education
We fund primary school education, supplement staff salaries, subsidize secondary education, and…
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clinic
We support a permanent medical clinic, collaborate on a clean water project,…
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community health
We empower the communities we support to increase their education, health, and…
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economic development
We provide adult education, resources and local employment to support self-sufficiency.
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teams
Throughout the year we send medical teams to rural Northern Haiti to…
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A Blessing to the Ministry
International Women’s Day seems like an appropriate day to acknowledge the work and heart of Elvire Bazilme.
If you have ever been on a medical team with Haiti Foundation of Hope, you certainly know Elvire Bazilme, the wife of Pastor Delamy. You know that she is a caretaker of all team members who make the trip to Terre Blanche. She also is involved with many other aspects of the work there.
Donn Raymond, HFH board member, recently had the opportunity to sit down and visit with Elvire. Donn wrote the following article.
My conversation with Elvire was easy. I simply had to ask one question.
What are you most passionate about in the ministry at Terre Blanche?
The moment I asked her my question, her face lit up with the biggest, warmest smile. If you have seen Elvire smile, you know exactly what I am talking about.
“I care about the people of our communities.”
Elvire immediately discussed her love and gratitude for the Community Health Volunteers. These volunteers go out into the surrounding communities and provide basic health information and support to their neighbors, often focusing on disease prevention. Elvire is intimately involved in the selection and training of these volunteers. She is extremely proud of the work they are doing and credits them with saving a great number of lives over the years.
Elvire then turned her focus to the schools. This is where much of her time and energy is spent. The teachers go through a thorough screening process from the school’s education committee which includes Elvire. The teaching staff for the almost 800 students is top notch. On national tests, their students score extremely high – meeting the standards and beyond. Elvire is also instrumental in ensuring that every single student is given a daily meal. She knows that a nutritious meal helps facilitate learning. Elvire’s love and concern for the students is evident.
And finally, nutrition for the community is at the heart of what Elvire worries about. It is important to note that she is an excellent cook. And many in the community will agree. Sometimes, people coming to the Clinic of Hope from far away require shelter for the night before returning to their home the next day. Elvire will assure that they have a place to sleep and even more importantly, a delicious meal. She also keeps track of the many who are in need of additional food resources.
Elvire is so much more than the “wife of Pastor Delamy.” Elvire and Pastor Delamy partner together in every part of the ministry. They genuinely care for and love the people of their community. Pastor Delamy may be the face of the ministry, but Elvire could be described as the backbone, the glue that holds things together.
Pastor Delamy summed it up in one sentence: “Elvire is such a blessing to the ministry, to me, to the children and to the people of Terre Blanche.”
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