Saint Paul Elementary School

Last May, Paula Connors of Hingham had the opportunity to travel to Leogane, Haiti.  The purpose of her trip was to aid the victim’s of Haiti’s devastating January 2010 earthquake.  Paula and her volunteer companions did not travel alone.  They brought with them the love and concern of the greater Hingham community.

Paula’s interest in Haiti was the direct result of a friend’s trip to Leogane in early February.  Sean Farrell, a college friend of Paula’s husband Matt, felt called to help Haiti.  As a graduate of University of Notre Dame, Sean was able to reside at the Notre Dame Haiti Program Residence in Leogane, Haiti.  This program has operated in Haiti since 1983, searching for a cure for elephantiasis.  Located approximately twenty miles outside of the capital of Port-au-Prince, Leogane suffered massive devastation, with 90% of the buildings destroyed.  Miraculously, the Notre Dame residence was “still standing and became a command central for the entire region,” according to Paula.  From Leogane, Sean sent daily e-mail updates to family and friends.   Paula, in turn, shared these updates with her friends.  Moved by Sean’s e-mails regarding Haiti’s plight, Paula’s friend Martha Murphy decided to travel to Haiti to help.  As Paula was helping Martha ready for her trip to Leogane, Paula decided to journey there, as well. 

Prior to leaving for Haiti, there was much fundraising to be done.  Paula reached out to Saint Paul School, where her daughter Kelsey is a student.  Principal Cynthia Duggan was eager to assist the people of Haiti in their continued need.  Saint Paul School had previously held a fundraiser for Haiti, in which they collected $2,500 and 300 pairs of shoes for donation.  It was decided that Saint Paul School would once again help the people of Haiti, in particular the people of Leogane.  The response was completely overwhelming.  Saint Paul School students and their families generously donated such items as new or gently worn clothing, sneakers, multivitamins, tooth paste and toothbrushes, soap, and of course, monetary donations.  A “Red Sox” dress down day was held for all students, in which $600 was raised. The school also donated a number of Saint Paul School gym shirts, sweatshirts and jumpers.  Before leaving for Haiti, Paula visited with the children of Saint Paul School.  Father Rafferty and the students gave her a special blessing for the journey.

On May 8th, Paula traveled to Leogane, Haiti for a nine day charitable trip. Paula was one of 16 volunteer team members, consisting of 7 doctors, 6 nurses, 1 pharmacist and 2 non-medical personnel, of which Paula was one.  Among the 2 nurses who traveled were Martha Murphy and Amy Murray, both former Saint Paul School parents.  Each of the volunteers brought with them two bags full of donated items, including clothing, sneakers, candy and even soccer balls. Paula volunteered with World Wide Village and InterVol, two non-profit charitable organizations who were helping the Haitian people.  While in Leogane, Paula also stayed at the Notre Dame residence.   As a non-medical volunteer, Paula was called upon to do whatever was necessary.  She spent most of her time in the makeshift pharmacy, and also had the opportunity to visit 3 orphanages.   Paula found the people of Haiti to be “open and friendly.”  Even in the midst of destruction there was still joy to be found, especially on the faces of the children.  

Lamb Center Ministries is an orphanage which was completely destroyed by the earthquake.  Before the quake, over 200 children were cared for here.  Following the terrible devastation of January 12th, the center was not able to feed and care for the great majority of children.          

Paula’s friend Sean had befriended this orphanage and is currently overseeing the reconstruction of the new center.  It was this orphanage which was the main recipient of the generosity of the Saint Paul School students.  Of the money raised from the “Red Sox” dress down day, $300 was used to purchase rice, beans and kerosene for two weeks and the remaining $300 went to purchase a 250 gallon water reserve tank.   The local fundraising for the Lamb Center continues today.  Paula’s son, Chuckie, is a student at Boston College High School, where they have a weekly “Mite Box” collection for different organizations. BC High selected the Lamb Center as the first recipient of the 2010-2011 school year and $2,200 was raised.  As the Lamb Center is in the process of opening up their school again, the funds from BC High will be used to purchase items such as blackboards and books.

Upon her return from Haiti, Paula visited Saint Paul School to speak with the students and share her photos.  The students were especially moved by the pictures of the children at the Lamb Center wearing the Saint Paul School gym shirts.  As Paula noted, “It was an immediate connection!”  Certainly, the children of Saint Paul School now have a special affinity for the children of Leogane, Haiti.  With Paula’s assistance, this friendship continues.  Paula is currently planning an additional Dress-Down Day at Saint Paul School, commemorating the first anniversary of the Earthquake.  The funds from this event will of course help the needy of Haiti.

From Sean’s simple e-mails, two communities have changed for the better - Hingham, Mass and Leogane, Haiti.  Many lives have been touched by this journey of hope and healing,  including those of  Sean, Paula and her family, the students of Saint Paul School, and of course, the children of Leogane.