Verde Independent: Good for you, Verde Valley!
Our Executive Director, Karen Freeman, wrote a letter to the Verde Independent on November 11th: |
| Editor: Manzanita Outreach/Kids Against Hunger would again like to extend heartfelt thanks to all who were involved in our monster packing event at Verde Valley Fairgrounds on October 11th. In one day we were able to successfully package 250,000 meals with the help of over 700 volunteers - truly a collaborative community effort! Blessings to all who were involved. We began as an organization, with the initial goal to feed the starving children of Haiti, after the devastating earthquake in 2010. However, since that time we have realized there is also a need right here at home in Yavapai County. To that end, we procured another type of food product, 'mac n' cheese,' to be exact. On October 11th we packaged 125,000 of those meals, all of which will be distributed throughout Yavapai County, with the assistance of Yavapai Food Council. Recipients of our local food product will include food banks, school backpack programs, seniors, veterans and families in need. We also will be donating additional food to various holiday food drives. Please contact us at kahverdevalley@gmail.org if you know of any families or organizations that could benefit from our food. On another note, we have not abandoned the needs in Haiti. I have just returned from a trip there and I am pleased to report that there are many obvious positive changes occurring there, since my initial trip in 2010. You who have been involved with our organization, are a part of those changes also. I would like to share what all your hard work and donations have accomplished. Overall, Haiti remains an extremely impoverished country, with minimal resources offered by their harsh government regime, for recovery. It is inhabited by people just like you and me in so many ways. Men and women who are culturally different, who suffer under the burdens placed upon them. Mothers and fathers who love their children as we do, but suffer losses and hardships unimaginable to us. A beautiful people that I love with all my heart. They are a people who deserve not to be changed by us, but as we reach out a helping hand, they are a people who can be allowed to rise above their circumstances and return to lives of dignity and self-sufficiency. To that end we are involved with an organization on the ground there, in the town of Gonaives and the village of Jubilee, by the name of Much Ministries. (www.muchministries.org) it is a group of people who live there and whose vision is to enable and restore the lives of the Haitian population they have grown to love, to an honorable and independent way of life. Homes have been built to last, by training and using Haitian labor. A school has also been built in which the greatest percentage of teachers are now Haitian over American. Over 100 children are being taught and fed with KAH food daily. With the assistance of Manzanita Outreach, led by Kim Gould and greatly funded by Hauser and Hauser Farms, a medical clinic has been erected and is now powered by a donated solar generator. More and more Haitian community health care workers are being trained to works in that area also. A village well has been dug which provides clean water and also nourishes the community garden of trees that have been planted. A trade school now flourishes in which local artisans are being trained and small businesses are being formed. Goods are being created and marketed in Port Au Prince and also available online at www.2ndstorygoods.com . Over 90 percent of the proceeds are returned to each individual craftsman, who in turn is able to feed their family and save to build their own home. As Manzanita Outreach, our 501-C-3 umbrella organization, we have been a part of that work. As Kids Against Hunger, I would like to share more specifically what your financial donations and food packages are doing. Not only are we feeding Jubilee school children the only meal they receive daily, we are seeing marked health benefits and reversals in the effects of malnutrition. We are also supporting lunch programs in 5 orphanages and 1-2 village feeding programs for children who are unable to go to school. As we return to visit and oversee our food distribution, we can confidently say that we do know where your dollars and our food is going. Here is my last and most exciting news. To support and partner with Much Ministries' vision to raise up the Haitian people themselves, we have begun a new trial project. The rice food product that you all have helped us pack, consists of rice, soy, dehydrated veggies and a vitamin/mineral/flavoring powder. Along with these meals , we have begun to send the bulk products, minus the rice, and some modified packing equipment. We are excluding the rice, as we encourage those willing to participate, to pack their own food, but using locally grown Haitian rice. This will not only stimulate their recovering economy, but will also give those who are involved, a sense of pride and ownership in the process. As we continue along these lines, we would like to progress to slowly withdrawing our supply of dried veggies, thus encouraging their use of local produce. We are also investigating locally grown products that would add healthy and necessary nutrients. Does it sound to you that we are hoping to 'work ourselves out of a job' there? So let me end by saying, "Good for you, Verde Valley! You have joined us in our efforts to not only feed the hungry here at home, but also are helping us to 'teach a man to fish,' so to speak." You have been a part of helping those less fortunate, and have become a part of something much bigger than ourselves. This is a time of year to be so thankful for the blessed lives of plenty that we do lead. We appreciate and covet your prayers, and continued support in every way. Feel free to peruse our website at www.kahverdevalley.org for more information. Karen Freeman Manzanita Outreach/Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley. Read the original letter here. |
