Frè Jacques

We’re taking time to introduce some staff members our American friends might not know, as of yet. One of them is Frè Jacques.

We welcomed Frè Jacques on staff in 2016. He worked with us from 2016-2018 and rejoined our staff in June of 2023. He also worked for Haiti Awake as a contractor after Hurricane Matthew and the earthquake fo 2021. Haiti Awake is so grateful for his return and all the contributions he has made in the past year.

Currently, Frè Jacques tutors our students and helps them with their homework and studying, as well as helping in the classroom. As a contractor after natural disasters, Frè Jacques helped build homes and repair other structures for people in Haiti. His hard work has been invaluable to our relief efforts in years past.

Frè Jacques is married to Sè Cilotte, and they are very active members of EEGC. Frè Jacques serves on the church executive committee.

Frè Jacques in very gifted in construction. This has given him many heartwarming stories to share.

“One thing that touched me after the earthquake in 2021,” he shared. “I went with the Haiti Awake staff to the south of Haiti, and we visited a blind and crippled man. His house had fallen down while he was inside. Thanks to God he got out safe and well. The staff assisted him and rebuilt his house. In 2016 after Hurricane Mathew., we went to the south of Haiti (Cayes) where we met a family that lost their roof of their home to the wind, and they didn't have anywhere to go during the rain. They were soaked and that was touching deeply touching. We stepped in. We helped this family. I was so happy to participate in rebuilding this house with the support of Haiti Awake.”

Frè Jacques ability in construction has made such a positive impact on the lives of many people in Haiti. His love for others shows through the work he does for Haiti Awake.

We are thankful for his current role with Community Child Sponsorship and the impact he is making in young lives for God’s glory.

Hudson's perspective on the trip to Les Cayes

By God’s grace, Rose-Carmel and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Les Cayes from Port-au-Prince, Although I have been to Les Cayes many times before, this time it amazed me more than it used to.

Haitian people are resilient. We believe in working hard and we are creative to fulfill the void due to a lack of materials in order to have the best results that we are looking for.

Rose- Carmel and I went to Les Cayes specifically for a food distribution for inmates. Friends picked us up at the airport and we went to the market to begin buying food and supplies.

When we got to the prison, police introduced us to female prisoners as the organization that helps them with what God put on our way. They were so grateful for that.

It was Rose-Carmel's first day ever in the countryside, and she was also amazed by how the countryside is different from Port-au-Prince. She had to experience the authenticity of our fellowships in the South of Haiti. People are always showing their willingness to help, to assure and know that we are comfortable. The people embrace life with a contagious smile. This tells us life is beautiful, no matter where you are.

We visited a market that is mostly for the “Madan Sara”. These ladies come twice weekly to sell or buy in order to make a living. This place is known as a center for gathered vendors from different places of the remote areas. A picture can tell more than a thousands stories. That's why you can see we tend to share pictures of farmers, fishermen, butchers, to tell these important stories.

“Madan Sara” is a bird that you will call “Village Weaver” in English. Those birds are known to migrate together. They are so active you can see that they are working in groups, and they are noisy.

This theme also describes the strong ladies in Haiti that are bringing food from the remote areas to the city. They play a big part in our community by improving the food market and playing a big part in our economy.

If you ever go to an informal market in Haiti, you will be able to see how our Madan Sara are negotiating, how they are active in the market, and they will remind you of that beautiful bird that is a Madan Sara.

Believe us when we say, Les Cayes is a beautiful country. There are so many places that we didn’t have time to discover in order to share the beauty with you. But through those special pictures we had, you can see the resolve in the face of our beautiful Haitian people.