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
