Waiting for word
Columbus, Ohio鈥擝efore starting a Peace Corps assignment in Rwanda later this month, former ADA intern Mikerlange “Mike” Remplait and his sister Marie and her family were planning a family reunion with their father Pierre.
Pierre was set to leave his home in Haiti to travel to the U.S. Jan. 13 on a commercial flight. But the catastrophic earthquake of Jan. 12 stopped air travel and slowed communications between Mike, his sister and their father.
“He’s fine, and his house and neighborhood, about 10 miles out of Port au Prince, are OK and our extended family is OK,” said Mr. Remplait, “but because of continued aftershocks, people there must head for nearby outdoor compounds and sleep outside. No one wants to be caught inside in case their home is damaged by a strong aftershock.”
His father’s neighborhood has water and people are able to find food, although he reports that prices are skyrocketing.
“I am grateful that nothing happened to him, but it is extremely frustrating that there’s nothing I can do right now but watch the news and hope he can get here before I leave. It’s pretty tense for us right now. I just have to hope for the best.”
Haitian-born Mike emigrated to the U.S. when he was nine years old. “I grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y.,” he said. “I spent a summer vacation in Haiti in 1998, but otherwise I never really had the opportunity to go back. I’m a U.S. citizen now.”
While a graduate student at DePaul University in Chicago earning a Masters of Public Service degree, Mike interned for the ADA Division of Global Affairs from August 2008 through December 2009. He headed up activities that included gathering information for the new International Volunteer Web site, assisting with a survey of international volunteer opportunities available at U.S. dental schools and other projects.
His assignment in Rwanda with the Peace Corps will be to work with youth in HIV/AIDS prevention programs. “I’m excited about the assignment,” Mike said. “The HIV/AIDS rate is pretty high there, and there is a great need for volunteers in health fields.”
Mike hopes his father will make it to Ohio before he leaves for his assignment Feb. 23.
“It will be great for him to come here and spend some time with his children and grandchildren. We are all hoping that commercial flights are restored soon.”