Haitian Pilgrims Organization

Posted on by mlhilton

Howdy Pilgrims,

All the absentee ballots are in!  The three nominees for Director roles are fully supported and elected by the Haitian Pilgrim members.  Alix, Kirk, and Sue are welcomed as Directors!  Mike will continue as a Director; Deacon Ray and Father John will continue in Consulting roles.

There were no surprises at the first meeting.  All immediately acknowledged that we can’t do it without lots of help and concurred that the Directors will plead for volunteers to form a Core Leadership Team who will manage key activities . There will be opportunities for both Team Leadership and team member – so we can use whatever amount of time and energy you can volunteer.  The need for help is so intense and the suggestions for Haitian Pilgrims to do more are so frequent, it’s time to take on some additional programs.

The Leadership Team will oversee the operational management of the various key projects.  A member of the Leadership Team could participate as a team member in other projects.  So you won’t get boxed into only one part of the program.

Some of these key operational areas that require management/oversight include:

    • School – lunch program, supplies

 

  • Clinic – pharmacy, laboratory, staffing

 

 

  • Micro credit

 

 

  • Water

 

 

  • Agriculture

 

 

  • Community Leadership/Activities Development

 

 

  • Finance [501(c)(3) reporting, tax letters, etc]

 

 

  • Fundraising

 

 

  • Communication to donors (project updates, “thank you” letters)

 

 

  • New Ventures  (explore/research new possibilities & suggestions from
    members)

 

 

  • Translation (English to French & vice versa)

 

So, as soon as we get back from the Stewardship trip to Haiti, we’ll be looking for volunteers who are willing to jump into some of these activities.

Certainly, one needing improvement is communication with members – better updates on the website will be a high priority.

Meanwhile, if questions, I’ll welcome an email ( since I’ll be traveling to/from Haiti for the next 10 days, a phone call won’t work very well; also, response to email won’t happen until after we return).  Keep us in your prayers – and think about what role you will enjoy in the “new and improved” Haitian Pilgrims .

– Mike Frost

Images of Boileau

Posted on by mlhilton
Following are several recent photos of Boileau…
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This house was one of the better houses until the earthquakes hit. While this is nothing like the pictures of downtown Port-au-Prince which we have seen in the newspapers and on television, it accurately shows that there was some damage throughout the country.
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One of several wells that have been drilled in and around Boileau. Each time a new well has been completed and is ready for usage, there is a blessing and thanksgiving ceremony.
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A vegetable garden in Boileau being plowed by Oxen. Our Pilgrims have provided some Oxen for this purpose. In many places there is more land than can be plowed by men alone.
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A skinny Black Bull getting a drink in a nearby creek. You can see how skinny he is. This is another problem within the agricultural process. They need to get the animals well fed so they can provide more meat to be sold on the local market.
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The majority of Haitians are very religious, mostly Catholic. This is Fr. John, of St. Phillips, concelebrating at a mass in Boileau.

Stewardship trip

Posted on by mlhilton

Howdy Pilgrims,

As we discussed at the meeting, four members are going to Haiti during the first week of June as another of “Stewardship” trips (Sue, Alix, Moise, and me). We will spend the week in Boileau learning and listening – and doing a little talking.

We want to understand the situation in Boileau: confirm progress on the projects; confirm we both have the same understanding about future directions.  Part of the function of the “stewardship trip” is to perform due diligence on behalf of the donors, to confirm that money is being used as promised.  We’ve not had problems in this area, but we have a strong obligation to donors to make certain.  So, in addition to the quarterly reports which they send to us, the trips make it very clear to all that we will be there, in person, to see.  Alix frequently quotes someone who said:  “trust, but verify”.

This trip will direct special attention to expanding employment opportunities within Boileau. Yes, “expanding” from zero is a challenge – but everything helps. This trip we will also increase our role in providing some “guidance”.

In the past we have made suggestions – gently coaching-and they’ve been very willing to accept our suggestions.  This trip we’ll probably step outside their “comfort zone”.  Some topics for special attention will include:

    • establishing a mill at Boileau  (for grinding grains such as soy and
      corn)

 

  • using the school building for “two shifts” – primary school during day;
    trade  school at night

 

 

  • expanded loans from micro-credit for bigger projects (like $4,000 to
    purchase  oxen to plow the fields)

 

One possibility we’ll explore is whether/how the village can establish a “barber shop”.  Wahl Clipper company donated half-dozen, heavy-duty hair clippers to plant a seed-possibly a small job-training and possibly the initial capital investment for a local barber shop.  We’ll explore how they can keep more pennies circulating within the village rather than paying for services in Cavaillon.

So, we will learn, but we also plan to coach and guide.  Keep us in your prayers.

– Mike Frost