Haitians Helping Haitians Organization

View new video of HHHO children!

2011-07-06T14:40:00.003-05:00

Video made by HHHO co-founder Connie Marthaler from pictures taken June 2011. http://animoto.com/play/Ur151Qk01rDYCYCFE5bvnQ?utm_content=main_link

IMPORTANT NEWS! SPONSOR A CHILD KICK-OFF!

2011-03-22T10:12:00.000-05:00

HHHO is now accepting sponsors for the displaced children in our care. Most of them have been orphaned in the earthquake. For $35 a month, you can help provide housing, medical care, food and clothing, schooling, and spiritual discipleship for these beautiful children.

When you sponsor a child, you will receive a portfolio of your child, including a photo, biography information and correspondence guidelines. HHHO will make every effort to have your child communicate to you through letters, drawings, photos, and school progress reports. You are invited to write to your child and send pictures of yourself.

To see the children and read their stories, click here. To read more about our sponsorship program, click here.

The love of my life...

2011-02-10T19:54:00.003-06:00

This was a blog posting that I had written on January 12th 2011 that I thought I would share with you all. God continues to bless Haiti and He's been doing it through all the prayers and financial support of you. So thank you from the bottom of my heart and HHHO.

As I look back on the year of 2010, I’m frequently reminded of the mass destruction, the loss, despair and pain of the Haiti 7.0 earthquake. I was sitting in my first grad school class and bored out of my mind during syllabus reading that I took my blackberry and started checking facebook statuses and the news updates. All of a sudden, majority of them read “praying for Haiti” or “how sad what just happened in Haiti.”

It was at that moment where my stomach felt a deep stomach churn. I thought I was getting sick. I don’t know what that was for but for some reason I became obsessed with Haiti. It was laid so heavy on my heart that I began to feel called to do something. A friend of mine reached out weeks later and we decided we were going to go to Haiti and help take care of some children who had lost everything in the quake. If it weren’t for my friend Michael and Haitian Helping Haitian organization, I would never have met the loves of my life or experienced a place where I felt at home.
After only 5 weeks of preparation, I found myself on a plane from Chicago to Port Au Prince. We arrived in PAP and were bombarded with people, smells, concrete dust etc. We drove along the road and the left side was covered in tent cities and the right covered in more tent cities. It truly was disaster, chaos, devastation, pain all in front of my eyes. You were smacked by this new world from the moment we walked out of the airport. It was this world that I couldn’t have imagined in spite of all the news footage I’d. It’s a world that to me laughs at attempts at mental preparation. There is no preparation to see what I’ve seen: mile after mile of hundreds and thousands of people living practically on top of each other; children sitting amongst piles of garage topped off by grazing goats and pigs and dogs; sewage-filled drainage ditches sandwiched between the dirt streets and the tent cities; an entire city filled with the smell of things that should not be smelled by any living thing. This is a world that to me is an affront to the God who died so that we could live, and the Jesus who asks us ‘to love as I have loved.’ This is a world that forces me to ask not “Where is Christ?” but instead “Where are we who follow him?”

Haiti needs our help. I’ve been down there 3 times for a total of 37 days and I have seen the worse of the worse. I have spent time with 20+ orphans who lost everything but yet give the greatest smiles and laugh the loudest. These children have changed my life. Haiti has changed my life.

For me, today is a day filled with pain. My heart literally hurts for these people, for my new family. I ask you today, to be aware of a place so close to us but yet so foreign to many. It’s a place full of love but a place full of pain. It’s a place where God is so big and powerful, but seems so far away. It’s a place where life is so precious, but is haunted by loss.
I have fallen in love with this place. Take time today to fall in love with Haiti too. There are pictures everywhere, there are news stories all day…fall in love too.
Mwen renmen Ayiti

-Marie Leafblad
Board Member of HHHO

Christmas Blessings from HHHO

2010-12-09T11:43:00.000-06:00

Housing project complete! Haitian families move into their new homes.

