Students build homes in Haiti, creating a legacy

July 28, 2011 - 11:22 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

COCONUT CREEK, FL (July 28, 2011) - At the same time Haitians came together to elect a new president, a government teacher in California challenged high school seniors to combine their talents through their curriculum to erect safe, permanent houses for destitute families in Haiti. Since the fall, two groups of students at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita have partnered with the international relief and development agency Food For The Poor, to move destitute Haitian families out of unsafe housing and unsanitary living conditions.

"The opportunity to participate in raising money for a family in Haiti really brings joy to my heart," said Justin Hirano, a senior at Valencia High School. "I raised money by singing and playing my guitar at a park on one of my free weekends for a few hours. Before I knew it people were putting dollar bills into the guitar case."

Playing a guitar in the park was only one way the 74 students chose to raise money this spring to change a family's life in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Money earned kissing chihuahuas, selling homemade lollipops, lemonade and baked goods was combined to give the gift of a new home with sanitation. The students raised a total of $3,682, so the family also received rice and beans for one year, a small-business project for income, school supplies for two children, and clothing and shoes.

Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle For a Loved One

"Knowing that my little fundraising did so much for a family in need has had me thinking a lot about doing more for the people in Haiti," said Camilla Maalouf, a senior at Valencia High School. "Definitely over the summer I will talk to some of my friends and family about going there to help build houses and/or whatever else is needed to help out."

Government teacher Greg Hayes learned of Food For The Poor's house building initiative while listening to KKLA-FM 99.5 FM Los Angeles. Now, only a few months later, photographs of the two beneficiary families standing in front of their new Food For The Poor homes hang in Hayes' classroom.

"Once they saw the first picture [from Haiti] it was unbelievably humbling and heartwarming to them," said Hayes. "Some had never done anything like this before in their life."

Hayes' students were in disbelief when they realized how their collective donations had changed the fortune and future of a family in Haiti.

"When Mr. Hayes showed me the picture of the family that we provided the house for, it was an eye-opening experience for me," said Emily Tuffey, 17, a senior at Valencia High School. "I didn't realize what we had actually done until I saw the picture, and I was so proud of our class. I had mentioned to a family friend that my Government class was raising money for Food For The Poor and she immediately wanted to donate all she could to the program."

"This program truly opened my eyes," said Kelsey Sepehri, 18, a senior at Valencia High School. "With only a little effort I was able to raise money for a family that was less fortunate."

In March, David Duncan, a senior at Valencia High School, died suddenly. At graduation, the students decided to dedicate one of the two homes they helped build in Haiti in Duncan's memory. Both of Duncan's parents teach at Valencia High School.

A donation of $3,200 can build a home with a latrine and shower stall for a destitute family, providing them with access to proper sanitation, privacy and a secure place to call home.

To involve your school or church group in Food For The Poor's mission call 1-877-654-2960, ext. 6988 or e-mail churchschool@foodforthepoor.org.

Food For The Poor, the third-largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

Contact

Food For The Poor
http://www.foodforthepoor.org/newsroom/news/students-build-homes-06-20-11.html
FL, 33073 US
Jennifer Oates - Public Relations, 954-427-2222 x 6054

Keywords

Food For The Poor, Valencia High School, Haiti, Housing, Cap-Haitien, KKLA-FM 99.5 FM Los Angeles

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »