E-Bulletin - October 2021 (#4)

Exciting updates from Haiti & the DR, and all the latest Rayjon news.
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Haiti Earthquake – Recovery Underway

When the 7.2 earthquake struck the Tiburon Peninsula (SW Haiti), it killed at least 2,200 people and injured more than 12,000 more. More than 500,000 people have been affected and the damage is catastrophic: more than 50,000 homes were destroyed, along with schools, churches, and health clinics.  

In the aftermath many organizations have been providing aid and assistance, especially organizations with extensive experience in disaster relief and recovery. With all Rayjon-supported activities being located outside of the affected region, and with little capacity or expertise in disaster relief, we decided that our primary role would be to bring awareness to the situation, and to share with the Canadian public more about how they might help.

Rayjon immediately circulated a list of organizations working in SW Haiti with whom we have strong connections, and whom we know the public can trust to use donations quickly and effectively.

At the same time, our senior staff in St. Marc shared with us their own concerns.

Mr. Renaud Thomas, who is Manager & Community Coordinator in St. Marc, overseeing all Rayjon-supported programs, and many of his colleagues and friends, felt strongly that they needed to help their fellow Haitian brothers and sisters in the Les Cayes region. Renaud requested support to assemble a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to travel to Les Cayes and work with two of the organizations there providing direct assistance, as volunteers. We were proud to support this valiant effort, by giving Renaud leave from his duties in St. Marc, and providing a small initial contribution of $1,000 to cover some of the logistics and supplies needed to get started.

Upon arriving in Les Cayes, the team learned quickly that most relief efforts were being concentrated in the urban areas most hard-hit. Vulnerable families in the rural, harder to reach areas were being almost completely neglected and were suffering immensely. Skin infections from earthquake related injuries were going untreated. Homes were destroyed and villagers were sleeping in the elements (with a hurricane on the way), with serious risk of landslide. No assistance was coming from the NGOs centred on relief in the urban zones. And so Renaud and his team decided to concentrate their efforts to assist as many rural villagers as possible. Renaud quickly gained support from two other NGOs, securing additional funding. The following pictures show the team of doctors, nurses, agronomists and skilled labourers  assisting with the two most urgent needs: shelter and emergency health care. 

A mother and her 7 children were living here before the team arrived. They now have a temporary home.

LEFT: Families wait their turn to be seen by a doctor at a makeshift medical clinic in rural Les Cayes.

BELOW: Renaud & his team of volunteers get to work building temporary, but safe and strong, shelters for displaced families.

The team was so successful that Rayjon has promised to send $5,000 in additional support to support the construction of additional housing for displaced rural families, and ongoing health care (there is a huge need for medicines, first aid supplies, and general medical care) in the coming weeks. Recovery will be slow, but generous donations in Canada are helping families in Haiti to slowly rebuild.

 

 

Join us for our Annual General Meeting 2021

Thursday, October 28th at 6:30 PM (EST) via Zoom. 

Equity Piece

“When we can learn from one another and begin to talk in an open and non-judgemental way then we can begin to bring forth positive change.” – Lindsey Travis

This month for “Equity Piece,” we hear from Lindsey Travis, Project Coordinator with Sarnia Lambton Alliance against Hate and dedicated Rayjon volunteer. 

Hate Has No Home Here

An interview with Lindsey Travis

Lindsey Travis is the John Howard Society’s Project Coordinator with Sarnia Lambton Alliance against Hate (SLAH), an organization that was recently formed as a partnership between the John Howard Society of Sarnia Lambton, Lambton Kent District School Board, Sarnia Lambton Local Immigration Partnership, and the Sarnia Police Service. The program was launched after it received a provincial grant through the Safer and Vital Communities Grant.

This is her story…  [Interviewed by Gord Walkling, October 2021]

 

Let’s step back a bit. You have also been involved with Rayjon. Tell us about the different ways you have volunteered.

I was first introduced to Rayjon through a friend, who shared about the impactful projects that Rayjon facilitates. As I found out more about the organization, I embraced opportunities to be involved and felt honoured to participant in a variety of ways, including joining and co-leading awareness trips to Haiti, the Fall Fair, and the Women Helping Women events. I was also able to see first-hand what can happen when individuals come together for the greater good, to spark a conversation about equality, both locally and internationally.

A focus of Rayjon is to bring awareness to Canadians of what it is happening in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Due to the experiences I have had with Rayjon I have learned that social issues around the world are diverse, yet similar. 

Lindsey Travis equity piece photo

[photo above]: Lindsey on a Rayjon trip to Haiti in 2016.

hate has no home here logo

How did your experience with Rayjon lead you to get involved with the work of the SLAH?

Rayjon has been a source of awareness and support for so many people, much like the John Howard Society in matters of social justice. Both organizations acknowledge that the experiences individuals have and the hardships that can befall them, are not exclusive, but are interconnected with greater societal issues and injustice. Therefore, when they are addressed, the outcomes can improve the well-being of not only those directly impacted by the issue, but for all of humanity.

