Middlesex Juvenile Associate Probation Officer Helps Out in Haiti

Middlesex County Juvenile Associate Probation Officer Marie Privat, an eight-year Probation employee, has not forgotten her Haitian roots or the abject poverty that grips the small Caribbean countries of Haiti and the Bahamas.

Privat, who first came to the United States at age 15, said while she appreciates and enjoys the American dream, she cannot forget that people back home are starving.

“I feel like it is my calling to do this. I was born in Haiti. But, here I have a good job and a good education,” said Privat. “These people don’t have a choice. They are going to go to bed hungry. That is my motivation.”

She travels about twice a year to Haiti or the Bahamas with clothing, over-the counter medication, and non-perishable food such as spaghetti, canned milk, rice and beans, and boxed macaroni and cheese. Many of the items have been donated by her Trial Court colleagues, friends, and family. Privat said she also uses her own money for airline tickets and to pay extra for shipping costs.

“She has an uncommon dedication and pride for her heritage and applies the same level of commitment to her work as an APO at the Middlesex County Juvenile Court,” said Middlesex County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer Gil Sakakeeney.

Privat works in collaboration with two groups: God’s Ministry, a Holbrook, Massachusetts-based organization, and the Ocala, Florida-based Harvest House Haiti, a ministry of the Meadowbrook Church. Privat delivers the items to the church-run school in Les Cayes, located in the southern region, which is a six-hour drive from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.

“Marie’s greatest gift to her people has been her encouragement and the assurance that their situation is not forgotten and that the future of Haiti’s youth will be secure,” said Judith Foster, president of the Harvest House Haiti.

Foster added, “I am truly blessed by Marie’s great faith and friendship.”

Privat recently returned from a seven-day trip to Haiti during which she transported six suitcases of items, including socks, pants, shirts and shoes for children and adults. Her suitcases also contained rice and peas, noodles, milk and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Nyquil which are hard to come by in Haiti, Privat said.

She also received an invitation to travel to St. Martin and is in the process of planning for her next trip to the Bahamas. If you would like to assist Privat in her mission, contact her at marie.privat@jud.state.ma.us