THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
Special ‘THANKS!’ to those who walked with me in the Walk-a-thon on the Chrysler Greenway - Ann Dunmore, Debi Malley, Reenie Nash, Karen Kennedy, Harold Lapoint, and Linda. It was a great day, and we plan to do it again in 2003!
My first work trip to Haiti with Harold Lapoint, Karen Kennedy and Ann Walker was a terrific experience - an adventure I’ll never forget! The children of Haiti are just beautiful, and what a joy to be able to personally help so many! Your support of the Callebasse School has made such a difference in the lives of those children. Nixon & Marion Dorleus, who run the school, are a dedicated couple who have devoted their lives to educating the very poor mountain children of the area. They are so grateful for your love and support, and they send their heartfelt THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
It was a privilege to be part of the Christian Community at GLA, where we stayed during our visit. John Dixie Bickel, who run the orphanage, are a remarkable couple from Illinois, who put their faith into action. Your donations are greatly appreciated - especially the crib sheets!
I did return to Haiti February 11, 2003, and stayed at GLA. I also visited Callebasse School.
This year our goal for the Ruthven Pastoral Charge is to raise $7,000 to support the completion of the School at Callebasse, I would also like to help them install a Solar Power System. It would be great to sign up more sponsors for the children at the School. The cost is only $30. per month and provides a uniform, school supplies, food and assistance for the school program. All the children benefit from your support! Our goal is to find 10 NEW SPONSORS this year!
I hope and pray that, in the future, some of you will be able to accompany me to Haiti, and have the privilege of meeting all the NEW FRIENDS that we’ve made there! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING - MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US AS WE SHARE OUR BLESSINGS WITH THOSE AROUND THE WORLD! IT IS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL!
John Blair
Outreach Coordinator
HERE I COME AGAIN!
Yes, on November 20/03 I head back to Haiti. It's been nine months since my last visit - how the time goes by! I wonder how the children at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage have grown - how many have been adopted - how many new little ones have arrived??? I wonder how Nixon & Marion are managing at the Callebasse School - how is their new little daughter - how is the school progressing - how many English songs can the children sing now??? I wonder what exciting adventures await me - who will I meet - where will I travel in the country - how will I be able to help - what will I learn???
I know that God goes with me and that I will be able to take your love to the people of Haiti. I want to THANK YOU for all your support! SPECIAL THANKS to the UCW for sponsoring the Pasta Dinner in June. We raised $1,640 to pay the teachers at Callebasse School and to help add the second floor to the school building. It's a wonderful project!
SPECIAL THANKS to those who sponsor children at Callebasse - we have 13 New Sponosrs this year! All those who attend (approx 70 children) are supplied with a school uniform, learn to read and write, study the Bible, and are given a hot meal at lunch time every day! This gives the children and all their families HOPE!
SPECIAL THANKS to all who donated sheets & supplies for God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. Those little children are very special and close to my heart.
I will be staying at the Orphanage again this year, and I know how much John and Dixie Bickel appreciate your kindness.
THANKS TO ALL FOR CARING SHARING!
Our Annual Walk-a-thon was held on Saturday, October 4th. We once again walked the Chrysler Greenway (approx 30 miles) and we all appreciate your support. You can still sponsor any of the walkers (Debi, Ann, Reenie, Harold, Linda & more) or make a donation for the walk. All the money raised will go to our Haiti Mission Project. We hope and pray that this year we will raise enough to complete the second level of the school.
Once again, THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU! PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS! I will be on Haiti November 20th to December 4th.
Haiti Here I Come Again!
CHRISTMAS IN CALLEBASSE, HAITI
On November 26, 2003 two local men, Jack Lecot of Leamington and John Blair of Ruthven, celebrated Christmas with the children and teachers at Callebasse Christian School in the Kenskoff Mountains of Haiti. Each child was given a French Language Children's Bible supplied by the Gideons.
These children are from very poor families and this was the first book of their own that they had ever received - they were so excited! They were also each given a Christmas Gift Bag supplied by many in the area who gave generous donations. The children sang songs in Creole and in English. John had taught them a few simple English songs on his last visit. He said, "It was so inspiring to hear these children sing the songs I taught them. We sang together and laughed together and had a great time!"
On November 26, 2003 two local men, Jack Lecot of Leamington and John Blair of Ruthven, celebrated Christmas with the children and teachers at Callebasse Christian School in the Kenskoff Mountains of Haiti. Each child was given a French Language Children's Bible supplied by the Gideons. These children are from very poor families and this was the first book of their own that they had ever received - they were so excited!
They were also each given a Christmas Gift Bag supplied by many in the area who gave generous donations. The children sang songs in Creole and in English. John had taught them a few simple English songs on his last visit. He said, "It was so inspiring to hear these children sing the songs I taught them. We sang together and laughed together and had a great time!"