2010-11-10T14:21:00.000-06:00

The housing project has been completed. Our mission team was able to help the families move in and get settled. HHHO provided housewarming "buckets" to each family. The buckets contained curtains, cooking pots, and other household items. The families had a celebration after they were all settled in.

LCMC Conference a Huge Success!

2010-10-11T09:27:00.000-05:00

It was a great honor for HHHO to be invited to attend the LCMC Conference the first weekend in October. The conference was held in Minneapolis. Connie Marthaler, HHHO Founder, spoke at a breakout session and was one of the keynote speakers. Thank you LCMC for all the support you have given HHHO. We look forward to working with you in the future!

Families have been reunited!

2010-09-03T10:24:00.003-05:00

We received news yesterday, that the families of three of the children HHHO has been caring for since the earthquake have been found! David, Jean Jetro, and Casselo are the children whose families have been found. All three of the boys were taken back to Port au Prince to be reunited with their families. The boys will be missed by HHHO staff and the rest of the children. We pray that their brief stay with HHHO will have a positive impact on their young lives. UPDATE: All three of the boys have returned to HHHO mission. After a brief stay with their families, the families have asked HHHO to continue to care for the boys as they are not able to care for them at this time. HHHO will keep in contact with the families.

David

Casselo

Jetro

Tragedy outside HHHO mission

2010-08-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

HHHO has a tragedy to report. One of the mission's cooks 5 year old son was killed in a hit and run accident in front of HHHO. He was on his way to get water. HHHO founder, Connie Marthaler tried to resuscitate the boy, but was unable to do so. Please keep this boy, his family, and the entire HHHO mission team in your prayers. This family consists of the mother and five remaining children. They are extremely poor and need help with the funeral costs. Funeral costs are $1500. If you would like to help this family out, please click on the Donate button at the top of this page. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

Housing Project Update

2010-08-09T13:30:00.002-05:00

Housing project has expanded! Foor for the Poor's anonymous donor has now commited to building 50 homes for this project. The recipient families are at the construction site every day working side by side with the contractors, helping out in any way they can to complete the construction of these homes. They are so very grateful to be given this chance at a new way of life and what a boost to their self confidence to be able to be a part of the construction. One more step towards being self sufficient. One of the HHHO mission team members, Pastor Rusty, held a house and family blessing ceremony right at the construction site. It was a very moving moment. http://www.hhelpingh.org/housingproject.html

Housing Project Update

2010-07-16T11:28:00.017-05:00

The housing project in Aquin is progressing very quickly! Ten houses are completely done, and work has begun on the next 5. The donor for this project has graciously offered to build a total of 45 houses and 10 wells. Each house has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a porch, and a bathroom with an area for a shower. They will have cement floors and tin roofs, a vast improvement over dirt floors and thatch roofs. The families who will receive these homes have been selected and are busy helping with the construction. Food For The Poor is providing the majority of the labor and materials. HHHO has provided the land. The families are to help provide the digging labor and the gravel. Some families do not have the ability to do the digging themselves or the means to pay for labor or gravel so HHHO is helping them raise funds to pay the $240 for digging and gravel. If you would like to sponsor a house, just click on the DONATE button or send your donations to HHHO, PO Box 109, Coleman, WI 54112.

June Mission Trip Returns!

2010-07-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

Our latest mission group has returned from another successful mission trip! The mission grounds and mission group encountered severe flooding during this trip and had to stay at the mission during the heaviest of the rains. The displaced children staying at the mission were also flooded out. Their tents were flooded with sewage and water runoff. HHHO has temporarily rented a building in Aguin to house the children. HHHO purchased beds and mattresses and all the children have been moved to this dry location and are doing well. HHHO was able to distribute rice and beans, peanut butter, medical supples, and clothing to the many flood victims. The mission group took the displaced children living at the mission to church and the beach, and had an "art therapy" session. Plans are also in the works to provide the children with a permanent building where they can live and go to school.

