Flooding in Lamardelle

Hello Worried Parents and Agency Representatives:

We received news from Gina today that there has been heavy flooding in Lamardelle (the village where the CEJ orphanage is). Attached you will see pictures Gina sent along. One shows how washed out the road is. In another picture you can see how the water levels on the sides of the roads where people can sometimes be seen washing their clothes or bathing are completely flooded also. Finally, there is a picture of the water outside the metal gate at the orphanage, the actual compound is not as flooded, or at least does not appear so.

Here is some of what Gina wrote: “The white river since Tuesday night has flood the village. Access is impossible via vehicle only can get through with donkey. Lucien has been able to get some food and supplies to the crèche via donkey. The children are safe but stuck inside the compound. The village people are without food and drinking water.”

The Duncans, including Mommy and the staff at FEJ have been distributing relief packages to the village as they have been able, but certainly the need in Haiti is only increasing with these storms.

Please know that thanks to the many donations of many of you and a lot of your efforts (and those of April), the creche has many supplies already in storage there, primarily in the way of food, medication, and urgent supplies. Please know that the Duncans will always do everything they can to make sure the children’s safety is maintained. As you have read, they have used donkeys as a means of transportation this week as needed. This only goes to show how much life in Haiti is impacted by things that don’t affect most of our lives in the US nearly as much.

Along with the children that are constantly in our minds, hearts and prayers, please keep the village of Lamardelle, the creche staff, and the Duncans there too. We know how eager each of you is to bring your respective children home, and how long the process is even when there are no “acts or disasters of nature” to worry about. Unfortunately, this hurricane season has slowed things down further for obvious reasons. We are hopeful that things will subside soon in Haiti and that we will be providing you with news of progress and good health.