International Marist solidarity

Réginald Sauvageau is a lay Canadian Marist who has been committed for a long time to the Institute. After a few years teaching as a religious Marist, his work as a lay educator continued to be linked with the Marists. When he retired, he offered his services to the community so that they could count on him for any need they may have. He worked as a teacher in Vanuatu and later in Haiti as a builder, on several occasions. Haitian workers would call him “engineer” due to his talent and manual ability.

Last October, he was in Jérémie continuing the construction work of a community centre attached to the novitiate. There, he was surprised by hurricane Matthew. He immediately showed his solidarity with the brothers and with the population: he decided to stay in the place and to contribute to rebuilding the Marist institutions and support the humanitarian aid.

His collaboration would not be possible if it were not for the consent of his wife Monique, who encourages him to continue with his service and commitment. Thank you Réginald! Thank you, Monique!

Below is his testimony on his experience of collaborating in Haiti.

_________________________

The destructive force of a storm like Hurricane Matthew that shook Haiti in early October, has been surprising.

The spontaneous outburst of the generosity of the Marist international community in the face of this misfortune that hit Haiti has been admirable.

These are the first feelings of a Marist volunteer who has been working for several years in the mission of Haiti.

Without giving in to discouragement, which on the other hand was understandable, the Marist communities and the Haitians of the area began to work to clean the house, to build temporary shelters and to repair the roofs with the materials they had and with the strength they had left.

But religious and Marist laity had a greater concern: to repair schools damaged by winds of over 250 km / hour.

The quick and effective response of the Mexican Marist authorities was a powerful stimulus for all of us.

Our most sincere thanks to the communities around the world who have contributed generously.

Also worth mentioning is the work of Brother Sergio Cáceres for his coordinating the purchase of materials and the distribution of available resources.

Personally, I have been involved in the planning and execution of the repair work on the roofs of the schools La Natividad and Fatima de Dame-Marie, two schools run by the Marist Brothers.

The Haitian workers involved were effective in helping to repair enough number of spaces so that the classes could be opened two weeks after the hurricane, with consequent joy on the part of students and teachers.

The principals of both schools have shown good wit when relocating groups or distributing students in safe hallways. Once again, the difficulties that arise awaken qualities hidden in the shadows. For some weeks, students and workers lived together every day, encouraging each other and showing mutual gratitude.

As a lay volunteer in the Marist world for over twenty years, I would like to suggest to the laity who believe in the Marist mission, that they should not hesitate to participate, according to their possibilities and their capacities. They will be the first to benefit.

We have the next General Chapter to lay the foundations of a solid international organisation of lay people eager to work with religious in the development of international solidarity, following the example of Marcellin Champagnat.

Réginald Sauvageau