Local Mass. Man Visits Haiti

An article in the Lowell Sun told of a local youth pastor's recent trip to Haiti. Bob Bancroft has had led two previous mission trips to Haiti and understands the struggles the nation has been through. Bob and 20 other volunteers made the trip to Haiti on February 8 and got right to work. He was quoted in the article by saying that Haiti is "so decimated by not just the earthquake, but political upheaval that just stripped it down to one of the poorest nations." Bob addresses a group at a local community center and stated the heartbreaking news that the conditions are going to get much worse before they get better. Most of the volunteers time was spent digging people out from the rubble. While at the community center Bob explained that the entire area needs to be evacuated and dozed and built back up block by block; there is nothing salvageable. Bob's statement puts into perspective what shape the nation and cities are in. He also feels that the recovery for Haiti could take decades. Bob felt that this trip to Haiti created a "sense of responsibility" and he wants to translate that sense of responsibility to something good. Many Americans are getting involved in the relief efforts for Haiti. While many American's cannot imagine a similar situation to the one in Haiti it is important for us to have empathy to people in other countries.