"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"
The Haitian Orthodox Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia provides money and relief to citizens of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Money is used to support education through learning materials (books, computers), teacher salaries, and construction work in the Mission's two schools, the School of St. Augustine and the School of St. Nicholas, and in two parishes, the Parish of St. Augustine in Jacmel and the Chapel of St. Dorothy of Kashin in Port-au-Prince (both parishes are served by a single priest, Fr. Amboise). Money is also used to provide scholarships to students in schools not run by the mission, to provide transportation that supports the mission's purposes, and for necessary liturgical materials in the misson's parishes. Donations are also collected to transport food that has been donated to feed the mission school's students throughout the year (for many of them, their only full meal each day). The costs of this transport alone is near $6,000. Donations are also used to pay the teachers in the mission's schools, and they are especially in need of this now as teachers are behind on their payment due to a lack of donations since Fr. Gregory's repose. Making a contribution ensures serious consolation to many in Haiti, and the growth and renewal of our Holy, Orthodox Faith among those suffering there. May God reward you for your help towards our brothers and sisters in Haiti and towards our holy, suffering Orthodox faith.
The campaign is organized by Joanna Higginbotham in Tennessee , at Fr. Gregory's parish of the Annunciation with help from Seraphim in New Jersey. Money will be collected by Joanna who, together with Fr. Gregory's widow, Matushka Anastasia Williams, will send the money directly to Fr. Amboise in Haiti via secure bank transfer. Fr. Amboise allocates the money to the various sources listed above, which will vary slightly as the circumstances of the mission change over time. Due to conditions of the mission in Haiti, it isn't possible at the moment to send funds directly there. We hope that this will be possible in the future.
This mission was organized and provided for both spiritually and materially by Fr. Gregory Williams before his repose, and since then it has been much harder to collect a suitable amount of funding for the mission. Although there is always need in Haiti, for those who benefit from the mission this is especially so now.
