Dear Friends,

Today we were able to confirm through phone and email that our partners in the St. Clare’s community of Port-au-Prince — the food and education team, including the cooks, all survived the earthquake and are uninjured. We’re so happy, relieved and grateful! Jean-Claudel, one of the education coordinators, emailed: “I am alive. We are alive. But we are hungry. We need your help. We wait with patience.”

Thankfully there have been few injuries due to the earthquake because the majority of homes in the Tiplas Kazo neighborhood did not collapse. The St. Clare’s rectory (where the food program has taken place) is standing as is St. Clare’s Church, although no one feels the homes or buildings are safe to enter.

We are growing more concerned by the hour knowing that the majority of people in the neighborhood have been without food and water since the earthquake hit. They are also living outside their homes in the streets. Wadner Pierre, a friend of the foundation who spoke with members of the community this afternoon told me that people are weak and getting sick and need water desperately. He said everyone is sharing what they have, but they have run out of supplies and since everything in Port-au-Prince has shut down, there is no where to go to get food or water. “They are strong. They know how to share. They are praying. They are going to stick together. But they need help quick.”

We’ve seen on the news that relief supplies have arrived at the Port-au-Prince airport, but most of them have not been distributed yet. I am praying this happens tomorrow. Lavarice, our program liaison, is on a plane as I type this for the Dominican Republic. His plan is to drive to Haiti to deliver food and water and help get the food program running again as soon as possible. We have heard that there may be delays at the border. The logistical side of getting aid into Haiti has been extremely complicated and frustrating.

But we remain hopeful. With innovation, courage, and your donations, the St. Clare’s community has faith that they will recover and begin the rebuilding process. We will continue to keep you posted through our Facebook Page, Blog, and with these e-newsletters.

To contribute to our Earthquake Relief Fund
click here.

Thank you for your generosity, emails of support, and prayers. The Haitian saying “Men anpil chay pa lou” — Many hands make the load lighter — seems particularly appropriate during this time.

With gratitude,

Margaret Trost