Connection to Haiti
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
After spending 20 years in Haiti, Henrietta and Ido Kerpel moved back to Canada in 2005.
A 7.0 earthquake devastated their “old home” on Jan. 12 leaving many people homeless and in desperate need of help.
“In one sense Canada’s our home now, but Haiti was very much our home,” said Henrietta. “It breaks our heart to see the devastation and all that the people are experiencing, all the grief and the trials they are dealing with now.”
The two met in Haiti as young adults and eventually spent close to 20 years in the country as a married couple working and helping others in the country.
Ido, who is originally from Holland, has a forestry background and worked in reforestation efforts, and managed a tree nursery that provides tree seedlings to various organizations.
Henrietta, originally from the Strathmore area, also worked in tree reforestation and managed a small tree nursery. She also did training in churches, helped produce translation materials and worked in administration for a feeding program in a large school outside of Port-au-Prince.
“We quickly felt at home in Haiti. The Haitian people are very open and welcoming,” said Henrietta.
While in Haiti, she said it was evident that the Haitian people are very resilient and determined to go on and get through anything.
“It was encouraging to work with the Haitian people and stand with them and support them and be a channel of care,” she said.
Henrietta said the country has experienced so many catastrophes, including natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding, but also poverty.
She said the country is beautiful, but things like deforestation have devastated it also.
“There is a vital need for reforestation and that’s why my husband was engaged in a reforestation effort.”
They are encouraging others to give to the much-needed relief efforts and stand with the Haitian people in this great time of need.
“We can be a source of information and a connection to those who are not familiar with Haiti and understand it first hand,” she said.
The couple knows of numerous organizations that are doing good work in the country.
Some organizations that Kerpel feels extend good care to the Haitian people are the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, World Vision and Compassion. The latter two are involved with child sponsorship, but also have extensive relief efforts said Henrietta.
Henrietta would also support the Hope International Development Agency which is involved with supplying relief effort and medical supplies.
When in Haiti, Ido also worked for International Child Care, which works with a pediatric hospital in the country, but now has extensive damage because of the earthquake.
Children were evacuated to the courtyard and are being cared for there.
Henrietta said they (ICC) are in need of medical supplies and eventually will need help to repair the hospital.
“They do very good work,” she added.
The couple returned to Canada in 2005 to live because they felt it was time. However, a trip to Haiti in the future is not out of the question.
“It’s on our hearts that in the future we may return.”
amy@strathmoretimes.com