Called by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez, after his visit to Haiti, the meeting focused on the objectives in order to achieve an integrated and shared view of the situation in Haiti after the earthquake of 12 January, and to coordinate future activities at various levels.
Taking part in the meeting were the Rector Major, Bro. Claudio Marangio, Economer General, Fr Václav Klement, Councillor for the Missions, Fr Ducange Sylvain, Superior of the Vice Province of Haiti, Fr Mark Hyde, from the New Rochelle Mission Office, Sr. Vilma Tallone, Councillor for Administration of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), Sr. Rosangiola Giorgi, FMA, and several representatives of the Don Bosco Network, (DBN) the Jugend Dritte Welt (JWD), Jóvenes y Desarrollo (JyD), the International Volunteer Movement for Development (VIS), COMIDE and “Noi Per Loro” (NPL) from Turin.
The Rector Major opened proceedings and read his letter sent in February after his return from Haiti. Fr Chávez recalled the responsibility of the Salesians regarding the people of Haiti and the need to work for a rebirth, not only physical, but also psychological and human which needed to be managed and coordinated locally.
Following on from this it was pointed out that as far as the administration of aid was concerned, the “Rinaldi Foundation” of the Salesians in Haiti was the focus. This Foundation id operating under the supervision of the Superior of the Vice Province Fr Sylvain. Considering the need for highly qualified personnel, the DBN offered to make available to the “Rinaldi Foundation” one of its own experts. As far as economic aid was concerned, the need to watch over the collecting of funds was emphasised. Estimates suggest that reconstruction will require about 95 million euro.
In addition to the report by Fr Sylvain, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians also gave an account of their situation. Of the 14 communities in Haiti, 8 need quite important work to be done on them. The house in Pétion Ville and the Mary Help of Christians Institute in Port-au-Prince, the first with 2000 pupils and the second with 1700 plus a boarding section for 90 children were damaged and then totally demolished. Now they need re-building.
Among the practical suggestions was that of having a Haitian correspondent for the Salesian world in Haiti, in a position to look after the flow of information and to establish a web-site to be used to furnish information and to coordinate aid.
Saturday’s meeting will be followed by another involving Salesian aid agencies to be held on Monday 12 April in Haiti. In this meeting the details, methods, aims and priorities will be dealt with.
Published 29/03/2010
