October 10, 2022
Hello to all the members of the Mothers Clubs donor’s family,

Reality is sometimes so hard to deal with, especially when it involves disappointment for all. This is going to be true for Mothers Clubs of Haiti, as we are going to begin a phasing out of the program. Both Kathy and I are nearing the time when our ages and health difficulties force us to pull back and let go of many of our outside responsibilities. When we started Mothers Clubs we had no idea we would be able to continue for 32 years.

Our Coordinator, Sr. Emile, has been told of this sad news , and has sent me, and you, this gracious note:
“You are right, Barb, it is not easy to find candidates for the ‘job of love’, since it is a job that has no retirement or salary. We know you (in Minnesota) and Kathy (in Buffalo, NY) will keep Mothers Clubs, your beloved daughter, in your hearts until your last breath. May God continue to bless your generosity and dedication? We understand very well that the time of phasing out Mothers Clubs of Haiti has arrived. So, we agree with your decision. But to prevent the crash of the program, we do not intend to announce the closure of the Clubs. We will talk to our team and see what they are ready to do for Mothers Clubs even if we must modify the salaries. We will use part of the income generated to give them an incentive and the other part for continuing the activities. Instead of phasing out the groups we will direct them towards the strategy of the Men’s Solidarity groups, which is a very efficient strategy supported by us. (see description of the Men’s Groups on our website, www.mclubsth.org ). In addition, we will continue to write grants to increase the activities. Our first goal is safeguarding your efforts for 32 years and the hard work that Ronel and I, as well as our team, have agreed to keep the Clubs alive. We have worked so hard for the independence of Mothers Clubs. We are not 100 % ready, but we will do our best. Furthermore, we want to continue the struggle aside of our desperate people. It is our commitment. Once again we want to renew our gratitude to you, and Kathy, and to all our donors. God Bless you”

We will continue to wire any funds that come to Mothers Clubs, as we always have done. I hope you will continue your generosity, as many of you have done for so many years. I wish you could have met those smart, generous, committed, rural Haitian people, as I have. They will live in my heart forever. Thank you all for making these 32 years possible, and please keep them in your prayers.  

Earthquake Update: Monday, August 23
From Sister Emile

The staff and us stand firm by the grace of God and the benevolence of people who love Haiti like you. Last week, our team worked on emergency relief and continues to assess the needs. they conducted theses activities: -Distribution of food and containers to collect water to several Mothers Clubs and Solidarity groups in Latibolière, Sassier, Labastille and Boyer. -Distribution of food and container to collect water to the Solidarity groups of the disabled people of Jérémie. Several of them have their houses damaged. -Support for the health care of three staff members injured in the earthquake -A lady from Mothers Clubs Jérémie was killed. She was selling used clothes when a wall collapsed on several people. We gave support for the funeral and food to the family. -The staff continue the visits. The situation is much more complicated than one thinks, especially in rural areas. I made a transfer of $2,500. I am waiting for the report at the beginning of the week before transferring the balance. The price of products has increased a lot. Jeremie main bridge over the great river at the entrance to the city is badly damaged. Merchandise trucks are not allowed to pass. We pray that the boat transport can resume. Otherwise the situation of Jeremie and the surroundings areas will be even more complicated. I wish you a very good week. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Thank you to all the donors. God bless you!

Devastating Disasters

On Saturday morning, August 14, an earthquake hit Haiti again, this time in the southwest area. The number dead and injured is still to be determined. Immediately after the earthquake, hurricane Grace came over the same area bringing more destruction and causing rivers to overflow and water to be un-drinkable.

In 1991 Barb Grove joined Dr. Paul Severson and his medical team on her first visit to Haiti. Responding to the need of financial help and jobs, she founded Mothers Clubs of Haiti, a micro-finance program providing small loans to the poorest rural families, primarily women. Today over 20,000 loans have been given, and when those loans are repaid new loans are provided. There are also 3,000 men involved and receiving loans. We are now a Haitian national program, responding to communities, throughout Haiti, requesting Mothers Clubs and Men's programs. Because we work in the rural areas we always have to deal with mountains, impossible roads, and lack of flight options. But when a destructive earthquake or hurricane happens our Haitian staff knows how to quickly get to victims and save lives. Victims are telling us that they need food and drinkable water immediately. Other needs such as long term injury care, home repair or replacement and farm animals dying, will come shortly after.

Sister Emile Ninoche, Mothers Clubs Coordinator said two days after the two disasters, "The staff is ready. This afternoon, during the meeting, they received a lot of emergency messages. The groups in rural area ask for water and bread. The rivers are in flood because of rain. The sources disappeared because of the earthquake. They drink dirty water and will get sick. They don't have food. We plan an intervention (food distribution location) at Latiboliere and Sassier. These places are more accessible because it is still raining. The teams will buy rice, oil, beans, canned fish and salt. They will buy bags of water. As soon as they can get help we can save lives. After, they (the staff) will go into far places."

The need right now is money to buy food and save lives. Mothers Clubs usually raises money for small loans, but now we must become a disaster relief program because no one else can do it. Later we will return to what we have been doing for 30 years, small loans to the poorest rural Haitian families. We ask you for your help. Please click here to find out how you can donate.