August 10, 2009Dear Friends,
Thank you! So far we have received almost $2,000 in pledges and cash donations.
We're still packing. Our tickets to Haiti have been delayed a few days, so there is still time to reply back with a pledge of support. As you know, Children's Hope (in alliance with the Progressive Alliance), goes regularly to Haiti to do solidarity, human rights and humanitarian work, and all our donations are hand-carried; each school, clinic or prison is visited personally. This is our 10th trip since 2004. Every time is a new challenge, every time our hearts break in some new way, every time we are inspired by the strength and determination of this proud people.
Haiti has a horrifying tradition of being pillaged, and the result is that after thousands of years of abundance, this country is now the most impoverished place in this hemisphere. Children sadly are found wondering the streets, or sold into slavery; fathers can’t find work; women are targeted so systematic political rapes (19,000 of the 100,000 young women in the city of Port au Prince alone in the first year we went to Haiti following the recent coup).
Yet, I have never met so many heros. Please look for our journals from Haiti next week, for a personal look at conditions today.
You can save lives. $20 buys five bottles of anti-biotic eye med, pays a teacher’s salary for a week, or can buy powdered milk for 30 kids in an orphanage. Any amount helps, really.
We have purchased one new laptop (thanks to Dr. Ben) and found a bundle of children's vitamins at our door (I suspect - thanks go to Randy!) We are still finding the best prices on the medicine we want to purchase, but tomorrow Marshall Hospital in Placerville opens its surplus closet to us (thanks to Cathie!)...our bags are half full so far. Thank you, all!
On a sad note, this year, we will miss our dear friend and hero, Father Gerard Jean-Juste of Sainte Claire's Church in Port au Prince, near the infamous slum, Cite Soleil, and his feeding program struggles to continue.
Thank you for anything you can do...more updates later...peace, leisa
Leisa Faulkner
Founder, Children's Hope
leisafaulkner@hotmail.com
916-801-4184
3025 A Cambridge Road, Cameron Park, CA 95682
“If you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, your life will be safe, expedient and thin." Katharine Butler Hathaway
