Haiti Summer Project - July 2016
On the 12th of January 2010, a devastating earthquake ripped through Haiti killing over 220,000 people. Just ten months after the earthquake, Hurricane Tomas hit and swept away the few belongings people had pulled from the rubble. One month later, an allegedly fraudulent election heightened tension leading to riots. In December, it was reported that over 3,000 died from cholera. And today, over a million people continue to be housed in temporary shelters comprised of sticks and sheets in large camps with insufficient water and sanitation.
Countless lives have been deeply wounded and affected. While Haitians are defined as resilient, this doesn’t negate their daily struggles and physical pain.
Situated on the coast of Leogane, Haiti exists Ca-Ira, an orphanage known for pouring out love and care for orphans and children from impoverished families. For years, this orphanage has saved countless children from starvation and sexual abuse.
Yet, on the 12th of January, 2010 Ca-Ira experienced a major setback to their mission. The two-story building that housed the living quarters for the children was completely destroyed by the destructive earthquake, killing five orphans and two of the orphanage staff members. The school center and the church that sheltered 220 pupils and 20 teachers also collapsed.
To help Ca-Ira return to the hope they once brought the children, we have partnered with the Ca-Ira Children’s Village over the past five years to reestablish a place where children have a safe place where they can afford to be just children. Not only this, children are prepared for an independant and self sustained future through receiving an education and the opportunity for vocational training.
Even as construction continues, doors have opened in the surrounding community to minister to the lives of the many families living in abject poverty. The small community of Ca-Ira surrounding the children’s village contains many families in need who are unable to properly care for themselves.
Our summer teams will have the opportunity to serve at the children’s village as well as in the surrounding Ca-Ira community through three key areas:
1. Health education and health checks
Education in the area of health continues to be a huge need in Haiti. In 2015 our LIFE team successfully implemented a four topic health curriculum which was extremely well received by the children’s village staff and members from the community. We need medical professionals to help train on these needed topics and also perform health checks in the surrounding community. (*Note: all health training will be focused in the first week of project and may continue into the second week depending on the make-up of second week team)
2. Construction and maintenance projects
There is always lots to do at Ca-Ira. While we’re not 100% sure what is in store this July, we do know that we need people ready to get their hands dirty and help in whatever way is needed with ongoing projects on site.
3. Summer camp
The team will be running a two-week children’s camp for Ca-Ira Children’s Village as well as children from the community. This is a great way to participate in two fun-filled weeks of learning and adventure on site alongside 60-80 children!
The root causes of poverty in a country such as Haiti are complex, but GAiN is committed to serving at the Ca-Ira Children’s Village and in the surrounding community as the need continues to be great, even almost six years after the devastating earthquake.
Through working both on-site at the children’s village as well as participating food distributions, community health education sessions and children’s camps open to community children, GAiN LIFE Team Members have a chance to practically demonstrate the love of God in word and deed to hurting and needy people in Ca-Ira.
Would you join us in continuing to serve the children and community of Ca-Ira who continue to struggle to rise out of poverty?
TRIP DETAILS:
Date: July 1-10, 2016 or July 1-17, 2016
Location: Ca-Ira, Leogane, Haiti
Team: multi purpose team for those medical professionals able to help with health training as well as those willing and wanting to work with construction and maintenance projects or serve at the kids camp
Cost:
1 week, July 1-10 - $2650 (choose “Haiti Summer- Option A” when applying)
2 weeks, July 1-17- $3150 (choose “Haiti Summer- Option B” when applying)
(Includes airfare, accommodations, transport in-country, translators in-country, meals, project materials and travel insurance (vaccinations and personal spending money not included in costs))
Application deadline: May 1, 2016
Purpose: to demonstrate the love of God in word and deed to the people of Ca-Ira, through health training, construction, kids camp and community outreach projects.
Note: vaccinations and spending money is not included in the project budget
Yes! I would like to join this project!
Please complete the form below with any questions or to request an application!
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