Testimonials

Since International Action installed chlorinators, the rate of diarrhea and sickness of children dropped dramatically. Kids are not getting sick any more. We learned we can prevent such diseases. We'd like to keep it this way.

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— Pierre Joab, President of Simmond-Pelé

I noticed the difference. Kids used to get sick before. Not anymore. Water is very good. Food is the problem. The only thing that works in this area is water.

—Dieula Croissy, President of Drouillard (Cité Soleil
—Dieula Croissy, President of Drouillard (Cité Soleil

Thank you for your response to our request from nearly a year ago. The four units that you installed in our orphanage were a huge success. Within 30 days of the installation, we could see a difference in all of our children that were sick. Your chlorinators have saved lives.

However, we need your help again. One of our water towers came down during the earthquake destroying the unit. We salvaged part of it, but we need your help on the reassembly or replacement of that unit. Since the earthquake, we have secured a mission house that we are already using for volunteer teams coming to Haiti for the reconstruction of the country. The house we have secured is also in need of water treatment. We cannot and do not consume this water because testing has shown it unsafe. Anything you can do for this mission will be appreciated.

P.S. The workers who made the installation on the units at the orphanage and their supervisors were extremely efficient and courteous. Just thought you would like to know.

Update: Within a few weeks, we fulfilled their request and repaired the chlorinators damaged by the earthquake.

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—Doug and Teresa Frye, Directors of LOCC Mission Orphanage

Now, with a chlorinator installed, the 233 students at National Virginia Sampeur School drink clean water. The clean drinking water became a big event in the 2007-2008 academic year.

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Dr. Marie Yolaire L. Remy, Representative of African Methodist-Episcopal Church (AME-SADA)

Thank you International Action. Don't give up on us. Keep up the good work. We really appreciate it.

—Dufresne Richard, Water Board Member at Bel-Air
—Dufresne Richard, Water Board Member at Bel-Air

The chlorinators made a big difference. Before International Action installed chlorinators, kids used to get sick a lot. But now, everybody drinks clean, safe water, and nobody is sick anymore!

—Faustin Pierre Paul, Kenscoff Orphanage
—Faustin Pierre Paul, Kenscoff Orphanage

The chlorinator has aided tremendously in sanitation in our surgical rooms. We had a big problem with dirty water from our cistern, but the chlorinator resolved the problem completely. Please make a second installation on the cistern that supplies our cafeteria.

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—Jean Angus, Director of Fermathe Hospital

The water is good. We really appreciate it. It's helping us a lot. Keep working and don't give up on us.

—Jean Heleur Richard, President of Bois Neuf (Cité Soleil)
—Jean Heleur Richard, President of Bois Neuf (Cité Soleil)

The water before was clear. But, that didn't mean it was not contaminated. After International Action installed chlorinators on water tanks, no kids are getting sick any more and everybody feels much better. We used to have epidemics of fever, malaria, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. I see a very big, big difference... Dalebrun and his team are very dependable. We don't know how to thank you enough. Dalebrun is like a saint to us.

—Jean Raymond Herard, President of Villa Rosa
—Jean Raymond Herard, President of Villa Rosa

Children drink the same water that animals drink and people wash clothes with. Children get sick from drinking such water. When we saw the water system International Action installed at Bethel, we opened our arms for hope. Oh, God, it can save us. We know International Action's work and appreciate it very much. Please come to Cabaret and help us.

—Jean-Claude Pitit-Frere, Director of Water Board of Cabaret
—Jean-Claude Pitit-Frere, Director of Water Board of Cabaret

I have three children: the first one is 12, the second is 9, and the youngest is 4. My two youngest had diarrhea very often. I visited a lot of hospitals but was unable to find a cure. Finally I visited a pediatrician; he examined all three and revealed that the kids have worms.The treatments prescribed did not give good results whereas the albendazole pills distributed by International Action have been taken by all my children, and now they do not have diarrhea anymore. Many of my neighbors make the same observation. I have no words to express my gratitude towards International Action/Dlo Pwòp. Their intervention changed the lives of my children.

