Building Hope in Haiti

Children who survived Haiti's earthquake express their emotions through drawing and dance programs.
Photo by Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance

Building Hope in Haiti

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“Life right now is hard,” says Marie Sylsalve, as she cradles her newborn son, McAnley, who was born in the ruins of crumbled buildings twelve days after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti’s capital city. Marie is living in a camp for displaced people in the Belair district, where PWS&D is working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance to provide food, tents, water, hygiene kits and other essential materials to those in most need.

During times of disaster, the provision of emergency supplies is necessary for survival, but it is only the first step in the process of recovery. Psychosocial support is a vital component to help those who have been traumatized resume normal life. Widowed and faced with supporting McAnley and her other three children on her own, Marie tries to remain hopeful for the future.

ACT members are working hard to provide basic emergency supplies to people like Marie in Petionville, Leogane, Belair and other neighbourhoods in and around Port-au-Prince, while establishing longer-term rehabilitation programs such as cash-for-work initiatives, education for children and psychosocial support programs. Children are learning to cope with the trauma they experienced by expressing themselves through drawing and dance.

PWS&D is committed to helping the people of Haiti recover from this disaster by supporting long-term efforts to rebuild permanent housing, restoring livelihoods, providing education for children and emotional support for those who are struggling to find hope.

You Can Help

Please help support the ongoing need for relief and long-term rehabilitation in Haiti by making a donation to PWS&D by calling 1-800-619-7301 ext. 291, donating online, through your church or mailing a cheque to the office. Please mark all donations “Haiti Relief.”

The Canadian International Development Agency is matching donations from individual Canadians until February 12, 2010. For congregations sending PWS&D one cheque, please include a letter identifying the names and amounts of individual donations that make up the total to ensure these funds are eligible for matching.

Presbyterian World Service & Development is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.