Langford volunteers cancel trip to Haiti due to unrest

Langford volunteers cancel trip to Haiti due to unrest
CHEK

The West Shore Rotary Club shows their plans before their trip in 2018. (File photo).

The Rotary Club shows their plans before their trip in 2018. (File photo).

The Rotary Club of West Shore has put their annual spring visit to Haiti due to the political unrest and violent protests in the country.

The Rotarians partner with Haitian orphanages still dealing with the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. They have helped rebuild the Baby Jesus of Prague orphanage and last year they were working on rebuilding another orphanage: the Divine Hand Orphanage. Funds are also sent to the orphanages for upkeep.

Former Langford fire Chief and Rotary Club member Bob Beckett said he has been in touch with the orphanages. The Divine Hand Orphanage has reported they are secure in a rural location but food supplies are running low. The Baby Jesus of Prague Orphanage has reported the money sent from Langford for engine repairs can’t be picked up at Western Union for safety and security reasons, so the children can’t be transported.

The group wants to return to the country and support the 75 children at the orphanages if the protests come to an end. Beckett said anyone who wishes to support the orphanages can contact him at 250-818-2791 or visit helpforhaiti.ca.

Businesses and government offices are slowly reopening across Haiti after more than a week of violent demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise (moh-EES’) amid allegations of government corruption.

There have been violent demonstrations in the streets over skyrocketing prices for basic goods.

The frightening unrest left dozens of Canadian missionaries, medical staff, tourists and students needing helicopters to ferry them to the airport so they catch flights off the island, and many have been returning to Canada over the last several days.

Public transportation resumed yesterday in Port-au-Prince.

With files from The Canadian Press

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