Thomas DeWitt, founder and friend of the Amber Outreach Project, explained the extent of the damage to the Maranatha House facility, and what needs to be done to rebuild, at Heart for Haiti, Amber Outreach Project's recent fundraiser.  Dewitt explained that the biggest concern continues to be the children's safety, because some walls have remained standing, but the mortar between the concrete blocks has crumbled.  The single width of blocks, stacked ceiling high and completely unattached, presents a very serious danger to the children who, being children, do not understand the danger and want to play in and around the damaged structure.  

 

Structural engineers have determined that the foundation is solid and can be used to build a new orphanage. Many of the cement blocks can also be reused.  AOP is organizing one team to go almost immediately to help safely take down these walls and clear the foundation.  Two more teams will go in April and May to build the new orphanage, and a final team, in May, will complete the project and help move the children and staff into their new home.  

 

Because one of AOP's goals is to help the community of Titanyen, the teams will not take the place of Haitian workers.  AOP teams will work in partnership with local builders to get the walls up.  For the second and third trips, we are especially interested in workers with masonry experience who are able to teach others the art of reinforced masonry and mortar composition. This will provide skill enhancement for our Haitian partners and job training for some of our older boys.  There is a future in this trade:  Haiti needs a lot of reconstruction.  There will be opportunities for carpenters and roofers in the third and fourth trips.  Dewitt will remain on location and act as project manager for all teams.

 

The rebuilding is beginning none too soon.  Monsoon rains aren't usually expected until late March, but made an early appearance this year.  During the weekend of February 28, Reuters news agency reported 15 flood related deaths in southwest Haiti, and international news reports showed video footage of severely flooded tent cities. Our director in Haiti reports that the tarps are leaking, and water is washing under the beds of the "fort" in which the children are living. He says,  "On nights when it rains, none of us sleep."   

 

Although we have collected enough funds to get well started on this project, we are still a few thousand short of the total needed to be able to finish on schedule.  We also have several workers who are trained and available, but don't think they will be able to raise the airfare.  If you would like more information, or are willing to help purchase supplies or to send a worker, please contact us at info@amberoutreachproject.org. 

 

Donations for this project can also be made via PayPal (see link above), or by sending your tax deductible contribution to

            Amber Outreach Project

            PO Box 94

            Newberg, OR 97132

 

 

Note: You can see more pictures of the structural damage to Maranatha House in our photo gallery