by Kahryl Bennett, NAPS Volunteer
On March 4, 2010, NAPS ventured on their second relief mission to the country of Haiti, where their aim was to “Repair, Rebuild, and Restore.” Twenty-two NAPS volunteers, along with a team of four medical doctors and a dental surgeon, arrived in Port-au-Prince, ready to start working. They were met with the harsh reality that Haiti was still reeling from the earthquake. Structures were still leaning precariously as though the earthquake had just hit, and the rubble had not yet been cleared. Debris still lay on the streets, and people were still searching through the remains of destroyed homes and stores.
NAPS USA joined with members of NAPS Haiti, and they quickly went to work. The volunteers spent the first few days collecting additional food for distribution and planning their upcoming projects, while the doctors assisted at different clinics in the city.
The NAPS relief operation was multi-faceted, offering medical and dental care, educational programs, feeding programs, clothing distribution, and training for new NAPS Haiti volunteers. The healthcare
In order to maximize their efforts, the NAPS team divided into three groups to conduct other programs in the locations of the healthcare clinics. Basic lessons on morals, health, obedience, and other topics were taught at daily at 6 different sites. One young boy named John who attended the Presbyterian School in La Chapelle said, “I am so happy that NAPS is coming to my school. They have taught me so much, and I now I want to be a better person and study hard to do well in school.”
Food insecurity was a preexisting problem in Haiti, and the earthquake magnified this issue. Within the six-week time frame that NAPS was on the ground, they did seven feedings for the children at their school, and distributed bags of beans and rice for adults and families. Over 780 children were fed. The children were so happy to be fed at school, as many of them went through the whole day without a meal. As the children ate they would smile shyly, grab a NAPS volunteers’ hands, and whisper “Merci (thank you), NAPS.” It was a beautiful sight to see the children's health improving day by day.
In the village of Autovent is an orphanage where the children have very little. NAPS did a majority of its clothing distribution in this area. The children were the main focus, but clothing for teens as well as adults was given away as well. In total, about 300 children and adults were blessed with clothing. There was even extra clothing to give away to others in need in La Chapelle as well.
The final objective was to establish a second NAPS Haiti chapter in La Chapelle. Several young people received the training as NAPS volunteers in the 6 weeks the team was in Haiti. After their training, there were several young people who made a commitment to be a part of the La Chapelle chapter. The new NAPS Haiti volunteers were charged to “go and do likewise,” preventing starvation physically, mentally, and emotionally. One NAPS Haiti member, Honoré, expressed many times, “This mission has given me hope. It has renewed my strength to go and keep working. I don’t know what would have happened to me if you had not come to Haiti.” So many others affirmed his statement by similar testimonies and displays of gratitude.
The mission to Haiti is a life experience that will always be in the forefront of the minds of these student volunteers. The
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