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VERMONT HAITI PROJECT NEWS

POST-EARTHQUAKE UPDATE

VHP PROGRAMS ARE MOVING FORWARD

     There’s no doubt about it:  The January, 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti, along with itsTentLineup accompanying death and destruction, has effected the lives of virtually everyone on this island nation.

     Yet, the Haitians are a resilient people.  “Within a week, the people were back to doing what they always do,” said Vermont Haiti Project co-director Kimball Butler: “cleaning... building... selling goods; trying to make a living and pay for their next meal.”

     Butler, along with VHP’s three other directors- Donna Thomas, Augusta Wilson and Tim Singer, returned from a two week trip to Haiti in early April.  This was the group’s third trip since the earthquake and the purpose of this trip was to assess the post-disaster status of each of the organization’s self-sustaining programs.  Here’s the Report:

FiltersLinedUp

WATER FILTRATION

     The need for clean drinking water has never been greater, with hundreds of thousands of citizens now living in massive tent cities.  “People stand in long lines simply to get a cup,” (above, right) said one team member.  Accordingly, VHP’s locally based bio-sand water filter staff has been concentrating it’s efforts on providing filters to the tent communities.
     In addition, the staff will check the condition of filters that have previously been purchased and placed in homes.  Those that have been damaged by the earthquake will be replaced at no charge.  The staff is also ready to install new filters as residents slowly make their way back to their homes.

DorcelusSteth

THE DESAB MEDICAL CLINIC

     Located in the hills outside of Port au Prince, the village of Desab and neighboring villages were not greatly impacted, structurally, by the disaster.  As a result, the twice a week medical clinic has continued uninterrupted with it’s local staff of doctors, nurses and health assistants.
     “To be sure, the people have been touched by this and many citizens of Desab, including medical staff, have lost loved ones,” stated VHP’s Singer.  “But everyone is looking forward as to how they can continue to provide health care, jobs, and quality education to the people of their community.

MariasKids

FOYER DESPOIR SCHOOL and CHILDREN’S CENTER

     The school took a major structural hit during the earthquake and, although school was not in session at the time, many students are still not accounted for.
     Maria and Ysmay, directors of the center, are firm in their commitment to reopen as soon as possible.  Building engineers have already been involved, assessing the damage and preparing a quote for the repairs.  The directors have met with community parents to discuss an interim plan over the next four months, and VHP has pledged to continue paying for teacher salaries, in an effort to insure continuity through various educational and recreational programs for the children.

     While Vermont Haiti Project continues to monitor the progress of its existing programs, research and develGardenCompostopment is also under way on some possible greatly needed future endeavors.  Among them:  A vocational training center in the remote town of Duchity, and an urban based gardening and composting program (right).

  Stay tuned for further developments on all of VHP’s programs.

 

 

CLICK HERE to read a first hand account of VHP’s Program Assessment Trip

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