Letters from overseas: Haiti : Much to learn, much to be done

Notes: Author is a Volunteer in Mission from the diocese of Toronto working at the new university (UniversitÃ© Jacques Theodore Holly) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He comments on the voodoo/vodun religion and the recent deaths of two women killed because a local voodoo priest/priestess "claimed they were able to change themselves into cats and while being a cat killed and ate a child. Therefore they had to be destroyed." He also describes a trip to the community of Hinche in the interior where the people have absolutely nothing: "no roads, no electricity, no water, no toilet facilities, no seeds to plant, no solid buildings, nothing. Yet these people have dignity. They sang for us and provided coconuts so we could quench our thirst. I have spoken with the bishop about this and he agrees something ought to be done, but what and by whom ? It was decided that our university would use its human and scientific resources along with those available in the church to help build up this Christian community. So we have expanded into research, community development and Christian stewardship all at once".

Subjects: Volunteers in Mission - Anglican Church of Canada; Volunteers in Mission - Episcopal Church; Episcopal Church. Diocese of Haiti; Universities and colleges - Haiti; Education - Haiti; UniversitÃ© Jacques Theodore Holly (Port au Prince, Haiti); Voodooism; Poverty - Haiti