If you are holding this letter you have given to Haiti at some point in the past 12 months- you may give monthly to feed a child, helped to build a home, gone on a trip to Haiti or helped to send someone else there. Regardless of the amount or the frequency of your giving, the purpose of this letter is to give a big “Thank You” for all of your support this past year!

As someone who has entrusted your giving to a small start-up organization like Restore Haiti I hope you have been able to see and understand the significant impact your specific dollar has made on the members of Morne Oge, the small community outside Jamel where our efforts are focused. At this point we have crossed the 450 mark of children who are receiving food, education and medical care through the sponsorship program. Several others in their low- mid 20’s are receiving scholarships to help them finish school, enabling them to achieve what at one time seemed to be an unattainable dream of being one of the few with an education in Haiti, a dream of being a person who can be set apart and have hope for their future. Two years ago many homes were damaged from the massive earthquake that brought the eyes of the world to Haiti. Even though many have moved on, through your giving we were able to continue walking along side of and doing life with the person in need by improving their living conditions. A clinic has been implemented and is being monitored by on the ground Haitian medical professionals and the many medical team members who have gone to Haiti this year; through their combined efforts we now have a medical chart on each child where we have seen their growth and the overall improvement in their health since the inception of this program.

As we move forward it is our goal to be an organization that people can trust to put their giving dollars to good use and to get the most out of every penny. Each month the leadership of Restore Haiti receives a document that shows where the money was spent- bags of rice, school fees, building supplies and other similar expenses. Because our American team is 100% volunteer, you can rest assured that your giving through Restore Haiti goes directly to support the work happening in Jacmel, and we are committed to continue to stretch every penny that has been given.

Although much has already been accomplished, we are excited to share with you our even bigger dreams for 2012- our goal this year is to begin building on the land. With the large number of children sponsored, and the fact that this program is continually growing, we are in need of a feeding center with an adequate kitchen, a well on the same property, and eventually a chicken farm that will provide jobs and protein-rich food for our program. Since this work began in 2005, many dreams have become a reality for these people, and it is clear to see that we have only just begun! If you are interested in going and/or giving please contact us by visiting our website, www.restorehaiti.com.

Regardless of your level of involvement, please know that the giving of your funds has changed the destiny of hundreds of people in a small island country called Haiti.

Sincerely,

Philip Peters
President, Restore Haiti
www.restorehaiti.com

Here are the guildelines:

• Must fit in a gallon size ziploc (larger items will not be accepted this year due to transportation issues! The bag must zip closed!) Please limit weight to 2 lbs. each.
• If you can, in a separate envelope include $5 to Restore haiti to help get everything there!
• Must be received NO LATER than Nov. 15th Mail to Restore Haiti PO Box 2014, Spring Hill, TN 37174
• Ideas of what to include in your bag:
•  Note/photo of you and your family
•  Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Hair ribbons/barrettes etc
• Small hand held electronic game
• soccerball (deflated)
• Gum/candy/Packed cookies
• Crayon/markers
• Matchbox cars
• nail polish
• Stickers
• McDonalds Happy Meal toys
• No doll or gun/war toys

These bags will be going to sponsored and unsponsored children in the community who would otherwise not receive a gift! Questions? Email theresa@restorehaiti.com

–
Theresa Swain
www.restorehaiti.com
Follow us on twitter! @teswain and @restorehaiti
Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/restorehaiti

Ever since the first time I went to Haiti, my friends in Haiti are on my mind when I sit down to the Thanksgiving table. Many times at dinner when I say the blessing I close by saying, ‘Thank you for this food and we pray for those without.’ I know Thanksgiving is an American Holiday but its hard not to look at all the food on the table, the food that will be thrown away, and not think of what I saw from my recent times in Haiti.

Currently, with the help of so many of you who are reading this letter, we are able to see over 300 Children to go school and eat a hot meal 5 times a weak. Buildings have been built, healthcare provided, and many primary school children and teens are in school.

