Outreach Ministries in Southwestern Haiti
Partnering with Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church – Columbia, SC

Click here to see photos of the Saint Mary's ministry in Haiti!

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

On January 12, 2010 Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake which destroyed the entire infrastructure of the capital city of Port-au-Prince and many, many other areas outside of the city. Hundreds of thousands of people were injured or lost their lives and homes in this earthquake. Saint Mary’s is actively involved with supporting direct disaster relief efforts to help the people of Haiti.

Donations may be made payable and mailed to:

Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church – HAITI RELIEF
170 St. Andrews Road
Columbia, SC 29210

100% of these funds will be used to support distribution of supplies and medical care to the people of Haiti.

HAITI EDUCATION MINISTRY

Since 1999 Saint Mary’s has been actively involved with outreach to God’s people in and around the city of Les Cayes, about 120 miles southwest of the capital of Port-au-Prince. Our commitment to continue and expand the ministries started by Rev. Ellen Hanckel (former Priest Assistant at Saint Mary’s) and her husband, Scott Derks, is deeply appreciated by the people of this area.

Haiti’s population is approximately 9 Million with 42% under the age of 14 and a median population age of 18. Prior to the earthquake, the unemployment rate was close to 80%. Prior to the earthquake, the average annual family income was less than $350 U.S. (less than $1 per day). Now even that level of income will not be achievable until the re-building process can begin. Despite what appears to be a hopeless situation, the people of Haiti put their trust in God that life will get better; their faith and resiliency is remarkable and a testimony to each of us. Although the country’s leadership and security strive to stabilize, the recovery process will take many years while the people continue to face a depressed economy, critical environmental problems and additional annual risks of devastating floods from hurricanes and tropical storms.

Historically, our primary project has been the Haiti Children’s Education Fund and we are thankful for all who have supported this critical project over the years in any way. 1998-1999, we raised funds to send 20 children of St. Sauveur’s Parish members to school. Through prayers and donations of time, talent and gifts from members, family and friends of Saint Mary’s, the Haiti Children’s Education project has grown each year.

In 2009-2010. by the grace of God, we raised enough funds to enable 134 sponsored student members of the St. Sauveur Parish to continue their education and cover a portion of the operating budget for St. Esprit Church School in the southwestern countryside of Cavaillon where 261 children attend classes. Each year our fund raising efforts begin anew with the goal of matching or exceeding donations for the previous year. We also work with the parents of our students to develop self-sustaining projects that we hope will eventually fund the entire countryside school budget and fund a daily feeding program for the children. God is powerful!

The sponsored children and young adult students, range in age from 3 to 32 years old; they receive direct financial assistance for tuition, uniforms and materials so that they can attend a complete year of school. The average cost for education in Haiti has been $100 per school year for Kindergarten through Primary School, $250-$350 for Secondary School and $400-$600 per school year for university level education. Prior to the devastating earthquake, only 10% of the schools in Haiti were public institutions and even those required each student to pay annual fees for materials, books and uniforms. At this time the public school system is virtually non-existent until major rebuilding and restructuring can begin. Church schools, such as St. Esprit, are a primary source of education for the thousands of children who will migrate out of Port-au-Prince and other areas significantly devastated by the earthquake. As a result, it is very likely that the student population of our education ministry will skyrocket over the next year.

The faithfulness and joyful spirit of the people of our mission is remarkably strong, despite the fact that Haiti is the economically the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It is truly a blessing to participate in the ministry to these people and there are many opportunities for prayer, service and support if you and/or your church are interested in joining this partnership.

In addition to the education project in Haiti, Saint Mary’s has participated in a variety of projects which include:

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Contact Joyce Pipkin at (803) 413-3128 or e-mail at jpflys@mindspring.com for more information or to become a partner in this ministry.