Rotary Big Breakfast hits the spot for Haiti

Lily Dane • Published 11 Feb 2010 10:34 Comments 1 Comment

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Huge support was shown to the people of Haiti during the Rotary Big Breakfast at the Killyhevlin Hotel yesterday morning, Wednesday.

The Enniskillen club is giving its backing to the Rotary Shelterbox effort in Haiti and large numbers of local people turned out to back the club's fundraising efforts.

"If ever a country needs help it's Haiti," said guest speaker, Fr. Brian D'Arcy who provided a short history of the country, which he said had 10 million people living there before the earthquake.

Yesterday morning, he reported that "as a result of this awful earthquake" it is estimated that "more than 230,000 people are dead" in Haiti, a place which Fr. Brian referred to as "the poorest country in the Northern Hemisphere".

He spoke of the huge loss of life sustained in Haiti due to flooding in 2004 and he spoke of the devastating effects of hurricanes in 2005 and 2008.

"2010, now we have one quarter of a million dead and the country flattened," said Fr. Brian.

He described it as wonderful to see these Shelterboxes being provided by Rotary and he thanked the organisation for what it is doing.

He urged people to do as much as they can to help these poor people. "Be grateful for what we have," urged Fr. Brian, who said to "be good to people in need. Be generous."

Guests at the breakfast included Mrs. Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr. Robert Irvine, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, and Mr. Wes Armstrong, Rotary District Governor Elect (who has family in Trillick).

Wes Armstrong thanked Enniskillen for organising the breakfast and he described the club as one of the most vibrant and giving clubs in Ireland.

In reference to the Shelterbox Scheme, he explained that boxes are ready instantly for dispatch and are customised to where the disaster is.

Each shelterbox costs £490 and they do not have to wait until the money has arrived. "Your money is replenishing a bank of stock," explained Mr. Armstrong. The most needy time is instant.

At this point, he reported that the District of Ireland had raised a figure of £125,000 for Haiti. He believes there will be at least £150,000.

People who could not attend yesterday's breakfast also sent donations and Rotary President Jenny McCrea extended thanks to everyone for their support.

During the breakfast a cheque for £924.26 was received from a group of Portora schoolboys, accompanied by their teacher Sally Rees. The presentation was made on behalf of staff and students by members of the Key Stage 4 Student Council, who organised a non-uniform day. They decided to donate the proceeds to the Rotary Club appeal towards the provision of Shelterboxes.

Meanwhile, John Leach (UK), who has been running the aid effort from Shelterbox HQ and was relishing the chance to coordinate the response from the field, reports that "the logistical problems had eased and it is a relief to have a sizeable quantity of boxes on the ground and we can concentrate more on the distribution of boxes rather than the difficulty of getting them in."

He said "there is still an overwhelming need for shelter" and they have to continue to do all they can to get ShelterBoxes to those who need them most.

With the arrival of the latest shipment of aid, the total number of ShelterBoxes sent to Haiti will have reached 7,000; enough aid for 70,000 Haitians.

The ShelterBox Response Team on the ground say there are still thousands of people in need of shelter and the operation remains challenging.

ShelterBox Response Team member Tom Lay (UK) said: "We're working extremely hard delivering boxes and providing people with shelter but there are still so many people in need of our help."

Only new equipment is used and is carefully selected for durability, practicality and suitability for where it is needed. Tough, lightweight and waterproof, the box itself can also have many useful functions from food container to cot.

A range of equipment is kept in stock. This lets them adjust the contents of the box according to local conditions and what is most urgently needed.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Feb 10

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