Rayjon represents what it means to be active in addressing social justice issues, particularly when it comes to females, and those with limited means. Rayjon shows up and works alongside individuals in a way that supports the goals and plans of those who are receiving the support. They recognize that the individuals living the experience are the expertise in what will work well, rather than what is only a good plan in theory. It is because of this approach that Rayjon is a collaborator on this project. They recognize the importance and value of working together and making honest and conscious choices to engage individuals in the community that they are assisting, without imposing.

SLAH is a program that is very much based in community connections with everyone, regardless of their background, ability, beliefs, and skills, because we acknowledge that Sarnia is diverse. Unless we embrace this diversity and are inclusive in action then we are not fulfilling the potential of the program.

 

Often there’s a personal connection that motivates us to volunteer. Would you care to elaborate further on this?

As a black female I recognize the presence of discrimination and have experienced it myself and so when I found out about the Sarnia Lambton Alliance against Hate program, I knew that I wanted to be part of this movement.

It’s an issue that historically has not been addressed in a way that all citizens are encouraged to have the honest and challenging conversation about what is happening locally. People tend to respond to hate-motivated acts with silence, and the silence suggests that the issue does not exist, but it does.

There are not a lot of supports that are tailored to the experience of hate-motivated acts, not only in Sarnia but also across Canada, and so when the concept of this program arrived, I knew that it was going to be something big. 

 

How does SLAH address the problem of Hate?

A hate or bias motivated act includes harassment, assault, vandalism of personal property, intimidation, and threats of violence.

SLAH is a program that has been created from the beginning through consultation and collaboration with the community. It is focused on working together with the community to create a sustainable program that can be created, implemented, shared, and grown with the community. 

The program is designed to walk alongside individuals when they have witnessed, or been a target of, or impacted by hate-motivated acts. The support includes:

  • Providing emotional support to the targets of such acts
  • Working collaboratively with program partners to address potential barriers to reporting
  • Educating the community about hate crimes and their impact on individuals and communities
  • Exploring ways to be an ally to peers, neighbours, and colleagues
  • Providing community resource information related to social services and other support institutions and community groups.

This impact of connecting to one another through conversations is a significant aspect of this program, and in sharing the impact that acting in kindness can bring. As we continue to bring awareness to the program’s existence it is our hope that those who may have been hesitant to come forward in the past to report or talk about an incident, may feel more comfortable reaching out knowing that they will be received with dignity, respect and acceptance.

 

As the Project Coordinator, what are your hopes for the program?

The hopes for the future of the program are that it will foster honest discussions amongst individuals, including individuals that have experiences and beliefs that do not align with our own. When we can learn from one another and begin to talk in an open and non-judgemental way then we can begin to bring forth positive change. It is our hope that Sarnia Lambton will be known as a community that reflects acceptance, inclusion, and diversity in many forms.

SLAH hopes to be a driving force for change in the community when it comes to addressing acts of hate. As the program continues, we will focus on increasing awareness as to what a hate-motivated act is, and its impact, as well as foster opportunities for individuals to come forward to report these acts in a supportive environment.

We will also be seeking opportunities to receive feedback regarding the service provided, and any opportunities for improvement. We acknowledge that as time evolves the needs of the community will change as well, and so the more feedback that we can gather about the support offered the more effective and impactful we can be.

It is also our hope that this program will provide a base for which other John Howard Society branches can replicate to connect, support, and engage as many people as possible.

 

How can we support the work of SLAH?

Community members of all ages can support the program by engaging in discussions about what they are experiencing as well as sharing the name and information about the program so that if, or when, someone may want to talk, they will know that there is someone here to listen. Talking about this issue is difficult because it has not historically been something that has been discussed openly. However, it is a reality for many individuals, so the simple act of acknowledging a person’s experience is significant and can assist them in sharing how the incident affected them. SLAH’s function is to provide education to community members, organizations and service providers, and provide tips on how to support one another in a victim-focused way. And offering support to those impacted by hate through various forms ex. Support in cleaning up graffiti, referrals, advocacy, etc.

 

How can I learn more about volunteer opportunities with SLAH?

SLAH is currently looking for a diverse group of individuals to volunteer in supporting others. A volunteer information session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m., at the Insignia Hotel (283 Christina St. N.).This is a great opportunity to learn more about what we’re doing and an opportunity to really support our community in order to promote inclusiveness and diversity.

 

Individuals seeking support or interested in becoming a volunteer are encouraged to contact SLAH. Email [email protected], or call 519-336-1020 ext. 010. Further details can also be found on the John Howard Society website.

Lindsey Travis Haiti

Lindsey poses with a talented artisan in Croix-des -Bouquets, Haiti in 2016.

Make a Difference Through Your Legacy

Rayjon is excited to announce we have partnered with Will Power, a national movement to educate Canadians on the power they have to make a difference through their Wills. Take a look at the free resources and tools on the Will Power website to learn more.

Thank you. Gracias. Mèsi.

To our many supporters, we must say again a tremendous thank you. Your talents, time and donations empower Haitian & Dominican leaders making lasting changes in their communities.

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