Heraty reveals Haiti horrors

“So we are surviving but gosh it is so awful”


Áine Ryan

WESTPORT’S brave lay missionary, Gena Heraty, who survived the horrific Haiti earthquake, managed to speak to her family just one hour after the disaster, which has claimed over 50,000 lives.
“We are devastated at the awful situation in Haiti, and the destitution, destruction, death and suffering in this poor country where Gena now lives. We were so, so lucky to get through to her mobile very briefly approximately one hour after the disaster, just to hear her say she was okay,” sister of the Viatores Christi volunteer, Phill Keane said today.  
“Gena was in her special needs unit in the hospital on the outskirts of Port au Prince. Staff and patients had minor injuries, most were hysterical and screaming and chaos everywhere,” Phill continued.
While the family has been unable to speak to her since, The Mayo News can now reveal she managed to send them a detailed message yesterday, Thursday. 
“Communications are down so we have not been able to talk to her since. We understand that while there was some damage to the hospital it was better able to withstand the impact as it was built recently. The orphanage in Kenscoff escaped with little damage. The hospital in Petionville, a five-torey building did not fare as well, it just crumbled and the digging for survivors continues,” Phill Keane explained.
The following is the poignant message sent by Gena Heraty to her family: “So we are surviving but gosh it is so awful; Norma Eddie and I are with Erin, the American volunteer who was in the building in PV (Pétionville) and it totally collapsed so she was dug out and luckily she will make it; her brother was visiting and he is dead. We can’t find Molly – another young volunteer that was in the building. The country is devastated and here in this private hospital it was hectic most of the night and we helped as we could. I have not yet made it to Kenscoff but they are fine. One of my staff from there is dead. Dieudonne died when a wall in her house fell on her; some of the older kids are missing and we know some are dead, so many deaths .… For sure it is all scary stuff but I think we are over the worst, but feck these tremors, they just don’t stop and they are not small. So, in brief this is it and I have to stop because I am in contact with Erin’s family in the US and we want to get her out of here today. Father Rick should arrive back today. Love to you all and I know you are worried and thinking of us. Love you all. Gena”
Gena Heraty, who is from Carrarevaugh, Liscarney, Westport, went to Haiti 16 years ago after training with Viatories Christi. She later began working for the NPH charity Little Brothers and Sisters, which cares for orphans.
Gena Heraty’s family has now mobilised a fundraising drive towards helping the victims of this dreadful natural disaster. All donations are welcome, no matter how small.

Bank Account: AIB Westport, Gena Heraty Haiti Fund, Sort Code:93-71-69, Account Number, 11108008.