My name is Jonet and I’m 37 years old. I love God and do my best to follow Him. I want to tell you my story.

I’m 37 years old and was born in a small village named Lalane, not far from Cazale. I went to school until the 3rd grade. My mom and dad are dead. I have two brothers and one sister. One of my brothers lives and works in the Dominican Republic and he’s never returned to Haiti. My other brother lives near me. My sister lives in Port-au-Prince.

In 2008, a big catastrophe passed in our area when several hurricanes passed one after the other. We lost lots of gardens and animals pens that we had. Close to my house there was a big landslide. No one died, but many people lost houses and animals. People from RHFH came to my area and helped the people that had lost houses, food, and animals that were in need. They gave us food and supplies for a long time. It was a big blessing and they helped us during a very difficult year.

In 2010, I remember when the earthquake passed. I was living in my mom’s house. It fell down and everyone had to sleep outside. We lost everything. RHFH gave us a food box that helped to keep me alive. It was so good for me in that difficult moment.

I built my house many years ago all by myself. I used to help other masons build houses and I quickly learned how to do it. I gathered items and made it myself. It is 2 rooms and made of rocks, wood, and clay. It has a tin roof. I also was a farmer. I didn’t have land, but I farmed someone else’s land.

I used to work really hard, but then things changed. I could tell that I was losing my sight. I went to a doctor in a larger town and he said that I could have a surgery to fix my eyes so that I could see again. We were going to do the surgery, but the day that I went I had an eye infection. The doctor said I couldn’t do the surgery and he would call me back later when he could reschedule. He never called for me to come.

I’ve been blind for several years now. I live by myself. I never got married or had children. I can’t work and depend on others to do most everything for me. I like to sit and talk to people, go to church, break grain in a mortal and pestle, walk to the water source with others when they go to get water, and pray. I pray a lot and talk to God.

Others that live in my area work in gardens, buy & sell goods and produce, saw wood, build with cement blocks, and do carpentry. Gardens grow corn, grains, yams, and other root vegetables. People mostly eat rice, corn meal, breadfruit, plantains, roots, vegetables, and meat.

I like my village. It is more difficult to get around after I went blind. I have to walk alot since it is in a rural area, but it’s what I have so I’m happy to have it. I go to a church that is about a hour walk away and I enjoy every time I go.

RHFH has helped me out with a food box every month for many years. Last year, they heard about an eye doctor that started working once a month in a hospital about a 2 hour drive from the clinic. In Sept 2020, RHFH started sending me to that doctor. After two months, the doctor asked me to start coming in to his private office in Port-au-Prince. RHFH sent an employee and my brother also helped me. We went to several appointments. Sometimes the doctor just gave me eye drops. One time, he did a procedure but it didn’t help me see any better. He kept telling me to put in drops, so I did.

In Jan 2021, he said I could have an operation on one eye. The other eye is too bad for surgery. I was SO HAPPY! The big day was Jan 14th. My eyes hurt for several weeks, like there was sand in my eye. He told me to keep putting the drops in and to rest. I’ve been staying at RHFH to recover. They help me with my food, hygiene, and laundry. Every day, I see better! I can see colors and people in front of me. I can read money and see people moving. It is still a little fuzzy, but it is SO much better. I just had an appointment and the doctor said that I could return home. One of the first things I’m going to do is go to church and give testimony of the greatness of God. He is so good!

I would ask that you pray for me so that I can see because if I can see I can work and take care of myself. I would ask you to pray that I can see enough to do things for myself and not have to depend on others anymore.

If you would like to help with Jonet’s eye care and surgery (approx $980 US), you can donate to RHFH through the button below.