In the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) partnered with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), cbm Canada (CBM), and Plan Canada to provide resources and support to Haitian children living in desperate need.  In the interest of expedience, donations gathered by CCFC on behalf of Canadian supporters were distributed to the three organizations listed above, each of which already had existing projects and staff in the field in Haiti. These organizations were chosen because of their extensive experience working within the Haitian community.

One year later, CCFC is reporting the entire amount collected in support of Haiti has been distributed, improving the lives of children living in this troubled region.

CCFC’s $50,000 CAD contribution to MCC has increased the availability of food, shelter, and other non-food items in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake - in particular, for vulnerable children living in Port-au-Prince.  Primarily, CCFC’s donation dollars supported the provision of daily meals for homeless youth enrolled in MCC’s employment and education program. 

Approximately 585 students (as well as other neighborhood children - primarily younger siblings of those enrolled in the MCC program) received daily meals over five months, exceeding planned activities and expected outcomes. In addition, MCC students also received non-food items including 365 blankets and 245 relief kits.   Emergency non-food items (hygiene kits and blankets), water filters, and emergency shelter materials were also provided to thousands of displaced persons in dozens of displaced communities and other affected households.

CCFC’s partnership with CBM supported the implementation of child care spaces in Port au Prince, Haiti. The child care spaces were located in devastated communities and designed to provide a safe place where children, especially those that are disabled or were injured by the earthquake, could find a safe place to receive treatment, play,  and benefit from non formal education.  Children with disability are particularly vulnerable in emergency situations and require focused protection measures. CCFC’s contribution to the project was $25,000CAD. These funds were designated specifically for structure costs and materials, providing tents, furnishings, and supportive material.

CCFC and CBM achievements to date are as follows:

• 6 child care spaces established (in proximity to internally displaced people’s camps) on the grounds of operating public schools
• Total enrolment of 1423 children: 814 girls and 609 boys
• 585 of these enrolled children have disabilities (many of which predated the earthquake) and have received additional rehabilitation care, as well as the opportunity to learn and play
• 92 children with injuries resulting from the earthquake referred for medical care beyond the scope of visiting doctors and therapists
• The services of a pediatrician and a neurologist were secured to provide weekly consultation to children in need resulting in a total of 635 pediatric monitoring consultations
• 178 children (107 girls and 71 boys) benefited from psychosocial counseling to help them cope with loss of parents and/or siblings, fear, and traumatic events witnessed
• Epilepsy control was given a high profile in this project because of the known high prevalence: 204 children were identified with epilepsy, and 169 children are receiving epilepsy control medication and clinical supervision
• The centres also provided learning opportunities to the children consisting of literacy, numeracy, and art, coupled with the benefit of social interaction and play. 854 children directly benefited from this informal learning environment
  

As the schools reopened for operation the numbers attending the centres dropped dramatically, causing the centres to close earlier than the expected date of October 2010. 

The CBM managers allocated $6,000 CAD to support CBM clinical outreach teams. These teams provide clinical rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychosocial counseling, and currently provide clinical support to local hospitals, as well as scheduled weekly services to internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps, with a focus on children. These services have been in place since February of 2010 and will continue until February 2011. 

Finally, CCFC’s $50,000 CAD contribution to PLAN Canada is being used to support the rebuilding of one public school "Ecole de Fleurs de Chou" in Croix-des-Bouquets, a location that was severely damaged by the earthquake. The renovation will include rebuilding 10 classrooms using Sphere/INEE standards, furniture for 10 class rooms, the construction of three blocks and six latrines for girls and boys, and provide adequate teaching and learning materials. This will benefit at least 3,000 beneficiaries (ie. 800 students plus the teachers and other members of staff, and the parents and the community members).  Completion of renovations is scheduled for later this year.