by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to the Tri-State Defender

Thanks to a persistent Doris T. Hill and her church’s mission work in Haiti, two children from the impoverished, third world nation are only days away from enjoying the love and hospitality of local families after surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Three-year-old Binaldo will have an arachnoid cyst removed from his eye on Friday, July 10, and Saulin, 8, will have a facial tumor removed a week later.

Hill is the widow of the late Rev. Alfred Dewayne Hill, who was pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. He was killed during a 2002 robbery attempt in New Orleans.

“Ironically, it was Alfred’s death that gave way to a new call and purpose for my life,” Hill said. “People are generally moved by some watershed experience, but not moved enough to take action. Serving others is a Christian responsibility and must be taken seriously.”

Atlanta-based Childspring, a non-profit organization, tapped Hill for recruitment efforts after reading several feature articles about Hill and Pilgrim Rest’s Haitian mission in the Tri-State Defender.

The groundwork

Hill’s recruitment through email blasts and social networking connected her to Dr. Adeline Prophete, a Haitian dentist who now calls Memphis home.

“I came here when I graduated high school to attend Milligan College near Knoxville,” said Dr. Prophete. “My father was a pastor in Haiti. So we grew up watching our parents helping people. There were always extra people at our dinner table. They would just show up at the door.”

For years, Dr. Prophete has longed to return to Haiti to donate dentistry services, but she has been cautious about returning home.

“Dangerous gangs have been known to kidnap anyone who appears to have money and hold them for ransom,” she said. “My parents were forced to move for political reasons. They only go back a couple of months at a time because of the rampant lawlessness in some areas.”

Dr. Prophete finds other ways to serve the people of Haiti.

And according to Hill, there are a number of other ways to assist with this latest project. Support volunteers can baby-sit, tutor, take a child on an afternoon outing, relieve host families for a weekend, and provide others services as needed.

Connections

Hill’s recent acquaintance with Dr. Prophete led to another valuable contact: M. Dell Stiner, an assistant Shelby County attorney who makes an annual trek to Haiti with medical volunteer.

“I hold both undergraduate and masters degrees in nursing,” said Stiner. “I envision building a facility for families of hospital patients. Many travel for many miles to receive medical treatment, and they must stay somewhere close while a loved one”

Stiner, like Dr. Prophete, has committed to provide host families with support services for Binaldo and Saulin during their stays in Memphis.

“We have so much in this country to be grateful for,” said Stiner. “Ten years ago, the average annual income was $60-$80 – not monthly—annually! Today, the range is slightly higher – $100-$150. We should all feel a sense of responsibility to those less fortunate. There is always something each of us can do – anything to help.”

Speaking the language

French-born John Argiro just wants to be there to help Binaldo and Saulin communicate.

“My role will be to translate for these children,” said Argiro. “We will want to know if they are experiencing pain or just hungry. They are coming to a strange country, alone and no doubt, very afraid. I will be right there for them.”

Argiro and his son are two of the most effective regional voices for organ donation. Argiro’s son donated 55 percent of his liver to save his father’s life 10 years ago.

“Recruiting organ donors is our life’s work, but I couldn’t let this wonderful opportunity to help pass me by,” said Argiro. “I look anxiously forward to this great adventure.”

Hosts still needed

Hill wants to make sure there are plenty of hosts to make these months in Memphis carefree and enjoyable.

“Memphis is the ‘City of Good Abode,’ and no place in the country is as warm and hospitable as Memphians are,” said. “This latest project will be no exception.”

Families, churches, and other community organizations are asked to contact Hill at: 901-528-1257.

“I was blessed to have a husband with strong convictions about total ministry,” she said. “He felt that holistic ministry was a matter of ‘building net worth that matters.’”