| Corrections,
Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi)
Huyghebaert today announced that the province
of Saskatchewan continues to support the efforts
of the Saskatchewan people and their generous
spirit when it comes to giving assistance to the
Haiti relief effort.
Quote - YH.
It’s that spirit of generosity and caring
that has motivated a delegation of eight Saskatchewan
residents to embark on a relief mission to Haiti
in early March.
"Based on the outpouring of aid in the aftermath
of the earthquake, it is clear that the people
of Saskatchewan are committed to supporting the
Haitian people in their long term reconstruction
efforts,” Saskatchewan Roughrider fullback
and Regina City Councilor Chris Szarka announced
Wednesday morning inside the Saskatchewan Legislature.
“Our delegation is traveling to Haiti to
demonstrate this Saskatchewan commitment, and
to pledge that the people of Haiti will not be
forgotten or forsaken."
Partnering with the Canadian-based NGO Haiti
Arise, the Saskatchewan delegation will be living
and working inside a 12-acre tent city, assisting
3000 - 5000 refugees daily. Relief work will be
provided in a variety of areas, from water and
food distribution, to simple emergency medical
care and the reconstruction of the compound's
perimeter security wall, which collapsed in the
quake.
“Our vision is of formally structuring
a local group – ‘Western Canada Relief
For Haiti’ - in tandem with other organizations,
to assist Haiti in its recovery, by providing
long-term support,” said Haitian-born and
raised Carlos Petit-Homme, now a resident of Regina.
"The nature of watching a disaster of this
magnitude unfold is that you want to meet the
challenges head on, learning and adapting with
a hands on approach.” said Szarka.
“The potential of most people — even
those that are in a significant state of poverty
or that have suffered immense harm — to
stand up and carry on is both humbling and inconceivable."
The Saskatchewan delegation:
Roland LaFrance - Roland is quite involved with
Saskatchewan companies providing management and
training services.
Carlos Petit-Homme - Gaming Control Specialist
for the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation - born
and raised in Haiti, ex-Red Cross and Haitian
police force.
Sharon McDaniel - MSc Environmental Engineering
with a focus on water and wastewater.
John Bower - 35-year certified Saskatchewan public
health inspector. Special focus on sanitation
and sewage systems.
Brad LaFrance - Trained in search and rescue,
licensed heavy equipment operator and construction.
Kathleen Rispler -
For more
information please contact:
Carlos Petit-Homme
Ph. (306) YA-HAITI (924-2484)
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