Work in Developing Countries

"This is where I want to be—I have a sense of finally doing something my heart has always yearned to do"

Sister Lorraine Malo CSJ

What it is

Three Sisters work with people in Haiti, a country identified as the poorest in the western hemisphere. They are: Sr. Mary Alban Bouchard, Sr. Lorraine Malo, and Sr. Rosemary Fry. Each Sister's ministry is somewhat different. What follows is a description of Sr. Lorraine's work.

Sister Lorraine spent 11 years taking care of poor and sick children at St. Damien's Hospital in a suburb of Port-au-Prince. The hospital is run by an organization called Our Little Brothers and Sisters.

Sister Lorraine returned to Haiti's Port-au-Prince for two months after the January 12, 2010 earthquake to do whatever she could to help. She performed a variety of jobs, translating in the mobile clinics for the foreign doctors, helping to distribute food and other supplies, working with the children in an improvised classroom in an effort to bring some 'normalcy' into their shattered little lives. "To be in Haiti during those weeks immediately after the quake was the experience of a lifetime and I am grateful to have been a part of it," she said.

After a three months' break, she returned to Haiti in August. She now works in a centre for special needs children. "I have learned the basics of physio and occupational therapy, and I work with children who have mental and/or physical handicaps. The work is on a one-to-one basis doing various kinds of tactile, auditory and visual stimulation," she said. Many of the children are at the centre because of injuries sustained in the quake. She calls the children and their parents "little and big heroes who get up each morning and face whatever the day may bring of sorrow or joy!" She says she is in awe of their faith and courage - a courage that seems undaunted even in the face of such incredible odds!

The Vision

In the early '60's, Vatican II invited religious orders to respond to the needs of the Third World. The Sisters of St. Joseph asked for volunteers among their Sisters who would take up this challenge. Sister Lorraine bases her choice to work in Haiti on the belief that "if I am committed to Jesus as I profess to be, then working for justice and peace ceases to be an option for me." She sees the Sisters making small changes around them, changes that lead to hope.

"I feel that the smallest gestures of kindness help break the cycle of violence that is daily escalating on our planet," says Sr. Lorraine.

Challenges

Both water and electricity supplies are intermittent—usually operating twice a day for a couple of hours. Survival involves daily struggle for most of Haiti's people. Levels of sickness and malnutrition are high. Health care is almost non-existent for the poor.

What Sustains Her

Sr. Lorraine credits her prayer life with helping her maintain her soul choice in being in Haiti. She also speaks of "feeling the support and prayers of her Sisters in Canada more than ever." Despite the hardships, she says, "This is where I want to be-I have a sense of finally doing something my heart has always yearned to do." Her strong sense of working for justice and peace help her to remain in Haiti. But she adds, "Above all, I try to work from a stance of gratitude. I feel privileged and grateful to be there."

E-mail: lmalo@csj-to.ca

To learn about Sr. Rosemary Fry's work, see this link: Working with Courageous People Facing Great Obstacles

To learn about Sr. Mary Alban Bouchard's work, see this link: Justice and Peace in Haiti