Give to our Matching Fund
As we end the year Restore Haiti has a few needs and challenges that we would like to present. First, we have an online $1000 matching fund challenge and are 50% there! Would you be willing to donate to the matching fund? We have $500 dollars to go until we reach the $1000 mark. This money sends teens to secondary school – a new emphasis we have because our younger children are succeeding!

Sponsor a Child
In 2011 we will be taking trips so many of you can see and love on your sponsored child. Also, we have made some changes to our website that you will like. Check us out at www.restorehaiti.com . On the site, you will see that we have added a new feature that gives you the ability to see and sponsor new children. You are also provided a way to donate funds for a variety of projects – like building homes and general fund giving.

We have provided a way for you to forward the child sponsorship information on Facebook. Please do this! We have learned that many people are willing to sponsor a child – you never know who would be willing to pay $30 a month so that a child can go to school and to eat.

Help us Stay Afloat
The Restore Haiti 501c3 organization doesn’t have paid staff or other costly overhead fees. Instead, we have volunteers who act as “staff” and get by with generous donations of items like plates for our feeding program. We do, however, have the usual general expenses like postage, printing, and website hosting fees. Would you be willing to give a monthly gift for Restore Haiti to have funds in their account to continue the mission?

Thank you in Advance,

Philip Peters

Philip & Vio
Until, more recently the family life of my little buddy Vio wasn’t so good. You see in Haiti many families are made up of many kids the mothers have by different men; the current man that she stays with and the children they have together take precedent to the other children that might not belong to them both. With 1 family having 4 or more children it is hard to take care of an extra child from a previous relationship. This is what has happened to my adopted Haitian son Vio. It broke my heart, but having worked for 5 years with Restore Haiti I know there is hope for Vio. We have currently taken him out of the living situation that he is in and are putting him in a house that was built so that children like him could live with the pastors. There he will continue to learn the teachings of Jesus, be fed physically, clothed, and grow up as the man he is supposed to be. I know this is what happens because I go there- I see the feeding program and I see the results first hand. With your ongoing commitment to sponsor a child with Restore Haiti we will ensure you they will be receiving the best life possible.

That is why I am asking you if you would like to sponsor, or if you know someone that could please forward this e-mail to them. I went over on Labor Day to enroll more children who’s family life is much like Vio or worse. No parents, abusive home environment. We even enrolled a 14 year old girl who has never been to school. When we speak to each child we ask what they would like to be when they grow up. Many say teachers, doctors, nurses- all have a dream and that is what I want to establish with Restore Haiti- we exist to make their dreams become a reality. I had a dream this past spring that 300 more students were enrolled in the program. There are 300 on the waiting list as we speak- so there are many who saw a glimpse of hope this past labor day, but are on the wings waiting for someone to come on board and become their sponsor.

There are many options for you to help:
1.) Enroll a primary student- Preschool through 6th grade. It is $30 a month- this will send them to school and get them 1 hot meal a day and empower their family with livestock or training in a skill.
2.) A 1 time fee of $300 will send a secondary student (Jr. High or High school) to school and pay for their school fees for a year.
3.) $64 per month will sponsor a cook who works for 6-8 hours a day on this feeding program- thats roughly $3.00 a day. Sponsoring a cook is sponsoring someone who will feed the 500 kids that could be sponsored by the end of 2010, which is our goal.

Please consider sharing these opportunities with the people in your life. You can reach us with any questions, or to sign up, by emailing info@restorehaiti.com. Thank you again for helping us find those out there who have a heart to help the future of the world.

Sharing the Blessing,
Philip Peters

March 15-21st- Spring Break/College Focus Trip (A trip geared toward college age students who want to spend time serving in Haiti. You will focus on assisting with the feeding program and working on construction projects.)

March 21-25th- Spring Break/High School Focus Trip (A trip geared toward high school students who want to spend time serving in Haiti. You will focus on working with the high school age students in Haiti on a service project, as well as sharing with them on topics of self respect and servanthood.)