God’s blessings, and please keep Haiti in your prayers

Tue., June 22, 2010

2010-06-22T08:42:00.000-05:00

HHHO received GREAT news today! HHHO has partnered with Food for the Poor on a building project in Aquin, Haiti. HHHO purchased land and Food for the Poor is going to build 35 houses and 10 wells on this land. These homes will be given to families displaced by the earthquake. Construction begins in one week!

Mon,. June 14, 2010

2010-06-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

Our latest mission group has returned from another successful mission trip! The mission grounds and mission group encountered severe flooding during this trip and had to stay at the mission during the heaviest of the rains. The displaced children staying at the mission were also flooded out. Their tents were flooded with sewage and water runoff. HHHO has temporarily rented a building in Aquin to house the children. HHHO purchased beds and mattresses and all the children have been moved to this dry location and are doing well. HHHO was able to distribute rice and beans to the many flood victims. Plans are in the works to provide the children with a permanent building where they can live and go to school.

Tue., May 4, 2010

2010-05-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

Since the January 12, 2010 earthquake, HHHO has been caring for 21 displaced children at our mission in Aquin. These children range in age from 2 to 15. All of them have lost parents and/or family members in the earthquake. Some of them witnessed their parent’s bodies being pulled from the rubble and thrown into a truck to be disposed of in a mass burial site. Some of them were pulled from the rubble themselves. All of them have been traumatized and are in need of a safe, stable environment to heal. Please help us support these children by providing monetary donations to cover the costs of food, shelter, clothing, and medical care

Mon., April 19, 2010

2010-04-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

I am back from my speaking engagements in Iowa. Thanks to Pastor Rusty & everyone there, for their continued support. Now it is time to prepare for our upcoming Mission in May!! We delivered all the tents, we brought last time, so looking to collect more tents. All the families are so grateful, because the rains are hitting Haiti right now. Alex is taking one of the displaced children to PAP hospital today. She was hit by a motorcycle. She is 13 years old. We do not know her condition at this time. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you.

Wed., April 7, 2010

2010-04-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

Took the 20 children displaced by the earthquake shopping for clothes and shoes. We all walked to church together on Easter. We were able to share a meal with all the families of the children, we currently sponsor in school. Brought dinner to the elderly and then served the families and children back at HHHO Headquarters. What a wonderful Easter! Some of the tents were set up in Carrfoue, where the earthquake hit the hardest. Delivered water, beans, rice, oil and spaghetti to many hungry people living in makeshift tents. Some are only made out of sheets and blankets. The worst is yet to come during rainy season in Haiti. The children loved the dolls we handed out!! Some have lost so much...Thank you for all your continued support of the Haitian people and HHHO. I couldn't do this with out you! God Bless all of you...

Tues., Feb 16, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

I am home from Haiti - Mission accomplished - I was the escort for Marianna and 9 other orphans from PAP to Miami on Monday night. I feel so blessed to have been able to help bring these precious children to their families who have been waiting so long! Pictures to follow soon. Great to be home!

Fri., Feb. 12, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-12T08:39:00.000-06:00

Today has been declared a national day of fasting, mourning and prayer in Haiti. Hard to believe that the earthquake was only a month ago - seems like a lifetime. Let us too, spend some extra time in prayer today. Good luck HHHO board at the Haitian Happening tonight in WI!

Thurs., Feb 11, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-11T08:39:00.000-06:00

...still in Haiti waiting for the Prime Minister of Haiti to sign the papers that will finally release Marianna. We are trying to find supplies that we can haul to the Foundation in Aquin.

Wed., Feb. 10, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-10T08:39:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am still in Haiti. I have spent some time at All God's Children orphanage located just outside of PAP where they are receiving more orphans every day. I am now back in PAP trying to bring Marianna home to the States. Please keep praying that we get her traveling papers soon.

Mon., Feb 8, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-08T08:38:00.000-06:00

The rest of the mission team will be flying out of DR today, while Connie has stayed behind in the hopes of being Marianna's escort into the U.S. this week. One of the hardest parts of this trip was talking with parents who were carrying photos of their children in an attempt to find them. It was absolutely heart wrenching.