Commentary: Kids Against Hunger success anchored in Verde Valley's giving spirit
 The Verde Valley has always been known for its spirit of volunteerism. That was never more evident than during Saturday's Kids Against Hunger event at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds.I've served with this organization since its inception. During Saturday's event, I reminded our president Bob Shimko that when we did our first event in April 2011, our team of volunteers worked a 14-hour day to package 28,000 meals. Saturday, we worked for roughly 12 hours to produce 250,124 meals. The difference between then and now is twofold. First, we have learned a lot as we have done all these different events over the past three and a half years. We have greatly improved our assembly-line efficiency. More importantly, we have a lot more help than we did when we first began this endeavor. During Saturday's event, we had more than 500 packing volunteers work three different 2-hour shifts and each group succeeded in packing more than 80,000 meals. In addition, we had more than 100 volunteers provide support service all day Saturday as well as during our set-up for the event Friday. All of our volunteers are important, but it bears special emphasis of how our organization has been unofficially adopted by the Cottonwood and Verde Valley fire departments almost from the very beginning of this journey. Last year, I was driving a truck back to Cottonwood from Surprise, Arizona, with several tons of new food product as well as all of our line equipment. Upon my arrival to our warehouse, there were more than a dozen firemen waiting for me. They unloaded the truck in short order and it made for the perfect ending to my day. This past weekend we had firemen from both departments helping with the Friday set-up, and Saturday the Cottonwood firemen manned a product assembly line for two shifts in between service and medical emergency calls. We saw the same spirit of volunteerism from a host of churches in the Verde Valley and students from elementary age to high school. Young and old alike all rolled up their sleeves to help us get the job done. A quarter of a million-plus meals. With this event, we've developed a new product that will be distributed 100 percent locally to schools, senior centers, missions, churches, food banks and other organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry. In addition, we will continue our distribution to third-world countries where childhood starvation is epidemic. Thanks to the network of someone who knows someone who knows someone, we're able to deliver meals to such outposts as Haiti and the Philippines for next to nothing thanks to the folks at Luke Air Force Base and the U.S. Navy's humanitarian aid relief efforts that ship from Florida. At every step of the way in the journey of Manzanita Outreach/Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger, our organization has never lacked for anything. Initially, Verde Valley Medical Center allowed us to use the top floor of their new facility to store our product and supplies. We now have our own warehouse thanks to Verde Valley Christian Church. Every time we've had to make a big-ticket purchase for supplies, or most recently a new fork lift, we've had enough money to meet our needs, with much of it coming from anonymous donors. Our success story is very similar to the way Tom Sawyer got his fence painted. You guys deserve all the credit. 
Read the original article here. |
October 11th Packing Event Registration!
Our registration for this event is closed.
If you would like to print a waiver and bring it with you and just try to show up at the begining of each session, we can see if we have no shows and can fit you in. Thank you for your interest in helping.
Session times are: 8:00am-10:30am/ 11:00am-1:30pm/ 2:00pm-4:30pm
In the past Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley has suggested a financial donation to help us pack. This has covered the food, supplies and shipping the packaged food to those in need - here in the Verde Valley or in Haiti. For our October 11th event we aren't requiring a cash donation to volunteer, but we would still appreciate your contribution.
Check out this video from Kids Against Hunger on how to pack.
Check out this video from Outreach on our all new, 100% local distribution!
To read more about our packing event click here, or read the previous post on the Verde Independent article.
We look forward to seeing you on October 11th!
-Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley
Read more...
