January 14, 2010 - (From Francesca immediately after the earthquake) Hello everyone, Thanks to everyone for your prayers. Yes both Pacha (my son) and I are fine and so is my house - how ever as you have seen on TV or heard in the news there are no words to describe what happened here last Tuesday. I only found out that Pacha was fine on Wed afternoon when I was able to get back home, because when the quake hit I was downtown at a hospital visiting a friend who was supposed to have an operation. I do not know the words to describe the noise made by a "falling" city - I do not know why the Lord left me, my son and my house standing; this sensation of being completely helpless is not pleasant at all. Please keep praying for us, those still alive under the rubble, those hospitalized, all the orphan homeless children, all the homeless. Pray that we may come out of this without too many scars - for life will never be the same here again. I know God is good and only He knows why He permitted this to happen. All we can do is pray and help each other. As soon as commercial flights start, Pacha will join family in the NJ area.  I will remain to help those that I can, since my house is intact, it has become a refuge for many families on my street - last night there were over 200 people that camped in the backyard and in the 1st floor I have my immediate neighbor who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Alejandra who is less than 1 month old. Mothers with children under a year old also sleep here with Pacha and I in the house. Most families on the street have been able to pull cloths and food out of their homes, super markets are timidly reopening so we have been able to collect all the cash we had and gone food shopping. We all take turns cooking, cleaning and watching the kids. The Lord is with us and so is Gospa (Blessed Virgin) that is why looters and thieves have gone to every house but ours, that is why also no one here is sick - just a bit a coughing and red eyes from all the dust. Now that my internet is back up, I will keep everyone posted as best I can. May the good Lord remember each and every single one of you and your respective families and may He bless you for generations to come for all your love and prayers for us Haitians. Fran

January 29, 2010 - (Dave's Response) Francesca, I am so glad to hear that you and your son are okay! What a marvelous thing you are doing helping all those people on your street. I spoke to my principal about your particular situation there and we are very interested in raising some money (probably a couple hundred dollars) to help you and your neighbors. He has asked me to write a letter to send out to all of the parents at our school explaining the current situation at your home. Have there been any significant changes since your last e-mail that I should include in this letter? Also, is there a way we can safely get a check to you in a couple of weeks after we raise the money? God bless you for all you are doing for God's children. Blessings, Dave Schlachter (real tall guy you met in Medjugorje)

Feb. 1st, 2010  - (From Francesca) Wow Dave,  thank you soo much.  Not much has happened since I last wrote. The government is not able to do much. Had it not been for the international community and the States I have no idea where we would be right now. It is thanks to the generosity of friends like you and family in the States that we are able to all pitch in and go food shopping. the best would be for you to wire transfer funds to a US bank account I opened here. This would be most helpful right now Dave since they are not receiving any aide and we are all running low on cash. All of these families have lost their homes and most of them have lost their jobs also. I will take some pictures of them later today (with their permission) and forward them to you so you can have an idea. Again, many thanks and may the Lord always remember this generous gesture you all are making on behalf of the Haitian people.  Fran

February 1st, 2010 (From Dave) Francesca, Thank you for writing back to me so promptly. I'm sure you have so many responsibilities right now, taking care of so many people. Tomorrow morning, I have an opportunity to speak at church about what I like about a Catholic education. One of the things I'll speak about is how we are encouraged to help each other and what a fine example you are doing of that with your brothers and sisters in your neighborhood. Thank you for the bank information. I will give it to my principal. I'm sure he'll start the fundraiser as early as Monday morning, so hopefully we'll have a check to send you in a week or so. Please know what profound admiration I have for you for what you're doing for God's children and please also know that my students and our entire community are praying for a quick recovery for all of Haiti. God's blessings on you! Dave Schlachter

February 1, 2010 (Letter Sent Home to School Families)

