PHOTOS, PAGE 1

       Editor and prime reporter is Doug Terry, a veteran television and radio reporter in   Washington, DC, (details below)

A local group from Miami has just returned after a quick trip volunteering and taking supplies to Haiti. Called RELIEF, the group took donations of medical supplies, clothing and other vitally needed goods to Port au Prince and its members volunteered their assistance in the difficult process of removing rubble. Here is the email report of the groups president:

1)  As of Feb. 19, they estimate three million people were impacted by the quake; an estimated 1,000,000 homeless! 

2) From the look of things, 98 percent of residences and commercial  buildings have collapsed or were severely damaged. Makeshift shanty towns called "tent cities" have popped up all around the city because houses have been destroyed or residents fear standing structures will not withstand aftershocks. 

3) Our volunteer group of 120 individuals established our own tent city at a local orphanage in Port-au-Prince.  We slept in the middle of the soccer field!

4) The New Life Children's Home Orphanage provided our group a safe-haven from the unknown. It is its own microcosm and civilization. The children of the orphanage are given their daily chores, provided schooling and taught English.  They attend Catholic mass every Sunday under a large mango tree in the center of the property.  The orphanage is self-sustainable - a garden grows vegetables, a rabbit farm and fish farm on the premises, and hens lay their eggs.

5)  Everything you have seen on the news is true. Many notable landmark buildings were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the  Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, and the  Port-au-Prince Catholic Cathedral. Communication systems, air, land, and sea transport facilities, hospitals, and electrical networks have  all been damaged by the earthquake.

6)  Within the four days we were there, there were 4 to 5 aftershocks ranging in magnitude of 4.2 or 5.8 or greater!

7)  It has been said that it could be several years before schools reopen. Our group was assigned to remove rubble from a local school that  provided education to over 600 children within that area-many of the  children remain missing.

8)  Our group alone brought over 1 million dollars in medical supplies, 200,000 dollars in food and clothes, totaling to 40,000lbs in aid to Haiti. Part of our cargo included baby incubators that were immediately placed into use and have been giving children who would not have survived - a second chance!

9) The RELIEF Foundation has now filed for 501(c)3 Non-Profit status and we look forward to your continued help and support into the future!

We plan on sending at least two trips a year and will keep you posted with our continued progress and efforts.

Sincerely,

Pete Groveman

Pete Groverman

President

The R.E.L.I.E.F. Foundation, Inc.

"R.elieving and E.mbracing L.ives I.nterrupted by E.arths' F.orces

TerryReport comment:

It is very difficult for a group of individuals, no matter how strongly motivated, to get to a disaster site and make a difference by direct action and the active donation of needed supplies. By all indications, this group did just that and more. We will share more details and pictures soon.

2.4.10

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