The Southern Wesleyan University

Haiti Challenge — Deadline extended:

Goal: $16,000

World Hope International, a major faith-based relief and development organization affiliated with The Wesleyan Church has been serving in Haiti for a number of years in the area of women’s health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and child welfare. When the recent earthquake struck, the work of World Hope took on new importance, but also confronted new problems.

According to COO David Erickson, “Almost everyone of our amazing staff of 60 has lost everything. Those still in Port-au-Prince are sleeping in their “yards” or on the street. Many lost all of their clothing and possessions. The majority fled to the countryside.”

To reassemble and support the World Hope Staff for the work of helping the people of Haiti, the organization needs to create a “camp” at their office complex and give each staff member some extra help to get re-started. These remarkable people will be the key to everything else World Hope is trying to do.

Here are things World Hope is working on according to Erickson on January 21, 2010:

• We’ve identified 10 towns/communities where we will focus our efforts. They include many of the most affected areas - areas which have received almost no attention. Initial estimates are that we will serve about 65,000 people per day, which could be increased to 200,000 per day. Our staff, trained community workers,local churches and other community organizations will participate.
• We want to bring basic medical health services to these areas as well - we’re awaiting support/approval.
• We’re gathering info to be able to stage day camps for children connected with the 140 churches and schools we work with in Haiti. (We serve 32,000 children who were already traumatized before the earthquake!)

Southern Wesleyan would like to make a difference.  If every student, faculty and staff member would donate just $10.00 or more, we could deliver a check large enough to give these valiant Hatians a fresh start.

Make checks payable to World Hope International and send them to:

Development Office
Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC 29630
864-644-5008

The Southern Wesleyan University $16,000 Haiti Challenge

Read about how SWU faculty, students and alumni helped make a difference in the lives of Haitian earthquake victims.

Read the Larry Clayton article, "The Haiti I Remember" from the Tuscaloosa News

Southern Wesleyan University