Dear parents, students and teachers, I'm sure we have all been affected in one way or another by the tragedy of the earthquakes in Haiti. The sheer loss of life and the human suffering that we see on our television screens every night certainly inspires us, especially as a stewardship school, to do something to help those devastated and suffering. The question many of us ask ourselves is how can I help and how can I be sure that my support will go to those who need it in Haiti. 18 months ago during (our fifth grade teacher) Mr. Schlachter's pilgrimage to Medjugorje, he met a wonderful Catholic lady from Haiti named Francesca. He was very impressed with her Christ like devotion to the needy. Fortunately, Francesca's home is still standing after the earthquakes, but almost everyone else in her neighborhood has lost everything (homes, jobs, food and money). 200 of her neighbors are sleeping in her backyard! Mothers with children under the age of one are actually sleeping in her home. She reports a desperate need for money and the fear of a government incapable of helping them. Our school is targeting this neighborhood in Haiti to help. 100% of our donations will go to help these needy people. Francesca will also be sending us pictures of the people we are helping so we can see the personal needs that they have. Their needs are severe and long-lasting. Initially, we are asking our children to bring in donations for Haiti for their out of uniform day on Tuesday. We hope to find other ways to also help them, both now and in the future as they struggle with problems we can only imagine. Please be generous and know that Christ said whoever helps the least of his brothers helps him. Thanks for your generosity in advance.

Friday, February 5th (Note in the Scoop)  Collection for Haiti Thanks to the generosity of all the kids and parents, we were able to collect $1715.95 for Mr. Schlachter's friend in Haiti. Because of the translation to Haitian currency, this should be worth much more to them and will go a long way in feeding all the people Dave's friend is helping. (If you did not get to make a donation and would like to, please send your money in next week.) Thank you to everyone!

February 10 (Update from Francesca. She received the money. Sounds like their greatest need is shelter and medicine.) Greetings Dave, Please be advised that $1657.95 was received yesterday from "bank of n. ste catherine" - thank you so very much. These funds will be available on Friday 12th - how fitting that it will be available exactly 1 month after the quake. As I mentioned in an earlier mail, my main concern is the rainy season starting. Since none of these families have tents, I will see how we can do some temp shelters for them with either plywood or old containers. Unfortunately I have slowed down some because I am sick with some form of intestinal microbe (actualy we are all sick) - drinking lots of fluids there is not much we can do - all the kids in the back are also taking oral IV just so they do not dehydrate. The docs said that short of breathing the air, there is nothing we can do - there is just so much germs in the air.... Please give my heartfelt gratitude to all the sister and brothers of Saint Catherine. Once I have a more definite plan, I will advise, and once we start building I will take pictures and forward them to you. One more favor to ask, please pray to our good Lord, Gospa and Saint Catherine that the rains hold off and that epidemics don't spread. Blessings sent to you from a very grateful sister in Christ.  Francesca    "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Theresa

Wednesday, February 17 (From Francesca) Hello Dave, How are you? Sorry about the silence - 2 things were the cause of that: 1) funds were supposed to be available for withdrawal last Friday, but it
turns out that Friday/Saturday/Sunday were declared national holidays - 3 days of prayer for our country. Monday I never even made it close to the banks door the line was so long. Yesterday was Mardi Gras = another holiday here.  2) Today I spent the entire day at the doctors with my son who has tonsilitus, bronchitus and cononctive (eye infection).. never the less, I did make it to the bank and withdrew part of the funds. This morning, before leaving, 3 guys were hired to start digging a canal around where the base of the makeshift tent will be. Wood slats, nails, canvases will be purchased tomorrow. Later today, I will take pictures of the "site" with the workers at work. Thank you for your patience and blessings sent to you the parish members for this gesture. Francesca

Thursday, February 18 (From Dave) Friends, I thought you might be interested in seeing one of the emails from my friend in Haiti and the struggles they have to overcome. They are so appreciative of the money we sent and the prayers we continue to offer. Their most immediate need is for temporary shelter to get people out of the bad weather. Because most people have no shelter, they are also getting sicker as they remain exposed to the elements. As you read it, keep in mind English is Francesca's second language. Please continue to pray for Francesca and her neighbors. Our money is helping to provide temporary shelter for 200 people. What a wonderful gift to give and receive. Blessings, Dave