Child-Friendly Spaces in Haiti Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:51:13) (106 reads)
Disruption in Young Lives
Michelene, a nine-year old girl now living with her mother and two siblings in a displaced-persons camp, smiles softly as she nudges her room monitor--a local teacher from the same camp--over to her table where she just finished painting a triangle tessellation. She beams a huge smile as the monitor holds it up, and her classmates look on approvingly. Michelene is just one of over 4000 children who currently attend integrated education programs facilitated by AMURT in Haiti at various camps and neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince.
Like over one million others, Michelene’s home was destroyed in the January 12th earthquake. Tragically she lost two of her younger siblings when her family’s home collapsed. Michelene, her mother, sister and brother survived the quake. Four days after, the family collected a few family treasures from the rubble, and moved to the camp where they continue to live in a small shelter built with sticks and tarps.
News : Addressing Post Traumatic Stress in Haiti Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:48:35) (91 reads)
Women in camps learn breath awareness and other de-stress techniques
On March 13, the AMURTEL team went to the Sitron camp as part of an ongoing program to help people with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms). Many are experiencing PTSD, due in part to the many aftershocks that rocked Port-au-Prince regularly for months after the earthquake. On this day, the camp committee announced a women’s gathering and the women quickly began spreading large grey tarps on the bare ground. The AMURTEL team had planned deep relaxation exercises and yoga, as well as stress debriefing which was organized by Gretchen from Global Grassroots, who facilitated women’s trauma recovery for the survivors of the Rwandan genocide. At first it seemed there would be plenty of room for everyone to spread out. But soon the space on the tarps was completely packed with at least 150 women and girls of all ages. Even the men in the camp had gathered around in interest.
We opened the gathering by explaining the normal reactions to a stressful event such as the earthquake. We described common experiences, such as trembling, difficulties with sleep, racing heartbeat, over-sensitivity to certain sounds, hyper-alertness etc. The women began nodding empathically and eagerly joined in the discussion; sharing their own experiences vividly. They all expressed great relief at discovering that they were not sick, but rather having a normal reaction to an abnormal event. They listened with keen interest as we described how the stress-regulating system in our bodies, intended to help us survive trauma, can remain active in ways that become unhealthy. We then led the group in a series of breathing exercises, followed by some loosening stretches and yoga exercises. This was followed by a session of relaxation, with slow, regular, timed breathing designed to awaken a relaxation response and turn the stress system “off”. The women were elated to share how they felt lighter and rested and hopeful that they would be able to return to normal again. They had learnt techniques they could practice on their own, which were simple and easy to remember. The session ended with singing on a joyful, uplifting note. The singing continued, echoing from the hills even as we walked out of the camp.
For more information on AMURTEL’s work in Haiti please visit www.amurtelhaiti.org.
News : Relief to Displaced People in Haiti Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:45:29) (96 reads)
Children from the Sitron camp
Distribution and Relocation
Over the past month we have seen a shift in our emergency relief as some camps have emptied, with the people moving on to other areas of Port-au-Prince or, if they are able, to the provinces. Other camps have either grown or shrunk in size. Currently we are serving 11,440 displaced persons in 14 camps near our Bourdon Center. We are providing latrines, tarps, food, water, diapers, vitamins, clothes, and ongoing medical care to those most in need. In April and May 2010, eight of the camps are being forced to relocate due to the threat of flooding from the approaching rains. Currently our community organizers spend time each day meeting the camp leaders and the women, finding out what is most needed, what are the biggest concerns, and then translating this information into action as we find ways to help the people find solutions.
Homeopathy in Rural Haiti Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:34:35) (98 reads)
The earthquake in Port-au-Prince Haiti has rightfully attracted the attention of the world opinion. But even before the earthquake, the economy was in shambles. There was widespread poverty and Haitians were left to manage their lives with little, if any, government support. This is especially true in remote rural areas and especially in the field of health care.
Therefore AMURT seeks to create a community-based network of homeopathic caregivers; trained in selecting homeopathic remedies specifically useful in common health conditions in rural areas. A pilot project was recently started in Source Chaude which is located about two hours drive north of Gonaives. Theoretical training was given to Arnold Isma , a local volunteer, along with hands- on experience through daily clinics conducted in several villages. Arnold Isma is an example of countless bright Haitian youth, often unable to receive higher education for lack of sufficient government schools and economic resources to attend private colleges. He was orphaned in his early childhood and hasn’t yet completed his education. Yet he managed to learn English well by reading whatever books he could get his hands on and listening to English songs.
