January 12, today, will mark 2 years since the devastating Haiti earthquake that left more than 1.5 million people homeless. Most of these have had to live in small crowded tent communities, hoping someday to have a house of their own. CWR is thankful to be in partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build 450 houses in Leogane near the epicenter of the earthquake.
I visited Leogane in August and was pleased to see how effectively Habitat works with the community. Habitat has trained and employed more than 200 Haitians. Even after the project is completed these people will be highly employable because of the skills and experience they have gained. The Habitat community coordinators are Haitians who work with the community leaders to identify those most in need of housing. Beneficiaries, including children, participate in the construction of their houses from the digging of the foundation. The new owners take great pride in the house that they have helped to build. I met one elderly woman (see photos) who was so happy to be able to move from the cramped little tent into her own house.
The houses have a very strong foundation, are hurricane and earthquake resistant, and are built in such a way that they can be upgraded in the future. Each house has a water catchment system. For every two houses that are built, one latrine is also constructed.
You can give here so that more Haitians can experience the blessing of living in a house of their own.
