Help us Sponsor a Haitian Family
Due to the recent events In Haiti, Andrea and I have felt over-privileged and helpless in our life style. Too many aid organizations, though with good intentions, operate through a myriad of bureaucracies and complications. This makes us feel detached just giving a check and wondering where it may end up. We do, however, have the unique opportunity to help through Andrea’s winter work place. For several years now a colleague and dear friend Gary Novak has traveled to Haiti to help by teaching and volunteering on humanitarian causes. Through his travels Gary has developed an enduring relationship with a 32 year-old man named Nixon and his young family. Because we have this direct link to a family in need we will be donating 10% of each non-discounted charter for the 2010 season booked directly through us. These funds will be given to Gary to apportion to his friend Nixon. Below you will find a brief introduction into the life of Nixon and his family before the earthquake and after its devastating effects on their already troubled living environment. Now in the words of Gary Novak:
“Nixon is 32 years old with a wife and two small children. Until the earthquake he was attending nursing school and teaching English in Port-au Prince.
During the earthquake his four story nursing school collapsed. The students only had one exit because of building security. Most died in the stairwell trying to get outside. He was spared. The college where he taught also collapsed with a loss of many.
He rushed home to find his family alive. His house, built of cement blocks and a poured cement roof, was dangerously damaged. The family moved to the courtyard.
Haitians shop daily because it is difficult to store food away from rats and vermin, so they didn’t have much food on hand. The banks, gas stations and shops were closed. The prison walls fell down and 3,000 hard cases roamed the city. The neighbors got together to share what they had and provide security. Nixon used his nursing skills to assist the wounded.
Nixon managed to contact me and tell us he was alive but not safe. The neighbors were leaving the area because of depleted resources and the smell of the dead. Haitians are especially uneasy around the dead. His job, school and future were gone. He was afraid for his children. Nixon sent out a plea for help.
Our plan is to assist this family to evacuate Port au Prince and set up their life somewhere safe. We are attempting to get Nixon a student visa so that the family can come to Port Townsend and Nixon can continue on with nursing school. After completing school Nixon and his family will return to Haiti to repair their home and help to rebuild their country.”
Merci,
Gary Novak
Last summer Andrea and I received a Haitian sculpture for a wedding gift. Gary’s Haitian friend, Nixon, had sent us a romantic work of art without ever even meeting us. He went out of his way to be generous to us based on the word of his friend Gary. Now we feel compelled to do the same. Check out the sculpture when you visit the boat. We’ll keep you updated on our sailing blog as things progress.
If you want to be part of this project you can. Contact us at via e-mail or call us at 360-344-4234, book a trip and 10% will go to help Nixon's family restart their lives.
Thank you,
Matt and Andrea