On the second anniversary of the devastating Haiti earthquake, the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Kelowna has decided to send their annual tithe for overseas work to Habitat for Humanity in Haiti. The contribution from Kelowna will be matched three-to-one by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

HFH Kelowna contributes ten percent of all unrestricted donations to help Habitat for Humanity International.

In keeping with its philosophy of empowering families in need, Habitat for Humanity is developing a new outreach program to help Haitians learn construction skills and establish their own community plans. Stewart Hardacre, CEO of HFH Canada, explains that, `”this will lead to Haitians having the skills they need to rebuild their nation in ruin and provide safe places to live to the so many still in dire need.”

Since the earthquake, Habitat for Humanity has worked to provide temporary shelter, home repair, sanitation facilities, and medical care to Haitian families.  Claude Jeudy, HFH Haiti’s national director, has expressed his gratitude to Habitat donors and volunteers: “We’ll never forget what they did and what they’re doing for the Haitian people. We will not be able to pay back, maybe, what we receive. But there is Someone that takes note of every single action, and one day or another they will … receive back what they did. We will keep them in our prayers.”

Donations to help Habitat for Humanity’s work in the Central Okanagan or overseas can be made through the affiliate website at www.habitatforhumanitykelowna.ca.