Most of us have never heard of Camp Marie, Haiti.
In fact, if we hear about Haiti at all, it's typically about regrettable circumstances that few countries worldwide are grappling with. Among these are the following:
The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021
Earthquakes in 2010 and again in 2021
Repercussions from Hurricane Matthew in 2016
Ongoing internal strife and war
COVID-19: nearly 35,000 confirmed cases of COVID resulting in about 900 deaths.
And, unfortunately, there's more. Right now, more than half of the people in Haiti are unemployed. This is one reason why nearly five million people in the country suffer from reliable access to food, referred to as food insecurity.
And for those with a job, the World Food Program recently reported that working people in Haiti spend about 35 percent of their daily income on just one meal. That's the equivalent of about $75 for one lunch in New York.
Something else impacting the Haitian people is the fact that, right now, there is little or no potable (drinkable) water. Everyone must purchase water, and if funds are short – as they so often are – this can be very difficult.
However, at Camp Marie, there is hope, even a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. That's because of an organization called Project Living Hope.
Dr. Guesly Dessieux
Dr. Guesly Dessieux started Project Living Hope in 2014. Guesly was born in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. When he was eight years old, his family immigrated to the United States, hoping for a brighter future.
He attended medical school in Kansas City, Missouri, and completed his residency in Jefferson City, Missouri. He now practices family medicine in Stayton, Oregon, and has led several medical mission trips to Haiti.
But his goal has always been to do more for Haiti than medical work. His ambition is to help the country get back on its feet, become self-sufficient and sustainable, and for the young people in the country to have a future.
That's where Project Living Hope comes into the picture. The four key goals of the organization are the following:
1. Athletics for young people to keep them focused on learning and not gangs, according to Guesly
2. Learning practical job skills in such fields as auto repair, construction, electrical work, and in the future, high-tech technology, and even culinary skills
3. Community development
4. Disaster preparedness.
Fortunately, the organization has been able to accomplish many of these goals and more. For instance, according to Laura Polynice with Project Living Hope, among their recent successes are the following:
Purchase nearly 20 acres of land near Camp Marie to become the "heart" and operational center of the organization.
Launch soccer and English education programs for Haitian children.
Move more than 80,000 cubic yards of soil as part of an excavation project to improve the Camp.
Establish vocational shops and classrooms for young Haitians.
Build safe and hygienic bathrooms.
Create a basketball court.
Build a commercial kitchen, fruit drying, and purified water center, which are now awaiting critical pieces of equipment before making them fully operational
Impressed with What Has Been Accomplished
"What has impressed me most about Project Living Hope is all the good they are doing in Haiti," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., manufacturers of waterless urinals.
"Their work is being done quietly and is ongoing. I've seen the successes, the smiles on the faces of the kids they work with, and I am very impressed with what they have accomplished."
Each year, Waterless Co. seeks out organizations they wish to help. The company looks for organizations doing good that could just use a helping hand. In 2022, Waterless Co. donated waterless urinals to Project Living Hope, which are now installed in Camp Marie.
"They (Project Living Hope) are on our list again in 2023," adds Reichardt. "We look for organizations we want to succeed, and Project Living Hope is certainly one of them."
