck on the back roads to get to the airport. Thankfully there were no issues. We were in Florida by supper. Quite the first trip.
Our family was quite concerned about us being there as they heard all about it on the news. Some of them told us we should not go back. After much prayer and discernment we returned in 2005 and have never looked back. There is so much to tell - so many stories - so many pictures - so many laughs & so many tears - so many new friendships formed both there and here. We will attempt to share some highlights and a cross section of what has been accomplished over the 17 years in this amazing, beautiful country. We have been able to share some trips with family and friends. Our daughter Jen and her husband, Phil; our son Matt; Marg’s brother Mike, his wife Patty, and their daughter Rachel; Patty’s sister Pam, with her daughter Amelia; our niece Katie; a group of 4 from New Brunswick lead by Patty’s other sister Elaine with Cathy, her son Tim and Jamie.
Here we have the Market in Limbe - also known as the Limbe “Mall”. It is best to go early before all the “smells” of the day start with the heat.
Our daughter Jen (5 trips) and her husband, Phil (4 trips) with Reece in Kai Mira, have travelled with us and were strong proponents of getting the Hodges House Foster Home up and running.
Our niece Katie came with us once. She had fun with the kids, especially handing out candy and balloons. Most have never seen a balloon before.
Our son, Matt came along with us in 2018 to take pictures, video and to interview people for our website.
Marg and Joni Hodges taking some of the Kai Mira children for a ride in the sun. Most of the children love going for a ride and enjoying the sunshine, the breeze, even if it started to rain.
The opening of the Hodges House Foster Home in 2009. Now it is home to 8 children.
Many upgrades to the water system at HBS with Mike and Guivenson - Before
Donated plumbing supplies for HBS.
Donated French books from Jeanne Sauve school in Stratford. They love to read and look at the pictures.
Original school in Haut Pont. This was our first major building project.
Home….. some built using wood posts and woven sticks; covered in mud/concrete mix and then painted. Usually have a mud floor.
Home…… in the city. So many varieties.
Home…. some beautiful homes in the quiet countryside.
Transportation - A well loaded Moto filling up for the trip.
This is a typical family run “corner store” in the countryside found throughout Haiti. People are trying to earn some money.
The New Brunswick group brought school supplies and other fun things for the students to play with. With Marg are Tim, Jamie, vice principal of Notre Dame in Ranquitte, Elaine and Cathy.
Pam, a French teacher, and Amelia, fluent in French, with a class and teacher in Grande Riviere, on the way to Ranquitte.
Matt doing some filming at recess time in Ranquitte. The children always have fun with the balloons.
Justin, was one of the first children we met in Kai Mira. He grew up to be a wonderful, happy, warm young man. He always had an infectious smile. We were quite saddened when he passed away in 2017.
The original bedroom being set up for Guivenson and the first mother.
Finished upgrade with hospital system on left and town on right.
Donated tools to make life easier in Haiti.
Lots of children join us on our hikes up Mount Liberale, outside Limbe, run to meet and help us.
The new school with 6 classrooms, a principal’s office and staff lunch room.
Home…… built with strips of palm trees “peeled” and fastened to wood posts. Colorfully painted with a metal roof and mud floor.
Home…. some multiple floors. Love the scaffolding……
Transportation - A mule carrying produce to market.
Transportation - a Moto taking a LIVE pig home from market.
In 2006 we were asked to speak to a class of professional people that were learning English as a second language.
Here we are at HBS, along with Abby from Minnesota, Shawn (HBS) and Patty on the far right. After travelling throughout different areas, they helped with various projects at HBS.
Mike, Patty and Rachel with Father Wisly and lots of girls at St. Agnes School. They are always very happy to see us and usually swarm you.
Marg and I visiting with Jen, Phil, Shawn and Joanna after eating dinner in the cafeteria at HBS
Celebrating the annual birthday party in Kai Mira for all, as they do not have many records of when their birthdays are. Always a lot of fun with cake, popcorn and pop.
Joanna Hodges distributing Bible books at HBS. They were in Creole and truly cherished.
We finished the upgrades to the water system in Limbe. The well and pumps are by HBS.
Donated Religious articles - so much appreciated.
Mike, Patty and Marg with friends in Ranquitte. They aways love to have their photo taken.
One of the new classes. Teachers & children are so happy.
Home….. built with concrete blocks; usually concrete floors; with plumbing roughed in with hopes of affording fixtures.
Home…. built wherever there is space in the city.
A three wheel moto beside a well loaded Tap-Tap.
Transportation - One of our all time favourite pictures :<).
We hope you have enjoyed the pictures of our story so far. We have taken thousands of pictures and it is always so difficult to select a “few” to show. These next, and final pictures, show one of the main reasons why we continue to serve Our Lord in this amazing country with all of it’s incredible people. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to read this and for your ongoing wonderful support.
Even though we cannot travel to Haiti right now, we are still sending money to continue on with this much needed support! We are especially in need of funds for the ongoing school feeding programs. Our donations have suffered due to the Pandemic!
If you are able to and wish to donate, please make your donation payable to St. Joseph’s Church and earmark it for PROJECT PRECIOUS HAITI, which helps with all facets of education, including school feeding programs. OR, earmark it for HBS HAITI which is a hospital with a foster home and orphanage. Thank you!