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I (Kendra) was overjoyed when I heard that two of the guys, (Pastor Aaron Swenson and Kelly Perkins) who I helped get evacuation flights out of Santo Domingo in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, returned to Haiti to drill wells in the refugee camps. Thanks for praying that the new drilling rig would be released from customs! One of the 16 camps and orphanges they put wells in was the camp we are working in - Delmas 6! The water is great for washing and bathing but is not fit for filtered drinking. The salt content is too high. What a difference it makes to have water available! If you are interested in reading more about the well drilling you can click below:
The leadership committee in the camp has organized all distributions and activities. They continue to selflessly serve others and we are so grateful for their graciousness in the midst of hardship!! Please pray for Simon, Johny, Sabrina, Franscina & Prisca.
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We are so thankful to our YWAM (Youth With A Mission) friends who gave the Delmas 6 camp thirty large hoop tents. What a blessing to the people! About 1/4 of the camp has good shelter! Praise the Lord! The people wanted to join 2 hoop tents together for a church. It also served as emergency shelter when the rains caused flooding in other areas of the camp.
 When the heavy rains struck last week, we discovered that much of the land area that the camp is located on is low laying. When the hoop tents were put up, they were located on some of the highest land in the camp. The people also dug ditches to direct the water away from the tents. In order for Shelterbox to bring the smaller tents they promised, we need to prepare some elevated tent "slabs". One of the ideas we have is to purchase some cement blocks for each family (pending funds)and turn them on their side to create a platform. At whatever point rebuilding is a possibility, these blocks could eventually serve as the first blocks of their new homes. Another possibility which we have heard has been successful in other camps; is to contour the land and put a layer of small gravel. This apparently creates good run off when it rains.
 Many of the families had to move their sheet/tarp tents in order to prepare for the hoop tents and the shelterbox tents. Some are temporarily sleeping in a church and others are doubling up in already overcrowded conditions. The little structure you see pictured to the left is actually the outhouse building. It is currently being used as shade and storage until materials can be purchased for doors. When the people were digging the latrine, they struck water at 10 ft (not good for filtering waste longer term) so we are also looking toward building a second type of latrine. In the mean time, families that had to move their sheet shacks in anticipation of newer tents, are taking advantage of the shade! |
These were some of the original shelters in the Delmas 6 camp.
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more adequate shelter and sanitation becomes urgent! As a temporary solution, we supplied 350 tarps and 100 mosquito nets to residents. In view of the current rains, each family needs a pad which lifts their tent sight. This is also a requirement for Shelterbox to provide more of the promised tents. Of upmost importance, is prevention of mud and rain water from flowing through the shelters. Many of the people's mattresses were soaked in the recent rains. Many are sleeping on the ground with only a tarp under them!! With the rains, come a plague of mosquitos and eventually diseases like dengue fever & malaria. The few possession that people have left after the quake become wet and soggy! |
We continue investigating the most effective ways to help with dry shelter and better sanitation. A foam sleeping pad can be purchased in the DR for about $14. A cement block pad to help keep a family tent site dry can be provided for about $60-$90 per family. If you are interested in being a part of meeting this urgent need for shelter and sanitation please SEND A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO the Davison Free Methodist Church marked "Haiti Project Shelter/Sanitation" on the note line. The mailing address is: 502 Church St. Davison MI 48423. Please e-mail kendra.luna5@gmail.com so we can track your contribution and utilize your gift quickly. Luna family support donations are also sent to Davison FM church with an attached note, "Luna family". Thank-you for your prayers and financial support!! |
If you are Interested in seeing our previous updates or forwarding them to a friend, please click on the link below...
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What's happening on the home front in the Dominican Rep? |
Dress up day at school!
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Landon and his slingshot - Boys will be Boys!!
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Nathan's 9th Birthday.
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The Projects the team from Davison FM church are going to be working on in the Dominican Republic have been condensed to enable the group to help in Port-au-Prince for a few days. In Jarabacoa (Dominican Rep) we are building a covered cafeteria and reconstructing playground equipment for a school for shoe shine street-boys. This is a ministry of the church we attend which is Amor a Quisqueya.
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We are also working up in the high mountain community of Paso Bajito. This is a community development project and church we partnered in planting 11 years ago. In Paso Bajito, we will be installing windows to keep the rain out. Along with children's ministry, we will be laying a sidewalk and landscaping an area in front of "Casa de Celebracion".
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Our deepest appreciation extends to those who have given so generously!
Samuel & Kendra Luna
Landon, Nathan & Andersen |
