SALT LAKE CITY 12 February 2010
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is launching an aggressive program to put as many as 600 urgently needed temporary housing kits into the hands of Haitian members before the rainy season starts in April. A single kit includes lumber, corrugated tin for the roof, cement and hurricane straps for the roof.
The goal is to get families back on their properties by clearing away the rubble through organized service projects. Once properties are cleared, tents or the new temporary shelters can be set up. It is a continuing effort by the Church to restore normalcy and promote self-reliance.
Hundreds of families continue to seek shelter at the nine Latter-day Saint meetinghouses around Port-au-Prince four weeks after the temblor. The meetinghouses have become known as places of calm and security to those staying there.
The Church has provided nearly 1,500 tents to those left homeless, and many now dot the property around the chapels. “A neighbor told me about this place and invited me to come,” said 16-year-old Cazy Lenlingy. “I am very happy to be here. Everyone has been kind and has received me well, thanks to God.”
Over 7,000 people originally took refuge at the meetinghouses, with those not of the Mormon faith making up more than two-thirds of the homeless.
