Back to Haiti

Field coordinators Rene and Marianne Lako have returned to Haiti to continue relief work through the months of November and December. They were joined by two Hope Force reservists for the first week of their return, Dr. Ela Kloda, a Polish physician with a specialty in tropical medicine, and Terry Speller, a counselor from Canada. Both are first time visitors to Haiti.

The trip opened with an orientation session. The following day Ela and Terry traveled with Medical Teams International (MTI) to retrieve medical supplies from Jacmel, a city on the southern coast of Haiti, while Rene and Marianne visited with MTI directors. MTI housed the Reservists for the trip, providing them with accommodation, meals, transportation, a Haitian English-speaking nurse, and a translator.

On the first day of the week, the team also met with other relief organizations in the area. These included Christianville Ministries to see about adding health care opportunities for orphanages, Haiti Health Ministries who are building a new clinic compound, and World Relief for information on re-painting 18 new houses in the area. "It was a productive day introducing the new team to the Sous Savanne and Gressier area; meeting old and new friends and partners," Rene said. "We felt that rather than jumping in and hitting the ground running it would important to make the relationships, confirm arrangements and practice the ministry of presence."

During the first week Dr. Ela, Marianne, and a local MTI nurse, Lisa established community health clinics in two locations, one at a damaged church in the village. The other location was at a local orphanage. In the two weeks 200 people received health consultations and an additional 144 received community health education. Rene described the clinics: "Dr. Ela...has a big heart for the poor and needy and a great love for God. Terry assisted in taking the length and weight stats and Marianne did two health talks using the flip charts with pictures."  Please click here to donate to our work in Haiti. 

As Dr. Ela used her medical knowledge, so Terry put his position as a counselor to use as well, helping children suffering from trauma, a valid issue even two years after the earthquake. From the 159 students at the local Mellier school, some are still suffering from trauma effects. Terry met and talked with the children, primarily holding individual sessions with 14 children to process the earthquake experience with them. The first was said to be very quiet, but the second two boys recalled many details of the earthquake and the initial response. "It was such a joy to be able to hear the little ones have the ability to express themselves concerning this tragedy and they may regain health and stability," Terry said. "With the vital assistance of their teacher (and pastor) they voiced enough of their situation - past and present - to give us an understanding of how best we can help them. All that is necessary is not available to them here and now but those who care so deeply for them know that God is available and that He can do mighty things when we go to him."

Working with other organizations, clinics, and schools in Sous Savanne and Gressier made for long days of driving. Traffic in this area is very busy and congested. These trips were lengthened by the lack of paved-roads in Haiti and proper transportation for these conditions. In October, Rene and Marianne ran a marathon and 10K race in their hometown of Zeeland, Holland, in order to raise money for a new vehicle for use in Haiti. A vehicle necessary to withstand the terrain and carry a team of ten would cost anywhere between $10,000 and $15,000. During the race they raised approximately $3,500. "We simply cannot work and host teams without a reliable vehicle," Rene said. "One cute donation was a bag of coins saved up over time which netted almost $34."

Rene and Marianne are still accepting donations for a new vehicle. Donations can be made by visiting the Hope Force website www.hopeforce.org, clicking on the "Donate Now" button. "We hope to recruit church teams, both for health care and hopefully construction of new transitional homes in Haiti," Rene said. "If you are interested in joining a team, or if you want to put a church team together, please let us know and we'll be happy to host you."