Bringing Health and Hope to Haiti

Latrines.

It’s a topic so basic most of us never think about it. But it’s a problem Hank Belusa and his mission team from the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) talked about when they distributed hygiene kits in the impoverished community of Despizo, Haiti. They saw the lack of proper sanitation in the village and knew that properly constructed latrines could transform the health of the community.

The village of Despizo in eastern Haiti

In Haiti, latrines are almost as important as food and shelter. Without them, unsanitary conditions spread diseases like typhoid, malaria, and dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, “2.4 billion people do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility. About 2 million people die every year due to diarrheal diseases; most of them are children less than 5 years of age.”

The PCCT team talked to the community leaders of Despizo and promised they’d build latrines. Back at home in Chatham, Hank planned to raise $1,500 for two latrines, but was surprised he raised enough for four.

One set of the latrines built by Foundation for Peace

Pastor Valentin asked if they’d consider building enough latrines for the entire village -- which meant raising another $5,000. “I thought, we now have a proactive effort in Despizo where we’re impacting the lives of 200 people who pretty much felt nobody cared about them,” Hank recalled. He gave Valentin his word and trusted God to provide, “We’re giving them hope. I couldn't let this fail.”

In June 2013, he began fundraising again. Thanks to a significant donation from a church member's employer, the goal was within reach. “It was amazing how we all came together. By mid-August we’d raised the funds,” said Hank.

“We told the villagers we’d build more latrines if they properly maintained the first four---and they have,” Hank said. “What this means is that while they can’t pay for it, the community members have a stake in it and they can say, ‘I actually made an impact on my village.’”

Pastor Valentin and Ken Culver lead the dedication ceremony.
CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO OF CEREMONY.

In November, Foundation for Peace leaders dedicated the latrines and presented them to the community.

It might not seem like much to us, but to the people in Despizo these beautiful new latrines mean improved health, renewed hope and evidence that they are cared about and loved.

Consider going on a mission trip to Haiti or the Dominican Republic to see for yourself how lives are being changed and communities transformed. 

Would you like to help Foundation for Peace bring hope, health, education and transformation to communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti?