S.O.S Operation Espoir, INC

ated at 25 miles from the city of Independence which is Gonaives and Baden is located at 15 miles from Gros-Morne. The impoverished people of the village of Baden must walk miles daily roundtrip to obtain clean water. The water came from contaminated rivers which approximately thousands community members from different sectors (Gros-Morne, Tache, La Visite, Moulin...etc) share with almost 5,000.00 from these neighboring villagers. Haiti is considered as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere that was hit by the January 12, 2010, 7.0, Magnitude Earthquake, was the worst quake in two centuries. 80% of the population is living below poverty level in the Human Development index and 54 % are in abject poverty. The Baden villagers used to survive with sugar cane production that is destroyed by several factors that cause the poverty level in under rise. They currently rely on mangos that are seasonal. They are living in less than $ 1.00 for family of 5 and the children’s birth is rampant and the majority of children have never received any of immunizations. The villagers, adult, elderly and children have to cross two huge rivers (three Rivers of Artibonite region and the Moulin River to come to Gros-Morne, the main town to seek medical care, to attend school and other related activities. The rivers crossing are not usually accessible for the children especially during the raining season. Therefore, they stay in the village without proper education, medical care and other basic needs that keep them from reaching their potential. They are in desperate need of clean water, latrine, nutrition, access to school, and medical care to meet their daily needs of the village’s family and the children. NEED

Baden, a rural village of approximately 5,000 residents itself is in need of a consistent and steady supply of drinking water. The river is contaminated with human and animal waste, and is also used for bathing and washing clothes. The villagers dig superficial hole near the rivers and surroundings areas to cover their f***s. The result is that the rampant spread of water-borne disease is adversely impacting the Health of the Baden community, including children, teenagers and adults, which prevent many from attending school and receiving medical care. The Baden families live in small pre-fab shacks, tents and makeshift shelters. Cooking is done traditional way between three solid rocks and dried branches and access to clean water is quite limited leading to an epidemic of cholera and other disease in the region. Baden has no reliable source to potable water. The residents of Baden and its surroundings must share untreated sources contaminated source with thousands of residents and walk long distance. No efforts have been made in the past to provide the basic necessity to his community. The people of Baden use the three Artibonite Rivers or the Moulin River to cook, to drink, to bath and to wash their clothes and to bath their cattle and their domestic pets. The risk of contracting water borne diseases from the contaminated water due to animal and human waste is high. The villagers are not educated to prevent their children from being sick. Most ended up to voodoo priest seeking help believing that they are spells instead of seeking medical care outside of the village. The Baden community is desperate need of a reliable, clean and safe potable water supply to break the never-ending unsafe drinking water causing cholera, skin disease, diarrhea and other related sickness. S.O.S Operation Espoir Inc, a small non-profit organization based in Worcester Massachusetts established with a goal of assisting and improving the quality of life of Haitian in the remote village of Baden, one of the 7eme rural section of Gros-Morne Gonaives. My name is Ketelie A. I am a licensed Social Worker, native Haitian and I am the president of S.O.S Operation Espoir Inc. I was raised near the village surrounding Baden, Gros-Morne and have a long standing commitment to those who are living there. S.O.S Operation Espoir, established in 2009, is 501© 3 registered with the state of Massachusetts. S.O.S Operation Espoir is a small organization with about 300 hundred contributing members. This organization is operated by entirely by volunteers and donors. To date, we have an average operating budget for 60,000.00, 95% of which is sent directly on distribution of food and clothing and basic medical supplies to the people of Baden (Haiti). S.O.S Operation Espoir has a long term commitment with the village of Baden in Haiti. The primary goal and mission of S.O.S Operation Espoir is to meet the basic needs of the people of Baden in Haiti and to improve the equality of life of the children living there. S.O.S Operation Espoir concentrates its works in three areas:
Access to clean water and food
Access to medical care
Access to basic education for the children. S.O.S Operation Espoir has a goal of securing a water filtration or working to ensure that a well is dug in the village, which is essential to fighting the disease as is oral hydration and tainted water contributes to the spreading of illness. Providing food to the children and their families is very important as they barely can afford a meal at the end of the day. S.O.S Operation Espoir collects and ships basic medical supplies to the people of Baden and has provided education on hygiene and health. S.O.S Operation has a long term goal of providing and equipping basic clinic a Baden where medical professional could provide care to the village of 5,000 people on a regular basis. It is S.O.S Operation Espoir mission to build a relationship and meet the needs of the Baden families through sustainable and reliable engineering methods. S.O.S Operation Espoir is actively fundraising to complete this project. Donations will be solicited from individuals and future support will be sought from other Philanthropy Agencies and from local government agencies. To this end, S.O.S Operation Espoir began construction on a building which could function a multi-purpose community center for the village. It would provide shelter space a clinic and a shelter space for the community. S.O.S Operation Espoir believes that children should receive a basic education. In Baden 75% of children are left home because of the poverty level. Also, the %25 takes the risk to cross two huge rivers with their parents to navigate 15 miles of difficult terrain to the main city, which is Gros-Morne to seek education no matter their age level. During the rain seasons, they stay home. S.O.S Operation Espoir has recruited teachers and is currently collecting educational materials. S.O.S Operation Espoir hopes to establish in the community center that would function as a school for the village. S.O.S Operation has an active board member. It will provide a financial statement and will carry on its activities with the higher standard. S.O.S Operation maintains confidentialities of all information about donors. It will respect the privacy of the beneficiaries. It will adhere to a written code of ethical fundraising

S.O.S Operation Espoir’s children at Baden in Haiti are facing challenges and obstacles imposed on them by a number of historical, social and political sources. Economic factors also affect their physical and spiritual lives to such a degree that lack of bread and knowledge can determine of their future. In order to become productive and contributing citizens, the children need support and assistance in order to break the cycle of misery and poverty inherited from previous generations. S.O.S Operation Espoir is providing needed services to the children and their families. OBJECTIVES

1) To break the cycle of illiteracy, disease, premature death, and poverty that has plagued poor children and their families in the Baden community in Haiti for a long period of time by providing preventative and creative solutions.
2) To teach the Baden's children in Haiti foundations principles, which will motivate them to be responsible citizens?
3) To encourage the Baden's children in Haiti and their families to be creative and productive, challenging and enhancing inherent abilities in order to empower and build up their communities.
4) S.O.S Operation Espoir will promote methods and programs, which will encourage family cohesiveness keeping the family as a unit.
5) To seek exponential effects, one child and family becoming productive will motivate other to follow their example. Families who are self-supporting will no longer be a burden to their society. BENEFITS

By insuring clean and safe drinking water, nutritious meals, educational, social assistance and medical care, the Baden children and their families will be motivated to reach beyond obstacles to a hope-field direction. Their better standard of living will provide a solid foundation for their future. Your grant to S.O.S Operation Espoir will support the literacy efforts, the medical care, to provide the families of Baden Village and their children with sustainable access to basics such as nutritious food, clean water, latrine, health care and basic education. INCOME------------------------------------FY 2011

Memberships--------------------------------------------------------------$ 10,000
Individual donors----------------------------------------------------------$ 5,000
Fundraising-----------------------------------------------------------------$ 1,000
Grants------------------------------------------------------------------------$ 20,000
Total--------------------------------------------------------------------------$ 36,000


BUDGET

Personnel

Labor/Construction-----------------------------------------------------------$ 15,000
Food-------------------------------------------------------------------------------$ 10,000
Clothing---------------------------------------------------------------------------$ 5,000
Medical Supplies and Medical Care----------------------------------------$ 4,000
Shipping &Postage----------------------------------------------------------- -- $ 3,000
Travel & Accommodations----------------------------------------------------$ 1,500
Telephone (International calls) ----------------------------------------------$ 1,000

S.O.S Operation Espoir will maintain regular contact with the Haitian coordinator and will work closely with Haitian education school, parents and the elderly in the community of Baden in Haiti. Thank you for being part of the transformation team at Baden Haiti

Ketelie A. Altena
S.O.S Operation Espoir
2 Vg’s Way
Worcester, MA 01604
(508) 250-7379