The people of Haiti are in desperate need of food, water, medical care, and assistance of almost every imaginable kind.

The most urgent need is HOUSING! 

The devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010 changed everything for the people of Haiti.  The toll of lives lost and injured number in the hundreds of thousands. Over TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND HOMES WERE DESTROYED!!!  Over a million homeless survivors are left to face the overwhelming task of somehow rebuilding their lives, with little resources of their own.  Most of these refugees are now living in the streets or in “tent” cities. 

In addition to the tent cities in Port-au-Prince, estimates are that 600,000 people have left and returned to their home areas in the countryside.  These refugees are descending on relatives and friends who are already struggling to survive.  Most families all over the countryside now have as many as 8-12 extra people living with them.  The need for extra housing for these displaced families is enormous. 

RMI wants to provide culturally relevant Transitional Homes, not simply shelters, to displaced refugees.

As it has for decades, Reciprocal Ministries International (RMI) is partnering with North American churches, individuals and organizations to provide assistance, along with local Haitian churches and communities to those who are in desperate need.  We have met with national Christian leaders to determine what kind of structure would best provide dignity, stability, security, and a sense of hope for the future.  RMI will be working with these national leaders to determine the recipients and placement of these Transitional Homes. 

RMI’s Transitional Homes meet or exceed the requirements of the International Hurricane and Earthquake Building Code.  The 10 ft x 20 ft home on a concrete slab will have a small porch added to the front as they spend much of their time outside the house.  It will have 2 locking doors so they will feel secure as well as have 2 ways of egress from the house.  There will be 2 locking windows for light, air flow but also security.   These are the features that were identified by the Haitian leaders that would provide a culturally relevant structure that will enable these often very traumatized families to feel some stability, security, and at home. 

A transitional home provides dignity to a family who has lost everything; it provides a sense of normalcy.  It provides a place of hope where they can re-group and work at re-building their lives.  RMI’s Homes for Haiti program will do just that! 

Each transitional home costs $6800*.  This cost includes:  prefabrication, shipping to Haiti, concrete slab, transportation, labor, placement, assembly in place, follow-up, and a Haitian Bible for every family.

Two ways you can be vitally involved:

1)  YOU CAN BE A PROVIDER OF A HOME!

      You can cover the cost of a home, or you can help with a part of a home.

2)  YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP CAN BE A PROVIDER!

       Ideas of groups who can provide a house:

• A church can commit to provide several houses.

• A Sunday School class or Bible study group can provide a house.

• A business can collect funds to provide a house.

• Civic organizations such as a Rotary Club, the Elks or Lions can raise funds for several houses.

• Foundations, schools, etc. It is limited to your imagination.

You can organize a team of people to come for a week to assemble homes.  Or you can join another team who is coming.RMI will use Haitian labor as much as possible, but US teams are encouraged to come assist in the onsite assembly of homes.  Our goal is to provide 1,000 Transitional Homes for displaced Haitian families.RMI’s “Homes for Haiti” is not just providing shelter.  You are providing a “Home today for Haiti’s Tomorrow”!  These families are counting on us to help them at this desperate time in their life to provide a stable, culturally relevant, secure environment providing hope for their family.  Let’s meet this urgent need together! 

You can donate:

• Online here.  (If you choose to donate with a Credit Card, would you please consider adding 5% to your donation to help us cover our Credit Card fees?  Thank you.)

• By sending a check to RMI designated “Homes for Haiti”.

*Price subject to change depending on material costs.