A GANG of Southsiders have set off on a trip of a lifetime to Haiti.
Carol Tesky and Mary McEvoy from Chapelizod, Catherine Sweeney from Loughlinstown, Dermot Heffernan from Cabinteely, Michael Sweeney from Kilmacud and James Codd from Sandymount will join 15 other volunteers, as they spend a week working on the small island of Ile a Vache, south of Haiti’s mainland.
These Haven volunteers, travelling from the length and breadth of Ireland, will be working directly with the local community on development programmes across the island nation.
Activities during the week will go from planting over 1,000 cherry trees and renovating rooms in an orphanage, to continuing Haven’s home upgrade programme on the island.
Leslie Buckley, the founder and chairman of Haven, said:
“I have always had great admiration for our volunteers.
“Spending a week in Haiti, completing physically challenging work, in scorching conditions is not an easy task. Our volunteers work tirelessly not only during our week long volunteer programme in Haiti, but throughout the year helping Haven.
“It is a testament to their charitable nature and no doubt the people of Ile a Vache will benefit greatly from their work throughout the week.
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Haven volunteer James Codd added:
“I have been to Haiti once before with Haven and it really was an eye opening experience.
“Although a challenging week, it is so rewarding working alongside local people helping to improve facilities that they really need.
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To date, Haven has helped thousands of Haitians through its programmes.
They have built and repaired homes for over 19,800 people, who desperately needed shelter and supplied water and sanitation facilities to over 66,000 people, which will help combat the spread of disease and provided education and training.
All of this has improved life on the ground for local people by giving them the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and access basic amenities to live a full and healthy life.
Haven is an Irish non-governmental, non-political, non-religious, organisation. Their mission is to build strong sustainable communities by facilitating the construction of shelter and the provision of water and sanitation solutions, and to provide training and community development to ensure sustainable livelihoods.