Category: News (Page 82 of 100)

Friends of Haiti,

If you check our web site regularly, you will already know the storm killed at least 25, with several still missing. Like the numbers from the earthquake, the true figures will never be known. What is known is that we had teachers whose homes were destroyed or had possessions lost. We do know that the damage to Haiti’s banana crop is estimated to be 242 million dollars. And we know that now people are protesting against the president because of broken promises and high prices.

One of those promises was that all school age children would be able to attend school free of charge, including uniforms and books. The schools in Haiti have always been “free,” but the cost that few can pay is for uniforms, books and supplies. Fortunately, for ministries the size of ours we have never had to pay for uniforms or books and few supplies. Thank God there have been those of you who have provided the means for us to purchase cloth for the uniforms to be made and those of you who have donated school supplies that have been taken and distributed to each school.

And because of your giving and prayers, we have been able to help those whose homes were lost or damaged by Isaac. Some are having to live in or under a tent for the time being, but that is better than no place at all.

There are still an estimated 350,000 living in the so-called tent cities.These areas have taken on their own culture and developed their own businesses. People who have money pay women living there a few cents a day to sell items or cook beans and rice to sell. Businesses have popped up, selling whatever they can and whatever people can afford to buy. In case you have ever wondered, the minimum wage there is $5 US a day. A “day” is usually from sun up to sun down, 6 days a week. For those who have one of these jobs, they feel they are one of the luckier ones.

Terry and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have those of you who help as you do. What all of us do together may not affect the entire country, but it certainly makes an impact in the villages where we work, and all of us are very grateful for the sacrifice you make for our friends there.

Steve and Terry

Friends of Haiti,

Over the past few days, several people have said, “Haiti didn’t get to much out of the storm, did they?” Or, “Haiti didn’t get hit very hard, did it?” And with good reason; it just doesn’t make the news if there isn’t massive loss of life. There was loss of life, but not on a “massive” scale.

When it hit Haiti, the winds, predicted to be 70mph, were 60mph. But that wasn’t the problem or concern. It was the amount of rain that worried everyone. The predictions for the rain were right on the mark. According to the Miami Herald, Reuters and other news agencies, there were 8-12 inches of rain that fell in and around Port Au Prince, and up to 18 inches in the mountains above it and the villages. Naturally, with few trees and very little ground cover, all that water came down the mountain sides, washing away almost everything in its path.

To date, there are 25 known dead, several missing and over 200 injured. The International Federation of Red Cross reports at least 2,346 homes badly damaged and at least 335 destroyed. 1,600 homes near our schools in town were affected by flood waters, including those of 3 of our teachers, whose homes were destroyed. Others lost their possessions.

In the outlying areas, 2 teachers lost their homes. In Bayelle, the roof of the school was damaged and the new bathroom (out house!) was destroyed and flood waters were in the building.

Add to that the lost of crops, mostly bananas (one of the main food sources) and then the fear of the cholera starting to spread again. That alone has taken over 7,000 lives and continues to NOT make any news at all.

We appreciate those who have given to help our friends there and start to try and rebuild, again. School will start the first Monday in October now, so pray we can get it all done and ready for the kids.

Steve and Terry