Why Haiti?
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 4:02 am. 2 comments
Haitians are descended from African slaves brought by the French to work their plantations, and have a proud cultural tradition of music and art. Despite its great cultural riches, however, Haiti is the most economically impoverished country in the western hemisphere. Only 34% of children are immunized against preventable diseases. 45% of all children are undernourished or malnourished, and one in eight die before they reach the age of five. 71% of all people are unemployed. Many families are faced with little or no clean water, lack of access to food, no money for health care and medicines, and dangerous sanitation conditions.
A series of hurricanes and floods in late 2008 left 70% of agricultural lands, roads, and bridges destroyed. The already high costs of fuel and food have spiralled out of reach of the average Haitian due to the world economic crisis. Only private medical care and education are available and over half of the adult population is illiterate. The poorest have resorted to eating dirt cookies made of clay, vegetable oil, and salt to stop the hunger pangs.
Our family has selected two Canadian charities, FIDA and Canadian Feed The Children, whose programs improve the lives of thousands of Haitians every year. We’ve also chosen them because they focus on sustainable projects that build local capacity, because they have low administrative costs, and because we’ve witnessed their good work firsthand in Haiti.
Read more about these organizations on our donations page.
I forgot to “post comment” so will try again. I was deeply moved by the write-up in the Burnaby Now. Taphatna’s challenge at such a young age is outstanding, such fortitude! The Duncan family sound delightful and I congratulate you all in future endeavours.
God Bless you with good luck wishes for a successful walk.
I am donating $50.00 to Canadian Feed the Children in your name.
from an admirer, a senior living in Burnaby for 55 years.