Rev. Thomas J. Hagan is the President and Founder of Hands Together in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After years of working in the violence ridden country, he is being hailed as a savior of sorts after securing a truce between rival gangs in the country. He is from Pennsylvania in the US.
Hagan confirmed to the Miami herald that a ceasefire has been initiated with gang leaders known as “Gabriel,” “Mathias,” “Iska” and “Barbecue” have indeed signed a document that among other things, says, “We promise our loving God to work hard to end violence, to bring peace to all people.”
- Advertisement -
“They’re not saying, ‘We’re going to stop shooting or we’re going to stop doing this,’ ” Hagan, 81, said. “But they are saying, they are more for peace and forgiveness”.
Although he has been meeting with the gang leaders over days, he said there needs to be someone with a stronger presence to oversee the negotiations and ensure that they put down their guns.
While world leaders have been discussing measures to move Haiti forward, UN Secretary-General has been given 30 days to come up with a plan for the ravaged nation.
Hands Together, which is operated by Haitians and provides free schooling, food and medical care through a mobile health clinic. Hagan said the situation in Haiti is far much worse than the earthquake, and his schools are the only ones that have stayed open.
He has been traveling to Haiti since the 1960s, while serving as chaplain of the Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. His website reads:
Many years have passed since my first trip to Haiti in 1985. It’s with warm fondness and lasting satisfaction that I remember the handful of enthusiastic young students who organized efforts to help two dozen people suffering from leprosy in Gonaives, Haiti. I thank God for the wonderful, caring people that joined me in doing something for this great world of ours – joining “hands together” and discovering the joy that comes from helping others.
Much has been accomplished since our incorporation in 1989 and I am extremely proud of all the dedicated people who have participated in Hands Together’s efforts to build a more compassionate and human world. There seems to be an urgency now more than ever to offer challenges and give meaning to our young people’s lives. We must be willing to teach that we are all linked together; our only lasting bond is the bond of love. We must be willing to join hands with the poorest of the poor and work together to overcome all kinds of bigotry and hatred. Our spirit should be one of continual joy and optimism – knowing that we are indeed loved by God and through grace and prayer we are drawing closer to him as time passes. In the words of the prophet Micah we are required “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Our mission, first and foremost is that each of us be a loving teacher and humble student. We provide learning experiences that urge people to discover beauty in every culture and truth in every human encounter so that bridges are built and linkages among people strengthened. We spiritualize our involvement with Hands Together. We dedicate ourselves to God and to serving the least of our brothers and sisters. We continually respect this great earth and all of its people.
