This morning I woke up in a bed and had a shower, albeit a cold one. Ordinarily these developments wouldn’t rate a mention, but here in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I’m one of the lucky ones. Up to 2 million people are homeless, sleeping out in the street, with limited clean water.
We can’t do anything more for the dead, but it’s imperative we help survivors who have lost everything—and time’s running out. Crowds of people packed into makeshift tent communities set the scene for the spread of diseases like cholera. People need food, water, hygiene.
But today, help arrived. World Vision distributed food from the U.S. government to 500 families in Port-au-Prince. The rations included lentils, bulgur, corn-soy blend, and oil—not gourmet, but life-giving. There were some tense moments as desperate people crowded the truck. But we managed to keep control, and people got food.
The first man to receive his rations looked at me and saw “World Vision” on my shirt. He smiled and said, “Thank you.” I want to pass those words along to many of you who have given generously to Haiti emergency relief. Millions of dollars have poured in at World Vision. We will use those gifts wisely over the weeks, months, and years it will take Haiti to recover from this disaster.
People will rebound, and I’ve seen small signs of this already: children laughed and danced; street vendors began to sell their wares again. Haitians are resilient, having gone through so much in the past. Their spirit amazes and inspires me.
Trinity,
Thank you so much for your compassion for Haiti’s children. Their needs are greater than ever. It sounds like you, your husband, and your church are already doing important things to help.
In answer to your question about World Vision’s work with orphans, we and many other organizations are emphasizing a careful and cautious approach to helping children who have lost parents in the quake. World Vision ensures that children are the first to receive food, medical attention, and other aid, and staff are providing safe play areas for children to help them recover from the shock of the disaster. In addition, we’re supporting efforts to identify children with no surviving relatives and provide legal protection for them. During this emergency phase, international adoptions are not advised (my blog this week has more information about this). Meanwhile, World Vision’s care for 51,000 sponsored children in Haiti continues — praise God, all were spared by the quake.
Please continue to pray and do all you’re doing. As the dust settles in Haiti, we will know more about the needs of orphaned children and the ways caring people like you can help.
Rich, my husband and I are deeply moved by what has happened in Haiti. I have been fundraising at work and am supporting a supply drive for items that will be sent to Haiti next week. I am also planning on leading the 6-week “Hole in Our Gospel” quest for friends and church members beginning in February with the hope of possibly bringing a small group to Haiti this year – hopefully through a church mission trip.
Still, I have the sense that God may be calling me and my husband to do more. Can you speak to the current situation and needs of orphans in Haiti right now and how someone like me can help? Where can I learn more about ways to help orphans? Does WV have any programs for orphans? Thank you.
Thank you for sharing.