Celebrating Father Bruno!

Father Bruno turned 79 on July 27th! Recently, he shared what his long-term aspirations are for Terrier Rouge and the programs he started there. In his own words, he explains that "his story is to always help those who are less fortunate" and how experiences in his own life have reminded him of the parable of the Good Samaritan. His deepest wish is that those less fortunate in Terrier Rouge always continue to be cared for through St. Barthélémy, Clinique Espérance et Vie, and the humanitarian work of Espérance et Vie. As part of Father Bruno's 2024 Bòn fèt (birthday) celebration, we are pleased to share the highlights of this conversation between him and Rennae Henry, our Executive Director. Please consider a donation in honor of this amazing humanitarian's birthday by clicking here https://secure.etransfer.com/Bethleh.../HonorFatherBruno.cfm or sending us a check (PO Box 48387, Athens, GA 30604) with "Bon Fet" in the memo line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEd9ji1pYBY

Espérance et Vie posted the photo below of Father Bruno for Father’s Day in Haiti (June 30th), which we feel is perfect to spotlight for his birthday month! It includes references to two bible verses regarding God’s blessings and being a blessing to others, which are incredibly fitting for Father Bruno!

In honor of Father Bruno's birthday month, we are spotlighting the story of Bethlehem Ministry's name! Father Bruno chose this name after spending six weeks in Israel (where he's pictured here!) studying "Walking the Path of Jesus." Upon his return, at co-founders Berry and Peter Rice's home, he said, "We're going to call [the organization] Bethlehem Ministry because "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread." At that same time, he was doodling something that resembled Bethlehem Ministry's logo!

Although his heart is always in Terrier Rouge, Father Bruno spends much of his time now in South Florida. His church home is St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton, and he regularly participates in its services. At St. Gregory’s, he is responsible for the healing ministry - he prays with parishioners desiring prayer and helps guide them through their healing journey. As part of Father Bruno’s Bòn fèt celebration, we wanted to share photos of him in his role at St. Gregory’s. If you are in South Florida on a Sunday, please consider worshiping with the Brunos at St. Gregory’s!

We are so happy to feature this video of Father Bruno's beautiful voice as he sings a Haitian hymn! It is with great pleasure that we share with you another wonderful passion of Father Bruno's - for music and singing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WalBXdedaUA

We are thrilled to share with you all a truly wonderful surprise that one of Father Bruno's five daughters, Dominique, organized for her father's birthday with St. Barthélémy's musicians and singer! The translation of the singer's words before the band joins her - "Today we are proud to celebrate the birthday of a great man, the founder of our school, the Rev Father Jean Monique Bruno. May the great God shower you with blessings that he grants health, longevity, and grace throughout your life. We want to sing this song loudly for you." The singer then continues with the band's support with the chorus, "Happy birthday, happy birthday, it's your birthday, it's your birthday, be blessed, celebrate it with joy, abundance will smile on you," twice in French and then twice in English. [Video courtesy of Dominique Bruno]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3IK1Pk2SbY

Bòn Fèt, Father Bruno! Happy Birthday, Father Bruno!

Kindergarten Graduation

This is a bittersweet spotlight, as we're thankful for how special the kindergarten graduations have been; however, this is the last year this celebration can occur, as Haiti's Department of Education is banning such festivities at this grade level. This decision is unfortunate, as it's an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved. 

Kindergarten graduation has been a significant event in all of Haiti, and

St. Barthélémy is no exception! There have been two vital milestones for parents and students alike - high school graduation and kindergarten graduation! Traditionally, the students' godparents would supply the gifts at the kindergarten graduation, with parties in every student's home continuing to celebrate their success. 

We are truly grateful to everyone for making St. Barthélémy students feel so celebrated, including the talented members of the Terrier Rouge community for sewing the students' ensembles this year and the years prior - who begin working two months in advance, Dominique Bruno explains, "to make sure that no one is left behind." 

