Help Haiti

I'm finding the news out of Haiti harder and harder to comprehend as the rescue and recovery efforts continue in Port-au-Prince. I am overwhelmed with emotion when I see pictures like these, hear of the growing death toll and read that aid workers can't get supplies and assistance to those in need. It is just so devastating.

But then I hear stories about survivors being found 8 days after the quake and news that $220 million dollars that has been donated to relief organizations I feel a bit more optimistic that given enough time and assistance the citizens of Haiti just may be able to put their lives back together again.

As a Habitat for Humanity supporter I have received almost daily updates of the activities on the ground in Haiti from the information supplied by the Global Disaster Response team. Habitat is not "new" to Haiti, they have been working to provide adequate housing there for 26 years and in that time have provided 2,000 families with housing through new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements. They are currently working to erect quake-resistant homes for the some of the estimated 1.5 million Haitians that are homeless. The homes are simple steel-framed "core houses" and cost roughly $3,000 each to construct. They are doing this despite the fact that the Habitat offices were destroyed in the quake.

I am passionate about my work with Habitat because I believe there is no greater basic human need than a roof over one's head. Habitat provides that to people all over the world regardless of race, education or religion. If you are looking for a way to help in Haiti, I urge you to donate to Habitat's efforts there, you can do so by clicking on the banner below.



Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.