| Italy – A jersey for Haiti |
| Haiti – The re-construction of the Salesian centres |
| Haiti – The three stages of the Salesian presence |
| RMG – Message of the Rector Major to the Salesians of Haiti |
January: 3 Salesians and over 250 children with several teachers from Salesian schools lost their lives; various works were severely damaged. On 17 January, a committee met to made a rapid assessment of the main needs of the people and the damage and losses suffered by the Salesian Family. 3 days later on 20 January 11 trucks loaded with water food and other material arrived from the Dominican Republic.
February: On 12, 13 and 14 February the Rector Major Fr Pascual Chávez visited Haiti encouraging the Salesians to hold firm in the emergency and to know how to transform the tragedy into an “opportunity to rebuild the country and the Salesian community.” Fr Chávez invited the whole Congregation to give their support
March: On 3 March, the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Adriano Bregolin, visited the Salesian centres in Haiti; a start was made laying the foundations for the presence of the Community of the Mission of Don Bosco. On 19 March lessons recommence in tents at the Institute of Philosophy in Fleuriot and on 22 there was a first large–scale planning meeting to establish the criteria for and the overall costs of the re-construction.
April: The Salesian schools start up again. On 5, 6 and 7 April the Council of the Vice Province meet in the tents at Gressier to organise the plan for Salesian re-structuring and re-construction. On 26 April, there was a meeting in Santo Domingo with the Provincial of the Antilles and the Don Bosco Foundation, to thank them for their moral and material support from immediately after the earthquake.
May: The Salesians begin to repair the damage with the help of the Rinaldi Foundation.
June: On 4 June Fr Sylvain Ducange, Superior in Haiti, in a letter addressed to the Rector Major, asks for funds to be sent for the various emergency activities and to start new projects.
July: Between 8 and 17 the casket of Don Bosco is in Haiti re-vitalising the spiritual communion of the Salesian Family.
August: Between 1 and 4 August Fr Václav Klement, Councillor for the Missions pays a visiti. Between 23 and 27 August Neill SM Olanda, New Rochelle, closely collaborates with the Rinaldi Foundation to check the communication platform.
September: With the start of the school year 2010-2011, there is a return to “normality”, with lessons, meetings, projects, catechism, sport and music, with activities often taking place in tents or pre-fabricated buildings.
October: Between 17 and 24 the Provincials of the Interamerica Region meet together in Haiti, and on that occasion at Fleuriot the first stone is laid of the new Vice Provincial House. School work intensifies. At the first alarms regarding cholera, the Salesians, helped by some doctors, conduct a prevention campaign in the schools and on the radio.
November: Hurricane Thomas causes damage in some areas and the Salesians provide accommodation for people who have left their own homes afraid of being flooded. The youngsters supervised by a Salesian priest in Cité Soleil, succeeded in clearing a canal which threatened to flood the area.
December: The final results of the elections are announced, but on account of claims of rigging some cases of disorder break out, which although kept under control nevertheless necessitate the closing of the schools for some days.
A year of hard work during which the Salesians continue a process of rebuilding hope through their presence and starting the re-construction of premises, which will give young people, especially the poor ones, a future, just as Don Bosco wanted.
Published 12/01/2011
