Four and a half months after the catastrophe in Haiti, we don’t want to forget about the atrocities that took place. We recently had the privilege of sending a check for $29,775 to Compassion to aid their relief efforts on the ground and we know that they are using the funds as effectively as possible by providing physical, emotional and psychological stability for the earthquake victims.
The Compassion team recently sent over the story of a girl named Ferlandie who was affected by the earthquake and how Compassion has given her hope to press on. Please watch the video (done by IMS Productions) and read her story below. And remember, it was your purchase of the Haiti relief shirts that allow us to give back to an organization investing in people for good.
A SURVIVOR SPEAKS
“I don’t understand what is happening! Will you let me die here away from my parents?” was the desparate cry that came out from Ferlandie’s mouth before she was hit by a massive wall of concrete.
Ferlandie Fadius is a 20-year-old Leadership Development Program student who spent several hours under the rubble when her apartment collapsed and killed eight people in total. Ferlandie, along with one of her cousins, were the only two that neighbors were able to pull out. Although she suffered bad injuries to her head, eyes and arms, Ferlandie survived the disaster. Unfortunately, the rescuers were not able to save the lives of Ferlandie’s older sister and one female cousin, who were her roommates.
Ferlandie was suffering both physically and psychologically after she lost her sister and also one of her cousins, who was one of her best friends.
“Lying on me for two hours as we were both strapped between metals and concrete masses, I still bear the picture of my cousin’s body, dead a few seconds after she was severely hurt,” Ferlandie recalls.
Both Ferlandie and her cousin fell on the ground inside their home when a massive block of concrete hit them. For several hours, she bore the body of her cousin as she was strapped between metals and concrete.
“Was it not for the Compassion intervention, it is certain that I would not survive through the shock,” says Ferlandie, adding that she briefly lost her memory after the quake. Ferlandie has received seven sessions of masso-therapy and psychological evaluation with the best psychologist in the country, Dr. Junot Joseph.
“If follow up had not been made on time, Ferlandie would be in big trouble as she became very slow mentally after the shock,” says Dr. Junot. “She has not yet reached 100 percent of her mental capacity, but her case has greatly improved.”
“After the quake, I was scared and I was very concerned about my future. I thought I would never been able to return school to become the person I always dreamed to be,” Ferlandie said. “The therapy sessions are very helpful to me as I feel different every time I go to the doctor.”
Ferlandie enrolled in the Compassion International program when she was three years old. She is the only one in her family who has reached the university level, thanks to the Compassion program. Ferlandie is in her first year of college where she is studying Education Science. Three months after the quake, she was excited to return to Quisqueya University for the first time to see that she passed her first semester exams – exams she had completed just hours before the January 12 earthquake.
“I am eager to restart school as my college has resumed but the doctor has not given me the authorization yet,” Ferlandie says. She will return to school once her doctor evaluates her current condition and gives her his approval.
“After completing my four years of studies, I would like to help Haiti in the realm of education as education is one of the Haiti’s greatest challenges. The new Haiti needs people like me in key positions and I believe I can be one of them.”
“January 12 is a date that I will never forget as I see things differently now. But, I believe one thing: if I am alive today, God has a reason for that,” Ferlandie concludes.
The Compassion response in Haiti is empowering and equipping churches and their leaders to provide help to the survivors of this devastating tragedy.
“Due to the magnitude of this disaster we would not been able to cope with the situation by ourselves. Compassion has helped us to focus on others in need while it provides for the immediate needs of more than 400 families here. Compassion always acts in due time and it shows up when we need it the most,” says Samuel Sermeil pastor of one of Compassion’s partner churches in Port-au-Prince.
Look out for more on Ferlandie in the next few weeks. To learn more, please visit: www.compassion.com. Photo above by Esther Havens.
