Dear Habitat for Humanity of Inland Valley:

Six months after a devastating 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haitian families are benefiting from your tremendous support. I want to thank you for answering the call of these families in their great time of need through your generous donation. By contributing to Habitat for Humanity’s disaster program, you are doing more than helping Haitians rebound from tragedy; you are doing God’s work. My team and I will pray for the success of your work for the people of Inland Valley and congratulate you on your renovation of 10 abandoned homes in Southwest County.

With your help, we have made significant progress in our goal to serve 50,000 families. Since January 12, 2010, we count the following among our accomplishments:

• More than 21,000 emergency shelter kits assembled and delivered to our distribution partners;
• More than 2,000 structural damage assessments conducted;
• Up to 70 transitional shelters per week currently being built (nearly 400 to-date).

To learn more about how your support has helped Haitian families in desperate need, please access Habitat’s six-month report by clicking here. I invite you to read about the Charles, Simon and Médilien families and the impact you have made on their lives. The report also outlines Habitat’s three-fold response, including relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

With more than 1.5 million people directly affected by the earthquake, our job here in Haiti is immense, but I have hope! We are here to bring back smiles and provide families with a new start. We are encouraged by your gift and believe it is a demonstration of your faith in and commitment to the work we are doing. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I would like to share the smiles, hope and gratitude of the child of Cabaret with you – children who have a safe, dry place to sleep because of your donation.

Working together, we can make a difference; building homes and building hope. I am confident that someday, instead of talking about a poor country, we will all talk about a new paradise.

As we build upon our momentum, we will update you on our progress through our quarterly newsletter. If you have any questions, know we are here for you. Feel free to contact Kate Pearson, Strategic Partnerships Manager, at kpearson@habitat.org.

May the good Lord continue to bless you while you help care for his children in need.

With my deepest appreciation,

Claude Jeudy
National Director

Habitat for Humanity Haiti