Helping Haiti rebuild

Calling themselves “The HaiT&T Foundation”, this non-profit organisation, set out six years ago to assist the Haitian Sisters of Cluny in the rebuilding of the La Madeleine Orphanage which was destroyed in the January 2010 earthquake that rocked Port au Prince, leaving a trail of destruction.

As I write about the Ball last Wednesday morning, Newsday reports that Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, director of Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency has reported “Matthew was inflicting major damage though the extent was not immediately known....It’s much too early to know how bad things are....” Last Saturday’s benefit in the ballroom beautifully decorated in black and white was very successful and one can only hope that this is not a case of d?j? vu because the foundation had partnered with the Sisters to reconstruct the school which also incorporates an orphanage, which was destroyed at the time of the 2010 earthquake. The Haitian Sisters had spent ten years raising funds to build, and the building was brand new and ready to be occupied.

Already constructed at this time of the hurricane, is the school for 600 children and its adjoining structures of a library, IT room, dining room and laundry.

Funds raised from the ball would assist in the building of one residence – a Care Home housing 20 children Henry, chairperson of the foundation, brought greetings from the chair and told of the total destruction witnessed at La Madeline when she was sent by the Cluny Sisters to assist in 2010.

In a feature address, the Speaker of the House, Bridgid Annisette- George, spoke of the arrival in Trinidad and Tobago of the Sisters of Cluny, 180 years ago in 1336 and their untiring contribution to education and society. As an enjoyable buffet dinner was being served, there was live entertainment from Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, followed by The Cartar brothers; a draw for door prizes; the announcement of raffle winners and results of a silent auction of artwork which included pieces by Erik Feely, one of those who visited and helped the nuns in 2010.And while some guests decided it was time to call it a night, many stayed “to dance the night away”.