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Madeleine Joseph, Mother

I am a lawyer and sociologist. I was born and have lived in Trou-Sable for 28 years. Being responsible for the Health Center of Trou-Sable, I received 500 pills from my president, Tarel Calixte. I have handed out the pills to many of the children for free and have received a lot of positive feedback both from the kids and their mothers. They noticed that the kids do not gain excess weight, that they do not need to drink water constantly through the night, and that this free treatment has worked better than any of the other expensive alternatives available.

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Myriana Elvariste, Director of Health Center Trou-Sable

My name is Paulette Champagne. I am 55 years old. I have lived in this neighborhood of Port-au-Prince – Villa Rosa – for 22 years. I ask you to please transmit not only my thanks, but the thanks of all the residents of Villa Rosa to your principal donors.

I am married with two children, one girl and one boy. The girl is 31 years old, and the boy is 20. They have not found any work. My daughter has a small boy who is seven, without a father. I live with them in a room that is not even comfortable. My husband has been dead for 15 years now. I live with him in my spirit.

Despite my bitterness, I want to thank International Action for having thought of me, I would say, because they have done much for me and my family. The water that I and my family consumed before the installment of the chlorinator in Villa Rosa was of very bad quality. We didn't have money to buy a safe 5 gallon bottle of water for 60 gourdes (U.S. $2). My grandson suffered from severe diarrhea. He would get so dehydrated at times, to the point where we spent all our money taking him to the doctors, even when we didn't have the money to eat. With your clean water, he does not get sick any more.

Also, I have been struck with several vaginal diseases. Many women in my community suffer from these as well, but they are too ashamed to talk about it. The new clean water has stopped these infections. That's why I am not embarrassed to give this testimony. I think there are a lot of people in other neighborhoods who have a need of this program.

Lots of organizations have the habit of coming here, but their activities have not helped the population who lives on the verge of absolute misery. The Water Agency (CAMEP) has not done their job. The water of CAMEP is not good. It is necessary for International Action to expand and become better known, because it is a positive influence.

I was not told of the chlorinator installations, but only noticed the change in our health. How did I learn formally about the treatment of our water? I have a friend in Cité Canada (nearby neighborhood). She is around 50 years old and younger than I am. She is in the middle of a celebration over the quality of water in her neighborhood. She showed me a sign on Cité Canada's water tank of a multi-colored flag where water is stored. I realized that it is the same flag as on my water tank in Villa Rosa. That is how I came to know Dalebrun and got to ask him about the program.

(Translated from Creole and French)

Above is one of the most moving statements about our chlorinator program that we have received. We were surprised at the comment that chlorinating water stops urinary tract infections. A search of the medical journals confirms, "Girls can also pick up vaginal and urinary infections if the water they use...is dirty, leading to more time off from school."

Also we found: "Dr. Georgina Pastorfide, a dermatologist, cautions against the use of contaminated water...as it might cause vaginitis, a vaginal infection."

And, "Lack of sufficient quantities of clean fresh water enabling the regular practice of proper hygiene plays a role in common lower reproductive tract infections in women." That comes from the UN Population Fund.

The fact that Madame Champagne's grandson is now thriving is also very good news. We are therefore very happy to send her thanks to you as a "principal donor" to her city's chlorinators.

We did install chlorinators in both Cité Canada and Villa Rosa and we put rainbow colored flags on every chlorinator location. These are the flags Madame Champagne noticed.

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—Paulette Champagne, Grandmother

Since International Action installed chlorinators, the rate of diarrhea and sickness of children dropped dramatically. Kids are not getting sick any more. We learned we can prevent such diseases. We'd like to keep it this way

—Pierre Joab, President of Simmond-Pelé
—Pierre Joab, President of Simmond-Pelé

People drink the water where all the animals bathe and people wash clothes. Children get sick and many die. It's a serious problem. We need your help.

—Rosemilla St. Vil, Coordinator of Women’s Organization for Arcahaie
—Rosemilla St. Vil, Coordinator of Women’s Organization for Arcahaie

I am a sixteen-year-old living in Cité Soleil. I took the treatment, and it helped me a lot. I can now eat well, where before I had difficulty eating healthily; I am also starting to gain weight. Thank you so much International Action, may God bless you.

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—Sonia Augustin, Student

Impressed with the wonderful and important work you are doing. Every person, no matter where they live or their economic situation is entitled to certain basic necessities like clean water. Keep saving lives!

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—The Glickenhaus Foundation, NY, Partner