Thurs., Feb 4, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-04T08:38:00.000-06:00

Today was another tough one...there is so much to do, but we have such a shortage of supplies and manpower. The vet wrap has been one of the most used items and we will definitely bring more of that next time. The children love picking out what color to use - they are so brave. Tomorrow we will head to the Embassy with MaryLynn (a/k/a Marianna) and try to get her home to WI.

Wed., Feb 3, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-03T08:37:00.000-06:00

We have received medical supplies from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid and set up our clinic in a tent in Belair (as in Prince of - according to Alex). We treated many cuts and burns - all earthquake injuries. When you talk with the people, there is usually no reaction, just numbness - so very sad.

We need to get an outdoor toilet installed at the Foundation. Alex will be taking care of that after we leave. We are also trying to find some assistance (tents, blankets, personal products, and food)for our 60 "guests" at the Foundation in Aquin (48 adults and 12 unaccompanied children who came from PAP). Thank you for your continued prayers.

Tues., Feb 2, 2010 Update from Haiti

2010-02-02T08:37:00.000-06:00

What an emotional rollercoaster it was today -very difficult seeing all the destruction but going to see the school where Alexandrine was tore me apart. There are sill bodies that they can't reach but you can see in the rubble. The bodies that have been burned in the streets are still there in many places. It has been a long, emotional day.

Monday, February 1

2010-02-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

Update from Haiti
Alex looks good. We're at the bus station and have already treated a 2 year old little girl with a major eye injury and burned hands. Her mother died while holding her, dad was in the States, but is back and taking good care of her.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

2010-01-31T08:36:00.000-06:00

Update from Connie in Haiti
All flights went well. We are in Santo Domingo and will head to the bus station tomorrow. I can't believe this is on the same island as Haiti - what a difference.

Friday, January 29, 2010

2010-01-29T08:36:00.000-06:00

Connie has to repack her suitcases because this trip will include a 7 hour bus ride from the Dominican to Haiti so she can only bring 2 suitcases of supplies. She and her team are ready to go and will be arriving in PAP on Monday, February 1. She will be in contact and we will pass on any news she shares with us!

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010

2010-01-24T08:35:00.000-06:00

Connie's mission trip has been bumped back to January 30 because of the airlines. Alex continues to make trips to PAP with food and water for those who have STILL not seen any rescue workers. He said conditions are getting worse every day as people are now fighting for food and water and have become so very desperate. Still working on getting MaryLynn home.

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

2010-01-21T08:35:00.000-06:00

The HHHO is making a difference in Haiti!!

Denise Schwedler, a member of the HHHO board, has been doing research trying to find ways for the organization to be of assistance in Haiti. She came across an article about the only school in PAP for disabled children, Alexandrine’s school, St. Vincent.

The article indicated that only 6 people from that school had perished, and the remaining were in a tent city on a soccer field. We contacted Alex and he started his search by walking the streets of PAP all day on Wednesday, Jan 21. In the evening, he came across a cook from the school who told Alex that the children had been moved to a town north of PAP. He then headed out to try and find her and three hours later he had Alexandrine in his arms. She has cuts on her forehead, arms and legs but other than that she is doing well – and even better now that she is reunited with her Papa (daddy)

All Alex could say was, "See Mom (Connie), when you do good works for the Lord, He will never let you down. He will always take care of you.”

Merci Jeseu (In Creole – Thank you Jesus).

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

2010-01-20T08:34:00.000-06:00

Aftershock of 6.1 was experienced this morning. Aquin received minimal damage. We’ve heard from Alex and he is ok and looking for Alexandrine. Apparently only five children and one teacher died from the school that she attended and the surviving children and teachers are living in a tent city on one of the soccer fields. Keep praying!!

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010

2010-01-19T08:34:00.000-06:00

Here is an update from Junior in Haiti, where we will be staying next week with some great news.

