A Fact-Finding and Experiential Mission to Haiti

Bonjou,

Bonjou means "good day" in Creole for people who live in Haiti. However, due to the January 12th earthquake, it has not been a good day for many of the proud people who call this beautiful country their home.

Recently, we had the unique opportunity to participate in a volunteer mission to Haiti organized by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Traveling with a small group, we witnessed firsthand the amazing work being done in Haiti thanks to over $7.5 million donated by the North American Jewish Community in early 2010. Through these gifts and the extraordinary efforts of the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and its partners, we are helping to make it a great day for some Haitians.

First, some background…

On January 12, 2010 at 5pm, a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the Caribbean country of Haiti. An estimated 230,000 people died, 300,000 people were injured, and some 1,500,000 people – nearly 17% of Haiti’s population of more than nine million people – became homeless. It caused over $7 billion damage to Haiti’s infrastructure.

Next, the story of our experience…

From July 5 - 7, 2010, nearly six months after the earthquake, JFNA organized its “pioneering” first group of eleven lay leaders from the North American Jewish community on a mission to Haiti.

The money raised by the Jewish Community was used for much needed medical supplies, care and funding work with international partners to continue to help Haiti rebuild.

The purpose of our trip was to witness firsthand the reconstruction, support and work being done in Haiti. We heard directly from Haitian people affected by the earthquake and from others who were providing support. We also were asked to gather facts and spread the word of what we observed when we returned home to the U.S.

We invite you to spend some time exploring the various sections of this website. We suggest you follow the story by viewing the sections from left to right using the blue tabs at the top of each page. When viewing the photos, you may click on them once or twice to make them larger. You’re welcome to leave a comment at the bottom of this page (or any other section). We’d love to hear from you.

Please never forget Haiti. Many people have asked us how they can help. If you’d like, you can make a donation for Haiti Relief via JDC’s website. Feel free to share our website with a friend.

Bonjou,

Jon and Val

Val Chavenson and Jon Deaner hard at work on the flight back to the U.S. outlining the contents for this website.



To learn more details about JDC's Haiti relief projects, click here.