Many of you gave money in response to the earthquake. Here is where the money went and some stories about how your gifts were used to benefit people. The following is a report from Dave Graffenberger:
April 26, 2010
On January 14, two days after the Haiti earthquake, I wrote to ask you to pray for Haiti in light of the devastation of Port-au-Prince. God has brought the attention of the world, for a short period of time, on this country. Continue to pray for the defeat of the evil one who continues to try to divide and destroy the country. Pray for honest and upright people to lead the country through this massive rebuilding effort. Pray for the people all over the country as they suffer from lack of infrastructure, lack of food and funds, and disrupted lives.
We asked you to contribute to the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund through Mercy, Inc. and that we would make sure that funds were used to assist OMS and partnering entities to meet the needs of the people. Funds will be needed for years to come. You may continue to give by sending your gift to Mercy, Inc., 683 Hilltop Drive, Greenwood IN 46142 designated for project #407630
Let me recount a few examples of how the funds entrusted to Mercy Inc. have assisted some of the survivors:
- A young man, Patrick, had completed his university studies and only needed to finish his group project in order to graduate. He was standing on the third floor of one of the university buildings in the center of Port-au-Prince when the earthquake struck. He grabbed his computer and began running down the stairs as the walls around him shook. The building next door completely crumbled, trapping and killing most of the students inside. After spending several nights outside, and as quickly as he could find transportation, he left Port-au-Prince to return to his parents’ home in the Cap Haitien area. A couple weeks later he returned to Port au Prince to distribute funds from contributions to Mercy to surviving friends and neighbors in the area where he had lived in Port. They continue to live in destitute need without adequate housing, jobs, or income. Twice he has been able to disburse funds from Mercy and he reports deep appreciation from the recipients. Patrick has become my personal assistant in Haiti, for which I am thrilled.
- A man came to my door to tell me that his mother along with three orphaned nieces and nephews had come to his home after the disaster. He is unemployed. They needed food and the children needed to go to school. Contributions to Mercy Inc. gave them food and made school a possibility. Then a week or so later he came to tell me that his mother had died in his arms. The trauma and shock were more than her body and spirit could bear. Yes, Mercy helped with the funeral expenses. Now this unemployed family has three more children for whom they must care. On-going funds are needed for many, many families in the same situation.
- A woman who lives in our area brought a lady to meet me. This lady had literally clawed her way into a departing bus to escape the continuing tremors of the earthquake. She had nothing at the time of her escape, she knows no one in this area and is living with a group of about 100 other refugees near Cap Haitien. Her clothes consisted of a knit top and very used warm-up pants. Mercy was able to make a contribution to her and the other refugees, but this was only a temporary “fix” for a very short time.
- In addition to tuition, fees, and books, schools require each student to have a prescribed uniform. Funds from Mercy helped provide uniforms for 13 refugee students so they could go to school. The school waived the tuition and fees for the remainder of the year.
- Two high school young men survived the earthquake and fled to the Cap Haitien area. Through Mercy’s assistance we were able to help them get some food and begin school again. They were staying in a dilapidated house and when it rained, again disaster struck. One of them tried to fix the leaking roof, fell and broke his arm. Again Mercy’s funds enabled him to be transported to and treated at an excellent hospital. How will these young men continue with their education with out assistance?
- A group of contributors to Mercy requested that their contributions help the victims immediately and also do something long term. We have been able to assist people in planting gardens and employ them to preserve a mountain watershed by both rock and ditch terracing, planting of trees, shrubs and gardens. This is providing some immediate income so those working can better take care of refugees from Port au Prince. It also has long term benefits of improving the watershed and provides vegetables and income to widows and refugees.
The recovery in Haiti, not only in Port au Prince, but throughout the country, is going to take long term involvement.
Thank you for your prayers and as the Lord leads you to give to the Haiti Earthquake Relief project, we will continue to make certain that it is used wisely for the rebuilding of Haiti. Your gifts are very much appreciated by the Haitien people.
With much appreciation,
David Graffenberger
Board Chairman of Mercy Inc.
