August 14, 2021 Earthquake  

 

A response to Help People in Southern Haiti Following the August 14, 2021, Earthquake

In response to past natural disasters, millions have been raised with the intent to reconstruct Haiti; yet, the vast majority of those funds had no direct impact on the citizens of Haiti. The fundraiser is organized by Bise Wood Saint Eugene, a Haitian citizen who resides in the Upper Valley, and James Murdza, a Hanover-native, two friends who met in Haiti in 2012 and now manage the ODEVICH organization.

Specifically, we are focusing on the areas of Baraderes and Gros Marin, two areas which were severely impacted by the 2021 earthquake in Haiti. We will channel donations directly to local church and community connections in Haiti, where pastors and community leaders will have the resources and freedom to determine the best way to help the families in their neighborhoods. This way actual pastors and community leaders involved in the lives of fellow citizens in the community will be given resources to address specific needs. 

In our previous fundraiser we focused on essential consumable supplies such as water and food, as these were easy to source and transport. However, an even more effective way to help those Haitians who are now homeless because of the earthquake is by assisting in the repair of their homes. Thus, our goal for this fundraiser will be to raise enough cash to quickly repair and restore four homes destroyed by the earthquake. Labor costs and some materials will come from volunteers on the ground, while most material costs come from the fundraiser. With each repair costing approximately $3,000, (see table), our total target for the fundraiser will be $12,000. 

 

Item

Size

Unit Price

Amt

Total

Galvanized steel roofing sheet

3.17’ x 6’

$6.00

40

$240.00

Plywood

4’ x 8’

$44.00

30

$1,320.00

Wood

2” x 14”

$14.00

12

$168.00

Nail

Case

$80.00

4

$320.00

Cement

Bag

$12.00

20

$240.00

Lumber / white wood stud

2’x2’x14”

$9.00

20

$180.00

Transportation

Truck Load

$220.00

1

$220.00

Volunteer labor

 

$0

-

$0

Rocks and gravel

 

$0

-

$0

Total no margin

     

$2,688.00

Unforeseen costs (10%)

     

$269.00

Total for one home

     

$2,960.00

Total: Four homes

     

$11,840.00


These plans are still under development as we insure feasibility, thus not yet final. Our goal is to raise 50% of this amount from organizations and companies, and the other 50% from diverse crowdfunding techniques, relying on the print and digital media, social media, and word-of-mouth within the Upper Valley. We will raise funds in as many ways as possible, including cheque, cash, wire and online. Effective press strategies will be key to both types of fundraising.

As the fundraiser progresses, we will send funds to our partners on the ground on a bi-weekly or (ideally) weekly basis. After receiving information back, including receipts, photos, descriptions and interviews from Haiti, we will release weekly updates which will be published on our website, the crowdfunding campaign, and social media. If this project is a success it will build the momentum for us to showcase our work and continue to repair even more homes in this community and others.


Meal Programs           

Post earthquake Neighborhood Meal Program

This program began on March 8th 2010 when the population, approached our staff asking for help to feed the children of the area. "They're starving and many go all day without eating. They are suffering from malnutrition." Through the support of Mme Simone Anders (HELPACHILD), ODEVICH has been providing a meal once a day, five days a week to over 160 children. This is often the only meal they have and must provide them with the strength to help their families. The meal program also includes a multivitamin for each child at every meal to improve each youngster's nutrition and health.

ODEVICH`s Feeding Program - Importance

Haiti is the poorest of continent; more than 70% of the population is living under threshold of absolute poverty.

The socio-economic situation continues to deteriorate day after day and it is worse after the earthquake. Like this, it is more and more difficult or impossible for a lot of children and adult to find something to eat. So each meal is a real victory over hunger.

The kids are eating
The kids are playing

A lot of them left to their own devices with serious implications.
We asked a young boy:

  • "Why do you come to eat every day?" He answered:
  • "I don't want to die from hunger."
  • "I don't have anything to eat", answered another.

 

Considering that critical situation we can highlight the importance of the feeding program:
Socially this program expresses solidarity between Haitians who want to help and the important impact that the support team brought together by (Mme Simone Anders) has in lives of many deprived children who benefit these activities and that is in accordance with God`s prescriptions. One of fundamental rights of children is alimentation which is being encouraged by the feeding program. This also contributes to the reduction of the risk of delinquency.
From a health standpoint, this program permits the reduction of malnutrition and starvation which strike seriously young people of this country.
To summarize we could say that feeding program allow those deprived children to get rid of some of their physical and psychological suffering. Since you know we hold a few cultural activities every day there is singing, dancing, games, drawing and informational training ect…
Thank you for your support. To support this program please contact us at info@odevich.org

 












 


 

Distribution organisée par Odevich


Post earthquake Activities in our school


Learn more about the Haïti Earthquake facts on wikipedia

 
 
ODEVICH - 25, Rue Monseigneur Guilloux, prolongée Ferrier, Port-au-Prince, Haïti
Phone : 347-358-7173 - email : info@odevich.org, odevchhaiti@gmail.com
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