Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and the location of the largest Episcopal diocese was devastated by an earthquake on Jan 12, 2010. For the past year resources and mission workers have been involved in helping the people who live there recover their lives.
Episcopal Relief and Development has posted a report on the work they have spearheaded over the past year. They break the recovery effort up into three phases:
“Rescue and Relief: Phase I (January 12 to March 31) – food and other goods were distributed to families left homeless by the quake and to those hosting the displaced. Over 60,000 people received health care, food, water, shelter, sanitation, and other non-food items.
Relief to Recovery: Phase II (April 1 to December 31) – an additional 40,000 people benefited from expanded health care services, short-term employment opportunities and the construction of more stable housing and sanitation systems.
Recovery and Sustainable Development: Phase III (beginning January 1, 2011) – future activities will help families and individuals increase their economic independence and promote household and community security, continuing into 2012.”
Read the full report here.
The need to support the relief effort is ongoing. Groups across the Episcopal Church (and from the larger Anglican Communion have been getting involved both through direct aid and by working to fund additional work. Leader Resources (known to many in the Episcopal Church as the publisher of “Journey to Adulthood” and “Rite 13” has made a study guide available at their cost (less than $20).
Canon Mark Harris writes of the resource:
It has a wealth of material in it, references other materials, has activities for youth and adults related to each section, and is an excellent way to inform and challenge your congregation to participate in the effort to rebuild the Church in Haiti.
You can learn more about the guide and purchase it here.