Creating sustainable jobs & clean burning biochar

THE REBUILDING OF HAITI STARTS AFTER EMERGENCY PHASE

 The emergency phase of recovery from Hurricane Matthew, which struck Haiti in October 2016, is over.

Although the context is very difficult to understand or grasp from the outside looking in, it is the time to start rebuilding.

 According to official data now available, Matthew took 548 deaths, injured 438, and there are still 128 missing.

 In addition to the human cost there have been landslides and floods, damage to bridges, roads, and buildings, water access problems, and damage to electricity services. The statistics state that:

•2.1 million people were affected, of whom 894,000 were children.

•Approximately 141,000 displaced people are once again living in thousands of temporary structures.

•69% of the population of the departments du Sud and Grand’Anse has inadequate food supplies.

•About 800,000 people need food assistance.

•In the Department du Sud, 90% of homes were destroyed or severely damaged.

Thanks to the generosity of our supports BonZeb was able to raise funds and food, clothing, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies for those in need. During our upcoming mission trip (March12-19) we hope to be able to take much of those donations with us, but we need to raise the money for all the additional baggage. ($350 for 10 bags.) We could also use disposable luggage that can be used on a one way flight to take these items with us.

The BonZeb farm and storage facilities in Benico did not suffer significant damage and continue to supply income to dozens of our neighbors. During this trip we will be discussing ways to bring irrigation to the area, supplying water to the fields and the neighbors and ways to bring electricity to operate our factory and supply power to our neighbors. We will also continue conversations about the construction for foot bridges over the seven rivers and creeks that need to forded to reach Benico and Boucantis and are impassable during the wet season.

One thing that can be said about Haiti is that there is never a lack of things to do. With your help we can continue to move forward, step by step, day by day, giving a hand up to those who are in such great need to be seen, cared for and loved.

Please consider adding BonZeb to your charitable contributions in 2017. Monthly ongoing support is a true blessing to those we serve and they empower us to reach more neighbors in need.

Thank you.

 Tom