Solidarity

“Over the past eight months, we have lived through three deaths, three births, and two weddings. L’Arche Carrefour wasn’t really in a position to welcome all these people, but the community knew how to demonstrate solidarity. We welcomed these refugees because they were in need; there was no other choice. During the first three weeks, we shared our food with them. After that, members of the Canadian Forces brought us rations from the ONG’s Food for the Poor program,” explained Mme Sanon, who has been at L’Arche Carrefour for 35 years, serving as Director/OR Community Leader for the past 15 years.

The best and the worst

This kind of crisis brings out the best and the worst in people, as Mme Sanon saw for herself. “It was anarchy/OR chaos. There were a number of robberies and assaults/OR rapes in the neighbourhood. But at L’Arche, the children became close to the men and women with disabilities. Neighbours who didn’t like L’Arche turned to us for refuge and are now our friends. Our most senior founding member, Jean-Robert, who lives with cerebral palsy, was suffering from depression and had lost his sight. Three days after the earthquake, he regained his sight and resumed his place at the heart of the community,” recounted Mme Sanon, here in Quebec as the guest of L’Arche Amos’ Community Leader, Robert Larouche, who founded L’Arche in Haiti.

At L’Arche Carrefour, activity has slowly resumed. Fifteen people with intellectual disabilities go to school there, and another 20 other people participate in its workshops. Work on a new semi-permanent house is progressing, as the L’Arche community discusses whether or not to remain in Carrefour, which is situated directly over the geologic fault.

“It wasn’t our intention but, spontaneously, while chatting with Jacqueline, 10 people decided to form a committee to create permanent links with the people at L’Arche Carrefour as an act of solidarity,” adds Robert Larouche.

Click here to read the whole article in French.