| By Lysa Allman-Baldwin January 2011 marked the one-year anniversary of the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti where approximately 250,000 people died and nearly 100,000 buildings collapsed. Within days of the earthquake, a massive mobilization of world governments, international relief agencies, churches, nonprofit organizations and everyday citizens moved in to begin helping the Haitian people. Among those providing help were numerous Unity centers around the globe that donated financial aid, food and water, medical supplies, clothing and personal care items. Some Unity congregants even traveled to Haiti, working side-by-side with the military or in trauma clinics with teams of volunteers. Messages of Hope Positive, affirmative prayer, one of the basic practices in Unity, also played an important role in the relief efforts. Since 1995 Haiti has been served through Unite Silencieuse (Silent Unity in French) and La Parole Quotidienne, the French version of Daily Word® magazine, both operating out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Through the generosity of donors, the Canadian affiliates and personnel at Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village, Missouri, 10,000 copies of a special edition of Daily Word were created and printed for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The publication is called Messages d'espoir de la part de La Parole Quotidienne (Messages of Hope From DAILY WORD). It includes a compilation of Daily Word messages specifically selected to bring comfort, hope and inspiration. The 80-page issue also contains uplifting Unity poems such as the “Prayer for Protection,” “I Am There,” and “The Prayer of Faith” along with inspirational articles. To avoid U.S. shipping costs and facilitate timely distribution of the publication, an affiliate reprinter of La Palabra Diaria (Daily Word in Spanish) in the Dominican Republic printed the special edition and organized volunteers to distribute it. The volunteers also helped coordinate the distribution of earthquake supplies through a fund established by Unity Worldwide Ministries. The entire effort crossed several languages and cultures, says Lois Cheatham, coordinator of international services at Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village. “Everyone involved was committed to doing their part to bring hope to the Haitian people. They went to heroic efforts to complete this in a very short time period. Looking back, I am still struck by their dedication, and blessed and inspired by their passion to serve our world family. Without their efforts, this project could never have been completed.” Cheatham notes that most Haitians cannot read or write. Thus, it was important to get the special publication to people who could read it to others. “The messages were specifically selected to help the Haitian people,” she says. “We were also successful in getting those Daily Word messages broadcast over two Haitian radio stations.” Help Is Still Needed Since the earthquake a year ago, Haiti has faced numerous health and infrastructure challenges, including cholera outbreaks, lack of food and clean water, some 800,000 people living in tents and shelters, and the removal of an estimated 10 million cubic meters (about 4,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools) of shattered concrete, twisted steel and other debris. Various organizations and individuals continue to provide support to address the country's long-term needs. Last April, Cheatham traveled to an orphanage in Port-de-Paix, a remote area in northwestern Haiti, to deliver bedding, mattress protectors, toys, clothing, shoes, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, medication and funds donated by Unity employees, friends and students. “The outpouring of love and support was incredible,” says Cheatham. At that time, the orphanage housed 50 children who Cheatham says were in need of medical supplies and food. “I was filled with so many emotions that it was hard to hold back the tears,” she recalls. “It all seemed so unjust. I thought, ‘How can I fix this? Where do I begin? How can I express myself to them?' The initial shock of grief was overwhelming.” For 10 days, Cheatham dealt with the children's physical and emotional scars, as well as personal health challenges from contact with contaminated water. And, she grappled with the reality that many Haitians live without basic necessities like healthy food and clean water, proper shelter, indoor plumbing, medical care and educational opportunities. “There was much to overcome,” she notes. Nevertheless, she felt blessed by her experience. ”Everyday I think of the children's sweet smiles, big, beautiful dark eyes, and loving gestures of kindness shown to me. I learned so much—a purer form of love; the value of time shared; the importance of a smile; the difference a group of ordinary, caring people can make.” Today Cheatham is raising awareness for Thirsting to Serve, a program that provides mobile, fresh water filters to communities in developing countries. She also plans to someday open or support an orphanage in Haiti. “I want it to be a place where children are taught personal hygiene, educated through the 12th grade, introduced to trades that will guarantee their livelihood and benefit their country, and where they will be allowed to dream big dreams about a country that is prosperous and self-sufficient. It is all possible.” |
|
|
|
|
Watch a prayer video for the people of Haiti.
Learn more about Unity's International Affiliates.
