Update on Klinik Sen Michel and Monday's trip to Haiti from Johanna Berrigan:
Dear Friends,
Included in this message:
*An update on the situation in Haiti from our Haitian co-workers.
*A link where you can view a short video about what is happening at Matthew 25 house, which is where we stay every time we go to Haiti.
*A photo of the soccer field next to Matthew 25 house that has been turned into a field hospital that was taken by our friend, driver, and translator, Daniel
*Questions answered about ways to contribute
We are overwhelmed and so grateful for your outpouring of loving concern, support, and generous donations that have come in since our urgent appeal for Haiti last Wednesday. We deeply appreciate all that you have given. Please forward to your e-mail lists. We have received many donations from people for whom we have no e-mail address. If anyone would like to be added to our e-mail list for periodic updates, please send to: einiegal@yahoo.com.
Through various sources we have learned that the neighborhood where the Klinik Sen Michel is located is not as badly damaged as some of the other neighborhoods. We have heard that all of our health care workers are alive. However, Wilda, our Administrative Assistant, said on the phone days after the earthquake " everyone is homeless, we need help, we need everything." The Klinik Sen Michel building was not badly damaged. It is not being used at this time because they ran out of supplies, and because they are too afraid to be inside a building. Understandably, that fear has escalated with yesterday's 6.1 " aftershock."
We leave for Haiti on Monday, Jan. 25th for one week. Bishop Gumbleton and I will be joined by a team of health care workers including Dr. Susan Rice, Colleen Kelly, FNP and others. We will get to Haiti via the Dominican Republic. Our friend, Daniel, will meet us at the border and drive us to Port au Prince.
Our hope and plan for this emergency trip is: To meet with the health care agents from Klinik Sen Michel and to learn from them what they need from us both now and in the future. To take as many medicines and supplies as we can. To be of assistance to Sr. Mary, Patrick and Vivian at Matthew 25 House which has been turned into a makeshift hospital. To determine how the Klinik Sen Michel building can best be utilized at this time; both by us, and perhaps visiting teams of health care workers in the future. We want to visit the St. Claire's parish community to see how they are doing. We understand that many people in the community are distressed that their loved ones have died and they have had no proper funeral, or burial. It is our hope, that as on previous visits, Bishop Gumbleton will be able to say masses and be a pastoral/ spiritual presence for the community during this time of profound sadness.
Your response to our appeal for help will allow us to provide much needed emergency health care services, medicines, supplies,and a compassionate presence in this time of tragedy. The aid provided by your generosity will get directly to the Haitian people faster than some of the larger aid organizations. Please keep us and all of the Haitian people in your prayers.
To view the short video on Matthew 25 house "Doctors struggle to save lives" go to this link.
Anyone interested in making a donation can make the check out to:
Make checks payable to:
Fonkoze USA,
memo line: Klinik Sen Michel
Send to:
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton,
4800 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48208
Note: If you are not concerned about a tax deduction, checks can be made out to: House of Grace Catholic Worker and sent to
Johanna Berrigan
1826 E. Lehigh Ave.
Phila. Pa. 19125
This makes obtaining cash quicker and easier.
With deepest gratitude,
Peace,
Johanna and Mary Beth for the House of Grace Catholic Worker
and Bishop Tom Gumbleton, Detroit, MI