The heartbreaking news of the catastrophic earthquake that hit the small island nation of Haiti on January 12 has caught the attention of people the world over. Many people with no personal connection, other than a concern for their fellow man, are looking to aid the victims of this enormous natural disaster.

As the island struggles to recover, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haitian descent. CSI is encouraging its member schools to support the charitable organizations who are directly involved with the Haitian relief efforts. Jesus said these powerful words in Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) 35 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Can there be a more appropriate scripture in the Word to get our eyes focused on the need before us?

Below are some relief organizations that CSI recommends for providing funds to purchase essential food and other goods necessary for the people of Haiti.

Options you can consider:

1. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has several schools in Haiti that were damaged by the earthquake. You can help their schools by donating to the ACSI plan for Christian school recovery in Haiti.  Please visit www.acsi.org to learn how you can help with the Haiti Relief program.

2. One of the former staff memeber at CSI (Lydia Dant) is working with Partners in Health, a large non-profit healthcare organization in Haiti. They are sending skilled staff to Port-Au-Prince from the United States and the northern part of Haiti to assist in the recovery efforts. You can donote to their organization by visiting https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source-earthquake&subsource=email.

3. You can make a donation to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee who has been in Haiti since the earthquake. Every dollar donated makes a difference and now if Canadians give a donation to the Haiti earthquake victims through CRWRC by February 12th, it will double in impact due to a generous contribution from the Canadian government. Visit http://www.crcna.org/pages/helphaiti_2010.cfm. Checks marked "Haiti Earthquake 2010" can also be sent to:

CRWRC-US
2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560.
Ph: 1-800-55-CRWRC

CRWRC-Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD 1
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8
Ph: 1-800-730-3490 

I thank you in advance for your anticipated prayers, compassion, and generosity.

Blessings in Christ,

David J. Koetje – President/CEO of CSI

UPDATE – Students of Ponoka Christian School Respond:

Our students felt very compelled right from the first day to do something. They held an emergency student council meeting and came up with different ideas of how to fundraise for the people of Haiti. Last week they raised $5025 – not bad for a small school of 69 students.
Blessing as you help to mobilize for the cause.


Robert Morris
Principal of Ponoka Christian School