CRS President Ken Hackett is visiting Haiti this week as a food crisis continues to cause hardship in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. He shares some thoughts on his first day in the country.

I arrived yesterday in Port-au-Prince from Miami and spent most of the day in our CRS Haiti office receiving briefings on our programs. They are most impressive. In our HIV and AIDS response, the CRS-led AIDSRelief consortium provides life-saving anti-retroviral medication through eight local partner treatment facilities to more than 2,900 people. Another 6,000 people with HIV are receiving clinical care. I also heard about all the support we are providing to orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS.

We are also involved in an interesting joint project with the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY. The project provides basic social services and counseling to Haitians who were deported from the Dominican Republic back to Haiti. We provide assistance to help these folks return to their families and we work with communities in both countries to prevent violence and discrimination and to make sure the rights of these people are respected.

The food crisis is obviously troubling to people here. I wouldn’t say it’s disastrous yet, but it is certainly a problem. The price of gas here is $6 a gallon, which is contributing to the high cost of food.

Although Haiti is poor, it is a beautiful country. It has always reminded me of West Africa. The people are gentle and kind.

Later today, I’ll travel to the southern city of Les Cayes to visit a clinic and some HIV and AIDS programs.

CRS continues to respond to the post-election crisis in Kenya. Recently, staff from CRS and the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret trained 18 volunteers to serve as hygiene promoters in camps in the Eldoret area of western Kenya. One volunteer, Milka Nyambura Kariuki, lives with 2,000 other displaced people in the Burnt Forest camp. Here she shares how she is working with other volunteers to teach residents about improving camp sanitation and personal hygiene:

Volunteer hygiene promoter Milka Nyambura Kariuki is helping her fellow residents improve sanitation in the camp they are living in after being displaced by the post-election violence in Kenya. Photo by Gilbert Namwonja/CRS

Here I educate community members on hygiene and how to keep our neighborhood clean. Eighteen of us were trained, and later on we divided ourselves into different hygiene promotion groups. I was placed in the hygiene education group. In our group, the activities that we carry out include educating people on how to keep their water containers clean, how to boil water and how to use latrines well.

We also trained people on how to wrap food well because of contamination by house flies. We were taught that house flies can cause diseases like diarrhea, vomiting and even headaches.

As a result of our activities, we have witnessed change in the camp. Our IDP camp has become very clean. For example, the other day we carried out house-to-house visits and saw that people’s water containers were clean, food was well wrapped, and they are keeping their surroundings clean all over. Even if you visit the water points, you will find that containers are very clean. Before our activities, people also used latrines poorly, but now they use them well.

I would like to praise Catholic Relief Services very much because I did not expect to receive such training. Now I have changed as a person, and I have become a good example to others, because we were trained to be models for them. Now they practice hygiene as required.

Although peace is now holding, 150,000 people displaced by earlier violence are still living in camps. An additional 130,000 are estimated to be living with friends or relatives, too scared to return home.

In April, the 2008 Called to Witness group will travel to Nigeria to see Catholic Relief Services responding to poverty and fostering peace. Check back in the weeks ahead for postings to our travelogue, telling the story of our journey and pilgrimage to Nigeria. If you are interested in learning more about Called to Witness visit the Called to Witness homepage.

Our fifth entry in the travelogue is written by Christina Lujan, from St. Louis of France Catholic Church.

Enchantment and Honor

Called to Witness participants pose with Father Charles, the rector of the seminary of the Archdiocese of Jos and a newly appointed Bishop in Nigeria.

What an incredible journey thus far! We have been so overwhelmed by the welcoming of the people. Everywhere we turn, we are welcomed with smiles and beautiful greetings. One can feel the joy of our presence in this country. Today we were told by Father Oscar that he was “enchanted” by our coming. We too have been enchanted by what we have heard and seen. What an amazing honor it is for us to sit in room filled with the Archdiocesan youth director and numerous youth leaders that have gathered to highlight their ministry here in Jos. One can honestly say that they are far more advanced in their structure of youth leadership (defined in Nigeria as ages 15-35) than we are in the United States. It was impressive to see and hear how numerous youth organization come together as one. They work collectively to achieve one common goal: to build the youth who are the present and future hope of the church.

We went from an inspiring meeting to yet another blessed gathering at St. Augustine Major Seminary. Just to see and hear that there are over 270 seminarians was inspiring. WOW! We then met with the director, Father Charles, and received the news that we were sitting with a newly appointed Bishop. What an honor!

