Time to Help

We remember with horror January 12, 2010, when an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Buildings and homes were destroyed. An estimated 230,000 people lost their lives and approximately 2.1 million were displaced or left homeless.  Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid and individuals within their countries sought to support their local humanitarian groups through donations and volunteering to assist in the re-build.

One of our staff, Ken Earls, responded to an appeal launched by The Haven Partnership.  He recognised the practical skills he had to offer in view of his previous experience working on building sites.  Ken signed up with Haven with a goal to raise €6,000  With the help of local Dundrum sponsors such as Leo Burdock’s Fish & Chip Shop, Frank Mulvey Pharmacy, The Candy Store and Boots Chemists, Tesco Nutgrove as well as a local Pub Quiz and sponsorship cards he met his target.  

On Sunday 30th October (as we began our mid-term break) Ken joined a team and flew from Ireland to Port au Prince travelling to Léogâne for Build Week.  They had a target to build 50 houses in one week. Working in temperatures of 40o -48o they beat their target providing 55 houses. Ken described the atmosphere as brilliant and harmonious. They stayed on site in tented accommodation enjoying local food cooked and served by Irish volunteers.  He describes the showers as quite an experience.  “You stood under very cold water with a body that had been heated all day.  It took your breath away.  Sometimes you would see tarantulas scramble around at your feet”. Members of the team repaired and painted the local school, the orphanage and Church.  During their free time the children enjoyed the extra attention as they brought a lot of fun and games to their playground

Ken returned after the break looking quite bronzed and although his arms are covered with mosquito bites he says he would do it all again.   He recommends a short movie on the Haven website (www.havenpartnership.com) which carries as an introduction a quote by Victor Hugo “As the purse is emptied the heart is filled”