Haiti Healthcare Project

We are grateful for your interest in our Haiti Healthcare Project. Over the years our work relies heavily on the generosity of those who are more fortunate. Our needs beyond your daily prayers are for annual donations and we are committed to using every penny you give to glorify God in all we do.

Haiti Healthcare Project: Enriching Lives for Over 36 Years

Our Mission

For more than 36 years, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady North American Region have been dedicated to extending compassionate healthcare and support beyond the United States, working in partnership with our FMOL International Sisters in numerous countries. Today, our mission in Haiti, supported by the courageous FMOL International Sisters, continues to make a significant impact despite the challenges.

How Our Mission Began

In October 1988, Sisters Althea Jonis and Martha Ann Abshire arrived in Haiti, recognizing the urgent need to enhance local healthcare services. Armed with backgrounds in nursing, occupational therapy, nursing, hospital and administrative experience, they selected Aquin as the site for their missionary effort. They chose St. Helene, a remote rural community on Haiti’s southwest coast, to establish an outpatient medical clinic and an inpatient nutrition center.

From the outset, our mission has been about more than providing care. We aim to empower the Haitian people, teaching and encouraging self-sufficiency to build a stronger, more resilient community.

Current Situation in Haiti

Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, facing severe socio-economic and political challenges:

• Health and Education: The healthcare system is critically underfunded and inefficient, with services available only on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, leading to a high rate of untreated illnesses. Approximately 80 out of every 1,000 children die before their first birthday, and nearly half the population is illiterate.
• Economic Hardship: Around 80% of Haitians live in extreme poverty, mainly in rural areas and impoverished urban slums. The pressure of overpopulation has led to environmental degradation, including deforested mountainsides and overburdened fertile valleys.
• Political and Social Instability: The assassination of Haiti’s president in 2021 has plunged the country into chaos, with violent gang activity exacerbating the crisis. The gangs have grown increasingly powerful, leading to widespread corruption, a surge in kidnappings and frequent closures of essential services. The Port-au-Prince airport, reopened after months of closure due to gang violence, reflects the fragile state of the nation.

Our Convent and Facilities

After years of renting two houses in the center of town (Aquin), land (approximately five acres) was purchased at the base of Monsejour mountain, one mile from the center of Aquin. Our new convent, established in 1998, was damaged in the 2021 earthquake and remains structurally unsound. Water is rationed and contaminated, and power issues persist due to damaged wind turbines, solar panels and outdated batteries. We rely on a generator to keep our food preserved. Communication is limited, with only sporadic WiFi and postal services available.

Our two aging vehicles, essential for transportation to the clinic in St. Helene and for acquiring supplies in Port Au Prince and Les Cayes, are in poor condition. The challenging four-hour journey to Port Au Prince and the daily one-hour journey to the clinic in St. Helene are further complicated by gang checkpoints making travel dangerous, thus inhibiting our operations.

Outpatient Clinic

Our outpatient clinic, “Men Ansanm” (“Hands Together”), which once served over 5,000 patients annually, was also severely impacted by the 2021 earthquake. Currently operating from an outdoor shelter, the clinic continues to provide critical healthcare services, including vaccinations and general medical care. However, staff reductions due to COVID-19 and the earthquake have strained our resources. Our Haitian physician remains dedicated to serving the community amidst these challenges.

How You Can Support Us

Your support is vital to our mission’s success. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate: Contributions are essential for rebuilding our convent, repairing our clinic and providing ongoing healthcare services.
• Advocate: Spread the word about Haiti’s situation and advocate for policies that support international aid and sustainable development.

Despite the adversities, our mission in Haiti remains steadfast. Together with our supporters, we strive to provide hope and healing to those in need.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to improving lives in Haiti.