Arnold (left) at a clinic in Fige
Through the program more than six hundred patients have already been treated, often with speedy results and great satisfaction. Senatus Sentival, a seventy year old woman from Larobe was suffering from chronic lumbar pains, headaches, stomach pain and poor vision due to constant lacrimation. Within two weeks of treatment she reported a remarkable improvement in all her symptoms and no more lacrimation.
Haiti Earthquake Response Posted by support on Saturday, March 13, 2010 (23:40:23) (179 reads)
AMURT & AMURTEL in operation GIVE YOUR HEART TO HAITI continues the work on the ground in Port Au Prince by providing Chil-Friendly Spaces distributing tents and tarps, as well as arranging emergency medical clinics and community based capacity building.
Child-Friendly Spaces
AMURT run ten Child-Friendly Spaces in Port-au-Prince for 4,000 children. The purpose of the centers is to help children affected by the earthquake restore normalcy and improve overall well-being in their lives with psychosocial and educational support.
Besides psychosocial, educational, and creative activities all children in the Child-Friendly Spaces program receive nutritional biscuits in addition to a hot meal of rice, beans and vegetables.
Child-friendly spaces offer children affected by disaster psychosocial and educational support
During April 2010 we have seen a shift in our emergency relief as some camps have emptied, with the people moving on to other areas of Port-au-Prince or, if they are able, to the provinces. Other camps have either grown or shrunk in size. Currently we are serving 11,440 displaced persons in 14 camps near our Bourdon Center. We are providing latrines, tarps, food, water, diapers, vitamins, clothes, and ongoing medical care to those most in need. In April and May 2010, eight of the camps are being forced to relocate due to the threat of flooding from the approaching rains. Currently our community organizers spend time each day meeting the camp leaders and the women, finding out what is most needed, what are the biggest concerns, and then translating this information into action as we find ways to help the people find solutions.
Mobile Clinics in Isolated camps
In March and April 2010, AMURT and AMURTEL sent out mobile medical teams to the various tent villages we are working with. They treated not just earthquake-related injuries, but also illnesses and chronic conditions that for lack of proper medical care have gone untreated for years.
The need for ongoing medical care is great, with our teams treating an average of 100 people a day. The problems have shifted from crushed limbs to illnesses more associated with extreme poverty and cramped living conditions.
For more information on our work in Haiti please visit
Schools Double as Disaster Shelters in Myanmar Posted by support on Sunday, November 08, 2009 (07:08:11) (355 reads)
At Kan Su (pictured above), the children have just moved into their new school building. They love the airy spaciousness and light provided by the high ceilings (12 feet high) and many windows and promise to take good care of their beautiful new school.
AMURT & AMURTEL built five primary schools and one middle school in five villages in the delta area. All the schools are built to act as community shelters against future cyclones. They are equipped with disaster risk reduction features to withstand wind speeds of more than 100mph and earthquakes measuring up to 7.5 Richter Scale. The floor level is above that of the highest tidal surge.
Instead of individual classrooms, the schools consist of one or more big halls to hold 2,400 persons in times of disasters. The big halls help the short-staffed teachers manage more than one class each. They also serve as gathering places for community functions. A rainwater collection system, sanitary toilets, a library, health corner, administrative room and covered corridors are other features of our well-designed schools.
Better Houses for Cyclone Nargis Survivors Posted by support on Sunday, November 08, 2009 (05:51:26) (354 reads)
International NGOs estimate that 450,000 houses were destroyed and 340,000 damaged by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and more than 2.5m people affected. Today, more than one year later, only about 17,000 new houses have been constructed while the damaged houses have mostly been patched up with weak, temporary materials. Much more is needed to help the cyclone survivors.
Some of the 500 Houses provided to communites affected by Cyclone Nargis by AMURT & AMURTEL and its partners.
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states were lashed by torrential monsoon rains in late September 2009 which resulted in the worst flooding in decades. More than a million people are still living in temporary camps and food supplies to several millions have been severely disrupted.
AMURT & AMURTEL volunteers from the two states along with reinforcements from around India distribute water, dry foods, clothes and blankets. We also provide urgent medical services as well as psycho-social care. The operation has benefited more than 100,000 people in the last two months.
We need donations to meet the needs of all those people who have lost everything.
An earthquake and subsequent aftershocks near the city of Padang in Indonesia left 1,000 confirmed dead and several thousands missing. Half a million people were left homeless and the city's infrastructure severely damaged. 83,712 houses, 200 public buildings and 285 schools were destroyed and another 100,000 building severely damaged.
As an immediate response AMURT & AMURTEL provides tents and food to people affected by this disaster. In partnership with local communities and international agencies we are building a comprehensive program for vulnerable for women and children.
For this essential care program we are asking for your donation.
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