Friday, May 6, 2011

A little goes a long way

PID has several programs serving "the poorest of the poor" here in Haiti. These folks need more than handouts, they need purpose, skills, encouragement and prayers. PID is a community leader here, and well loved in the area. Why shouldn't they be! They have built over 40 houses, treated 50,000 since the earthquake and been in Haiti for 20 years. Let me tell you very briefly about the programs they help these faith filled people with.

There is a small business focus that people can get a micro loan of $100, if they qualify. For the most part they set up roadside (I use that word very loosely) stand or even walk around with their wares such as sandals, fruit, sunglasses etc. Sandals are about $4 US, so very reasonable. These business are helping not only financially, but they are fulfilling the sense of purpose we alll need. They have a 6 month term to pay the loan back, and if satisfactory, may get another.

As I am sure you know, there is a clinic on site. Today was a day for pregnant women to come in, but most days anything goes. Cholera cases are few, general sickness seems to keep them busy enough. They are open from 8-4, and always busy. I have not spent much time in the clinic since when they are open, the team is out on site, but it's never empty.

Child sponsorship is the program I want to emphasize because it represents a need that we can fill from the states. There are over 350 children in the child sponsorship program. These kids are the best...they are so friendly and genuinly want to know you. When we walk to the site, they not only want to say hello, they want to to know your name, where you are from, how old you are, and yesterday one child was witnessing to Bob! Can you believe that!? He was 8 and witnessing to the funny looking foreign work crew! They are a faith filled people living in deplorable conditions that are simply inhumane. OK, here comes my pitch...for $25 a month you can sponsor a child that you can choose, write to, and even visit. 100% goes to the children. The Internet is awful here, so I am unable to link to PID, but please prayerfully consider making a huge difference for one of Gods children at their web site, www.pidonline.org your money CAN make a difference. Last year, our team sponsored an entire family for $60 per month. They have a heart wrenching story, and a child with CP, he is probably alive today because of the team's help.

Lastly, PID has a housing program, that is where we fit in on this trip. If you have a child in the sponsorship program, and have had and repaid at least one small business loan, you qualify. The houses are mostly duplexes, 20X40 or so, and cost $3000. Recipients have a 25 year no interest loan. When teams come here, we essentially buy the materials and provide labor, and that is the key to keeping the cost down. No tractors or fancy equipment. You may be able to tell by the term that the cost needs to be low. This year, we are working on 5 houses at once in different stages. We have been honored by Gale, and PID to be the FIRST TEAM EVER to put a roof on a house. That says a lot for the team that was here last year, you all should be very proud that they have honored us with not only this, but would like us to consider a VBS as well. I hope to upload some pics of our progress, we started yesterday and should finish the tin roof tomorrow.

See you soon and thanks for your prayers!
Brian

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