Check out our latest news article from the Verde Independent!
| Volunteers, donations, sponsorships sought for Oct. 11 250,000-meal Kids Against Hunger event |
Planning is now in full swing for the largest food-packaging event in the history of Manzanita Outreach/Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger. Manzanita Outreach/Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger will partner with the community to package 250,000 meals in a day-long event at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds Oct. 11. Since its first event in April 2011, VV Kids Against Hunger has packaged 575,248 meals. The majority of those meals have been distributed to combat childhood starvation in third-world countries: 361,800 meals have been sent to Haiti, 24,624 to Mexico and 23,760 were sent to the Philippines. The remaining 159,816 meals were distributed in the Verde Valley and Yavapai County. Between April 2011 and July 2014, 33.6 percent of the packaged meals were distributed to those in need in the Verde Valley and Yavapai County. In addition to the organization's food product for international distribution, at the Oct. 11 eventKids Against Hunger will package a new macaroni-and-cheese product that will be distributed 100-percent locally. Manzanita Outreach Board President Bob Shimko said, "We are very excited to now have the ability to package and distribute a food product designed specifically to address local needs. The community support we have received has allowed us to achieve amazing results in Haiti. However, we realize that there is a need right here at home and we know that the people of the Verde Valley are generous, compassionate, and committed to helping as needed. We would like everyone to come out on October 11th to make a difference." Two packing sessions remain for the Oct. 11 event: • Session 1 -- FULL • Session 2, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • Session 3, 2-4:30 p.m. About 230 community volunteers will be needed to man the 20 packing lines for each session. In all, about 700 volunteers will be needed throughout the day. Food-packers must be at least 10 years old. In addition to the food-packaging event, on Friday, Oct. 10, 4 p.m., volunteers will be needed to help move supplies to the Fairgrounds and to set up the packing lines and food-staging areas. On Saturday, Oct. 11, volunteers will be needed for the following positions: registration, information table, line leaders, kitchen help, bin fillers, boxers, product movers and more. After the event is over, there will be another two to three hours of work for post-event break down. Financial donations to help pay the costs associated with this event are encouraged. Individuals desiring to make donations for the event, or to sign-up as volunteers can do so by visiting the Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger web site at kahverdevalley.org. Kids Against Hunger is also accepting $1,000 sponsorships for its Oct. 11 event. The tax-deductible sponsorships will pay for the costs of the food supplies that will be packaged at the Oct. 11 event and will allow community members, clubs and organizations to participate in the event for free. Individuals and companies who want to make tax-deductible sponsorships can do so by contacting Karen at 928-649-5772 or Bob at 928-300-3513. Additional information is available by email at kahverdevalley@gmail.com, by visiting the KAH web site at kahverdevalley.org or on Facebook at Kids Against Hunger - Verde Valley |
Click here to read the full text here.
Check out our Verde Independent Article: Kids Against Hunger plans 250,000-meal packaging event Oct. 11
| Kids Against Hunger plans 250,000-meal packaging event Oct. 11 | |||
Kids Against Hunger once again will partner with the community to package 250,000 meals in a day-long event at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds Oct. 11. Since its first event in April 2011, VV Kids Against Hunger has packaged 576,088 meals, the majority of which have been sent to combat childhood starvation in Haiti. Approximately 15 percent of the meals are distributed locally in the Verde Valley. At the Oct. 11 event, Kids Against Hunger will continue to package its standard product for Haiti distribution, but the organization also will package a new meal product that will be distributed 100 percent locally. Manzanita Outreach Board President Bob Shimko said, "We are very excited to now have the ability to package and distribute a food product designed specifically to address local needs. The community support we have received has allowed us to achieve amazing results in Haiti. However, we realize that there is a need right here at home and we know that the people of the Verde Valley are generous, compassionate, and committed to helping as needed. We would like everyone to come out on October 11th to make a difference." Shimko said Kids Against Hunger is now accepting $1,000 sponsorships for its Oct. 11 event. The tax-deductible sponsorships will pay for the costs of the food supplies that will be packaged at the Oct. 11 event and will allow community members, clubs and organizations to participate in the event for free. Individuals and companies who want to purchase tax-deductible sponsorships can do so by contacting Karen at 928-649-5772 or Bob at 928-300-3513. To read the original story, click here. |
A Message from Josh in Haiti About the Blessing of Having a Solar Generator
This is a message received from Josh in Haiti, who distributes KAH-Verde Valley's food, that we just had to share with you:
"You do not know me; however, I and the people I live around have been very blessed by what you have done for us. My name is Josh Rustin; and I live in Gonaives, Haiti - in the neighborhood where the solar generator you donated was sent. I was the person that Kim and Karen initially contacted about whether or not we could use the generator; and as soon as they mentioned i,t there was no doubt in my mind as to where it was needed. Around the time that they first emailed me, we had been working on the completion of a new medical clinic building. Unfortunately, the city does not run electricity out to our neighborhood; so our options for power up until that point were fairly limited - namely, we have to run a generator whenever we need electricity. As you can imagine, that's not the most ideal situation when you are running a clinic. Apart from the laborious nature of having to go crank the generator every time it was needed, we were also looking at a significant portion of the monthly budget having to be put towards fuel. The nurses that run the clinic do an incredible job of organizing funds and ensuring that the money they have stretches as far as possible in providing medical care to the people in the neighborhood.
