THE GAWOU GINOU
FOUNDATION, INC
222 Putnam Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

EIN: 75- 3023362

Phone: (617) 547-2111
EMAIL US

Click here for French version

Letter from The Founders

Earthquake in Haiti: A Disaster of Inhumane Proportion

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and many towns of Haiti’s southern peninsula on January 12, 2010 set the country already precarious infrastructure back several years, if not decades. We are grieving from a disaster of such a magnitude in which many friends, colleagues, and associates perished along with more than 200,000 compatriots. We are overwhelmed in the aftermath of such a catastrophe that left millions of our people homeless, handicapped, and severely traumatized.

The earthquake effects were felt all over Haiti, but structures in the north and the central plateau were not severely affected. The town of Mirebalais, where the Gawou Ginou Foundation supports the Léocardie & Alexandre Kenscoff complex which includes the Gawou Ginou Elementary school sustained no major damage, except for some falling walls and fences. The emotional trauma however, as the town welcome people fleeing Port-au-Prince rushed to its safer ground, is becoming unbearable.

As we brace for the long range human, physical, psychological, and spiritual recovery, the Gawou Ginou Foundation whose mission is to educate a new generation of concerned and conscientized citizens so they may be empowered to go out to help others, appeals to you to stand with us in solidarity in these dire times. For no nation, let alone a country like Haiti whose woes are grounded in a history of slavery, colonialism, oppression, and utter disregard for humanity, can face on its own a disaster of such gigantic proportions. We are therefore convinced that, beyond our immediate intervention to save lives, heal the physical and psychological wounds, and burry the deads, we must plan for a long campaign of civic, universal, and cultural literacy. This is one of the surest ways to usher Haiti out of its morass, and to enable the country to respond to the needs of its people.

Our immediate goals are the following:

• 1. To make room to welcome additional students, as schools in Port-au-Prince are literally non functional.
• 2. To open a canteen to serve our pupils one hot meal a day. We have now 150 pupils, and our school building should be able to accommodate altogether about 250 persons, including teachers and support personnel.
• 3. We need to continue and expand our programming in cultural literacy focusing on the arts, music, dance, theatre, and long term emotional healing.

As we ponder the inhumane dimensions of this catastrophe, we want to thank you for your continued support in our efforts to provide for both the immediate needs of the people affected and the long term of building a new society. Please contribute on line at “gawouginoufoundation.org” or send your donation to our address in Florida.

Sincerely yours,

Gerdès & Florienne
3485 Environ Blvd. #203
Lauderhill , Florida 33319 (Ph :954-486-3485)

Back to top