The drive from the airport to Thomassin is about one hour. I have mobilized to pick up trucks & am looking for diesel fuel, which is scarce already. This is going to cost us some money as well.

From Thomassin to Petion Ville is about 15 Minutes & from Thomassin to downtown PAP is about 30 minutes.

As for the house in Thomassin, we already have in place at least 20,000 gallons of water, propane gas to cook , we have two ladies that will be in charge to clean & cook and a generator for power will be installed today.

Most is quite set already, we just need to stock more diesel for the cars & generator.

Monday, Jan. 18, 2010

2010-01-18T08:33:00.000-06:00

Steve Kagen’s office has been in contact with the Meissner’s and has advised them that they are working on bringing MaryLynn and all the orphans (who were in the adoption process) home to their American families. Keep praying! We also received word that many of the orphanages have finally received food and rescue personnel. Praise God!

Alex will not be going to PAP until further notice. The food is starting to become scarce in the south now as well, and gasoline is over $10 a gallon, so we need to conserve. Also, it is becoming extremely dangerous to travel the roads without armed guards and Alex will be the driver and translator for our medical team which will arrive on Jan 26. We need him and his van in good shape!

If you have any of the supplies listed above, please email Connie at haitilady4@hotmail.com so we can coordinate delivery. We will be checking that email while Connie is in Haiti, and will continue to gather supplies for upcoming missions even once she has gone.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

2010-01-17T08:33:00.000-06:00

Alex, the director of HHHO in Haiti, received word today that his daughter Alexandrin may have been found. He went to PAP and after 6 hours of travel and working his way through the city, he discovered that it was a false alarm. How heart wrenching this is.

Tomorrow, Monday, 01/18 Alex will go back to delivering food to the south west part of PAP on behalf of the HHHO.

He is also checking on orphanages to see if they need supplies or shelter. If they are in need of shelter, his plan is to bring them back to the HHHO headquarters in Aquin where they will have food, water and shelter until additional help for them is found.

The Meissner’s received a call today from Steve Kagen who indicated that he was doing everything he can to help get MaryLynn (a/k/a Marianna) and the other orphaned children who are in the adoption process out of Haiti and into the U.S. as soon as possible.

Keep praying

Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010

2010-01-16T08:31:00.001-06:00

Alex was able to deliver a load of food and water on Friday afternoon to people who have had nothing to eat or drink since before the quake. Alex is on his way to PAP today with another load of food and water. God speed Alex.

There was a large aftershock last night in Aquin and people are living on edge with fear.

Continue to pray for Alex and all of the people of Haiti.

Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

2010-01-15T08:31:00.000-06:00

Alex and MaryLynn have made it out of Port au Prince and to Aquin and the HHHO headquarters. He is loading up his van and bringing food and water back to Port au Prince and plans to make as many trips as he can every day.

He has brought in several villagers who are cooking up a storm and he will be delivering the food and water to the people on the southwest part of the city to survivors who have not seen any rescue workers up to this point.

Alex has established contact with our bank, so we are able to send money today so that he can continue to restock.

We are saving lives today! Thank you Jesus!

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

2010-01-14T08:29:00.000-06:00

We just received word that MaryLynn and Alex are alive. Thank you God!!

Alex’s 7 year old daughter Alexandrin was in a school that collapsed – she is presumed dead; however, they have not recovered her body. Connie is going to try and reach some state side UN workers and see if they can go to her school. It was a school for deaf/mute children.

Alex was digging through the rubble all day and did pull out several children alive so there is still hope! Please keep Alexandrin in your prayers today. Alex, MaryLynn, Talina (the lady who takes care of MaryLynn) and her daughter were at their house. It shook once and stopped and then started shaking again – Alex got everyone out of the house and they went to his van – the whole house came down.

Alex’s cousin lives 3 doors down in a 5 story building. She is missing yet.

People are blooding themselves trying to dig loved ones out of the rubble. There is no food or water – so they haven’t eaten since breakfast on Tuesday.

Connie is going to Haiti next week for a couple of weeks.

Thank you for your prayers