Haiti Update (9:23 AM cst 2/3/10)

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

This is a big day. Here’s what’s happening so far (and it’s not even 10 am):

A truck of supplies arrived at 6:30 – unloaded.
We’re readying for the arrival of 47 children and caretakers today.

Several others will likely come from other places.
We received a report of 2 orphanages in PAP that crumbled in the Jan 12 quake. 591 children. 28 confirmed dead. 64 unaccounted for (likely under the rubble). The rest are living under hung sheets – no help since the quakes. We’re on the way to these sites now with emergency food and to assess.

The influx of people into Gonaives is creating big problems. Increasing death from infections. Scads of kids (many of whom were orphaned pre-quake and are really in bad shape). We have govt request and approval to bring 240 into care immediately. We pulled the trigger on that this morning. 80 children in each of 3 locations in Gonaives.

NOTE: We need VILLAGE and HOME sponsors for these 3 locations!

So, our efforts in our post quake emphasis on orphaned and abandoned children:

Transition Village – more than 250 children in; staff of 35 (all Haitian) busting their butts; rapidly approaching 300 plus.
Gonaives – 240 children coming in effective immediately.
PAP – 500 new children being assessed – disposition unknown.
Other than that, not much going on.

Last night, Calix broke down crying tears of joy before he and his children went to bed. For the first time since everything changed, they were going to bed in a home and knew they would wake with food waiting.

We sat out listening to kids singing – the most mesmerizing sound of joy. Tonight, the sound will be at least 47 louder.

GO Family, we’re just starting. We could not do this without your generous and sustained partnership.

Merci!

Joe