Marist Work in Haiti

With so many world agencies pouring time, energy and funds into Haiti since th earthquake, it is encouraging to note that the Marist Brothers, who have had communities in Haiti under the auspices of the Canadian province for many years, are actively involved in helping to rebuild the country, but, of course, with the emphasis on the education of youth. The Province of "Mexico Occidental' in particular has been raising funds and working with the International Marist Fund, FMSI, to bring solar power to one of the schools run by the brothers, as well as helping to develop and enhance some of the basics, such as drinkable water and electric power. We Americans tend to forget that what we take so much for granted, such as clean running water and electricity, do not exist in many areas of the world, such as Africa, and Haiti.
In a village called Dame-Marie, the brothers operate a secondary school, "Notre Dame de la Nativite" which has 368 students but which is in process of expanding, and new buildings are needed at a primary school, Notre Dame de Fatima, already schooling 340 pupils. In another town, Jeremie, the Marist community is working on a project to increase farm production in conjunction with the Marist University of Merida in Mexico.
It is amazing to see how the vision of St. Marcellin of making Jesus known and loved finds its way to such practical expressions of meeting the needs of the "least favored" and in so doing in the name of Jesus, leads them to him. May this slice of good news Marist Bread nourish our hearts and fire our imaginations as to ways we can concretely live out our Marist Mission.
Bro. Rene