At the time, the thought of having to sink part of their budget into fuel was, I guess you would call it, a necessary evil. If possible, we would obviously prefer putting the fuel money towards direct medical assistance; but at the same time, it was necessary to buy fuel so as to provide good medical assistance. Thus, you can imagine our joy when we first heard about the solar generator. The timing of it all worked out beautifully. The first email came as we were having to discuss power options; and then it arrived right before the clinic opened. It now sits on top of the clinic soaking up the blazing Haiti sun and giving the clinic all the power they need every day. It is often difficult to operate day-to-day clinic functions via a gas-powered generator because it's too expensive to run it continuously. Thus, you have to put off anything that requires electricity until it's on and then complete all electric-needy projects at once.
I say that to hopefully paint a picture of how great it is to have a solar powered generator that provides electricity 24/7. The way it enables the clinic to not only run better in the day-to-day functions but also the money it saves on fuel is truly an enormous gift to helping the clinic make an impact in the neighborhood. I don't think I can fully communicate the ways in which having power and not worrying about fuel costs makes a difference in allowing the medical staff to do what they love and to do it well.
As an aside, I mention one other way it is going to be used. Prior to the clinic being built, we had been working on a neighborhood garden; but our biggest hindrance thus far had been water. We had tried a couple different methods of getting water; but none of them were effective - until the solar powered generator arrived. We will now be able to pump water into a water drum that's placed on the roof of the clinic and then allow that water to irrigate the garden. Obviously, water is a big deal to a garden; so it makes me pretty excited that we've figured out a way to do it well.
I tell you all of that in hopes of not only letting you know how the generator is being used but also so that you may get an inkling of how beautiful of a gift it has been to us. I'm not sure of what all you had to go through to get it all the way to Haiti; but I'm guessing that it wasn't easy. I would like you to know that down here there are many people that you've never met that are impacted every day by your effort to do something like send a generator. Some of those people know who you are but many of them don't. It's kinda cool how that all works. All of that to say, thank you Julia. You have done more for what happens here than you know and for that we can only be grateful."
We also want to give a special thanks to Kim, Karen, Jaime, Sgt. Salter and the U.S. Air Force, Reese, Dan and Debra Jones, and everyone at Orca Communications, as well as Julia at ExTreme ReTrailers, LLC.
Paid In Full Workers Help KAH
Kids Against Hunger--Verde Valley was in dire need of help to pack up the remaining
bulk food product that they had, otherwise we would have had to throw
some of it awa, as it would not have withstood the summer heat sitting
in the warehouse over the summer. Director Karen Freeman put out a
last-minute cry for help, and the youth of Verde Valley Christian
Church and their leaders stepped up to the plate.
On June
6th, over 35 kids and their leaders, during what is called "Paid in
Full" week, donated their time and their efforts to pack 14,472 meals
for the starving kids in Haiti, along with the majority of the food going to
local food banks and hungry families here in Yavapai County. Thanks to
VVCC's Pastor of Student Ministries Matt Shires especially for allowing his
kids to serve the Lord by serving others less fortunate then themselves. The philosophy of Paid in Full is performing work projects in the community providing free labor as well as free materials to demonstrate Christ's example of paying our debt in full. These
kids had worked outside in the heat all week, and this packing day was
the last day of camp. Even though it was "toasty" in our building to say
the least, these high schoolers all had a great attitude and worked hard
for several hours packing over two pallets of food. Thank you
all, including those of you on the KAH team who were willing to step in
at the last minute to carry the load!
