Haiti - 2 Years Later

Haiti is still trying to overcome the devastation caused by the earthquake in January 2010. 

The following information is from Catholic Relief Services: 

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with more than two-thirds of Haitians living on less than a dollar a day. Haiti's poverty is exacerbated by the needs of a large population and by political and socioeconomic instability.


The dire situation in Haiti was worsened by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in January, 2010, which decimated the country's already decaying infrastructure. About 230,000 people died, and nearly 2 million Haitians were displaced. Catholic Relief Services has served in Haiti since 1954. Our experience there allowed us to respond to the earthquake immediately and has positioned us to be a key development actor as the country recovers.

Sr. Arlene Flaherty had the opportunity to travel to Haiti as part of her ministry at Catholic Relief Services.  Sr. Didi Madden has also visited as a volunteer with Ministry of Presence.  The following are some pictures from their work.  Although Haiti was devastated, there is hope, and our sisters are part of that hope, working with locals to rebuild Haiti.

Sr. Arlene with Little Sisters of St. Therese in Port au Prince.

Port au Prince

An orphanage in Port au Prince

Sr. Arlene with CRS staff members who are rebuilding houses in Haiti.

Sr. Didi Madden at an orphange in Duval Roche, Croix-des-Bouquets.

Watch for our next "Praedicare" which will focus on Antonio de Montesino's preaching in Hispaniola (modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic).