Absolute’s humanitarian work amongst the Haitian people is focused in these ways:
- Support and development of two orphanages in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
- Meeting urgent immediate relief needs in the wake of the earthquake
- Helping Haitian refugees through sustainable projects in Dominican Republic.
Port-au-Prince Ophanages
For the past 3 years, Absolute Leadership has been involved with a man named David in Port-au-Prince Haiti. David operates a Haitian registered charity and two orphanages named Kay Papa Nou and Unity House. He is also involved with supporting the people living in Cite’ Soleil (the poorest community in the western hemisphere).. We are providing ongoing support, and development through our Hero Holiday trips. Here is an except from our 52 blog:
We met David through a Haitian friend in Dominican Republic. We came to Haiti to see him and to begin to plan how Absolute can partner with him and his ever-growing “family”. At last count, they were numbered at around 70, but as they are able or as the need arises, they continue to somehow always find room for one more. Their family consists of escaped restaveks, former street children, orphaned siblings, and children that have been abandoned due to medical needs that could not be met. They are a part of a growing presence in Haiti, and what they do is desperately needed. They are providing these forgotten children with shelter, food, education, and most of all hope that is rooted in love. They are leaving an imprint on history because of their dedication and compassion. How could we not want to partner with them?
As one of our staff members met with David on a recent visit, they sat at a laptop looking over the photos of the children that they had captured through the camera lens that week. David has never had a laptop, as he currently has no power in any of his houses. They have one cell phone, and it is powered by a solar battery. They cook on an open stove, transport each meal by public transit to each home, and in true form, the workers and volunteers often go without to ensure that the children get all that is possible on such a limited amount. They have a heart of compassion like none other. For David, this moment to see photos of his kids was a rare luxury that he savored with pure joy. As they sat and looked at those pictures, laughing and pointing out the beautiful faces, David said something so profound…
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they? They were lost pearls, but I found them, I cleaned them up, and now they are my treasures.”
Urgent Relief Needs
Although Absolute’s primary mandate in our international work is to run volunteer trips and build sustainable, long-term projects (ex. the orphanages listed above), we are meeting urgent relief needs as they arise on a grassroots level, 
particulary in response the earthquake. For example, in the first week of Feb 2010, we are purchasing and delivering $10,000 worth of food, clean water, batteries, toiletries, fresh bandages, mosquito nets, tarps, blankets, gasoline for generators, and working with David (see above) to assist him and his teams to get aid in the hand of those who need it most in his area.
Our focus in this regard is getting aid directly to tangible on-the-ground need, of which there is no shortage. For example, Richard Weber of 4T’s writes to us:
I am, personally, going to send an 11-passenger van overland to Port au Prince to a priest contact working in an orphanage. My intention is to only send three different items (water, granola bars and milk formula)—but fill the fan. The van is US$1000 and the supplies are whatever they cost…I haven’t done the math.
If you know of anyone looking to filter money in a trusted direction, that is one.
There is an orphanage is Santo Domingo that has just received 60 Haitian children, many of them amputees. I am sending 25 cots there, but I know they need cash, too.
There a million ways to help right now, but if you are looking for some that that hit home without middlemen (and don’t want to come do it yourself), I have a couple of options.
Haitian refugees in Dominican Republic
We have worked in the Sosua area of Dominican Republic with Haitian refugees for over 5 years, building 2 schools, numerous homes, doing food and supply distribution to refugees that work in the garbage dump, and many other projects. The need amongst the refugees will be even greater following the earthquake. This work is something that is very easy for students to participate in directly as part of our Hero Holiday trips.