PROGRAMS THAT ARE Stronger Together: Addressing Nutrition and Food Security Needs

May 28th was World Hunger Day, June 5th was World Environment Day and June was Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. Wow - these all are such critical and interrelated topics for Haiti and for the programs we support! One thing I love about Bethlehem Ministry is how the programs complement and strengthen one another, each leveraging its particular strengths to address problems - in this case, malnutrition, food security, and care for the land (which in Haiti goes hand in hand with food security). Through the programs, we address food insecurity and malnutrition in a multi-pronged effort. The efforts include both a focus on acute immediate needs and also on longer term proactive efforts. 

Sadly, Haiti is one of the most food-insecure countries in the world. According to a March 2024 World Food Programme update, “As violence, soaring inflation and poor harvests collide, Haiti finds itself with the worst levels of food insecurity on record.” Nearly five million people - almost half of the country’s population – are now facing acute food insecurity and struggling to feed themselves.

Sources:

https://www.wfp.org/news/new-ipc-data-confirms-record-levels-hunger-haiti

https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/explainer-5-things-know-about-food-security-haiti-times-crisis#:~:text=There%20are%20some%2011%20million,levels%20of%20acute%20food%20insecurity

One of the reasons that Haiti has this level of food insecurity is the disastrous combination of massive deforestation, highly mountainous terrain and tropical weather. One striking visual marker of this is the stark difference at the border, highlighted in yellow, between Haiti (brown!) and the Dominican Republic (green!) as seen on the satellite map below.

The efforts of Jatrofa Projenou are directly aimed at helping farmers, healing the land and helping Haiti feed itself. This is the kind of challenge JP faces:

Here is JP at work addressing this issue - growing trees and plants to distribute and sending its agronomists to help local farmers cultivate trees and crops together:

Reforestation and agroforestry are longer-term solutions to the massive environmental and food security challenges of Haiti. What about the immediate needs? Well both JP and Espérance et Vie have farmland near Terrier Rouge and are growing food for the community to meet that acute need. In fact, Jatrofa Projenou just converted land to a truck garden earlier this year to meet the rising need. The JP truck garden is currently growing peppers and tomatoes (pictured), as well as plantains and papayas. Espérance et Vie's farm, which supplies the school, is currently growing okra, cassava, limes and squash (all pictured), well as papayas, coconuts and black beans! In addition, Espérance et Vie provides financial and in-kind aid to local families struggling to meet basic needs.

Some of the produce pictured above is headed for St. Barthélémy school, where the school plays a critical role in preventing malnutrition and food insecurity in the community. The most visible sign of this is the lunch program. If you've followed us for long, you have seen a picture or two of kiddos eating lunch! This matters so much since for many kids this will be the most substantial and nutritious meal of the day.

The kids at the school also learn about nutrition! One of the fun and engaging ways that kids at St. Barthélémy learn is by celebrating Haitian National Labor AND Agriculture Day on May 1st. In 2023, in honor of this holiday the school did a parade through Terrier Rouge themed as "The Day of Fruits and Vegetables."

And the education about nutrition doesn't stop at the school! One mission of

Clinique Espérance et Vie is educating the community about nutrition and health. The moms and kids below are learning about good nutrition from Clinic staff. The Clinic also monitors patients for malnutrition and provides assistance if detected.

From growing and distributing food and monitoring malnutrition in order to address acute needs, to supporting longer term solutions such as agroforestry and education about nutrition, AND MORE, the programs, together, represent a full "toolbox." And like the tools in a good tool box, they each have a special role to play and sometimes work better in tandem with another tool. This is why we describe the programs as being STRONGER TOGETHER!

Of course none of this is possible without the support of donors! You can donate online at https://secure.etransfer.com/eft/custom/bethlehemMinistry/flexblockcode/donation1.cfm?d2org=BethlehemMinistry&d2tool=HopeandLife or by mailing a check to us at PO Box 48387, Athens GA 30603.