There was
still a need to finish up the rest of our bulk soy; and the younger
kids, also of VVCC, came to the rescue on June 10th. Doug Bridge, VVCC's Pastor of Family Ministries, brought his summer interns to serve as part
of their Young Timothy Interns program. He
had also put out the call to any kid over 8 years old from our Sunday
school to come help; and some of those kids showed up, along with more
KAH adult volunteers who willingly came to help us pack. Once again we
had 3 teams who altogether packed up every last scoop of soy -- to the
total of 37 boxes or over 8,000 meals for the hungry.
In less than a week, VVCC youth teams and KAH team members and volunteers therefore packed a total of over 22,472 meals
for the hungry. Not only will it bless all those who will receive
much-needed food; but it especially blessed Karen, who only had to ask and
everyone said yes, rearranged their schedules and came and met the need.
Thank you and bless you all for your hard work. May He bless you all
one hundredfold
SENIORS ROCK!
On April 22nd, the one-year anniversary of Kids
Against Hunger-Verde Valley's official open house, a mini packing event was
held with the Senior's Group from Verde Valley Christian Church. It was also the first official packing event
in our own building! With approximately 35
participants and 5 volunteer helpers, 22 boxes (equaling 792 bags of food,
which equals 4,752 meals) were packed in an hour! The group also donated $70 to purchase
t-shirts. With that donation and the
meals packaged, we will have over 5,000 to provide meals for the hungry. It
really helped our organization use up unused bulk product before it
sits through the summer (besides the blessing of having packaged meals, which
will all go for local distribution). Fun was
had by all; and we look forward to hosting packing events with them on a
periodic basis -- by their request. A
great group proving seniors ROCK!
Read more...
THE MEDICAL CLINIC IS OPEN!
The medical clinic in Haiti is
complete and operational! It just opened
its doors the beginning of April. This
note was received by Kids Against Hunger-Verde Valley with the photographs below
from Kathy Brooks in Haiti: "You
gave sacrificially to make this happen and we want you to know that your giving
has paid off! It is a beautiful, very
functional building. Thank you Brian
Smith ! The faces of the patients that
gathered at the door yesterday were full of expectancy. What a difference
walking into an environment that says "you matter!," especially when
you are sick or injured. These blocks and mortar translate into better
health care but also respect and love. "
Here is a background of how Karen
Freeman and Kids Against Hunger-Verde Valley came to be involved in Haiti,
leading up to the existence of KAH-Verde Valley and also this medical clinic. Kim Gould had been going to Jubilee and
Gonaieves, Haiti for several years before she had invited Karen to go in 2010, after
the major devastating earthquake. One of
the most godly men Karen has ever met, whose name is Emory Wilson, had started
a simple work there -- an orphanage and eventually a small school. He is supported by a group called Christian
Light Foundation. Kim had been going on
her own and running small medical clinics when she went in the small village
of Jubilee. She and Karen have been
friends for a long time; a nurse and a physical therapist, respectively, by
trade they went to help with the medical clinic aspect.
What Karen experienced there changed her life -- shook her to her roots -- the unbelievable poverty that existed then and still today. Mothers who have no food to feed their children scrape dirt up off the ground, mix it with a little salt or oil if they have it, bake it in the sun, and feed it to their children -- just to fill their stomachs. Disease was and is still rampant. Haiti is one of the poorest of the third-world countries, the government corrupt; and there exists no real infrastructure to rebuild after the earthquake. Lack of clean water and employment opportunities, malnutrition, people living in squalid poverty, the list goes on. After the earthquake, of course, the world showed up and poured its help, attention and money into the country for about 6 months then moved on. The folks who remained, and many have, continue to do the work in their small pockets of influence throughout the country.
Haiti was, and still is, a beautiful island filled with a beautiful people. One of the most heartbreaking aspects for Kim and Karen was the suffering of the children, so many orphans and families who are destitute. They knew they could not change everything. They just could not do nothing. Does that make sense?
In 2010 after returning from Haiti, Karen searched and became involved in a national (now international) nonprofit humanitarian group called Kids Against Hunger. With the help of local churches, we raised the funds to become the first KAH satellite in Arizona in 2011. At this time, it is still the only satellite in our state. Basically, KAH is a food-packing satellite. Funds are raised to purchase the bulk food product, then we organize volunteers to come and pack the food in an assembly-line type fashion. Up to this point, KAH-Verde Valley has been sending 85% of its food to the ministry it supports in Haiti and keeping 15% for local distribution. We ask folks to "donate to pack"; because, being a nonprofit, KAH has to purchase the bulk food, pay to have it shipped here, pay for the boxes and bags to pack it, then contribute to get it shipped to Haiti. The only way we can continue to ship food there is through what is called the Denton Shipping program through the military -- the Air Force National Guard out of Phoenix.
