Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 5:30pm

Bower nun relives Haitian nightmare

A BOWER nun has spoken warmly of the Haitian's people resilience and courage in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake five weeks ago.

Sr Maria Hawkes, who spent many years as a teacher and principal of Fairgreen NS here in Athlone, is already looking forward to returning to Port au Prince, where she works in an nutrition and education centre for young children.

"I wanted to stay on but we were advised that it was important to take a break or I'd be no good," she said speaking to the Westmeath Independent. "A child said to me that when the earthquake happened, the world stopped... But they're a resilient lot, they've a great culture. They love music and dancing."

Sr Maria returned to Ireland on February 1, and spent time in Dublin with family. After two weeks in Athlone she will fly back to Haiti via the Dominican Republic next Saturday February 27.

She attended a cheque presentation in Mount Temple Golf Club last Wednesday night, after members held a golf challenge, auction and raffle to raise funds for Haiti on Saturday February 13. She was delighted when club president Mick Dolan, presented her with a cheque for €4,125.

Sr Maria said that all donations she had received on behalf of the La Sainte Union community, would be spent wisely on food, water, medicine, clothes and educational supplies. She stressed that every cent would be accounted for and that she would contact friends and colleagues, such as Bower Principal Sr Denise, to let them know how the money was being spent.

"People have been so generous. I want to say thank you to so many people here, some I don't even know. I'd like to say thank you to them on behalf of all the nuns," she said. "The response of people has been extraordinary."

Sr Maria was incredibly lucky to have survived the massive earthquake on January 12. So did her colleagues. But a little boy and a girl who attended their centre died, a poignant experience for the nuns.

She spoke about how the earthquake hit a country which had already suffered for hundreds of years, from the horrors of slavery to political tyrannies, from annual cyclones to massive poverty.

"So many buildings are gone; houses, the cathedral, the national palace, many old churches. Several hospitals collapsed and a nurses school collapsed and all the young nurses died. A university also collapsed... There's one very big monument in the capital, of a slave calling people to a revolution, but I've heard that it didn't fall," she said.

Sr Maria and her colleagues had to leave their home and stay out in the open space in case it would collapse. She slept under the stars in an armchair with the ground still shaking with tremors. The nuns are still sleeping outside, but they have tents now.

"That first night in the open space, there was a huge sense of solidarity... Our faith came to the fore. While we couldn't communicate with the communities we believed that people were praying."

Their house is structurally sound but there are several cracks in the walls which need repairing.

The wall of the children's centre is also damaged. She praised Trocáire for committing to fixing the walls. GOAL has also provided food for 700 families in that area, made up of rice, beans, oil and salt, which will last each family three weeks. She also praised the Irish and International Red Cross who are providing food, water and clothing.

Sr Maria lit up speaking about the people of Haiti.

"The Haitian people are a very resilient and courageous people," she said. "Prior to the earthquake the majority of people had next to nothing, but a little one bed house. But it was all lost in the earthquake. The morning after, they were walking into the area where we were to join us holding clothes, saucepans or bedclothes. That's all they have left."

Daily life at the centre for Sr Maria involves teaching literacy, numeracy classes and art, as well as making sure the children receive one nourishing meal every day.

The nuns have also set up a programme whereby they sponsor children for school - paying for uniforms, books and fees, as many parents cannot afford this.

Now they're providing food for families, and sending children to safer homes and centres in the provinces. The centre will re-open in early March, which is why Sr Maria is so eager to return.

"There's small markets starting up again, vendors are on the street. It's good to see normal life again... I'm looking forward to going back. The Haitians are very supportive of us as well... They are people of prayer themselves."