The school is being sponsored by the Olinda-Ruthven United Church and is an official Outreach Program for the Ruthven Pastoral Charge. The construction of the first level of the school has now been completed. There are two classrooms where the children learn to read and write. The second level will be started in February which will be a residence for the principal, Nixon, and his family. There will also be a guest room and John is anxious to return to see the progress. The Haiti Mission Project Fund at Ruthven pay the six teachers at Callebasse School monthly, and also supply funds to complete the school building. There is also a Sponsorship Program for the children at the school. Jack and John took gifts from many sponsors and presented them to their sponsored child. They are so appreciative of all we do for them. John explains, "The mountain people of Haiti are so special. They are a warm, loving, handsome people who have a strong Christian faith and they need our help. Only 30 % of the children are given the opportunity of receiving an education, and that is being supplied by Mission Groups.
I'm so glad that we can reach out and share our faith! It's so rewarding!"
John is thrilled about the support the local community has offered and invites anyone interested to contact him.
He is available to supply information about Haiti or to speak to groups interested in sponsoring children at the Callebasse School. He challenges us all, "This is an opportunity to reach out and put our faith into action. God expects us to share our blessings so let's work together to help the children of Haiti!"
John Blair
Haiti Mission Project
Callebasse School in Haiti is in a mountainous area near Kenscoff. There are about 75 children who attend the school. The people in the area are mostly farmers growing garden crops to feed their family and to sell in the market place. Children seldom have the opportunity to go to school. Some are able to attend only occasionally after the planting or harvesting has taken place. Your sponsorship will provide the only chance many of these children will ever have for an education.
We started building the School at Callebasse about 15 years ago and it has come a long way. Since then other Churches have begun to help, Epworth and Bethel-Maidstone United Churches both with the School and building new homes following the Earthquake. There has been enough money raise to build 20 new homes.
Our school withstood the Earthquake, though many homes in the area were lost. In 2011 we had a fundraiser "Buy a block" and “Build A Home”.
We send money to the School for the Principle to purchase food for the families in Haiti at Callebasse. We collect money and have fundraisers to help feed the chldren and pay the teachers salaries. If you would like to donate, please make your cheque out to "The Haiti Mission Project" c/o Maggie Lapoint, 163 Victoria Avenue, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1T5, or the Church Office Ruthven Pastoral Charge, Box 370, Ruthven, ON N0P 2G0 . All proceeds go to the School and Community. Donations of $20. or more will receive a tax receipt. Your help is greatly appreciated.
We also work with ACWAM and their sponsorship program, here are some pictures of the school and the team from last December Some pictures of the school we built.
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For information on ACWAM |
If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please click on the
Sponsorship Form, print and send your cheques to: If you have any questions please contact Francine Hamel, the sponsorship coordinator for the school. She will contact you with additional information as well as a photo of your sponsored child.
Phone: 519-685-9254 Email; hamelfrancine@hotmail.com Here is a Christmas Letter from Francine Callebasse Newsletter November 26, 2012 Merry Christmas! I am pleased to be writing you my first newsletter. I have just returned from Haiti where I had the privilege to visit the Callebasse school. It was my pleasure to travel with John Blair, Lynn Poisson and Dean Shoemaker. It was wonderful to see the children, teachers and Principal Nixon. During the trip, our team distributed Christmas gifts and candy to the children. We were very fortunate to bring gifts from Epworth United Church who made the cloth gift bags and filled them with presents for 75 children. The team returned a second day to distribute food bags to each family of the students who attend. It was an amazing experience as they are so grateful for the generosity of Bethel-Maidstone United Church who donated towards the food bags and candy. If you are interested in contributing to food bags next year please let me know. I would to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous sponsorship support. The children at the school look very healthy. The funds you send help with paying the teachers and other school expenses, including a meal at lunchtime. After distributing the food bags, we had the opportunity to have a meeting with Principal Nixon and the teachers. While they are very grateful we did learn that things are becoming even more difficult. We are challenged to send more funds as we have some sponsors who could no longer continue. Please continue to pray for the families of Callebasse School. We are also in great need of more sponsors, so if you know of anyone interested sponsoring a child please encourage them to contact me. The great thing about this program as you know, is that 100% of funds go directly to the school. While we were there, we had the opportunity to visit the home of one student’s family. This family lost their house in the earthquake and unfortunately their father had passed away 3 years ago. Through a program administered by John Blair at Bethel-Maidstone United Church, a number of individuals and churches are raising funds to build even more homes. There were a total 20 students whose families lost their home. New homes are being built for $3,200 each. If you or others are interested, please let me know. On behalf of Principal Nixon, the teachers and all of the students: “Thank you again for your support and God bless you!” Sincerely, Francine Hamel With the devastation that hit Haiti in January 2010, it has been somewhat difficult to get updates on the children at Callebasse Christian School. We received word from Principal Nixon that the children are safe and the school is still standing and in good condition. Praise the Lord! This is such great