wfn.org | Newsline: Brethren Disaster Ministries offers workcamps in Haiti

[cobnews <cobnews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES OFFERS WORKCAMPS IN HAITI

(May 7, 2009) Elgin, IL -- Brethren Disaster Ministries is seeking voluntee rs to help build homes in Haiti, as part of a new disaster recovery project  following hurricanes and storms that caused widespread destruction last ye ar. The longterm response project was initiated earlier this year by Brethr en Disaster Ministries and the Church of the Brethren Haiti Mission. It has  been funded by grants totaling $305,000 from the Church of the Brethren's  Emergency Disaster Fund.

Jeff Boshart is serving as the Haiti disaster response coordinator, working  with Haitian consultant Klebert Exceus, in cooperation with Haiti mission  coordinator Ludovic St. Fleur and the Haitian Brethren congregations.

"This is an exciting chance to serve and worship alongside our Haitian Bret hren," said the announcement. "So far, Brethren Disaster Ministries has hel ped build 40 homes in Haiti. While we are thankful for progress made, there  is so much more to be accomplished.  We will be building 60 more homes, an d volunteers are needed to meet this goal."

Three Haiti Hurricane Response Workcamps are planned for 2009: on May 30-Ju ne 8 (registration is due by May 11), Aug. 7-16 (registration is due by Jul y 6), and in October (dates to be announced). Volunteers will work, eat, an d worship with Haitian Christians and help rebuild homes in the mountainous  Mirebalais area and the coastal city of Gonaíves. Workcampers also will  worship with the Haitian Brethren in the capital Port-au-Prince and other p reaching points.

Cost will be from $1,000-$1,200, from Miami, Fla. The fee will cover meals,  lodging, in-country transportation, and travel insurance, but does not inc lude round-trip transportation from the volunteer's home to Miami.

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Other requirements include exc ellent health, stamina for hard work in a hot climate and two-mile treks up  mountain paths, a passport, appropriate vaccinations and medications (mala ria medications are recommended), and sensitivity and flexibility with rega rd to cultural differences.

In addition to home rebuilding, the broad-based project also includes a mic ro-loan program to fund the purchase of farm animals and support small busi nesses, shipment of meals for local schools, medical supplies for clinics,  providing canned meat from the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Pennsylvania Distr icts canning project, and training and capacity building for Haitian leader ship.

For more information or to register for a workcamp, go to www.brethrendisas terministries.org or call 800-451-4407.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000 members across the  United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nig eria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org