Photo above: Take a close look at Sharylyn in the photo above. You can see her sister Hannah, below. These girls are probably not typical of what you've been seeing in recent Haitian news. They have no swollen tummies, spindled limbs, and orange hair from malnutrition and disease. They are smiling, clean with bright eyes full of life. This is what can happen in just one generation to help break the cycle of poverty that exist in Haiti. Their mommy was an orphan and grew up in House of Hope orphanage in Haiti. She like the others who grew up there became productive, healthy and happy individuals. I can not find words to express the joy I feel to have been allowed by God to be a part of this great change and to see the evidense of our work in the faces and lives of new children doing so well. Sadly though, due to the recent earthquake some who have traveled so far in life, are now facing new hardships ..

When I retired in 1996-97 , I never thought I’d ever again be writing another message like this one…. But, here I go…..
It is about Haiti – if you have no interest there is no need to read further. No problem. For those who stay with me – first - thanks to all who responded with gifts and passing along the email message I initially wrote after the earthquake. I have received heartfelt messages from Jackie and Gilbert – overwhelmed with gratitude telling me how they’ve received donations from people they don’t even know. – coming as far as Texas to Seattle - some came as direct response to that initial email message. You know who you are – THANK YOU!! Others I realize were and are already committed to like projects for Haitians through their churches and social groups- also appreciated.

We all know whenever catastrophic tragedies in proportions of the recent Haitian earthquake occur there is an outpouring of generosity and caring. We also know as time passes and the event is no longer getting news coverage support wanes. Numerous needs have been met by the initial and on-going projects in Haiti. Yet some are falling through the cracks. It is because of one such situation I am now writing this message.

A couple weeks ago, I started my own little personal task and am asking for help from anyone interested. This is to meet urgent, specific needs and will not be an on-going project. To give you a little back-ground allow me to explain the situation.

I’ve been in contact with many of the young women who grew up in the Haitian orphanage we founded in 1976 (House of Hope) Some of these women are married - most now in their 30’s - with small children of their own. I do not have reports on all the girls who grew up in House of Hope . I have learned that  about 16 of these young ladies (who have come so far in life, ) presently do not have a home or provision of any sort, due to the earthquake The rainy season is coming soon which always brings flooding of areas. I asked these ladies to make me a list of the most urgent items they need. . I said I’d try to get whatever I am able. Jackie and Ambassadors for Christ in Haiti assured me they’d take whatever I come up with on one of their containers to Haiti. Amer Haitian Bon Zami Inc has also offered space on their next container going into Haiti.

I began by cleaning my own drawers and closet. Since I personally only have a couple sizes and the need is varied sizes I went to Wal-Mart last night looking for clearance items, tents and blow up mattresses. I soon realized the tents and mattresses, although not extremely expensive each - the cost will grow fast with the need of at least 16 of them. Driving home it occurred to me that maybe there are others doing their spring cleaning who might have items from their own closets - they wouldn’t mind contributing. And maybe those who live too far away from here might enjoy helping to buy a tent or mattress for someone we know in Haiti .

Posted below is a list of urgently needed items. Items do not need to be new but personally I never give an item that I would not use myself. Haitians have already lost everything – this practice helps to allow them to keep their dignity. I know there will still be items I’ll need to buy (tents / blow up mattresses/underwear) – so if anyone wants to make a donation designated for one or partial cost of these it can be sent to Jackie and designated as such. Email me and I’ll explain the best way to make this happen.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read my message .

