Helping Hugs Inc
Success StoRies
Students learning proper hand washing techniques at the school clean water station.
Two new 500 gallon water tanks on the rectory roof supply the rectory and the school with water.
Clean Water Project
Thank you donors. The water purification system has been installed as of July 22, 2016. Clean water is available at three locations: at the foot of the church where the entire community has access, the education/rectory building and the school. Father Islaire is very happy that potable water is now available throughout the education/rectory building.
The water distribution station (during the construction phase) at street level, below St. Joseph church.
A hand-washing and drinking station has been built at the school as part of the project. People from the village will now be able to access clean water in the center of town, rather than walking hours to the nearest government provided source or the nearby contaminated river. We are most grateful to Dr. Kevin Fussell and his organization, World Water Relief, for their commitment to the installation of this project. As a result of the success of this project, a second project was begun and completed in August of 2018. It is located in the village of Mayette, a mountain community that experiences outbreaks of Cholera during the rainy season. Cholera being a water-borne disease, can be significantly reduced with a source of clean, potable water. Water borne diseases are a major problem for the people of Haiti and so Helping Hugs, Inc. is dedicated to bringing clean sources of water to these communities. We can only do it however with your help so please consider making a donation to help the children and parents of this region of Haiti to remain healthy.
Reconstruction
The recent hurricanes and earthquake of 2010 have left the infrastructure of the Cotes-de-Fer area of Haiti in desperate need of repair. During the past two years we have helped rebuild 10 homes and supplied building materials to some of the 10 chapels and St. Joseph Church under the direction of Father Islaire Faustin. In July of 2018 we provided the funds for a roof at the St. Lawrence Chapel. Parishioners can now attend Mass and community events without the fear of inclement weather interfering with their activities.
Education Building/Rectory
We’re delighted to report that the fundraising for the Education Building/Rectory has been completed. Your generosity has enabled Father Jude to make this building the focal point of a compound at the top of the hill in Côtes-de-Fer. The building itself contains multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge kitchen eating area, chapel, sitting area inside and outside, and a storage area.
If you’re wondering what happened to the second story on this building, Father Jude explained that the configuration would be too dangerous in case of another earthquake and that it would be too hot. Instead, he has developed the compound consisting of an outdoor kitchen; a cistern for the collection of water; a three-room school; a garden area and a raised, open-air, thatched roof rotunda that is quite comfortable for meetings when the gentle breezes blow off the ocean. We have contributed to the construction of all of the outbuildings, except the school.
Annual Shipment of Goods
Thank you! Your generosity helped us send over 1900 pounds of equipment and supplies this year for St. Joseph parish in Haiti. Men, women and children will enjoy ditty bags of personal care items, sun glasses, eye glasses and medicines. Children will delight in new dresses and shorts hand-made by the Dorcas Group of the First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island, as well as donated uniforms from St. Francis Catholic school. Adults will appreciate newly sewn aprons and utility bags from the Dorcas Group. Contributions were also made by the Brunswick Chapter of The Links, Holy Nativity Church and the water aerobics class at The Club. Father Islaire is grateful for these items which he uses as rewards for youth participation in the choir, liturgical dance and alter servers. Our nurses will use the ditty bags during the upcoming medical mission trips.
HELPING HUGS INC. SENDS CHILDREN TO SCHOOL
For the past 4 years, we were privileged to support children in the Côtes-de-Fer area of Haiti in attending school. These are children who would not be able to attend school without your support. During the first year, enough money was received to sponsor 40children. For the year 2013 – 2014, your donations resulted in 82 sponsorships.
For the school year (2014 – 2015) Father Jude Fils Aimé asked if we could help support 100 students. Fr. Jude operates 3 schools: two are in the mountains and the third is in Côtes-de-Fer specifically for the street children. Realizing the vast need and understanding the generosity of our community, the Education Manager for Helping Hugs, Inc. stretched the goal to 125 students. Gratefully, we can report that enough money was received to send 138 students to the 3 schools. The cost for an elementary student is approximately $50 per year
For the school year 2015 – 2016 our campaign ended on August 31st and the Education Manager has reported that enough contributions were received to support 163 children.
For 2016 – 2017, we 223 underprivileged children were sent to one of the three schools in the area.
The fund drive for the school year of 2017 – 2018 was just completed and your compassion and commitment to this wonderful project continues to grow as we are able to fund up to 285 students.
Thank you for all the prayers, encouragement and support for the children of Haiti. You are making a difference. If you would like to work with this committee or have questions, please send an email to the Education Manager at info@helpinghugsinc.org. Sponsor a Child
MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS
History: Since 2009, Helping Hugs, Inc. has conducted 8 mission trips to Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti. During these mission trips the teams provide medical care, medicines, supplies and equipment to patients in select chapel communities in the Cotes de Fer area. In addition to the medicines and medical supplies, we have made a number of shipments of personal hygiene items and over the counter medicines.
The local director of health care, who knows the patients in the area, has joined the mission team during each mission to assist in providing care to patients. During these mission the teams have treated as many as 1000 patients in 4-5 days. Many of the patients suffer from infections from contaminated water in the river. That is where they bathe, wash clothes and get water for cooking and drinking.
The missions have been valuable especially to the people in the remote areas because the nearest hospital is many hours away by foot or donkey and costly for people with limited resources.
