How it started….

The RD Mission began after Father Hervé Sauvé returned from a stay in the Dominican Republic in 2003. Hervé and his group made a one-day visit to the community of La Higuera. It was then that he met Sister Maude Rhenau. During a conversation, Sister Maude expressed her sadness about the fact that no group is staying at home.

The first humanitarian aid trip took place in February 2005, and since then, a LOVE story has begun between communities in northern Ontario and the people of the bateys of the La Higuera region. Three CSCDGR pastoral animators, passionate about their work and wanting to bring rewarding and memorable experiences to students in their schools, have come together for an adventure that has forever transformed them. Linda Proulx, Serge Gagné and Angelo Paquette accompanied by 16 students left their comfort and their daily life aside to surrender to a completely unknown land. We all left with the idea of going to make a difference, to help people, but finally, it is the nuns and the Haitian people who have transformed us. It's a fact ... this mission is a great success and is attracting more and more people.

COURAGE and CONFIDENCE (TRUST) is the motto of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. From my first meeting with Sisters Maude and Montfort, I realized how brave they are to do their job. Sister Maude told me that our presence also gives them the courage to continue their mission. They also have much CONFIDENCE in Providence and I can testify that Providence is very generous with them.

The goal of the RD Mission is to allow groups to meet, share, socialize and work WITH the inhabitants of the bateys. The ultimate goal of this trip is to BE with these people so often forgotten and to tell them that they are very valuable to us.