Times are tough in Haiti. As the people of this small island begin to recover from the 12 January 2010 earthquake, the head of the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre, Br. Shu'ayb is holding on and preparing for the re-opening of the Al Mahdi community school so that the children do not lose the entire school year.

Preparing for the return means he will have to:

• Demolish part of the school walls that were damaged by the quake so that the children feel safe to be on the grounds again. As well, just in case some tremors should occur, there is less chance of any physical damage happening to them.
• Provide psychological and emotional support to the children. As a result of the earthquake, the adults, and in particular the children, have and continue to suffer from psychological trauma. They will not enter any building that is over two storeys high, out of fear that a second earthquake may occur. 
• Prepare for the reality of receiving more orphans at his school, as the numbers of requests to take more children has increased dramatically. In addition, the streets are filled with young people, who are isolated and without families.
• Gather supplies including paper, pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens, notebooks, dictionaries (in French), Qur'ans, prayer rugs and tasbeehs. These items including tarpaulin are in a container en route to the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre.. He will also need tarpaulin to build a shade to protect them from the sun, as classes will be held outside on the school grounds.
• Manage without electricity, which has yet to be fully restored.
• Make a concerted effort to locate all the children as people are still living on the streets. As well, others had migrated to the country side and have not returned to the city.

A group of sisters in Montreal had been working every weekend since February to collect monetary donations, sort through and pack clothing, shoes and personal care items to fill a 20 foot container to send to the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre in Haiti. They also purchased children’s clothing, school supplies and one of the sisters made uniforms for some of the students of the Centre. The World Federation and NASIMCO stepped in and donated $5,000 CAD towards the cost of non-perishable food, tents and foam mattresses which are in great demand, especially since the rainy season will be upon them in May or June.  Alhamdulillah, by the Grace and Mercy of Allah (SWT) over 125 boxes were loaded into the container by a sincere group of brothers and left Montreal during the week of 29 March 2010.

The World Federation is working closely with Br. Shu’ayb to address the needs of the community in Haiti and to begin the monumental rebuilding efforts.

TO DONATE:

Click here to Donate on The World Federation Website
 
Click here to Donate in Canada or USA, (via NASIMCO)

Click here to Donate in Europe (via CoEJ)

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org