Contact: Walter Warren, 918-794-6464
HAITI, Oct. 4, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- It's been 21 months since a catastrophic 7.1 earthquake devastated the already impoverished nation of Haiti. Since the earthquake, millions of dollars in aid seem to have done little to rebuild, or even clear the debris left from that horrific event. However, one private charity is forging ahead with its own recovery plans and has recently completed construction on a vibrant and bustling new village.
Fully funded by donors and built by Love A Child, Inc., the new village includes almost 500 individual homes, with the first 50 given to amputees who lost limbs in the earthquake. The houses are built from termite-proof lumber instead of concrete for safety in future earthquakes, and built to code to withstand hurricane-force winds. Each home was provided to its family fully furnished, and each contains a small garden area to grow fresh produce. These plots are not temporary structures, but are permanent new homesteads for hundreds of grateful families who voted to name their new village "Vilage Mirak" (Creole for "Miracle Village"). It is truly a miracle for so many who lost everything, including limbs and loved ones, in the earthquake.
In addition to housing and roads, the village contains multiple deep wells for clean drinking water, two playgrounds, two basketball courts, a soccer field, and a 24-hour medical clinic. Love A Child also plans to build a central community marketplace, where artisans, farmers, fishermen, and crafters can sell their wares and earn a livable wage. Love A Child's ultimate goal in this project is to build a self-sustained and profitable community, to give Haitians the tools they need to start again.
A recent report from BBC News estimates only 20% of the rubble in Haiti has been cleared, 21 months later. The United Nations reports over 600,000 remain homeless due to the earthquake's damage, surviving in tent cities through this year's hurricane season, cholera outbreaks, and widespread violent crime. Much of the world has reconciled itself to believe that Haiti is irretrievably broken, and that things will never change. However, despite the stories you may hear on the news, there are indeed some good things happening in Haiti. With almost 500 permanent new homes built in just a year, this village is a shining light of what is possible.
You can find more information and see photos of Miracle Village at www.LoveAChild.com/Construction.
Founded by Bobby and Sherry Burnette, Love A Child is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Humanitarian Organization. Love A Child is a member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability, and has the Independent Charities of America "Best in America" Seal of Approval.
