Maison Fortune Orphanage - 2010 Haiti Earthquake

A Message From Brother Michael McCarthy, CFX
Written by Maison Fortune Admin
Monday, 08 March 2010 19:26

The following is from Br. Michael McCarthy, CFX (Xaverian Brothers) who is currently living in Haiti at Maison Fortune Orphanage. I felt it worth sharing with everyone.

…KNOCK AND THE DOOR SHALL BE OPENED…
Michael McCarthy, CFX

Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel resound with new meaning at Maison Fortuné since the disaster of January 12th in Port-au-Prince. Our doors have been swinging open making room for sixty new young folks who lost their homes, and some their families, in the earthquake. With the rental of the four story ‘apartment’ building next to the girls’ dorm, we are able to house the nearly 40 boys who now call our campus their home.

Before the first boy arrived, many of the present residents spent the day washing the windows and floors, painting the doors and the living quarters, all in anticipation of the newcomers. Professional painters completed the job and brought the building to life. There is plenty of room to put the newly-purchased mattresses on the floor and provide safe sleeping for the newcomers. The newly-ordered beds are arriving a few at a time, and the older boys are claiming them for their own!

The twenty new older girls now occupy the third floor of their building, and love the view from their balcony as they watch all the happenings on the boys’ campus. The new wall on the street side of the boys’ building is completed; the gate is ready to be hung. Yes, Jesus’ words take on a new meaning as Jean-Louis and Pettris interviewed kids and aunts and uncles during the acceptance process. Many who knocked found the door open.

With the addition of sixty new students here, Jean-Louis has hired ten new people to assist with the increased demand in the kitchen, for nighttime security and to accommodate the additional kids in school. Yes, the doors of employment are opening as well.

The US Army team of humanitarian relief came to Hinche to assess needs and assist with the coordination of assistance to victims from PAP. They knocked at our door and met with the adults here on campus and saw our additional kids and increased needs. The next day a team of doctors arrived with bags of meds and TLC for many of the kids here. They knocked and we opened and received. Twice since then, the orphanage has served as a distribution center for World Vision to give food to neighborhood residents who qualify. Our door was opening again to assist with some of the victims.

Each week a new group of Midwives for Haiti comes from the States to Hinche to work in the hospital. They choose Maison Fortuné to live and enjoy the hospitality and the outstanding food. They enjoy the comfort and cool breezes of the second-floor porch and love visiting the little girls and painting their nails between their tasks of delivering babies and teaching pre-natal classes. Yes, the doors have been opening to many nurses and doctors, some from as far away as Oregon. They come with ample meds and experience to further their mission of empowering Haitian midwives to help reduce the infant mortality here in our country.

In early March Francklin Louima, one of the older boys here, completed his second year of apprenticeship in welding. He proudly carries his laminated certificate looking for employment. Recently he knocked on the door of the Haitian Endowment across the river from us, and began a temporary job, earning money and rejoicing in a new level of independence and maturity.

Thank you, Jesus, for opening many doors to us; help us to continue to open our doors to those who seek and knock. Thank you, Jesus, for all the people who have opened their hearts to us and assist us in the growing mission here at Maison Fortuné.

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Orphanage Continues Efforts To Assist Quake Victims
Written by Maison Fortune Admin
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 20:39

We have leased the building next to the girls campus so that we may begin accepting some of the many children that are arriving in Hinche from Port-Au-Prince. While it is certainly not possible to care for all of them, Jean-Louis and the staff are determined to do what they can to help those most in need. The building has sat empty for some time and is currently in "very bad condition". Work will need to be done to get it ready starting with a good cleaning and some paint. Like any supplies at this point, it was not easy to find paint and some time this week a trip will be made to Cap-Haitien to buy paint and some beds.

The population in Hinche has swelled and is now over-flowing with people. Some of them are people originally from Hinche who had been living in PAP, but many others are people who just came to Hinche because they have no where else to go. At night the park is packed with people who have no where else to go.

Jean-Louis is trying to work with Caritas to identify those children most in need, but has not heard back from them as yet. Another problem at this point is that many of the children from Port-Au-Prince are afraid to stay in big concrete buildings. After all they have been through, It will take a while before they will be comfortable staying in them again. Because of this there is an urgent need for some tents. This will provide them some shelter until they can be coaxed back indoors. Problem is there are no tents to be found at this point. If any one knows of an organization that is giving tents please contact us or have or have them contact us.

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FROM THE WEBSITE:

Many Seeking Refuge Arriving In Hinche
Written by Maison Fortune Admin
Monday, 18 January 2010 17:44

Many people that decided to just leave the capitol city in search of help and safety have begun arriving in Hinche. It is estimated that the population of Hinche has nearly doubled since the quake and more continue to arrive. Most are homeless and hungry and many are children. With supplies already low and the main port in Port-AU-Prince now in ruins, replacement supplies will be slow to come and no doubt costly.

Some good news to report is that Fonkoze (the local bank) has now reopened in Hinche. This means that it will now be possible to receive donated funds. These funds will be needed so that Jean-Louis may purchase replacement supplies for the orphanage and also help with caring for as many new arrivals as possible.

Preparing For Tougher Times After Earthquake
Written by Maison Fortune Admin
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Sunday, 17 January 2010 18:40

It has been five days since a major 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti destroying most of Port-Au_Prince. Current reports state 50,000 dead and that number could reach as high as 200,000. While rescue efforts continue, each passing moment lessens the chances of survivors being found. One thing is certain in that it will be quite some time before any sort of normalcy returns not only to Port-AU-Prince, but Haiti itself.

While the village of Hinche and Maison Fortune Orphanage received no real damage from the earthquake, they will certainly be effected. Tough times will no doubt get tougher. All banks are now closed. The stores have also all closed now and are waiting to reopen for what is referred to as 'Black Market'. Not having any cash due to all banks being closed, Jean-Louis was able to acquire some supplies ( rice, beans, cooking oil etc) on credit before all of the stores closed. With the current number of children already living at the orphanage, Jean-Louis estimates he now has enough supplies for approximately two weeks.

It is inevitable that many more children will begin arriving looking for a place to stay and food to eat. It is also expected that when stores reopen demand will certainly be far greater than available supply driving prices even higher. These are only a few of the problems the orphanage now faces. Quoting Jean-Louis "I would love for Maison Fortune to be able to take more kids especially with all those kids that will be on the street added to the ones that were already on the street. However money is the major factor. If we can find people who want to help we will be more than happy to welcome more kids, especially the street kids."