Don’t Just Do Something . . .
As we watch the difficulties and struggles that face the relief efforts in Haiti, we are all feeling the same need to do something to help. People are calling and e-mailing to express their concern and willingness to give, donate supplies, or even go down to help. All of these responses are appreciated, but we must be careful not to REACT solely to what we are feeling. Please allow me to give the most up-to-date, accurate answers to some of our most common questions.
- What is your greatest need right now?
Right now our greatest need is monetary donations. Our Haiti Mission Project is fully funded by our Child Sponsorship Program, individual donors, and partnering churches. None of the money comes from the JBA annual budget. We are accepting our usual items for donation, (like peanut butter, diapers, soap, etc) because these items are needed for our on-going ministry with the children. But not large quantities of food and clothes. - Why can’t I send food and clothes?
The problem right now is not with us “sending” collected donations; it is with the ability to “receive” those donations in Haiti. The earthquake has damaged the port, ships cannot dock, and shipping agents are simply unable to receive the goods. When we do ask for donations, we will ask for specific items and ensure that the shipping process is secure. - How can we get or ship food to Haiti?
Air cargo planes are now the primary means of transporting items into the country. When shipping anything to Haiti, the most important part is the final leg of the journey. Someone in-country must receive the shipment, transport the shipment, and have a secure place to hold it until JBA can get it. Many large humanitarian agencies are shipping large quantities of food into the country. At this time JBA is seeking to use our best resource (our buildings and location) to be a part of the distribution process to those displaced in our area. - How is JBA handling money donated for Haiti? Where does the money go?
As usual, all monies are handled using the best practices of ethical accounting. All funds earmarked for “Haiti Disaster Relief” are placed in a designated account. When needed, a check is cut or funds are transferred to an account in Haiti completely controlled by JBA. As the funds are spent, receipts are collected and a spending record kept. All receipts and records are returned to JBA and annually that account, along with all our accounts, is audited by a professional, third-party accounting firm. All funds given for “Haiti Disaster Relief” will be used to purchase items needed to feed, heal and repair the country of Haiti. This includes medical supplies, building materials, transportation costs, and certain food items that are not donated. None of these funds will be diverted to other ministry causes or used by the Jacksonville Baptist Association to fund our on-going ministry here in Jacksonville. - How do I make out a check?
You can give online at www.jbahaiti.org/blog/haiti-earthquake-response/or you can mail a check labeled Haiti Disaster Relief to:
Jacksonville Baptist Association
2700 University Blvd S.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
- Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, both monetary and in-kind gifts are tax deductible. JBA will provide donors with a charitable tax receipt letter to use when filing your taxes. - Why does the humanitarian aid seem so slow in getting there?
First of all, you have to understand the stages of disaster relief in general.
*Stage One – Search and Rescue -immediate help for those in danger (first 24 hrs)
*Stage Two – Assessment and Response – trained teams arrive to prioritize
needs, determine infrastructure, and coordinate resources (24-48 hrs)
*Stage Three – Recovery – this is when most volunteers arrive to meet needs like
food, clothing, and shelter and begin the clean-up process (48-72 hrs)
*Stage Four – Rebuilding – long term efforts to help the community to return to
some sense of normalcy (weeks to years)
Secondly, in this case, you have to understand Haiti. Prior to the earthquake, doing anything in Haiti was difficult. Extreme poverty, lack of resources and materials, and a fragile political situation were just a few of the barriers any group faced who tried to minister in Haiti. The earthquake has placed enormous stress on an already overstressed system. Those arriving to help have had to start from scratch to develop ways to determine needs and distribute resources. Combine all this with the severity of the damage, loss of life and the fact that the entire world is trying to converge on a piece of land the size of Maryland and you can understand why the logjam occurred. - Where are we now? (What stage?)
Due to the difficulties in organizing the effort, it seems like all four stages are now taking place simultaneously. Wednesday I just heard of survivors being found (stage 1) and someone rejoicing because a construction team had arrived to rebuild her home (stage 4). - How long will this recovery take?
If Katrina was any indication, it will take 12-18 months to start seeing progress, but it will take years to rebuild. - Can I go to Haiti?
Absolutely, we will need teams to go down as often as possible for the next few months, and we will continue to take teams down at least monthly after that. Team members do not have to possess medical or construction skills; other skills needed include teaching, cooking, organizing, and a willingness to serve. - How is JBA helping Haitians?
By far the worst of the damage occurred in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital and the largest city in Haiti with the highest population. Our ministry is located one hour northwest of there near the city of Cabaret. There was some damage that occurred in this area and many of the displaced are coming to us for assistance. We have assisted by providing a safe place for them to stay inside our compound, providing meals, medical care, and spiritual care. Soon we will be assisting the community with rebuilding their homes and their lives. - How can I sponsor a child?
Our Haiti Child Sponsorship Program connects the needy children in our orphanage and school with caring donors. For $50 a month, you will receive the name, personal information and a picture of your child. Sponsors are encouraged to correspond with their child and send gifts on special days. The money goes to provide for the basic needs of the child, like food, caregivers, and an education. To sponsor a child go to www.jbahaiti.org and click on “Sponsor a Child” or contact Andrea Benton at bentandy@comcast.net. - How can I adopt an orphan?
JBA has an Adoption Screening Process that is guided by an excellent team led by Pastor Mark Epperson. To begin this process you can call the JBA Office at 904.727.6800 or e-mail dgarrett@jaxbaptist.org, You will be sent prerequisite forms that need be completed and returned along with a processing fee. While all of our children can be sponsored, not all of our children are adoptable. Special care, wisdom, and patience is required to adopt a child from Haiti.
During this extraordinary time, the government is allowing parents (who are already determined to be “able to adopt”) to receive their child (who has been determined to be “adoptable”). This only applies to those prospective parents and children already in the process.
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Thank you for your kind efforts in Haiti. Is this the same location that Pierre Prinvil is located at. Thank you
David: Thank you for your kind words. Yes, Pierre is there helping us. He helped us get the land and get started back in 1998.