By Brooks Morgan

If you are looking for a way to respond to the Haitian hurricane disaster, here is a non-profit that we personally know and trust.

The Wonderland BookSavers have been working with the Founder and President, Susan P. Whitcomb, of Haitian Education Initiatives for the past several years.  We have donated 100’s of French-language children’s books to her programs so that the Haitian children she serves can extend their educational opportunities.  This past spring we were able to purchase books, both fiction and non-fiction, that were written in Haitian-Creole, providing these children with the very first books they have ever seen in their own native language.  Susy has worked tirelessly to provide food and education to the children under her care.  Now they desperately need more than books.  They need water.  They need food.

The situation in Jacmel, Haiti is extremely challenging: hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed, as well as 36 schools and 2 hospitals. 80% of crops and animals have been lost. The population lacks food and clean water. 5 cases of cholera have already emerged and an epidemic is expected since the town has been flooded by rainwater, sewage and mud.

Haitian Educational Initiatives (HEI) has two distribution centers in the Jacmel area to provide emergency food kits for hurricane victims. These kits provide enough food, clean water and hygiene supplies to support a family of 6-8 for about 2 weeks.  Each kit costs $80.  Donations may be made online at www.haitiedu.org or by check to Haitian Educational Initiatives, 857 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

HEI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Fairfield, CT. Since 2010 we have partnered with Haitian community groups to promote access to education for impoverished children whose families cannot afford to send them to school. Our programs include scholarships, feeding, academic tutoring, job training and summer camps.  HEI is a transparent and accountable organization: 92 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs. For more information contact susan@haitiedu.org or www.haitiedu.org.

We, at Wonderland Booksavers, are personal friends with Susy, and we are acquainted with the many successful ventures she has achieved in Haiti.  We look forward to supporting her efforts by contributing some of our Lemonade for Literacy dollars towards Hurricane Survival kits.  Please join us.  There can be no learning without food, water and sanitation! Remember: $80 is of finite value, but the care you offer is of infinite worth.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9