For the last 21 years the students of AC-ND have supported a sister school in Haiti through the Archdiocesan programs of Amor en Accion.

The Diocese of Port-de-Paix is the poorest in Haiti. It has a population of over 400,000 people scattered through mountainous areas of difficult access. There aren't any roads. Transportation means are scarce. There isn't electrical power. The water is contaminated. Many people suffer from malaria, tuberculosis, and typhoid fevers. There is just one doctor per 100,00 people. More than 74% of the children are malnourished and have parasites.

The Diocese has only 34 priests who care for 16 parishes divided into small parishes that can be reached only after walking for several long hours. The priests have to do a little of everything in order to respond to the urgent needs of their people. They organize dispensaries and rural schools.

Many of the parishes don't even have a budget and they do not receive help from any international organization other than Amor en Accion.

• More than 45,000 Haitian children will die this year because of curable diseases such as dehydration, diarrhea, and malnutrition.

• In Port-de-Paix, the average yearly salary is $150.

• Life expectancy is 50 years.

• 40% of the population is under 15 years of age.

• Only 2 out of 10 people can read.

"I am proud to say that for several years now people from our Archdiocese have shown the compassion of Christ toward Haitians through movements such as Amor en Accion who has helped to provide housing, medical care and education to people in our sister Diocese of Port-de-Paix…"

Edward A. McCarthy, Archbishop of Miami, Emeritus

Help is needed to support:

• Little rural schools: There are 16 schools and 57 teachers. The teachers receive a monthly salary of $45. Adopt a teacher.

• Nutritional program for rural school children: There are 2,000 children. $5.00 feeds a child for a month. Feed a child.

• Evangelization project: It provides pastoral care, purchase of materials, Bibles, etc.

• Housing project: $1,500 builds a family home.

• Senior home: $25 monthly provides food for 5 home-less seniors. Help them.

• Emergency fund: Helps to purchase medicines and food for victims of tuberculosis, to provide burial and other needs.

• Medical care: Vitamins, antibiotics, medicine for fever, colds, and diarrhea are urgently needed.

Reprinted from Sister Dioceses: Archdiocese of Miami and Diocese of Port-de-Paix, Haiti a pamphlet for Amor en Accion, Archdiocese of Miami with their permission.