The Sisters of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, founded the Tri-IHM Haiti
Outreach Project in 1995 in gratitude for and recognition
of their founder, Theresa Maxis Duchemin, who was of Haitian
descent. The Oblate Sisters of Providence became a part
of the sponsorship in 2000.
The purpose of the project is to give financial support
to and raise awareness about the work of the Little Sisters
of Ste. Therese of the Child Jesus, the first congregation
of Haitian women founded in 1948 in Marbial in the Diocese
of Jacmel. Dedicated to educate and bring the gospel message
to the rural population of Haiti, the Little Sisters of
Ste. Therese whose Motherhouse is now in Riviere Froide,
outside Port-au-Prince, have missions throughout the country.
The Little Sisters sponsor 26 elementary schools and 6
secondary schools where tuition is $60 per year and each
child is served lunch, usually their only meal of the day.
They also have 15 Centers for Women where young girls are
taught skills to help them earn a living such as sewing,
cooking, embroidery.
They have established 80 clinics in the mountains whose
programs teach pre and post natal care, and healthy nutrition
to over 600 women each month. Those involved in the program
also receive flour, lentils, cooking oils and vitamins twice
a month.
The Little Sisters also manage 20 dispensaries, 2 homes
for the elderly and a TB clinic. They receive little or
no payment for the work that they do and live day to day.
Because of the situation in Haiti, they don't have access
to organizations of benefactors from which to receive support
for their work. Consequently, they are very dependent on
this project as well as the generosity of their friends
and families abroad to help them with their work among the
poorest of the poor of Haiti. Will you help us help them?
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