New Haiti Homes Survive Isaac

Tropical Storm Isaac rumbled across the Caribbean this week, skirting the village of Sous Savanne, the focal point of our activities since the January 2010 earthquake. The storm drenched the country with torrential rain, and there was damage in a number of areas. We are pleased to report that the people benefitting from the Hope Force programs in Sous Savanne appear to have suffered minimal property loss.

Despite the heavy rains and strong winds all the "Houses of Hope" are fine and there is no damage. "Some of the shacks and tents put in place after the earthquake were severely damaged," said Hope Force Founder, Jack Minton. "The damage these underwent in contrast to the sturdy homes we are building has renewed our commitment to advance this vital initiative." The goal of the project is to provide homes for 15 families in Sous Savanne. Click here to read the heart-felt letters of thanks from some of the families who received new homes.

"Houses of Hope" kicked off in April with the construction of the first two housing units. In May, Hope Force sent 16 players from the University of Southern California Trojan football team to complete the next homes, as well as paint existing homes. Over the course of their five-day trip, the team built four homes for families in the Child Sponsorship Program who were still in desperate need of improved living conditions. "Building a home is really hard work," linebacker Dion Bailey said. "It is more tiring than football practice or a game."

Four more homes were completed in July by teams from churches in Nashville, Philadelphia and Atlanta. So far, ten new homes have been completed as part of our commitment to rebuilding Haiti.

"Houses of Hope" has undergone a change as we transition from using wooden housing kits to a block home design. The new block home design has lightweight roofs that are locked together with the main structure using trusses and metal roofing, making them both strong and safe. We are moving into this new phase with confidence after locating a contractor in the capital city of Port-au-Prince who specializes in the block building process.

Although the new homes in Sous Savanne weathered the storm with minimal notice, the school in nearby Mellier, where HFI has worked extensively providing health education and vacation bible school, suffered great damage. Several HFI teams have interacted with the school?s teachers and students bringing much-needed equipment and school supplies.

Many of the USC football team members look back on their time with the kids at the Gressier school as a highlight of their time in Haiti. Defensive end Kevin Greene celebrated his 22^nd birthday while in Haiti, was sung "Happy Birthday" by the students at the school when the team delivered supplies. "To have 110 kids sing 'Happy Birthday' to me was definitely a blessing," Greene said. "But it was more rewarding to bring the gifts and school supplies to them than it being my birthday."

Unfortunately, the storm tore the school's makeshift roof and siding to shreds, and there is now no covering for the students who start school in early October. "It is so sad to see the roof missing," said HFI staffer, Rene Lako. "We have so many pictures of happy kids learning and playing in or around the school with a bright yellow and white tent-like roof." HFI has plans to help rebuild this school, which now is even more urgent.