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The partnership of The Methodist Church of Haiti and The United Methodist Church has evolved over 10 years as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Solar Oven Partners (SOP), and more commonly referred to as the Haiti Solar Oven Project (HSOP). HSOP is a teaching/training program that distributes high-quality solar box cookers only to trained individuals, typically women. The teaching is all done in the native Kreyol language by a highly motivated Haitian husband-and-wife team who serve as co-directors. Assembly of the solar ovens from pre-manufactured component parts is directed by a third Haitian, a young woman, who works independently, as well as with groups of volunteers that travel to Haiti to assist with the project. Our purpose is to help mitigate the systemic problems of hunger, poverty, and environmental destruction caused by deforestation. Solar cooking, solar baking, solar water pasteurization, and environmental awareness make up the core curriculum of our seminars. HSOP’s work is ongoing and will continue in the aftermath of the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake. We have oven supplies in Haiti and more being prepared for shipment, but like everyone responding to this disaster, we must first assess injury/damage/loss and organize to move forward in the ways most helpful to this long-suffering nation. Our scheduled March 5-17, 2010 volunteer team is in “wait state.” We are very much relieved to have made contact with our co-directors, Montas & Raymonde Joseph, five-and-a-half days after the initial earthquake, after having made an earlier contact with our assembly lady, Jeanne Milcar. Sadly, we mourn the death of Omilus Saint Louis, a most gracious servant of the Methodist Church of Haiti, who was always ready to facilitate our ministry. For those desiring to join in addressing Haiti’s tragedy at the systemic level, we encourage your financial support through Online Credit Card Gifts http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/advance/donate.cfm?id=3018775 PayPal http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=33575 or Checks written to “Haiti Solar Oven Project” and mailed to: Haiti Solar Oven Project / 928 4th Street #2 / Brookings, SD 57006 On behalf of the people of Haiti, thank you for your compassion at this tragic time and continuing into a future where the underlying causes of Haiti’s vulnerability must be addressed.
(revised: 1/16/2010) |