Virginia Baptists Unveil Long-Term Recovery Plan for Haiti
In the midst of a continued response to the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief leaders have released a long-term plan for the response effort in Haiti. After many weeks of dialogue and prayerful consideration, Virginia Baptists are moving forward with a plan that will continue to meet the daily needs of those affected by the earthquake, as well as propel the local churches forward in their ability to minister to the Haitian people. One of the key goals is to concentrate our resources in one community so that long-term relationships can be established and our resources can be leveraged to support each other and not scattered throughout the entire region.
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board will partner with the Haiti Baptist Convention, Baptist World Alliance, and Hungarian Baptist Aid in a plan that was designed by local pastors and other Haitian leaders. The plan will concentrate on an area of Port-au-Prince known as Delmas and includes:
- Building a new orphanage and school in the community
(pictured below)
- Rebuilding homes surrounding the new facility
- Providing job training and other programs on site
- Micro-finance loans to create jobs and sustainability
- Rebuilding of damaged church
- Ongoing care for new orphanage (to be phased out over the course of three years so that it becomes self-sufficient)
Additional funds will be used to meet the needs of other established partners in the area such as the Southern Baptist Convention, Florida Baptist Convention, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
This plan is based upon gifts received as of May 1, 2010. Additional funds will give us the ability to enhance our response and make an even larger impact in the Delmas community and assist the Haiti Baptist Convention in reaching their nation for Christ.
Your Involvement in Haiti
Volunteers will be utilized in nearly every phase of this recovery effort. Churches can begin making plans for teams to travel to Haiti and assist. Details of the specific needs as well as travel information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Church-to-church partnerships and other relationships will be encouraged as this recovery effort moves forward.
Other Disaster Relief News
- Our Chilean friends are still recovering from the earthquake that struck in late February. We are seeking churches or associations that would like to consider church-to-church partnerships to assist them with their continued recovery efforts. Contact Jeanette Hildebrand to help.
- And, there is still a need for teams to travel to Rhode Island to assist with clean up after the flooding that took place back in April. Contact Jeanette Hildebrand to volunteer or for more info.
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Mud out teams responding to the flooding in Kentucky and Tennessee have been ‘stood down’ as operations in those states come to a conclusion.
- Four Disaster Relief leaders have received national recognition for their efforts.
