PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Six months after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti, killing hundreds of thousands, a lot has been cleared to build the first permament home using funds raised by Virginia Baptists.
And a second lot is being cleared — by hand — for a second home. Both are being constructed in partnership with the Haiti Baptist Convention.
The first house to be funded by Virginia Baptists is being contructed in Port-au-Prince.
|
It’s progress but it’s slow, says Dean Miller, who is coordinating Virginia Baptists’ relief efforts in Haiti. The island nation faces almost insurmountable obstacles in recovering from the disaster.
“It appears that many of the immediate needs have been met but the rebuilding phase is only just now being birthed — and it is a hard labor,” said Miller. “The infrastructure of the country was difficult at best before the earthquake and now it is nearly impossible to work through. Much of the debris from collapsed structures remains in the narrow streets which have swelled with traffic as volunteers and other organizations swarm across the city of Port-au-Prince in search of supplies and other necessities. And clearing the debris is not that simple as machinery is hard to find and a place to carry the debris is miles away.
This family has been selected by Haitian Baptists to receive the second home built by Virginia Baptists.
|
It costs about $500 to clear debris from a lot for construction and another $3,000 to construct a concrete block dwelling, said Miller. Virginia Baptists have set aside enough funds to build at least 20 of these homes and they hope to build more.
In addition, plans for a new orphanage to be funded in part by Virginia Baptists have received final approval from the government and layout work for foundations has begun.
“It will take years for Haiti to see any marked changes in their country,” said Miller, who plans a visit to Haiti in September to assess progress. “But Virginia Baptists and our partners will move ahead boldly as we continue to capture glimpses of lives being changed and the message of Christ being shared.”
Debris is being cleared at site of the second home to be built by Virginia Baptists.
|
Miller said volunteer teams are encouraged to participate in rebuilding efforts and other projects. Among the guidelines:
• Team sizes should be no more than 12 persons.
• Teams should propose at least two week-long dates.
• Cost is about $350, plus airfare.
• Volunteers should be very healthy and able to endure heat, low air quality and long working days.
More details are available from Miller at [email protected] or Nichole Bulls at nichole.bulls@vbmb. org. Additional information is available at www.vbmb.org/disaster.