There have been many changes since KAH-Verde Valley began its work in Haiti and became a satellite. Over 550,000 meals have been packed, and the majority of those meals have been sent there. The ministry in Haiti, in the town of Gonaieves and Jubilee, has grown and changed in many ways. The work that Emory and Mary Wilson began is now under the headship of Much Ministries by Beaver and Kathy Brooks (www.muchministries.org). Gonaieves is where the mission house and home of the Brooks' is located. Emory is still involved and supporting the work stateside, and making many trips back and forth with supplies. He really has spearheaded the medical clinic aspect. Another gentleman, named Brian Smith along with his wife Cody and their family who live there, have been instrumental in all the building that has gone on (including the medical clinic) under their organization called Omaha Rapid Response. Most of this work takes place in Jubilee, the village outside the town of Gonaieves. Brian has overseen the building of over 50-60 homes for the Haitians there, along with the new school and present medical clinic. He also has been overseeing the training of Haitian men in the building trade. The two-room school, which originally served only about 30 kids, was located where the medical clinic building and the daily feeding program took place originally.
Since that time, a new school for over 100 kids has been built and is growing. Haitian teachers are being trained and raised up. A community center has been built, along with the homes that Brian has built for local families. A well has been dug; so there is a clean water source for all to use, as well as a community garden planted.
What Karen experienced there changed her life -- shook her to her roots -- the unbelievable poverty that existed then and still today. Mothers who have no food to feed their children scrape dirt up off the ground, mix it with a little salt or oil if they have it, bake it in the sun, and feed it to their children -- just to fill their stomachs. Disease was and is still rampant. Haiti is one of the poorest of the third-world countries, the government corrupt; and there exists no real infrastructure to rebuild after the earthquake. Lack of clean water and employment opportunities, malnutrition, people living in squalid poverty, the list goes on. After the earthquake, of course, the world showed up and poured its help, attention and money into the country for about 6 months then moved on. The folks who remained, and many have, continue to do the work in their small pockets of influence throughout the country.
Haiti was, and still is, a beautiful island filled with a beautiful people. One of the most heartbreaking aspects for Kim and Karen was the suffering of the children, so many orphans and families who are destitute. They knew they could not change everything. They just could not do nothing. Does that make sense?
In 2010 after returning from Haiti, Karen searched and became involved in a national (now international) nonprofit humanitarian group called Kids Against Hunger. With the help of local churches, we raised the funds to become the first KAH satellite in Arizona in 2011. At this time, it is still the only satellite in our state. Basically, KAH is a food-packing satellite. Funds are raised to purchase the bulk food product, then we organize volunteers to come and pack the food in an assembly-line type fashion. Up to this point, KAH-Verde Valley has been sending 85% of its food to the ministry it supports in Haiti and keeping 15% for local distribution. We ask folks to "donate to pack"; because, being a nonprofit, KAH has to purchase the bulk food, pay to have it shipped here, pay for the boxes and bags to pack it, then contribute to get it shipped to Haiti. The only way we can continue to ship food there is through what is called the Denton Shipping program through the military -- the Air Force National Guard out of Phoenix.
There have been many changes since KAH-Verde Valley began its work in Haiti and became a satellite. Over 550,000 meals have been packed, and the majority of those meals have been sent there. The ministry in Haiti, in the town of Gonaieves and Jubilee, has grown and changed in many ways. The work that Emory and Mary Wilson began is now under the headship of Much Ministries by Beaver and Kathy Brooks (www.muchministries.org). Gonaieves is where the mission house and home of the Brooks' is located. Emory is still involved and supporting the work stateside, and making many trips back and forth with supplies. He really has spearheaded the medical clinic aspect. Another gentleman, named Brian Smith along with his wife Cody and their family who live there, have been instrumental in all the building that has gone on (including the medical clinic) under their organization called Omaha Rapid Response. Most of this work takes place in Jubilee, the village outside the town of Gonaieves. Brian has overseen the building of over 50-60 homes for the Haitians there, along with the new school and present medical clinic. He also has been overseeing the training of Haitian men in the building trade. The two-room school, which originally served only about 30 kids, was located where the medical clinic building and the daily feeding program took place originally.
