Funds raised through the University of Saint Francis H2O Project during the 2022 Lenten season resulted in a new well in northern Haiti, drilled through the work of Dr. Eugene Maklin, founder and director of New Hope Hospital in Plaine du Nord, Haiti.

Escalating violence in Haiti in recent years has made it more difficult to access safe drinking water, especially for people in rural areas. As a result, the hospital has treated more patients with cholera, which can lead to death from dehydration and electrolyte loss. Dr. Maklin identified the villages with the most cholera cases as sites for hand-pump wells to be drilled.

Utilizing the money donated by the Saint Francis community, Dr. Maklin oversaw a well drilled in Robillard, Haiti. In the cement pad, it reads: “A Huge Thank You to University (of) Saint Francis; August 2023.”

The H2O project at Saint Francis, which encourages donations during the Lenten season, raised $2,820.50 during the 2022 campaign, surpassing its goal of $2,500 for help with the drilling of the well. Saint Francis also raised money during the 2023 Lenten season and donated $1,077 to Catholic Relief Services for areas affected by earthquakes in Syria and Turkey.

Additional wells are needed in Haiti, with each costing approximately $3,000 to drill. Anyone interested in donating toward a future well should contact Saint Francis Professor of Biology Dr. Amy Obringer at aobringer@sf.edu or 260-399-7700, ext. 8210.