INFINITE PRAISE CHOIR SERVES IN HAITI
by Jeffrey Thompson
Infinite Praise Choir of Fort Lauderdale Church traveled to Haiti in June on a mission trip to Haut-Moustiques where they partnered with the community’s development association. The main objectives of the association are improving life for its citizens by allowing children access to school, building a good irrigation system for the farmers, and improving healthcare in the area of Haut-Moustiques—approximately six hours northwest of Port-Au-Prince.
Those joining the trip focused on three main projects: construction, medical, and educational. The construction crew worked toward completing a cultural center for the community as there is no place for recreation, meetings, or receptions for ceremonies. Infinite Praise members Delton Francis, James Cooke, Garfield Lashington, and Calvin Murray helped at the construction site.
A one-day clinic was the second part of the project with more than 100 patients seen by Nurse Practitioner Sylvia Sanderson, Registered Nurse Suzette Marseilles, and assistant Tammy John. Colette Bewry-Cooke, Tasha Rachel, Carl Charles, and Chablis Champagne registered the patients as they entered the clinic.
The last part of the project was educational in the form of a one-day workshop held for teachers of the community. Choir members Lisa Lashington, Tasha Rachel, and Eleanor Sanderson led Teaching Strategies training for 35 teachers.
While Infinite Praise conducted this workshop, other members sorted clothing, school supplies, and toys for children. Later in the day, they distributed these items after a concert held in the partially completed community center.
Upon the group’s return from Haiti, Fort Lauderdale Church leaders commended Eleanor Sanderson for her initiative in coordinating the much-needed humanitarian mission trip, and members of Infinite Praise for their sacrifice and sense of mission.