CELEBRATING WOMEN IN MARCH - WORKING MOM'S DAY AND MORE!

The month of March is International Women's History Month and celebrates women generally, which we observed in social media posts.

We started off March with International

Women's Week and highlighting the

amazing volunteers at Ormond Beach

Presbyterian Church who have been

sewing reusable menstrual pads!

We are truly grateful for such incredible care in empowering our sisters in Haiti by enabling them to not miss school or work because of their period.

Interested in helping us? Please email us at

info@bethlehemministry.org for details on instructions and/or a sample kit for this fundamental project!

We also observed International Women's Day on March 8th. Women make up most of the staff at the school and clinic, and the co-directors of JP are both women! We are so thankful for these women and the example they are setting for all of the girls of Terrier Rouge! Here are photos of just a few of these amazing women!

March 12th was Working Mom’s Day, and we spotlighted a very special working mom in our social media: Rachel Bruno! Rachel wears many hats, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Espérance et Vie (which operates St. Barthélémy and Clinique Espérance et Vie), helping lead her church as a member of its vestry, working on refugee resettlement efforts, volunteering with Toastmasters, being a devoted daughter to Father Bruno and Madame Bruno and sister to her four sisters, and last but not least being a fabulous mom to her amazing daughter Chloe!

Valentine's Day Creations!

It is our pleasure to share St. Barthélémy's students' Valentine's Day-themed artwork and music!

We are so grateful to share these vibrant works of art from St. Barthélémy's 5th and 6th graders! It warms our hearts to see each student's Valentine's Day illustration! We hope you enjoy these colorful creations as much as we do!

St. Barthélémy students sang in celebration of Valentine's Day! The preschoolers are so adorable as they sing along with their teachers! And the talented 12th-grade students have such phenomenal voices! Video footage courtesy of Dominique Bruno!

The St. Barthélémy band showcased their musical gifts at a special Valentine's Day concert! We are so proud of each of these talented students, and we are truly grateful to everyone involved in nurturing such incredible talent! Enjoy this beautiful clip of St. Barthélémy musicians performing Everything I Do, I Do It for You! Video footage courtesy of Dominique Bruno!

(Archived Post) A Quick Look at Haiti as the First Black Independent Republic

February is Black History Month, and it would not be complete without a look at Haiti, the first nation in the world to ban slavery, declare independence, and become a Black republic, reclaiming its original name, "Ayiti," while liberating itself from French colonial rule. Haiti is the only nation in history to declare freedom and independence after throwing off the chains of slavery. This was possible after an epic battle between the indigenous army led by General Capois la Mort against the French army on November 18th, 1803. The victory at Vertières paved the way for freedom and independence. 

Flag of the First Republic of Haiti (Image courtesy of the Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)

On January 1, 1804, the general in chief of the native army, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, along with all of the generals, denounced French rule and signed the Haitian Declaration of Independence. It was the first document to establish a free nation for everyone, regardless of skin color. The impact of this revolution shook the Western world, which quickly reacted by isolating the young nation through an embargo that slowed its growth.

Haiti served as an inspiration for African Americans historically. It planted the seeds of the American civil rights movement, as it was seen as a beacon of genuine self-determination, freedom, and equality, all of which were unavailable in the United States. Prominent Black American intellectuals W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass (who served as United States Ambassador to Haiti) were influenced by Haiti. The impact of Haiti on the African American experience was also felt in other ways, such as the work of the poet and activist Langston Hughes, who was heavily influenced by Haitian experiences and connections and spent much time in Haiti. For more information, check out this Library of Congress resource: Introduction - Freedom in the Black Diaspora: A Resource Guide for Ayiti Reimagined or this article from the Smithsonian: From Harlem to Haiti | National Museum of African American History and Culture