"NEW" page
Six months after Haiti’s devastating 7.0 earthquake, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) remains hard at work assisting those who are still dealing with its aftermath and will be for years to come.
LWR, with a 14-year history in Haiti, is focusing the majority of its efforts on underserved rural populations. Many rural communities found themselves hosting an influx of people who fled the capital city of Port-au-Prince after the quake, putting a severe strain on already limited resources.
“It’s a tenuous situation,” said Alex Wilson, LWR’s deputy regional
director for Latin America, who visited Haiti in June. “Lots of
families left the city initially, but then went back in search of
shelter, work and educational opportunities. However, the situation
in Port-au-Prince remains critical, and many have now returned to
their communities of origin a second time.”
LWR is working with local partners to support rural communities
through cash-for-work programs to build soil and water conservation
structures, distribution of additional seeds in preparation for the
rainy season and training on agricultural production, to ensure that
people have some income and that farmers are able to grow sufficient
food to feed everyone. In addition, LWR is supporting the
construction of latrines and low-cost water filter systems to
accommodate the additional populations that have fled to rural
areas.
“We lost one child during the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, and we
didn’t even have time for a funeral,” said Monique Orestil, a
participant in LWR’s program in Maissade, a rural community located
about a four hour drive north of Port-au-Prince. “I brought my
remaining five children here, and LWR helped me participate in a
cash-for-work program. It was like God landing in Maissade. I left
Port-au-Prince without anything, but now I can work for my family.”
As a member of the global aid consortium ACT Alliance, LWR has also
supported life-saving measures in and around Port-au-Prince, since
the days immediately after the earthquake. ACT Alliance members have
provided food, water and sanitation, shelter and other services to
more than 341,000 people.
“We are in a transition period now, moving from immediate relief
efforts into the rehabilitation phase so that rural families can
re-establish their livelihoods,” Wilson said. LWR, taking a
long-term approach to rehabilitation and recovery, plans to work
with earthquake-affected communities for five years.
“This was a devastating crisis,” Wilson added. “Recovery will take a long time.”
Trinity Lutheran Church, Princeton, MN
Our Mission: Invite, Equip, Send
Welcome to the website of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA). Located less than sixty miles from downtown Minneapolis on the northern edge of the twin cities, we are a community of faith committed to growing in and sharing the love of Christ with each other, with the community and with the world!
On this website you will find information about the various ministries, service times, educational and outreach projects we do together as a family of faith. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the information below.
If you are in the area, we invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings!
Blessings on your journey of faith!
Office phone: 763.389.2671
For problems with this website contact:
