People living in a small, rural Haitian community unknown to most, used web video conferencing technology to ask San Diegans for help in their efforts to rebuild their town.
Fondwa, a village about two hours from Port-au-Prince, has been the site of an ongoing project to build roads, schools, health care services and potable water for more than 20 years.
The quake that struck near the nation's capital on Jan. 12 devastated the entire village, according to one resident. Through letters, the residents have asked for immediate needs including blankets, sheets, flash lights, water, food and clothes for children.
On Monday, Allison DePasquale who works for the University of Fondwa, appealed to San Diegans via Skype.
The devastation to the small community is great. One community leader has been posting updates to
the university’s Facebook page.
“Everything in Fondwa has gone,” Father Joseph B. Philippe posted last week.
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“The infrastructure that we have built in 22 years: the Orphanage, the School, the APF Center, the Clinic, the Radio Station ( Radyo Zetwal ) the Sisters' Convent, the buildings of the University of Fondwa ( 7 of them). Everything has gone.”
”Their whole way of life was not great to begin with and now,” said Van Grove who has been following the requests for relief through social media. “It’s really, really sad.”
In the online documentary “The Road to Fondwa”, produced before the quake struck, you can see how difficult life was for residents of Fondwa before the destruction of community buildings and loss of basic services.
“They really need support,” Van Grove said. “You can support them by watching the Road to Fondwa on YouTube and sharing it through Facebook and Twitter.”
DePasquale said they are in desperate need of donations for medical supplies and temporary housing. The ports will likely be clogged for some time, she said, and so donations would allow them to purchase the supplies from neighboring communities not damaged by the quake.
You can get more information on how to help or follow the updates from UNIF through their Facebook page or their Twitter account.