news. In March, John Blair and some friends, loaded with supplies, went down to Haiti to help out. Their first stop was God’s Littlest Angles Orphanage. John reported that life at GLA is continuing in spite of the difficulties in getting supplies. The building has not been damaged and that they are focusing on distributing relief efforts to the surrounding neighborhoods. In days following, as the team made their way up to Callebasse, they were filled with joy to see the school kids running about. The team was also very relieved to see that there was no physical damage to the school! Nixon on the other hand, suffers from a broken leg and broken arm sustained from falling down the stairs in the earthquake. He is on crutches but is still in high spirits. The kids are all well and looking very healthy. The school reopened doors for classes on March 1st and have 75 kids in attendance currently. On Sunday morning, over 125 attended the Sunday School and Worship Service – 75 kids and 50 adults. It was a wonderful morning singing praises to God! John was also able to report on the building improvement that had been done on the school over the past year. A latrine that was started last spring is now up and available for the children to use. A propane stove has been added to the kitchen to help prepare meals for the children. The Sunday School is named Children of Light, and they have new uniforms for the Sunday mornings! We are so pleased that these projects are completed and that the earthquake did not hinder their progress. On their last day visiting Callebasse, the team distributed 75 bags of food to the families at the school. These bags included rice, pinto beans, cooking oil, tomato paste, tuna fish, dry spaghetti noodles and small amount of sugar. These bags were handed out to parents of the students attending classes at Callebasse. Also, with leftover funds, the team was able to purchase 8 – 25kg bags of rice for the school. The kids however, were more excited about the candy bags that they received! We want to thank our sponsors so much for their commitment and faithfulness in their response to Haiti. Without your continued support, we would not be able to bless the children at Callebasse the way we have this past March. Please continue to keep Haiti in your prayers as they move forward with life and adjust in these difficult times. Thanks for bringing hope to the children of Haiti! Sincerely,
ACWAM Outreach Ministries
Box 372 105 Christina St. S.
Sarnia, ON N7T 7J2
Sponsorship Coordinator
519-685-9254
hamelfrancine@hotmail.com
Callebasse Christian School – 2010
Dean Shoemaker
(former) Sponsorship Coordinato
Callebasse Christian SchoolHAITI MISSION PROJECT
CALLEBASSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
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 | The Callebasse School is near Kenscoff, South of Port-au-Prince |
Some of the Children |
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| The School | John and Nixon |
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HAITI MISSION PROJECT |
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MY RETURN TO HAITI - March 2010
On arriving in Port-au-Prince, we were faced with rubble and confusion. Yes, we were back in Haiti, but it was different this time. The airport terminal was heavily damaged and mostly unusable. After jack and I retrieved our luggage, we were off to God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage. Along the way we could see piles of concrete, people wandering the streets, tent cities everywhere you looked. The damage was unbelievable.
When we reached God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage, things were better. Although there was destruction in the area, the orphanage sustained little damage. many of the orphans have gone to their forever families, and only about 20 are waiting to be adopted. However, about 35 children from another orphanage are being cared for here, since their home was completely destroyed. Everyone was happy to see us, and we enjoyed visiting with our friends.
On Saturday (March 13) we traveled up to Callebasse Christian School. I was anxious to see Nixon and deliver the food bags we had packed on Thursday. Nixon is recuperating, but still has a cast on his arm and pins through his leg. he was so happy to see us! We returned to the school on Sunday morning for Sunday Worship. Over 125 people attended the Sunday School – 75 children and 50 adults. After the singing and celebrating, we passed out candy bags to the children. What a wonderful morning praising God!
On Tuesday morning Nixon arranged for us to meet with the children and their families at the school. About 25 of the families have lost their homes in the earthquake, including our sponsorship child, but they still came with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts. We distributed 75 Food Bags to these families. It was a blessing for us to be able to share our love and our faith. Thanks to the many wonderful people who have donated to the Haiti Mission Project, we were able to bring a little glimmer of hope to our friends in Haiti.
God is so good! Bondye Beni Ou! God Bless You!
John Blair,
Mission Coordinator
Our Other Mission In Haiti is
GOD'S LITTLEST ANGELS ORPHANGE
God's Littlest Angels focuses on three primary areas of ministry to the people of Haiti: our Medical Ministry, our Adoption Ministry, and our Outreach Ministry. God's Littlest Angels was founded with its primary purpose being the provision of medical care to premature, malnourished and abandoned infants in Haiti. This purpose still forms the core of our Medical Ministry. Whenever possible, the mission works to return infants cared for by our Medical Ministry back to the homes of their parents. |
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However, we are regularly called upon to care for children of all ages that have been abandoned by their families, or have been given up by their families due to economic, medical or other circumstances. In order to address the need for homes that these children have, God's Littlest Angels began our Adoption Ministry - placing the children in Christian homes in North America and Europe.
Children from "God's Littlest Angels"
If you would like more information on
"God's Littlest Angels Haitian Baby Ministry" click on the site below.
"God's Littlest Angels Haitian Baby Ministry"
Dixie’s blog from God’s Littlest Angels - Haiti
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