September 2010

To God be the glory, for all the things that we were able to accomplish with your generous contribution and we are glad that you listened to your hearts and helped. Words cannot barely our gratitude. Although we helped a lot of people with your donations, there were still many people that we could not assist and I can still see the faces of many that we could not assist as I left town and those images still haunt me.

Read more from the Sept 2010 Duvivier Haiti Project newsletter (written by Pastor Amos Myrtil)

April 2010 Update

On March 24th, Amos returned from Haiti from his second trip post earthquake for yet another distribution of food and medicine. This trip was collaboration between the Haitian Environmental Support Program (http://www.hespchildren.org/live/), a US based non profit agency that has been working in Haiti since 1981, whose mission is to provide funds for food and clothing and education to Haiti’s poorest. Douglas Vaughn, the trip organizer who has been a major contributor and advocate for the Duvivier Haiti project accompanied Amos with his daughter, Kimberly B. Vaughn, Kirk Daniels a businessman from Indiana, Pastor Lonnie Anderson as well as Pastor Clarence C. Moore.

Wednesday was a day of travel and after arriving to Haiti, the travelers went to Mont Joly Hotel where the distribution itinerary was reviewed and changes made. After lunch, the group went to the government hospital, Hopital Justinien, where they spent time with earthquake victims, many of whom were children who were there to receive follow up care. At that hospital, money was given to about a dozen families whose children were amputees and whose parents could not return to Port-au-Prince to start again. Their futures are unclear in Cap Haitien, where they must depend on the kindness of those around them as their only resource.

The next day, the group set out to meet quake victims in Grand Pre, Dubre, and Milot. The visit started at the l’hopital Sacre Coeur in Milot (http://www.crudem.org/) where our contact informed us that thousands of victims had been helped since the quake. They toured the hospital and spoke at length to victims who reported that they did not have a plan for the future and they do not know where to turn for assistance, as the aid that is being sent to Haiti has not followed them in other provinces or the rural area.

Families and friends in the north are feeling the weight of the influx of relatives and others in their midst. It is reassuring to know that the family members of patients are taken care of by the hospital and are given food and shelter while the parent or child is receiving care. The challenge comes for many after they are discharged and that is where Duvivier Project (www.duvivierproject.org) aims to fill the gap.

The following day, the group traveled to Pilate before going to Gobert and Plaisance for more needed food distribution. The rain postponed the distribution in Duvivier as the roads were impassable, but those who needed assistance were able to go on Monday to receive their donated goods.

All the money raised in Indiana through the Haitian Environmental Support Program for food distribution was used in Haiti. More than 5000 people were helped. Over 20 tons of rice, cornmeal beans and oil was handed out to families in the northern regions mentioned. Medicine and toiletries were given to the hospitals visited and individuals received books on safety and natural disasters in Creole.

Duvivier Project plans to return to Haiti in May to accompany the arrival of the container that is quickly filling up at the Haitian Ebenezer Baptist Church in West Palm Beach Florida for another distribution and are hoping that we will be able to start training in August. Volunteers are always needed for work here in the States as well as in Haiti. Please call us if you would like to participate by donating your time and talent to help the Haitian people.

Thank you for all of your support!

by Stardust Myrtil

March 2010

On January 19th, a week after the earthquake hit Haiti, Amos travelled alone to the island to assess the devastation, reach out to those in need and plan Duvivier Haiti project’s response. Amos flew from Miami to the Dominican Republic and entered Haiti from the north. He then travelled to Port-au-Prince where he sought out the relatives of Haitians in South Florida who could not get in touch them and send news back to the States, reassuring some that their family members were alive and well and letting others know that their sons, daughters or cousins were still missing. Food items and water sent to Haiti via donations that were made to the Haiti Duvivier Project, were distributed in Port-au-Prince in areas that seemed safe for distribution before returning to the north of the country, where more people received assistance. About 100 people were helped on that first trip with the donations sent for the emergency assistance in Haiti.

Back in Plaisance, Amos consulted community members and discovered that many people had return to the town on busses arranged by the local authorities while others returned to their families or to friends who welcomed them in their home. The conversations continued with other town representatives in Pilate where those injured in the quake received assistance from a local minister and his congregation to go to the local hospital for follow up. Throughout the trip, the same cries were being heard, it seemed that the earthquake had left the whole country in a state of sheer panic and people were unable to get past their fears, to quiet their mind and hearts so that they could plan properly for the future. It was clear that thousands had fled Port-au-Prince for the rural areas, living with family and friends adding to their burdens. Meetings were held and it became apparent that something had to be done for the families directly affected by the earthquake and planned for a long term intervention in the communities where they live so that the help received could be used in a sustainable fashion so that the ones who were receiving help could find a way to help themselves.

Upon his return, friends and others concerned called wanting to find a way to assist. Churches in Indiana raised money to fill a 20 ft container with food, clothing and other supplies to help those in the north in the short term. That container is in Florida and is nearing capacity; donations are needed to help with the shipping. Due to some changes in the shipping laws in Haiti, the partners in Haiti have been working closely with local governments and community agencies and organizations in the North to confirm the legality of the operation so that once the container reaches Haiti its content will make its way to those in need without any bureaucratic delays. We have received the support of community leaders on the ground that will be assisting in the distribution to ensure that those who are in need get some assistance.

Two weeks ago, a phase of relief efforts of the Haiti Duvivier Project began. A team of 4 people from Florida and Indiana are on their way to meet community members in Plaisance, Pilate, Gobert, Duvivier, Grand-Riviere, Trou du nord and Cap Haitien, to assist those who have been selected to receive food and monetary donations. Individuals who were affected physically in the seism and who have not been able to receive medical follow up will be receiving funds so that they may go to local hospital for assistance. Others will be receiving food items to help temporarily. This approach addresses the issues of whom to help and how by partnering with local community members we can reach our goal. These same partners will also be assisting in future food and clothing distribution as we feel that it is an effective way to get the task done.

We are currently revising our goal for the training center so that we may start training individuals rapidly in order to bring some income and some much needed food stability in the area. Please keep checking the website for updates on our work.