Here are the details:

Before you read further:

Important : The goal is to gather and ship most urgently needed items for a particular sixteen young ladies and their families. Since shipping space will be limited we can not take in more than we need. We hope to provide each young lady with the following:  2 pair of shoes; some pants/skirts and tops; a dress; a tent; a mattress; hygenic and first aid supplies; flashlight and batteries; insect repellent .  I am hoping to fit all items for each lady into one box (16 boxes). Due to our limits this will get a little tricky. If you are interested in helping and wish to learn exactly what items (sizes and etc.) are needed please email me and I will send you a spread sheet listing girls by name, size and specific items yet needed for each) .  This will be a huge help if folks let us know what they are sending so we can keep this list current for others who care to join in this little project

Time is a factor – need fairly fast to make the shipment date

To Donate ANY amount of money - even $ 1 … it all adds up and helps . Email me for details in making a designation towards this project – please consider one of the following financial needs as designations:
Funds towards: Tents/ mattresses/ bras / underwear / shoes/ insect relief products

To Drop Off/ Pick Up Items:

St Charles / O’Fallon Mo / Wentzville etc. email kidseverywhere@msn.com (me)

St. Louis/ West County/ Kirkwood etc: email rosemary.fotenos@yahoo.com (Rosemary)

Lake St Louis/Wentzville/Troy etc. email connievancil@charter.net (Connie)

Illinois - Godfrey - Alton area email melinda_4ster@yahoo.com

Does Anyone else want to help with pick up or drop off point ? (at their home or designated . place ) email the above

(MOST urgently needed items are in red)
• Plastic Boxes w/ tight lids (18 to 26 quarts ) : These will be used for packing the shipment – after-which recipients can use for storage of personal possessions. Too large will become too heavy for moving around (cost from $5 -$7 at walmart) Great way to make it easy for us: buy a box/ clean your closet and place items in box/ email us for drop or pick up… oh and the box doesn’t need to be full – we can add as items come in)
       • Clothing:

      • Woman light weight pant or Capri (see size list below)

       • Tops (blouses/ t shirts ) -

        • Dresses (S through xl)

         • Tennis shoes (see shoe size list)

          • Sandals (water proof – such as crocs or tongs )

          • Underwear – S through Xl

          • Bras (sizes 30B through 40 D)

           • Flashlights and batteries


            • Citronella candles


            • Insect spray

            • Soap
             Sanitary napkins

            • Lotion

            • Wash Cloths

             • Sunscreen

Shoes are drastically needed:
Due to the filth, rugged surfaces , dirty water and other debris covering the ground in Haiti, it is imperative to have foot protection to avoid disease as well as injury.
Shoe Sizes:
Roseline – 6 ½: Sheila -6; Michou 9: Merlande-8; Claudine – 7;
Barbara 6 ½; Nahomie- 7; Roselaine-8; Magda 7: Ginette-6; Louna 8; Odimene 10; Benita 7 ½
Michelinne 8; Josy 8

(Space will not allow us to send a ton of shoes - the goal is one pr. sandals and one tennis shoes for each listed above)

Mattresses and Tents are drastically needed:
The Red Cross and other organization have and are still providing thousands of Haitians with these items. However some folks are falling through the cracks – the number and needs are just too immense. Actually Michou (one of our girls) at some point did have a tent but told me when she left so many people moved into it there was no space for her anymore. She and her two little daughters are now living in the street again. The annual rainy season is fast approaching. Since all the trees have long ago been removed from the mountains (needed as charcoal for fuel- cooking) terrible erosion makes even light rain run in torrents through PAP streets . During the rainy season flooding is extreme. It is not the same as floods here with water rising daily in flooded areas . It is like rushing little rivers that sweep people away to unclaimed deaths during every big storm. This season will be the worse ever as very few have homes or places to stay dry. Thus the need for tents and mattresses to get off the ground – and avoid being in streets where the water naturally seeks its path.

• Tents - 4-6 man with sturdy water proof floor and etc.
                        COST: 9x8 = $32 /
                       13x10 = $54 (walmart prices)
• Blow Up Mattresses- any size
                     Cost: $25-$50 depending on size and quality – (walmart prices)
• Air pumps for mattress NOT electric
Patch Kits for mattresses  (cost not yet known)

• Children’s Summer Clothing – various sizes and gender  ( I do not have a current list of the children of our ladies)

.
We are sincerely grateful for anything you might donate to this little cause ... if you can give
nothing please pray - in fact, that  of course is the greatest gift one can give .