Being one of the poorest counties in the world Haiti has been very fortunate to receive assistance from people around the world. But the long term answer to the problems of Haiti comes from the Haitian people themselves.
An example is a program with which Captain Jean Laurore Clenat, disaster service coordinator, is working.
In September 2003, a small group of Haitians organized a group called Oganizasyon Pwoblem Pam (OPP), the English translation is Organization for My Problem. The plan was to organize their community (located 15 kilometer northeast of Gonaives) to help poor children. They began by serving meals to some children a few days a week. Then they organized a small informal education program for children who did not go to school. One member had a small house where they were able to house 5 orphans. For a year this grassroots community organization worked at helping a few children.
Everything changed 18 September 2004. Tropical storm Jeanne dumped several inches of rain on this area. During the night dry river beds and gulleys were filled with raging water. Homes, crops, animals and people were washed away. By the morning of 19 September over 3000 people were dead, many more were missing, and over 100,000 were left homeless.
Over the next few days OPP began expanding their services to children of the community. Now they have 88 children living with them. Of the 88, 26 lost both parents in the storm, 4 lost a father and 5 lost a mother. They rest have just been abandoned as families have moved away.
The United Nations has given them a tent for the boys to sleep in and the girls sleep in the house. CARE is providing food and the Haitian government sends a teacher for the children.
Captain Clenat is working with OPP to help them develop a plan for the future. With disaster funds he has purchased clothes and shoes for the children. He is also working with them to build a latrine. The Salvation Army (with funding from Kindernoltife in Germany) will purchase cement and sand along with tools and the molds for making blocks. OPP will build the latrine. We are also trying to find someone who will dig them a well.
We are privileged to invest in what we feel is the most effective type of project - Haitians helping Haitians.
