Mrs. Joissaint “Momma’s” Story

Haiti longed for our help even before the devastating earthquake struck this country.  Being the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, Haiti’s women, especially children, are at risk of starvation and enslavement.  We were shocked to learn that there are more slaves today than at any time in human history and Haiti happens to be a nation very vulnerable to this problem.

Children who have nowhere to go and no one to turn to find themselves in a situation where they are offered a place to live, food and school only to end up being enslaved with hardly anything to eat, involved in tedious labor and physical, sexual and mental abuse.

Fortunately, a Haitian brick layer and his wife, who lived in the slums took sympathy and drew courage to help the children in need.  They gave them a roof over their heads and food even though they themselves were poor.  They didn’t have much to offer but they still provided for these children and made sure they got food, shelter and some type of education.   Later on, the brick layer passed away and Mrs. Joissant or “Momma” as they call her continued to work with the children.  Today her sons and daughters, neighborhood widows, and churches of the slums find themselves helping with what is now known as “New Life to the Children”.

We learned about “Momma’s” Story through Imagine This! TV and began communicating with Don Skow who heads a team of volunteers to work hands-on with NLC.   This project tugged on our hearts and we wanted to reach out and help.  Can you imagine how much set back this nation is going through with the impact of the devastating earthquake that took place in February of this year?  There’s so much work to be done and there’s so many people who need help,  so it’s easy to get overwhelmed and wonder how is it possible to help when so many are in need.

I remember hearing a story about a missionary in Thailand, who found a newborn baby as she was passing through an alley, near the center where she served.  And this area of Thailand is very well known for having many brothels.  So she took the baby, without hesitation until it finally  dawned on her how big of a responsibility this was going to be.   Well, there was no way she could turn her back from this baby.  So she prayed and what she soon realized is that it was not her sole responsibility to take care of the baby and the other children already in the center.  And the same message applies to us.  With the help of just one more individual no matter how small or big, your contribution makes a difference.

March is the month to celebrate International Women’s Day and we dedicate this month to Mrs. “Momma” Joissaint.

New Life to the Children
A safe house for children at risk of starvation and enslavement near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Website: http://www.hcfonline.com
Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Four Truffles is a woman owned, women-run skin care brand created by women, for women and their families.   We believe that women are born with an innate sense of family, community and unity.  We strive to tie those elements together to help unify the world from the inside out – with the bonds of love, hope, faith and eternity.

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Posted Under: A Women4Women Journey | March 12th, 2010 | No Comments