Kathy Graham RN at St. Andre mobile clinic

St. Clare’s support for and involvement in the Haiti Outreach Mission (HOM) has been a major factor in the improved medical and educational resources in Mirebalais during the past eight years. Donations of medical supplies, participation in mission trips, and prayers for our friends in Haiti are critical contributions to sustaining this ministry.

St. Clare’s has held nine Annual Haiti Fundraising Feasts to celebrate and finance the ministry of Haiti Outreach Mission. The 2012 Feast, Moon Over Mirebalais, took place on Saturday, October 6, and was a lively and wonderful event. It featured a Caribbean-style dinner, a silent auction with over 100 items (many hand-crafted), a raffle, and rhythmic music from the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band.

Here are ways you can continue to Haiti Outreach Mission’s ministry:

• Volunteer to work on next year’s Feast – our committee welcomes new helpers. We will begin work on the 2013 Feast in May.
• Make an end-of-year donation to support work in Haiti and Washtenaw County. A Donation Guide is available.
• Pray for Haiti. A Prayer Guide is available.

We look forward to continuing our support of the ministry of Haiti Outreach Mission.

Haiti Outreach Mission (HOM), founded in 1999, is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) ecumenical organization that provides medical and humanitarian aid to the people of Mirebalais, Haiti. St. Clare’s has been an active participant in HOM since 2004, providing significant financial support ($196,852) and leadership.

In 2011, HOM work continued in Mirebalais. The medical/dental St. Pierre Clinic, with a full-time physician and a full-time dentist, serves patients daily and is fully supported by HOM ($43,550 annually). Service to all children is free. The 50-bed St. Blasé Orphanage, constructed and furnished by HOM, is also fully supported by HOM ($20,000). HOM provides education help to 4 local schools ($26,600 during the 2011/2012 school year).

HOM served as a collection point for donations to help reduce suffering caused by the earthquake in January 2010.  A $50,000 donation to Haiti Habitat for Humanity to help provide upgradeable shelters for 50 families and permanent housing for 100 families in the Port-au-Prince area was made in 2011, and an additional contribution of $25,000 has been approved for 2012.

The 2011 cholera outbreak necessitated cancelling the annual 2011 HOM mission trip to Mirebalais.  The annual trip was reinstated in February 2012 with 20 volunteers who took 40 pieces of luggage with donated medical supplies plus carry-on bags packed with personal belongings.  The fluoride/dental hygiene team treated 1,567 students and staff (St. Clare’s provided all toothpaste/toothbrushes). A small HOM construction team also rewired all of St. Pierre school in August 2012.

Need in Mirebalais remains great. HOM needs your help to sustain this good work.    Your generous gifts and participation in the 2012 Feast for Haiti make this St. Clare’s outreach commitment a reality. A portion of Feast income also goes toward St. Clare’s local outreach in Washtenaw County.