Launching 'Houses of Hope'

Haiti's 2010 earthquake destroyed over 90 percent of buildings in the region where Sous Savanne is located, creating severe housing needs that required immediate action. Hope Force's initial response was to set up Emergency Disaster Relief Tents, and we are now looking to provide permanent homes for those who still have inadequate shelters. This is being accomplished through "Houses of Hope" -- an initiative aimed to build 15 safe, durable homes for families in Sous Savanne.The first two Hope Force homes were constructed during the week of April 9 to 13.

The "Houses of Hope" are constructed from Maxima prefabricated housing kits, which include everything from a pressure-treated pine frame to shutters for the windows. Each home has one 200-square-foot room, a covered porch, a four-foot exterior block wall, and a concrete foundation. HFI partners at World Relief have already completed 18 transitional homes using the Maxima design in the Sous Savanne area.

Through ongoing efforts, Hope Force has already raised the funding for six "Houses of Hope". In March the Haiti field team met with staff members from World Relief, local contractors, and representatives from Sous Savanne in preparation for the construction of the first homes. The first Maxima housing kits were ordered in early April. Click here to see pictures of the first homes under construction.

Hope Force Construction Manager Craig Snow and HFI reservist Otto Torndahl traveled to Haiti shortly after the kits arrived to kick off the construction of the first two homes. Just before Easter Sunday the first materials arrived on location. "How fitting that in the week after Easter when we celebrate Jesus? resurrection and new life, the first HFI 'Houses of Hope' would be built," said Hope Force Haiti Coordinator, Rene Lako.

The families who received these homes were chosen from the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) based on their economic vulnerability, current housing situation, composition of family, and agreement to help in the construction of the home.

First-grader Renalson is a member of one of the families who have already received a house. Before his new home was built, Renalson lived with his mother, sister, and two cousins in a shack and Hope Force tent. His father died in the earthquake, and his mother now makes a living through small commerce endeavors. She helped in practical ways when the local crews built the house.

The other home was provided for the family of Adlinda, who used to live in a makeshift shack as well. Adlinda's mother sells toiletries to provide for her two nephews and two daughters. Her original house was reduced to just a concrete slab in the 2010 earthquake. She worked with the construction crew and helped to put rocks as a bed for the new foundation of her Maxima home.

The work force is a combination of engineer Jean Paul, who oversees the team that puts the prefab wooden components and the roof together, and a crew of masons who prepare and pour the slab. Robenson from partnering organization World Relief has built over 70 of these homes and acts as project consultant. Craig and Otto are involved not only to coordinate but to observe and see how Hope Force can use this process to engage visiting teams of volunteers.

HFI tentatively plans to build the next two houses at the end of April and another two at the end of May, although teams have not yet been scheduled for these times. In the period between, a special team made up of players from the USC Trojan football team will be in Sous Savanne to build three houses. Besides constructing these homes, the team will also paint existing dwellings to increase their longevity, participate in CSP food distribution, and provide much-needed supplies to local schools and orphanages.

The team will consist of 15 USC football players, including quarterback Matt Barkley, T.J. McDonald, Khaled Holmes, and Devon Kennard. Matt is the son of Les Barkley, who was on a Hope Force deployment to Haiti shortly after the 2010 earthquake. Read more about the USC Football Team deployment.

We ask for your continued prayers and support as we move forward in providing sustainable recovery in Sous Savanne through the "Houses of Hope" project.