Horror in Haiti hits home

Photos courtesy of Bob DellaValle-Rauth

Adele DellaValle-Rauth holds two orphans last June at Foyer des Filles de Dieu.

Before last week's devastating earthquake, the orphange housed 69 girls ages 3 to 20.

When Bob DellaValle-Rauth of Huddleston made his first visit to Haiti in 1989, he was shocked.

"It was the suffering of the people that hit me so hard," he recalled.

More suffering was heaped on the desperately poor Caribbean nation last week when a major earthquake left deteriorating bodies on the streets and countless residents injured and homeless. The death toll is predicted to go as high as 200,000.

Among the dead were three girls from Foyer des Filles de Dieu, an orphanage in the heart of the capital city of Port-au-Prince and a "twin," or mission project, of Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta. In the aftermath, the surviving residents of the orphanage, about 65 girls, and staff members have been left homeless and forced into the streets because the building is not habitable, said DellaValle-Rauth.

As of Tuesday, relief aid had not reached them, he added.

DellaValle-Rauth, who with wife Adele heads the parish's outreach in Haiti, estimated he has made 30 visits there since Resurrection began "twinning" with the girls' home 20 years ago. Three parish members -- Bob Flynn, Terry Jones and Orban Gregory -- were to leave the morning of Jan. 14, two days after the quake struck, on a mission trip to Haiti.

DellaValle-Rauth said the trip, which had been planned prior to the earthquake, has been postponed because the airline canceled the flight they were to take.

"The first contact we had was [Jan. 14] when we found out that three of our girls had been killed," said DellaValle-Rauth.

Since, then, DellaValle-Rauth said he has learned that the girls who were killed -- two 17-year-olds and a 19-year-old -- were away from the orphanage visiting the family of the orphanage's cook when the quake struck. Those three, plus the cook's wife and three children, died when the house collapsed.

The cook was away from his home and apparently was not hurt. Other than minor cuts and injuries, the surviving girls at the orphanage also appear to be OK, according to DellaValle-Rauth. But large cracks in the walls and the threat of more aftershocks have displaced the residents.

"The girls are living outside the dormitory walls -- on the street," DellaValle-Rauth said. "Some of the staff managed to get sheets to them so they can cover themselves up at night."

What they need the most and are desperate for, he added, is water.

DellaValle-Rauth was hopeful the girls and staff would receive water and other support this week with the arrival of a group from Angel Missions out of Roanoke. With the assistance of a supporter in Northern Virginia, who satellite mapped the orphanage's location, DellaValle-Rauth said members of Angel Missions were to try to locate the orphans and provide help.

Besides immediate needs, monetary support is crucial, he added.

"A lot of expensive work is needed," said DellaValle-Rauth of the building. "My rough, rough guess, until someone with expertise goes on site, would be $150,000, and it could be more than that."

Located about a mile from the presidential palace, the orphanage housed girls from ages 3 to 20. DellaValle-Rauth, an engineer who retired from RCA and a lake resident since 1985, said buildings in Haiti are, for the most part, poorly constructed and the quality of the concrete used in construction is inferior.

One alternative to replacing the original building, he said, was to build on land Paula Thybulle, the orphanage founder and director, has been eyeing. It is located near the Port-au-Prince suburb of Crois dex Bouquet, about 10 miles from its current location.

Most of DellaValle-Rauth's information about the status of the orphanage has come through Thybulle's son, who lives in the United States. Communication, he said, is difficult and sporadic.

Thybulle's son told DellaValle-Rauth that a medical clinic located beside the orphanage and operated by his mother was spared, but has been swamped with injured seeking help.

DellaValle-Rauth said he, Adele and the three parish members who had planned the postponed trip are eager to get to Haiti. Their plan, he said, is to go "relatively soon, as soon as commercial flights can get in."

In the meantime, DellaValle-Rauth and other parishoners at Resurrection are busy trying to prepare for the expected arrival of some of the orphans to the United States. Dr. Kathryn Humphreys of Village Family Physicians in Moneta, who has worked with Angel Missions for many years, plans to include the orphans of Foyer des Filles de Dieu in a potential refugee program, according to DellaValle-Rauth.

"We think it's feasible" that some will come to the Smith Mountain Lake area, he said.

Through the tragic events of the past 10 days, DellaValle-Rauth said he has hope for the people of Haiti.

"In terms of lifestyle, to see how people can live on so little and to experience the suffering they suffer .... They have very little education, virtually no medical care and so many infectious diseases," he said. "But the Haitian people are wonderful, so hospitable and loving."

Those wishing to assist with monetary donations to Foyer des Filles de Dieu should make their checks out to Resurrection Catholic Church and include Haiti on the memo line. Mail to Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta VA 24121.