Yet the day’s excitement was only increasing. We later enjoyed one of the best meals with great company thus far. We were hosted for dinner at the Bishop’s residency in Jos. We were the guests of honor amongst many religious and friends; at least 70. There is no such thing as a ‘small’ meal or gathering. The relationship and interaction of the church with the people is one I have never experienced before. At times it has been hard to differentiate the priest from others. It brought much joy to be able to share a meal with many of the friends we have met during our stay in Jos.

In April, the 2008 Called to Witness group will travel to Nigeria to see Catholic Relief Services responding to poverty and fostering peace. Check back in the weeks ahead for postings to our travelogue, telling the story of our journey and pilgrimage to Nigeria. If you are interested in learning more about Called to Witness visit the Called to Witness homepage.

Our fourth entry in the travelogue is written by David Gallant, from St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish & National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders.

Read the rest of this entry »

In April, the 2008 Called to Witness group will travel to Nigeria to see Catholic Relief Services responding to poverty and fostering peace. Check back in the weeks ahead for postings to our travelogue, telling the story of our journey and pilgrimage to Nigeria. If you are interested in learning more about Called to Witness visit the Called to Witness homepage.

Our third entry in the travelogue is written by Dennis Fisher, from Catholic Relief Services’ Northeast Regional Office.

Read the rest of this entry »

In April, the 2008 Called to Witness group will travel to Nigeria to see Catholic Relief Services responding to poverty and fostering peace. Check back in the weeks ahead for postings to our travelogue, telling the story of our journey and pilgrimage to Nigeria. If you are interested in learning more about Called to Witness visit the Called to Witness homepage.

Our second entry in the travelogue is written by Matthew Robaszkiewicz, from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Read the rest of this entry »

In April, the 2008 Called to Witness group will travel to Nigeria to see Catholic Relief Services responding to poverty and fostering peace. Check back in the weeks ahead for postings to our travelogue, telling the story of our journey and pilgrimage to Nigeria. If you are interested in learning more about Called to Witness visit the Called to Witness homepage.

Called to Witness participants pose with religious leaders from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja (April 17).

Our first entry in the travelogue is written by Sue Versluys, from the Diocese of Rochester.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Washington yesterday. This morning, he will meet with President George Bush at the White House and this evening with the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

To stay informed about the Pope’s visit the Papal Visit Blog. Here, you can read regular updates about what’s happening during the Holy Father’s visit to the United States. You may also want to post your thoughts and reflections about the Pope’s visit in the comments section there.

As Catholics in the United States today celebrate the arrival of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, staff at Catholic Relief Services reflect on his writings and what this visit means to them. This entry is continued from yesterday’s reflections on the Pope’s upcoming visit to the United States.

I was so excited when Chris Tucker [CRS’ US regional director for the Mid-Atlantic] announced the volunteer opportunity for CRS staff members and their families. I immediately jumped at the chance to volunteer for this event. I never dreamed I would have an opportunity to see our Holy Father and attend Mass with him. For me this is a blessing, and I am constantly amazed at the many blessings I have received while working with CRS.

Carol Bobick
Executive Assistant, U.S. Operations

The Pope’s visit gives me a unique opportunity to witness a part of history.

Braggil Barnes
Administrative Assistant, Office Services

The Pope’s visit reminds me that my work is inspired by service to others.

Tara Mulligan
Stewardship Officer

As Catholics in the United States prepare for His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit, staff at Catholic Relief Services reflect on his writings and what this visit means to them:

I’m truly excited about volunteering and attending the Papal Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict is truly an inspiration for us all. I wish my Grandfather Holtman was still alive to join me. He was a devoted Catholic and to have such an extraordinary opportunity would be a true blessing, I know he’ll be watching from the Heavens in excitement for me.

In 1987, Pope John Paul II defined the content of solidarity as “a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”
This principle of moral responsibility should be used within societies and across societies and cultures in international relations.
I’m proud to be representing the CRS family and thankful to be participating in this blessed social event!

Denise Hallock
Administrative Assistant, CRS Donor Services

There are lots of reasons to be giddy about this opportunity! I want to feel the spiritual energy and excitement of the crowd gathered for the Papal Mass. I am proud to be a representative of CRS at such an important moment for the Church in America. But most importantly, I will be giving this opportunity as a gift to my husband, whose life-long dream has been to see the Pope. And now, we will both worship with him!

Carole Zemont-Ndiaye
CRS Volunteer Program Advisor, U.S. Operations