


Dear Friends, Since our last newsletter, we have diligently moved forward with distribution of funds to various individuals and congregations in Port au Prince. Our Haiti Relief Team has continued to meet regularly to discuss and consider opportunities as well as to commit funds in support of specific projects. Additionally, two members of our team, David Dirrim and C. J. Vires, visited Haiti on April 1- 6 and then again on May 3-6. While the primary purpose of these trips was to work at the Cap Haitien Children’s Home in northern Haiti, C. J. and David spent several days in Port au Prince distributing funds, monitoring progress on projects and identifying additional needs. A similar trip is planned for June. During the April and May visits funds were distributed to assist with four projects. First, funds were provided to help clear rubble and to rebuild a house for a local minister and his family. Second, funds were provided to purchase land and to clear rubble on the site where the Varreux congregation and school were located. Funds were also provided to the Varreux congregation to assist with purchasing temporary seating and supplies needed to restart the school. Third, the Relief Effort provided funds to rent a temporary location, purchase supplies, and pay teachers’ salaries necessary to restart a school in the Santo community. Finally, funds were provided to help construct a fence around a piece of property that has been acquired to start a new congregation at Blue Hill, a suburb of Cap Haitien. During April and May, we also helped with various individual needs such as school expenses, help for food, transportation, medical expenses and even funds to help purchase seed for families to plant their gardens. David Dirrim will take another trip to Port au Prince the first of June and will distribute additional funds to support the rebuilding of the school at Varreux, to purchase land On which to construct a church building for the Sarthe congregation; to rent a facility for the Carrefour congregation for the next year, and to construct a new church building and school for the congregation at Limonade. Additionally, our coordinating team has committed to provide $186,000 to support future projects. These projects include: finishing construction of the school at Varreux; purchasing land and constructing a church building for the Carrefour and Fonta Mara congregations; constructing a church building for the Sarthe congregation; providing scholarships for children of church member to attend school in 2010-2011; and supporting a medical team to provide long-term diabetes and hypertension care. In summary, the Haiti Relief Project continues to positively impact the lives of individuals and congregations in Port au Prince and other areas of Haiti where the effects of the January earthquake have been felt. To date, the Haiti Relief Effort has distributed $234,849 in assistance and has committed another $186,000. In total, 86% of the $478,000 contributed to this effort has been expended or committed. With God’s blessing, it is our hope that the majority of the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort funds will be distributed by September 1. We will continue to provide timely updates on the various activities through our newsletter and website (www.swcocada.com/HaitiRelief.html). If congregations want to schedule a member of our team to make a report, please contact C. J. Vires (charv@cableone.net). Thank you for your continued prayers, support and encouragement. |
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