Dear Family, Friends and Business Colleagues:

First, I have never been one to send out an email to such a large group of people. In fact I had to ask someone how to accomplish this.

The world changed last week for those in Haiti……I will come back to this later.

5 years ago I made my first trip to an orphanage (Haiti Children’s Home) in Haiti. What I saw during that trip was something I never could have imagined. After meeting the children and the caregivers, I wanted to find a small way to make a difference when I came back home. Shortly thereafter, a small group of us assembled at a Tim Horton’s in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada and one week later we became “Haitian Children’s Aid Society”. Our purpose was simple: find ways to get food, medical supplies and money to this orphanage so that children can stay alive in a home environment while adoptive families could be found for them.

Since that time, 80 adoptive families have received a happy child from Haiti Children’s Home. Currently, of the 45 children now at the orphanage, 6 are in the final stages of adoption and near ready to come to a home in Canada.

The quake on January 12th did not severely damage the orphanage building and all the children and staff were safe. The location of the orphanage is 50 KMS from Port-Au-Prince. However, the orphanage which also had an attached medical clinic quickly became a treatment center for local people and those coming from Port-Au-Prince seeking help and safety.

Today, January 20th, the orphanage building did not survive an aftershock. All staff and children are safe, but are now outdoors with nowhere to go. No power. We have located some partner friends in Dominican Republic who are scrambling to get food and milk to the children. I have included a recent communication below from our Director at the orphanage:

“The orphanage has been declared unfit to live in by the United Nations after today’s quake. We are trying to get ALL the kids out to the States on a Humanitarian visa for right now. They are sleeping in the yard again and cannot enter the house. I am going to the US Embassy tomorrow and likely will stand in line for hours but I need to find our options. The UN will bring us milk and water and hopefully tarps and tents for tonight. I am trying to get the Embassy pictures of the kids with Lori's help so that I have ID photos to take tomorrow. There is no power in town .....”

Many of you have likely given already to Haiti relief -- there are so many worthy causes. If you feel so inclined to help the 45 children at Haiti Children’s Home I can attest that 100% of the money will find its way to helping them directly. We have some trusted partners in Canada and the USA that will take donations, offer charitable receipts and dedicate all funds to helping the children in the orphanage.

In Canada:
Champion City Church
7531-152 C Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5C 3L2
Please make your cheque out to "Champion City Church", write in the cheque memo "Haiti Relief" and include your full name and address.

In USA:
Interfellowship Christian Ministries
c/o Alana Butts
417 Webb Ct.
Minden, LA 71055
U.S.A
Please make your cheque out to "Interfellowship Christian Ministries", write in the cheque memo "Haiti Relief" and include your full name and address.

If no charitable tax receipt is required please send your donation to:
Haitian Children's Aid Society
C/O Duane Albers
RR # 2
Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 1W9

Thank you for your help and consideration. If you have any questions I would be pleased to take your call at 403.350.3420. A website is included below for further information, and to learn more about this important role that the orphanage plays in the lives of many children.

Best Regards,
Doug Decksheimer
http://www.haitichildrenshome.com/index.php