HAITI: MEDIA BRIEFING FROM SALESIAN MISSIONS

Six Months After the Earthquake, Salesian Missions Has Worked Miracles, But Progress is Slow

Click here for an interactive Google map of Salesian Missions sites in Haiti, and full descriptions of those sites

Note: Photos available upon request.

 HAITI UPDATES:

• Six months after the devastating earthquake, Salesian Missions reports the situation remains critical and that steps toward progress often meet the unexpected.
• 22 containers of relief supplies – including food, water, clothing, medical supplies and forklifts – have been shipped by Salesian Missions, as well as two school buses.
• Demolition and construction continues, much of it still by hand.
• Students have returned to tent classrooms and pre-fabricated classrooms, while 40 teachers have been hired.
• The Salesian Students Network computer system is in development to create 13 classrooms to help university students who have been unable to return to school.
• Some humanitarian organizations and many people have left the country but Salesian Missions will continue its work throughout the country.
• To date, approximately $2.7M in funds have been spent by Salesian Missions on relief efforts for the Haitian people, along with additional in-kind donations.

 
Salesian Centers are starting their work again in various locations:

Port-au-Prince:

(Facilities include National School of Arts & Trades, school and youth center)

• Lessons are being taught on the grounds where the National School of Arts & Trades (ENAM) once stood.  Daily classes are being held in prefabricated buildings.
• 9,000 middle school students receive breakfast (a cup of milk and bread) daily.  A new kitchen will be installed soon to provide food for the children from the schools in Cité Soleil and La Saline, the poorest districts in the area.
• More than 300 children in Lakay (street children reception center) are being cared for on a daily basis.

Thorland:  

(Facilities include youth center, meeting center and recreation area)

• 12,000 refugees are receiving accommodations.
• Refugees are also receiving psychological help as they wait to be re-located.
• Youth groups continue with cultural, recreational, and spiritual activities, which have never been interrupted.

Gressier:

(Facilities include primary school, secondary school/boarding school and community house in rural area)

• Academic work and providing hospitality continues in tents.
• Salesian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have promised to cover the financial costs of the rebuilding of the study center and part of the elementary schools.

Pétionville:

(Facilities include primary school, high school, technical and vocational training schools)

• All activities have started up again.
• The boundary walls have been rebuilt to provide security and safety for the children.

Cap-Haitien:

(Facility for agricultural training)

• Teacher salaries and the school meals are being provided.
• Plans for the refurbishment of school facilities at Gonaives have been approved.
• Approximately 140 students will receive food and instruction for three years.

Fort-Liberté:

(Facilities include vocational training center, teacher training facility and the only school for nurses left in the country)

• School of Nursing training is taking place at the only school for nurses left in the country.