WESTLOCK — While the embattled nation of Haiti continues to struggle, Clyde Christian Bible Church and Village of Clyde residents are showing their support for the Caribbean country with their annual Haiti Supper and Concert on April 6 at the Clyde Curling Complex.
The annual fundraiser begins with a chili and ham supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by guest speaker Rick Scruggs from Lifeline Ministries in Calgary who will provide an update on missionary Ricot Leon and his family, and will finish with a variety show featuring Francis Kavanaugh with the Joe Ireland Band and Mary Kieftenbeld, an artist who wrote the Alberta song for the province’s centennial in 2005, as well as several local performers.
All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the church’s mission in Haiti and, specifically, to the Port Salut Community Building Project.
“Last year we were able to pass on $7,200 (to Leon),” said fundraiser organizer Barb Carbert. “People were very kind and very generous.”
The fundraiser began in 2013 to help support Leon and his family, but took a two-year pandemic break before returning in April 2022.
“He and his wife and four children are in Port Salut,” said Carbert, noting it’s a three-hour drive from Port-Au-Prince.
Carbert communicated with Leon via text message about ten days ago and asked how the family was doing amid the violence and instability.
“He said in Port Salut, it was quite calm. Everything was stable there but there’s no way they can leave because all of the protesters and rioting is going on in Port-Au-Prince around the airport.”
Initially, the mission wanted to build a school in Haiti but has since dealt with several devastating hurricanes and an earthquake in recent years, and other disasters that have hit the country and left it and the people struggling. They have planted three churches in the past 10 years as the original church was destroyed in a hurricane and they hope to continue with the original plan of building a school.
“Our money has helped build a multi-purpose building,” said Carbert, noting the community building will house the church as well as provide space for a community garden administration team.
“They’re hoping eventually to make it into a small school. That hasn’t happened yet but it’s so volatile there it’s hard to get things done,” she added.
Carbert said the fundraiser has been well supported by the village of Clyde and outlying communities for several years and they look forward to welcoming area residents to the fundraiser on April 6.
“We’re hoping for a great turnout,” said Carbert.
