http://carsonia.blogspot.com/2012/05/mission-trip-to-haiti-this-july.html
St. Paul's Music Director Goes to Haiti
Why
Haiti? Moving to New Orleans after Katrina and seeing the city re-grow over the
past six years has helped her witness what a determined community can do with
each others’ help. Working at St. Paul’s Episcopal for the past four years and
volunteering with The Homecoming Center’s seniors program has shown her many
opportunities for service and introduced her to the movers and shakers of
service in New Orleans. After Caroline learned about the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she
heard about The Red Thread Promise's work there. She wanted to do something….so
she and the members of Inconspicuous 8,
a local professional women’s choir, gave a benefit concert for the organization
and its work. Since that time, she has kept a close eye on happenings in Haiti
and approached Kathy Korge Albergate (President of The Red Thread Promise) and
her husband, Rev. Dr. Scott Albergate (rector of St. Paul’s) about applying for
the trip this July. Caroline is the second person from St. Paul’s to go to
Haiti with the organization. The first was Mr. John Joseph, Sexton of St.
Paul’s, in January 2011. In talking to Caroline about the trip, she says: “I’m
absolutely thrilled to go and I know our team will have a blast with the kids.
I believe it’s equally important to put your time where your mouth is when you say you want to make a
difference…and I believe volunteering is something we all need to try and find
time for.”
Camp Jake is an
annual summer camp designed to meet the special needs of handicapped children
from the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The
team consists of 16 counselors and one photographer who will be working with 44
campers—who are blind, deaf or non-ambulatory - for a week on the Haitian
coast. The children are from St. Vincent’s Center for Handicapped Children. The
camp removes physical and emotional barriers, giving participating children the
chance to engage in creative arts, as well as physical and social activities
under the supervision of a team of volunteer counselors, artists, musicians,
mentors and healthcare professionals.
Photo at left of Diana in her new all terrain
wheelchair donated by Episcopal Church Women across the US.
"The concept
for Camp Jake was inspired by my 13‐year‐old nephew, Jacob Richard, who suffers
from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative terminal illness,” said Tom
Landry II, director of Camp Jake and a member of The Red Thread board. “Our
camp will bring Jacob's selfless, energetic spirit to the orphaned children of
St. Vincent's. We believe every child deserves the most life has to offer,
regardless of disability, class, race or circumstance. Camp Jake will assure
that physical limitations are left behind and replaced with endless
opportunities for emotional and physical development in a fun-filled
atmosphere."
(left to right) Dieumene, Danika and JoJo
ABOUT
THE RED THREAD PROMISE
The Red Thread Promise (TRTP) is a not‐for‐profit
organization whose mission is to provide hope and healing for needy and
orphaned children—children who have no one to advocate for them and cannot
advocate for themselves. Our program exists to improve the quality of life for
these children. We provide them with the treatment they need so that they can
each lead a life with dignity, health and hope. Find us online at
www.redthreadpromise.org. Follow us on Facebook: The Red Thread Promise or on
Twitter: @trtpromise
Photos by Al Laus
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