(ANS – Madrid) – 3 years after, the Haiti earthquake no longer appears in the newspapers, but the situation has not changed much. The Salesian Missions Office, Madrid has produced a series of three documentaries with two aims in mind: highlighting the Salesian presence in Haiti and commemorating the third anniversary of the earthquake on 12 January 2010. “Haiti: 75 years of Salesian presence”, “Reawakening of Haiti” and  “Haiti's children” are the titles of the documentaries which present an as yet unresolved situation.

The history of the Salesians in Haiti begins in 1936, with a request to government for a school of trades to form good Christians and upright citizens. “Today there are some 75 Salesians with one clear objective: helping young people to build a new world”, says Fr Adrian Bregolin, Vicar of the Rector Major, on one of the three videos. “It is a very important occasion, since we are celebrating our anniversary 75 years of sacrifice and presence... Haiti is Don Bosco country”. This is echoed by Fr Jacques Charles, the Economer of the Haiti Vice Province: “Don Bosco would find himself at home here today because this is his people, Don Bosco is of this land, Don Bosco is for Haiti”.

The video “Reawakening of Haiti”, released in October, shows how 30 seconds were enough to destroy 90% of the schools, 60% of the hospitals.. for hundreds of thousands of people to die, 350,000 to be left injured and more than a million children orphaned. Due to this disaster also 75%  of Salesian works were seriously damaged. The documentary sums up 45 seconds that left the country in ruins and makes clear the scope for the Salesians in the country: “Our dream is a better Haiti for young people who can take care of themselves, for secure young people”, says Fr Pierre Lephène, a Provincial Councillor

Haiti is proud of its African roots. It comprises a robust people , people who are survivors. It is a people that has suffered and suffers, and for many reasons: natural disasters and bad government  are amongst them. Poverty and sickness, lack of adequate public services and illiteracy are also part of these difficult circumstances. “I hope that Haiti will not be forgotten” is Fr Lephène's hope in the light of his earlier experience, during and after the earthquake; but he concludes clearly: “we were here before the quake and we will remain”.

“Haiti's children” was published on 9 January last by the Madrid Salesian Missions Office for the third anniversary of the 2010 earthquake. The DVD speaks of Tissidor, who is enthusiastic, indeed mad about music and football; Jean Cerin, who is in charge of the Lakou Centre whichy looks after street kids; Julius, who at 14 years of age has now learned to read and is a welder today; and Joseph Wesner, electricity instructor. These are just some of “Haiti's children” who, like many others since they were very young have learned to survive on the street, threatened and mistreated; they have seen their friends die when they were caught stealing and even the local dogs pretended not to see them when they were out begging or sleeping under cardboard. Salesians like Fr Attilio Stra gave them a hand. The documentary tells their stories.

A copy of the DVDs has been sent to all Slaesian provinces around the world and to every Salesian school in Spain. Around this time the videos will also be broadcast on various Spanish TV networks. “The reawakening of Haiti” and “Haiti's children” can be seen on the YouTube channel for the Salesian Mission Office, Madrid.

Published 11/01/2013