Hurricane Impacts Local Group’s Trip to Haiti

Hurricane Isaac hasn’t made landfall in the United States yet, but it’s already causing some travel problems. A Fort Smith group headed to Haiti to help those in need has already had to change part of their mission.  

Matt Ward with Hope Rising Children’s Home has been tracking Hurricane Isaac ever since the tropical storm developed.

“The plans have changed drastically,” Ward said. “We were set to leave Saturday and come back on Wednesday, but with the storm tracking over Haiti, we had to change to leave tomorrow morning.”

Up to ten people have been reported dead as Hurricane Isaac passed over the country, but Ward said the current weather conditions aren’t stopping his crew of five from their mission.

“We have plans to build a really top notch facility to care for orphans outside of Leogane, Haiti which was the epicenter of the earthquake in 2010,” he said.

Hope Rising Children’s Home is a group created in the River Valley. Ward says they’re currently working with around 100 kids at an orphanage in Haiti, which took a direct hit from Isaac.

“None of the kids were harmed, but they did have some significant damage to their structure,” Ward said.

The group is going down to help feed children and since the area is prone to flooding, they’re providing the kids with something else.

“Crocs seem to be the most suitable for the conditions,” he said. “They’re able to breathe, keep their feet from getting infected.”

Ward hopes the hurricane doesn’t cancel their trip, so they can continue to help those in who are repeatedly in the path of a deadly storm.

Hope Rising Children’s Home has already purchased 14 acres of land in Haiti to build an orphanage.

They’re still working to fund the $180,000 structure.

To learn more about the group visit:  http://www.hrch.org/