Church of the Holy Family

Finishing touches and punch list items are being take care of prior to final activation of the Water Pipeline project in Baptiste, Haiti. In July, the final structure appeared to be completed, but during the operation to fill the Break Pressure Tank, several leaks were discovered and the process was stopped. The Break Pressure Tank is essentially a large concrete tank that was built on the mountainside approximately half way between the water source and the village of Baptiste. It is needed to reduce the water pressure in the pipeline so that the high pres-sure caused by the elevation difference (400 ft.)

The repairs involved application of a sand and cement mixture to seal the walls to pre-vent water leakage. The re-pairs are nearly complete and the plan is to fill the tank in mid September which will place the water project in full operation.

During this same period, an additional water delivery fountain was constructed near the Presbyter’s cistern. This fountain will draw water from the cistern to ensure here is adequate withdraw from the cistern to keep the water fresh. In addition, the pipeline

was extended from the inlet side of the Presbyter cistern to the Zanmi Lasante/ Holy Family clinic in Baptiste. This extension will eventually allow the second water pasteurizer to be installed at the clinic and deliver pasteurized water for use at the clinic

Klinik Sent Fanmi/Holy Family Clinic, Baptiste, Haiti

It’s remarkable how a new roof, fresh paint, some basic supplies and dedicated medical personnel can transform an underutilized clinic and positively impact the lives of so many in this poor, isolated mountain top village in Haiti.

Thoughtful planning and the inter-linking of several key resources with the common goal of providing basic health care to the community of Baptiste, catapulted this vision into reality.

When we as members of Church of Holy Family agreed as a group to twin with St Jude Parish in Baptiste, Haiti we took on the responsibility of caring for our Haitian brothers and sisters spiritually and physically. They are in essence an extension of our family and as members of our family, deserving of our attention and assistance. On the recommendation of our brother and partner Pere Frederic, the Church was rehabilitated and a brand new School and Presbyter built. Children were enrolled, teachers hired and classes started. Despite a minimum tuition and requirement of immunizations as a condition of enrollment, many families cannot afford to send their children to school and those that are enrolled attend intermittently because of recurrent infectious illnesses. Lack of potable water and lack of access to basic heath care creates this public health catastrophe.

Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Church of Holy Family Medical

Subcommittee, the Haitian Minister of Health and a well established NGO

called Partners In Health (Zanmi Lasante in Creole) basic health care has now became available in Baptiste.

Shipping and Distribution

Throughout the past 6 months, medical equipment was collected and stored at Tidewater Community College. On Saturday August 29, we packed and shipped the container bound for Port a Prince Haiti. Many volunteers came out to pack the container in record time of 4 and a half hours. Members of Holy Family Church, Portsmouth Rotarians, and associates of Pastor Don, all volunteered their time to help load the container.

A special thank you to John Knight for leading the packing of the container. The container was shipped out of Miami and should be in Haiti before the end of September.

The medical equipment shipped will help the medical clinic in Baptiste serve the needs of the local population. We shipped equipment to help furnish the medical facilities operated by our friends at Partners in Health. Again, Thanks to everyone who helped with this volunteer effort.

Medical school graduates fulfilling their Public Health responsibilities in Baptiste run the clinics in Baptiste, seeing 50-60 patients a day, Monday through Friday. They are supervised by the Minister of Health and reside at the presbyter supported by private donations. Medications and supplies are provided by Zanmi Lasante. In kind donations are collected, sorted and shipped by volunteers in Virginia Beach to support their work. In another collaborative effort, a Public Health Nurse has been trained in OBGYN Ultrasound. Her new skills has already saved lives as she triages high risk Obstetrical patients to Belladere Hospital an hour and a half away by deeply rutted road, before catastrophe strikes.

Clean water is coming to the town of Baptiste thanks to the monumental efforts of Engineer Dave Plum. Twelve thousand feet of pipe including aerial crossings have been laid out. Please see the Water Project Report for more details.

But all is not perfect at the Klinik Sent Fanmi.

There is intermittent electricity, no laboratory, dental or eye care. The space is small and cramped. Many children are malnourished and despite access to care, often return to the clinic with recurrent diarrheal disease, parasites and failure to thrive.

We need to expand all efforts and are reaching out to you and all our health care colleagues. We need your support, your expertise, and your leadership!