Since that time, a new school for over 100 kids has been built and is growing. Haitian teachers are being trained and raised up. A community center has been built, along with the homes that Brian has built for local families. A well has been dug; so there is a clean water source for all to use, as well as a community garden planted.
The medical clinic was completed in
April, and it is this clinic that the recently donated and shipped solar generator
will power. This generator was donated
by Julia Hutton. Haitian health care
workers are also being trained. Kathy
Brooks has begun a local trade school called Second Story Goods for local men
and women to create their own products which are sold locally, moved to the one
big city in Port Au Prince for resale, and is also available online in the
states (www.secondstorygoods.com).
The
work has shifted to include many new things. KAH-Verde Valley is part of the work of
"teaching a man to fish" and respectfully raising the Haitian
people up to someday work ourselves out of a job, so to speak. To that end, our KAH has also shifted emphasis. We will continue to supply the
Haiti ministry with our prepackaged meals, as they are a long way from not
needing it. We presently supply 5
orphanages, the school itself and local village feeding programs. The food that we pack contains 4
ingredients: rice, soy, dehydrated
veggies and a vitamin/mineral flavoring powder. However, in our last several shipments, we
have also been sending bulk food -- sending 3 of the ingredients minus the
rice. They have begun purchasing rice
from a local Haitian rice grower and are now also supplementing the mixture
with locally grown fruit/veggies. They
are a long way from self sufficiency; however, it is a blessing to be part
of the new direction that the ministry there is making. At the same time, KAH-Verde Valley is increasing the
percentage being provided locally as there are many hungry folks here as well.
The following photos are of the medical clinic under construction, the newly-opened
medical clinic and the solar generator that was received in Haiti on March
21st.
Haiti Packing Event
In September, 2013, Kids Against Hunger-Verde Valley 8pallets of food (79,920 pre-packaged meals) to Haiti -- food that was
packaged at numerous events here. Along with this food, Kids Against Hunger also
shipped 2 pallets of the supplies needed for the people of Haiti to hold their own packing
event of 10,000 meals, to provide for themselves and their neighbors. Among the items shipped were bags of soy,
boxes of the vitamin and vegetable mixes, Ziploc bags to hold the food, as well as the
bins, utensils and funnel used to package the food. Rice was not shipped with these supplies for the specific purpose of stimulating Haiti's economy, as their rice farms are also returning. The
rice for this packing event was purchased locally from Haitian farms, to aid in self
sufficiency and to aid Haiti's economy.
Their first food packing event was held recently. Josh, in Haiti, writes the following regarding the food they are receiving and their packing event:
Their first food packing event was held recently. Josh, in Haiti, writes the following regarding the food they are receiving and their packing event:
"The nutrition program is going along wonderfully. We feed about 100 kids a day; and new kids are still being admitted as the needs arise. Of the kids currently in the program, they are all at a healthy weight as well as healthy hemoglobin levels (this compared to three years ago when about 90% of the kids were below weight and hemoglobin levels). Some of the kids are getting fed twice a day depending on what kind of nutritional support they are receiving at home. The food they receive each day comes solely from Kids Against Hunger food shipments, without which we would be unable to continue with the program. There are also a couple orphanages in Gonaives that we give boxes to as well. Those orphanages contact us if their food supply is low or they did not have the funds to cover food for the month. In essence, the Kids Against Hunger rice serves as an emergency aid to these orphanages.
We also just finished a trial run at packaging rice here
in Haiti using the bulk supplies sent down with the last shipment. We
had a team come in from Colorado that did the packaging; and the rice
used was locally grown rice. We will continue to use these bags the same
way we've used the other packages -- the only difference being that the
rice was purchased locally. In terms of the packaging process, I don't
think it holds any benefit to it being packaged in Haiti or Arizona. We
had hoped that it may create job opportunities by having it done in
Haiti; but I believe it would not be a consistent enough or long enough
of a task for a work force to actually develop around the packaging.
From the bulk supplies sent, the most exciting part was being able to
invest in the local economy by purchasing rice here. Obviously, a plate
of rice is not going to do much for the overall nutrition of a child; so
it's been essential that the other supplies are added to get the kiddos
what they need."
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