March 25-April 1st- Medical Focus Trip (A trip focused on Health Care. We are looking for a variety of health care professionals to assist in a week of caring for the physical needs of the community in Jacmel, assist in the areas only medical clinic, train local health care staff, and serve in various ways.)

April 16-21st- Spring Break Trip- High School/College Focus (A trip geared toward high school and college students where you will be given an opportunity to work on service projects, help in the feeding program, and interact with the children in Jacmel).

May 5-10th- Intro To Haiti Trip (If you have never been on a mission trip, never been to Haiti, or are just curious about the ministry of Restore Haiti and what we do, this trip will give you a good overview. It will be a low key and slower paced schedule designed to be an easy intro to what our work in Haiti is all about. There will be opportunity to visit the various sites where feeding and education take place, participate in the feeding program, a small service project, spend time with the children, and probably some relaxation time with a few hours at the beach.)

August 2010- Back to School Trip (On this trip, the main focus will be to deliver much needed back to school supplies to the children before the 2011/2012 school year begins. Of course there will be opportunity to help with our feeding program as well as some other service projects! Specific dates TBD)

December 2010- Christmas Gift Trip (The lucky members of this team will get to enjoy delivering Christmas gifts to 1200+ children in Jacmel, some of whom are in the sponsorship program, others who are community children in need. Specific dates TBD)

Philip & Vio

Until, more recently the family life of my little buddy Vio wasn’t so good. You see in Haiti many families are made up of many kids the mothers have by different men; the current man that she stays with and the children they have together take precedent to the other children that might not belong to them both. With 1 family having 4 or more children it is hard to take care of an extra child from a previous relationship. This is what has happened to my adopted Haitian son Vio. It broke my heart, but having worked for 5 years with Restore Haiti I know there is hope for Vio. We have currently taken him out of the living situation that he is in and are putting him in a house that was built so that children like him could live with the pastors. There he will continue to learn the teachings of Jesus, be fed physically, clothed, and grow up as the man he is supposed to be. I know this is what happens because I go there- I see the feeding program and I see the results first hand. With your ongoing commitment to sponsor a child with Restore Haiti we will ensure you they will be receiving the best life possible.

That is why I am asking you if you would like to sponsor, or if you know someone that could please forward this e-mail to them. I went over on Labor Day to enroll more children who’s family life is much like Vio or worse. No parents, abusive home environment. We even enrolled a 14 year old girl who has never been to school. When we speak to each child we ask what they would like to be when they grow up. Many say teachers, doctors, nurses- all have a dream and that is what I want to establish with Restore Haiti- we exist to make their dreams become a reality. I had a dream this past spring that 300 more students were enrolled in the program. There are 300 on the waiting list as we speak- so there are many who saw a glimpse of hope this past labor day, but are on the wings waiting for someone to come on board and become their sponsor.

There are many options for you to help:
1.) Enroll a primary student- Preschool through 6th grade. It is $30 a month- this will send them to school and get them 1 hot meal a day and empower their family with livestock or training in a skill.
2.) A 1 time fee of $300 will send a secondary student (Jr. High or High school) to school and pay for their school fees for a year.
3.) $64 per month will sponsor a cook who works for 6-8 hours a day on this feeding program- thats roughly $3.00 a day. Sponsoring a cook is sponsoring someone who will feed the 500 kids that could be sponsored by the end of 2010, which is our goal.

Please consider sharing these opportunities with the people in your life. You can reach us with any questions, or to sign up, by emailing info@restorehaiti.com. Thank you again for helping us find those out there who have a heart to help the future of the world.

Sharing the Blessing,
Philip Peters

Finally- if the supplies are wrapped in celophane (for example) lets unwrap them and get rid of the packaging before we send it- the last thing needed in Haiti is more trash!
Thanks so much for your help!!!