Hi from Project Rennwish!
As a few know, I just returned once again from Haiti and it was wonderful. In this post, I'll try to give you a brief update on all our programs - and as well, try to keep the Rennwish BLOG & site updated with more information and pictures (links below).
First, it was my pleasure to escort Blair, Mac and Devon Richardson along with Don and Brooke Bailey - all who reside in Colorado - for several days last week. They did a fabulous job and we are indebted to them for their energy, their support and their smiles!
The village of Bamachan: The water & well is nearly complete! As you may remember, this is the poverty stricken village that has been without a local source of water since 2003, and last week, the well is being re-dug, a new cap has been made and a new pump acquired. The village is both amazed and grateful - more than I could ever express in mere words. As well, I'd like to thank Don, Leslie & Brooke Bailey - along with HERBALIFE, for the incredible donation of hundreds of high-nutrition drink packs for the children Bamachan - simply outstanding! I wrote about it and posted pictures on our BLOG:
http://rennwish.blogspot.com/2010/03...herbalife.html
We are looking at the possibility of expanding our support in this village in the near future including building the first regional school and perhaps other basic life necessities.
http://rennwish.org/bamachan.htm
Pastor Andre's Orphanage:
http://rennwish.org/place_of_hope.htm
Thanks to Steve Richards and Don Bailey, we packed another 1000 pounds of much needed food into the orphanage - thank you Steve and Don! As well, the pace of the construction is breathtaking and the front rooms, ceilings and walls are nearly complete in little over one week. In addition, we purchased twenty new mattresses - along with 15 others that were recently purchased - in addition to 10 new beds! The next hard construction phase we will undertake is completing the wing for older boys along with installing electricity for the orphanage.
The Garden donated by Dani and the Thurston Middle School:
http://rennwish.blogspot.com/2010/02...rden-grow.html
WOW - things are actually GROWING!!! I would have thought with all the rain, the garden would be delayed - not at all!! Junior and the young boys have planted about 15 rows of tomatoes, squash and other vegetables - and the seedling boxes are full! The small fence is even installed to keep the goats and kids (baby goats - not the orphans
) out of the new plantings. I have quite a few pictures of this project - and will post them on our BLOG and website shortly.
Pastor Vilnor's School:
http://rennwish.blogspot.com/2010/03...tnerships.html
http://rennwish.org/Pastor_Vilnor.htm
We have authorized and started some improvements to Pastor Vilnor's school - including putting electric into all the rooms on the second floor; converting the second floor front "office" into a computer lab with an Internet connection - and as well, buying and installing a railing for the second floor where today, there is only a knee-wall. There is a reason we are improving this school yet again - so PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE for more details, as it's our intent to provide schooling to another 50 or so plus children who cannot afford tuition and so are not in school today. When I disclose our thoughts on this - I hope you will be as delighted as we are!!
Foster Families and Children: All are doing wonderfully and send their best and their thanks! A special thanks again to Kelly for her letters I took down last trip:
http://rennwish.blogspot.com/2010/02/kellys-world.html -
and I told them there would be more coming from Kelly and some other children who expressed a desire to start a "pen-pal" relationship with some of our children in Haiti…
All in all - a successful trip - but, none of this could/would be possible with all of your support and contributions. I am humbled and proud to be your voice and face to thousands of children in Haiti.
That being said, it is critical we continue at the pace we holding today, as we are trying to accomplish so much in an accelerated fashion. And for that, again - my have my sincerest thanks for your financial contributions, support and encouragement…
It means more than you could ever know - but then again - maybe you do know?
My sincerest thanks and warmest regards,
John Dunkle
Project Rennwish