I have been assigned as a Missioner for the National Episcopal Church to Haiti for a term of one year, November '08-November '09. My duties as Missioner in Haiti are seen as vitally important to enhancing and strengthening the work of the Diocese of Haiti, particularly in the area of literacy:
1) Train Church School teachers and clergy, seminarians and laity in curriculum and formational work with youth and young adults;
2) Serve as mentor to two female seminarians at the Episcopal Seminary in Haiti, the first to be admitted, fostering leadership skills in their preparation for the priesthood;
3) Assist Diocese of Haiti administrations and staffs of the 254 elementary, primary and trade schools in the standardization of key programs among the schools;
4) Initiate engagement of two US based organizations in mission work in Haiti: Tabasamu, which since 2004 has focused its efforts on providing dental care and education to Kenyans, is broadening the scope of its work to other countries, including Haiti; and BuildaBridge, a Philadelphia-based organization which brings wholeness and healing to challenged local and international communities through the arts. BuildaBridgeis initiating a program in Haiti during Thanksgiving week called theDiaspora for Hope, Artist on Call. A team of artists from the US willpartner with Haitian artists to provide an arts camp for 50-100children and youth in Port au Prince.
5) Teach English as a Second Language to seminarians at the Episcopal Seminary.
I depart on November 1. I will remain in Haiti until my one month leave July 2-August 2, 2009.
