Thimothee was born in Gonaive in 1975. Unfortunately, he didn't grow up in a family. His mother passed away when he was only one or two, so he never knew her. He moved to Port au Prince with his brother, and went to Louverture Cleary orphanage. He stayed there and went to a primary school in Port au Prince. He continued his schooling at the Louverture Cleary Secondary School which still exists. (The orphanage does not.) After secondary school, he stayed at the school, helping out by driving and translating. About that time, Brother Cosmas Rubencamp, at the request of Bishop Sullivan travelled to Haiti and began setting up what has become our diocese's twinning program. Along the way, he and the bishop decided that the diocese needed a way for parishioners to visit Haiti, and a way for them to travel while in Haiti. Thus the diocesan jeep program was begun. Brother Cos talked to Patrick Moynihan, the director of Louverture Cleary School about finding a permanent driver. Brother Cos interviewed Thimothee and knew he was a good fit to be the diocesan driver, interpreter, and generally a big help to all who use the jeep. Thimothee began driving for the diocese of Richmond in 1996.He and his father and nephew were in Port au Prince in 2010 for the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti. His father lost a leg, and passed away about one month later. I asked Thimothee about the changes he has seen in his time as our driver. He said there have been very many changes. God has put a good heart in many people; there are many good projects. Many schools have been built and many more children are in school thanks to our twinning program. Other projects such as goat projects, school gardens, new clinics and water projects have happened thanks to the good hearts of the people in the diocese of Richmond.
Thimothee said life is so much harder for people in the rural areas of Haiti. They are always in his mind and in his heart. We are truly blessed to have Thimothee as a part of our ministry.
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