In the midst of numerous water projects in Port-au-Prince and provincial towns in Haiti, International Action was made aware of the Haiti Clinic’s dire water situation. There simply was no water. Haiti Clinic, located in Cité Soleil, is a maternal clinic that provides free healthcare to the neighborhood residents. The clinic was in dire need of clean water to meet the needs of its patients and staff. Its patients, mostly comprised of pregnant women and children, were going thirsty during their visits to the clinic.
Something had to be done.
International Action carefully evaluated how it could find the necessary funds to finance the project. However, due to the large volume of projects and the scarcity resources, no funds were available. Later that week, International Action received a letter from Kromrey Middle School bearing great news. Inspired to simply help those less fortunate than themselves, the 7th grade “Destination Imagination” team of Kromrey Middle School chose to participate in a community service challenge project. Specifically, they decided to focus on reducing the devastation caused by the current cholera epidemic in Haiti. To garner additional support, they inspired their fellow middle and elementary schools to join them in their efforts.
In their letter, the KMS students explained how they educated their school on the clean water crisis in Haiti and developed a cash collection campaign. Using a simple envelope design, they created a collection process that made it easy to reach many students. That collection envelope was then reused and returned to the donating student with a thank you note and a small surprise gift. Recognizing their valiant efforts, local businesses stepped in and provided coupons for free treats to share with those that donated. Through hard work and support from their families and friends, the students doubled their initial goal of donations. These students were able to raise $4,200 to help the Haiti Clinic as well as a local orphanage! The KMS students created a presentation for their efforts, illustrating the needs of the Haitian people and what they did to help. (The video is at the bottom of the article.)
Their donation allowed International Action to build a concrete base, 2,000-gallon water tank, and a chlorinator to be fitted on top of the tank to purify the water. Haiti Clinic will also be among the first recipients of clean water from the newly purchased International Action water truck.
Because of the KMS students, the patients of Haiti Clinic will no longer go thirsty. The students of Kromrey Middle School are a shining example to all of us. They’ve reminded us that our moment is here and now. Through all of our collective efforts, we are capable of saving lives and restoring the dignity of the impoverished.
International Action invites you to join them in the Campaign for Clean Water in Haiti.
Wesley & The International Action Team