Report from Haiti
“We are having problems with the Internet in Haiti,” said Michel Dessources, a Yonkers documentary filmmaker born and raised in Haiti, via email. “Not easy to send email.”
Dessources somehow sent photos and that note, arriving in Business Journal offices Feb. 1.
Dessources met up with U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., while working: “She likes what we are doing as Haitian-Americans,” he reported.
“Writing from Haiti now; no electricity; generator running our place … somewhat like out of Stephen Spielberg movie, flashlights abound at night. Pray for people living in the streets … absolutely.”
That note and several pictures were received at Business Journal offices, also Feb. 1, sent by James Killoran, director of New Rochelle-based Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, which already had a presence in Haiti and has now ramped up its efforts.
On the Habitat for Humanity of Westchester website, Killoran writes:
“We are creating a long-term volunteer village, helping with immediate cleanup and salvage of materials; assisting with creating movable shelter housing that Habitat has utilized in other earthquake areas; assisting with construction of long term permanent housing.”
Habitat of Haiti has been building for 25 years on the island. The nonprofit has built more than 2,000 homes over that time.
“It”™s indescribable,” Killoran said upon returning. “You”™re truly blessed to be among the Haitians who are showing such amazing resilience. In the long term, the goal is a decentralized Haiti. In the short term, the fear of death is very real and it”™s all hands on deck as far as housing solutions both short and long term.” ?Habitat for Humanity Westchester has partnered with local Haitian-American ministers and congregations who are assisting with efforts both in Haiti and via fundraising in the U.S.