Dear Friends,

I was able to reach Lavarice, our program liaison, early this morning when he was in the Dominican Republic filling another truck with supplies for the St. Clare’s community.  Here’s what he told me:

“There is no Port-au-Prince anymore.  No one can be there without crying.  Everyone is suffering.  So many hurt.  So many dead.  So many without food and water.  No aid from the Port-au-Prince airport has reached the neighborhoods I’ve visited.  There’s nothing.  Everyone is waiting.  We are the first group to be able to provide any relief to the St. Clare’s area. The need is so great.

It’s very complicated to distribute aid because there are thousands and thousands of people without food and water in the community.  We started yesterday.  You have to be careful and pass out the food and water safely and compassionately, involving members of the community in the distribution process.  This is how it can work smoothly and help the most people.  We haven’t had any violence.

Throughout the area, there are pockets of 200 – 300 people living together in the street.  I’m working to figure out how to distribute food and supplies to each of these mini communities.  There are babies – 5 months, 2 months, 2 weeks old…  We’ve bought supplies for babies and their mothers and are distributing those too.

Today, the cooking team is preparing to start the food program again.  I hope the meals can begin this afternoon or tomorrow.  The cooks have rice, water, beans, and oil and will cook as many meals as possible.  We’re expanding beyond what we’ve done in the past, but we’re ready and will help as many people as God gives us the opportunity to help.

Please thank everyone who is supporting the What If? Foundation.  Without them we would not be able to respond in this way. And there is so much that still needs to be done – now, and in the weeks, months and years to come.”

I was not able to reach Lavarice later in the day, but hope to connect with him tomorrow so I can give you another update.  I know that he and the other program leaders at St. Clare’s are working tirelessly to provide an oasis in the midst of overwhelming devastation.

Thank you for your support and compassion.

With love and hope, Margaret