Libbie Lapp goes to Haiti to help teach first aid

Helping those in need comes naturally for Libbie Lapp.

Lapp has made three trips to Haiti since 2011. She’s planning a fourth trip to the Caribbean island nation in early December.

Lapp initially decided to help Haitians after the January 2010 earthquake wreaked havoc on the poor country.

Lapp has taken her children, Hunter, 21, and Ellie, 18, on previous humanitarian trips to Haiti. This time she’s taking her husband, Rich.

“He’s nervous, but I’m looking forward to it,” Lapp said.

Last week, she helped raise funds for first aid kits that she will take to Haiti. The fundraiser was part of the 14th annual International Gift Festival at Mountain View Mennonite Church near Creston.

Lapp’s previous trips involved removing rubble after the earthquake, teaching first aid in Cite Soleil — a slum in Port-au-Prince — and planting fruit trees as part of a forestation project in Port-au-Prince and Desarmes.

On this trip, Lapp — who has been an Emergency Medical Technician with Creston Fire Department for 13 years — will teach first aid to 30 students at a vocational school in Desarmes.

Rich Lapp, who is an assistant fire marshal with Creston Fire Department, will perform maintenance work at a Mennonite church-owned guest house. The couple will also take time during the trip to visit a large fair trade store in Port-au-Prince.

The International Gift Festival sells fair trade products that benefit producers in developing countries by making better work conditions and promoting sustainability.

This year’s festival included coffee, tea, chocolate, rice, scarves and arts and crafts from around the world. Homemade food prepared by locals was sold as part of the church’s “Village Cafe.”

The International Gift Festival is hosted by Mountain View Mennonite Church, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in September.

“It’s unique things you can’t buy everywhere,” Twila Brenneman said of the fair trade products. “People keep coming back year after year,” she said. “It’s a rewarding time because people come to support the idea of fair trade.”

To purchase fair trade products, go online to tenthousandvillages.com.