Hundreds of people were surviving under crude dwellings closely compacted together for protection and support. Blankets were held up by sticks while sheets were strung together for shelter. There was virtually no protection from the rain. Villages like this are where we will commit our efforts in the coming months.

   

A recent New York Times article reminds us of Haiti’s present state, “Large swaths of the earthquake zone remain untouched by aid. They are choking in rubble and trucks and volunteers have barely begun to scratch out safe places in the wreckage for people to live.” We could quickly see this was the case as we arrived at our “village” in the field. They had received no outside assistance whatsoever. 

Over and over again we received the same response when we asked people what their greatest need was: “Tents!” Even with a small amount of rain, people have to stand up instead of lay down because of the wet conditions. Mud is everywhere. That night I could hear the rain on the roof of our building. It came harder and my mind went to the men, women and children of Sous Savanne. Sheets, blankets and sticks – these are woefully inadequate to protect people from the rain. And it appears that the rainy season has arrived early.

 

We have set a goal of procuring, shipping and distributing 300 high-quality tents for the people of Sous Savanne. These are durable tents, designed for post-disaster situations and capable of lasting two years. This project will allow the 2,100 inhabitants of this village to return to their own properties, as well as foster favorable health conditions for the entire community. As we look at our parallel focus of community health and development in Haiti, providing an environment in which individuals can maintain a healthy lifestyle is of paramount importance.

 

Please join us in a tangible response to the plight of these precious people. This is a clear and desperate need that, once met, will aid in the transition to a sense of normalcy for this community. These tents will provide interim dwellings as rebuilding gets underway and will help them get back on their own land, in a dry and sanitary environment. 

 

The average family in Haiti comprises seven people, including parents, children and extended family. The cost of purchasing, shipping and distributing one tent is $475 – an average cost of less than $70 per person. I can think of no better investment than enabling the 300 families in Sous Savanne to return home to a dry dwelling, allowing them to rebuild their lives.

 

Thank you for standing with us as we reach out, in the name of Jesus, to greatly impact the lives of Haiti’s people.