Ti pa, ti pa na rive!' Little little, will continue! Resourceful Haitians put one foot in front of the other

By Christina Manweller with Barbara Wander CoL

When Barbara Wander CoL retired from 30 years of public school teaching in 2000, she decided to visit the countries from which her students had emigrated, starting with Haiti. It soon became clear she wouldn't make it to the other countries. The Haitians had captured her heart. Ever since, she has helped in whatever ways she could.

Barbara's assistance helps provide scholarships for elementary, secondary and university students and helps the Little Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in their work. The Little Sisters have 42 missions across Haiti that include schools, clinics, hospitals, orphanages, centers for the elderly, agriculture centers and professional centers. Barbara says, "If we help the sisters keep going, we support all this work."

In the midst of the country's present unsettled condition, Barbara is undaunted in her determination to help. "We don’t quit," she says, "we keep going. I’m trying to do whatever I can to keep going."

Haitians are very resourceful. "It’s interesting," Barbara says, "here’s this country with all these problems, and the people just get stronger and smarter. If they have 20 goud* … they are going to do the most they can do with that money."

The country's formidable problems are complex, exacerbated by foreign entities, power-seeking individuals and a shattered political system. In the face of it, Barbara says, “Haitians are still trying to educate their kids and heal as many people as they can." It seems the Haitians are always being asked to do their best in the most difficult of circumstances.

To donate to this work, please visit our donate page and select "Other Ministries" from the drop down menu. On the next page, type in "Haiti." Or mail your donation in the envelope provided.

* The goud is the Haitian national currency.

Facing page, at bottom, schoolchildren wash up using a basin and cup.

This page, clockwise from top left, a plastic bottle becomes a soccer ball in a playground game.

Scraps of cloth become a sail.

A plastic bottle and four bottle caps become a truck.

An old tire becomes a garden.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Wander CoL