HFI expands Haiti relief in wake of Isaac

While the newly built "Houses of Hope" withstood the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Isaac, the road between Sous Savanne and the rural community of Babay cannot boast the same success. Even though the storm did not strike Haiti directly, continuing rains caused muddy ruts in the road to worsen, which pushed Hope Force Field Team member René Lako to take an off-road detour during his most recent visit to the village.

Most of the homes in Babay are make-shift shacks or traditional homes made from plaster. Due to the lack of structural integrity, many were damaged in Haiti's 2010 earthquake. While most structures survived Isaac's onslaught, the deteriorating roofs and walls of many homes suffered severe leakages. After assessing the storm's damages, Rene revisited Babay to distribute tarps, blankets and water filters, all of which were donated by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

"At the assessment I felt that for these people, lack of safe and adequate housing is their greatest vulnerability," he said. "Tarps to protect and blankets to sleep on or under seemed a good way to help just a little bit while we prepare a bigger project to build a number of 'Houses of Hope'."

Rene was accompanied by Joseph, a community leader in Sous Savanne who served as a translator with the Babay developmental committee. When they arrived, several committee members and villagers came to greet them, help unload the truck, and set up a distribution point beneath a cluster of trees.

"One of the leaders, Louis, said that 'as usual' he wanted to start with prayer," Lako said. "I was given the opportunity to share some words of encouragement, explaining that these supplies are a token of God?s love and that we hope to do more, such as building small block houses. I also told them that other people are praying for them and trying to help Haitians in need."

The distribution remained organized, with leaders using a list of names to give supplies to families and take their pictures. While some villagers were hesitant about being photographed, Lako said that by the end of the day, they requested a group photo.

"The big cheer at the end was not just for me or for Hope Force," Lako said. "To me it was also a cheer for those who pray and give to Haiti. Hopefully in a couple of months we?ll be able to start building 'Houses of Hope' in this small rural community as we raise funds and awareness for the housing needs of many Haitians."