Part-time Columbus resident Jessica Eugene, director of Damou Christian Mission in Haiti, is shown with Haitian young people.
Photo provided
Amid the government-related chaos and anarchy reigning in Haiti, part-time Columbus resident Jessica Eugene finds significant slivers of hope.
Part of that optimism rests at the nonprofit Damou Christian Mission in Jacmel, 52 miles south of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Eugene has served 14 years as mission director, educating and feeding families amid severe poverty.
Plus, Damou Medical Center, a rarity in that area, treats mothers, the elderly, and children.
“Here in Columbus, there at least are food banks and some other resources (for the struggling),” Eugene said. “We don’t have that in Haiti.
“So we try to be that little bit of hope that, if people need anything, they can call us. Sometimes, we realize that we can do only so much.
“But you know what? It feels good to be able to do whatever we possibly can.”
Therein lies the background for a meeting that she and Haitian native Loubens, her husband, will lead at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at First Christian Church, 531 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
They hope that, by building awareness of their programs and ministry, they can add to the financial support for the work, especially the feeding program. Ideally, the Eugenes would like to raise $100,000 in pledged support within the next three months to cover one year’s operating expenses, which are considerably higher in the wake of unrest.
Jessica Eugene’s aunt, Tina Isenhower, launched the mission more than 30 years ago.
Jessica regularly reminds audiences during public presentations at churches and elsewhere that her husband, a former student at the mission, is firm evidence of the outreach’s success. The mission includes 850 students and feeds 250 families weekly.
Four local churches support the mission currently: First Christian, First Baptist, Sandy Hook United Methodist and First Presbyterian.
“But we want people to know that this support doesn’t have to come just from churches,” Eugene said. “It can be anybody with a heart to help.”
Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has been plagued by an uptick in rampant gang violence since January, at some points forcing a shutdown of the country’s main airport and plunging the nation further into chaos, according to wire reports.
“Even though with all these obstacles we face as missionaries,” Jessica said, “we as a family feel we have been called to live and serve in this beautiful country with wonderful and loving people.”
Damou Christian Mission holds a very special place in the hearts of Columbus residents Glyn and Carol Price. They adopted son Eli from there in 1997. In 2008, after a huge earthquake struck the nation, Eli initiated a local drive for funds and provisions for the people. Now, the Prices support this added call for help.
“Damou is the only source of food for any in their area (currently),” Carol Price said. “Due to the unstable (and corrupt) environment, it is no longer possible to bring in the free donated food from the U.S. that has sustained them for many years.”
However, the Eugenes can purchase staples such as beans and rice in Haiti, but need financial donations to do so.
“We feel confident that once again Columbus folk will rise to the challenge to assist with these life-saving efforts,” she said.
Loubens Eugene hopes to return to the mission by summer, though the couple can run the administrative end of the programs remotely.
“Where we are located in southern Haiti, we feel pretty safe,” Jessica Eugene said, adding that the travel through Port-au-Prince to get to Jacmel is what is risky and dangerous. “The people there (in Jacmel) tend to protect their assets. They don’t want to lose that help (at the mission).”
Hear how to help
What: Meeting with part-time Columbus residents Jessica and Loubens Eugene to build support for the outreach work of Damou Christian Mission in Jacmel, Haiti, amid the country’s national unrest and violence.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: First Christian Church, 531 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
Information and donations: damouhaiti.org. Email can be sent to damouchristianmission1@gmail.com.
