By Karen Wienberg | Chair, Board of Directors
Following the traumatic, devastating affects of Hurricane Matthew in October, where many lost everything - including their homes, health and livelihood - we have been able to forge ahead with new partnerships and new opportunities for community capacity building and rebuilding livelihood options and interests.
LFBS Haitian Doctors continue Outreach Medical Clinics across the southern peninusla. We were able to supply children and families in remote communities not only with medical consultations, but with the medications as well. With donated seeds and seedlings, and with the assistance of LFBS's Agronomist and youth trainers, crops are in abundance once again (photo) providing food and the opportunity for family livelihood. New small businesses have been supported to youth and their families toward their own self-sufficiency and to be able to supply goods in local communities. Through partnership, our staff continue to assist with repairs and building new homes - where only rubble stood just months ago! Family members and youth in LFBS programming gaining confidence, skills, self-esteem and compassion through opportunity to join the the work (photo).
Imagine how it must feel for some of these former street boys as they help bring housing supplies up the mountain where we assisted the family of another youth, reunited with his family two years ago, rebuild their home. These blossuming young men have gone from being in streets, or in corrupt institutions, together to helping build houses for each other's families (photo)!
The summer will also allow some of the youth to attend vocational training and practice their new skills as work on so many projects continues. Cooking classes for youth (photo) - part of lifeskills and confidence bulding - have been ongoing at our Transitional Safehouses (Boy's and Girl's), led by LFBS staff. Youth also participate regularly in preparing supplies for distribution, community trainings and other important tasks as they learn to be responsible team members (photo).
A milestone for one of LFBS youth, Vedette – she will be graduating as a TEACHER from her post-secondary studies on July 9th (photo) ! Morgan first met her in 2010 – when she was one of the children in the corrupt orphanage that became the catalyst for the founding of Little Footprints Big Steps Child Protection Organization! LFBS reunited her with her family in 2012. This incredible next step on her journey toward a future with dignity and self-sufficiency is a tremendous achievement and a motivating example for others that this truly is possible!
Because of YOU, skills, ability and self-esteem can flourish like the new crop growth! The chance for a real future can be within reach of so many, given the opportunity and encouragement! Please share with friends so that they too can be catalysts for true and continued change.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
