Lafana is bracing for Hurricane Tomas, which is expected to hit Haiti tomorrow. The project path suggests that Tomas will brush southwestern Haiti, but nothing is certain. As we are right on the beach, we are particularly at risk for powerful storms such as this one. It has already caused considerable damage and loss of life in St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Vincent. The UN has estimated that 500,000 people in Western and Southern Haiti will be affected.
Our main building, which served as classrooms and sleeping quarters for the children, was completely destroyed in the January 12, 2010 quake. Many of them now sleep in transitional tents donated by UNICEF. Although a huge improvement to displaced living conditions after the quake, these tents are not storm-proof--They flooded in the torrential storms a few weeks ago.
I have instructed our caretakers Jo-el and Benito to take down the tents. Today, over the radio, government authorities have advised people living next to the coast to evacuate for higher ground. Right now, light rains but strong winds are buffeting Lafana. If things get progressively worse, we will move the children across the road to my grandparents' house. In inclement weather like this, the children sleep in one of our larger buildings that was damaged in the January quake, and government safety assessors have yet to arrive to evaluate structural integrity of the building. But in the current situation, we have no where else to put them.
We desperately need tarpaulins and other forms of transitional shelter supplies and help in rebuilding permanent structures to provide child-safe classrooms, dormitories, and living spaces. If you are able to help in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your kind thoughts and generosity.
- Marie L. Masson, Director of Lafana Institute of Hope
Our main building, which served as classrooms and sleeping quarters for the children, was completely destroyed in the January 12, 2010 quake. Many of them now sleep in transitional tents donated by UNICEF. Although a huge improvement to displaced living conditions after the quake, these tents are not storm-proof--They flooded in the torrential storms a few weeks ago.
I have instructed our caretakers Jo-el and Benito to take down the tents. Today, over the radio, government authorities have advised people living next to the coast to evacuate for higher ground. Right now, light rains but strong winds are buffeting Lafana. If things get progressively worse, we will move the children across the road to my grandparents' house. In inclement weather like this, the children sleep in one of our larger buildings that was damaged in the January quake, and government safety assessors have yet to arrive to evaluate structural integrity of the building. But in the current situation, we have no where else to put them.
We desperately need tarpaulins and other forms of transitional shelter supplies and help in rebuilding permanent structures to provide child-safe classrooms, dormitories, and living spaces. If you are able to help in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your kind thoughts and generosity.
- Marie L. Masson, Director of Lafana Institute of Hope
RSS Feed
