Janis Megow sent this letter and some photographs after the earthquake in Haiti where the actions of Fieldcrest South's 3rd grade class saved the lives of children in an orphanage who has just finished getting gifts donated by the class. Rather than staying inside the orphanage the children were allowed to stay outside and play with their gifts when the earthquake hit.
"Jeff and Rita (they are our contacts w/ the orphanage) distributed the bags to the children at Val's orphanage."
"Moments after they left the orphanage the earthquake happened. They saw a huge cloud of dust in the sky, and realized it was coming from the orphanage; it was dust from the collapse of the concrete buildings. Near where they had to stop the truck during the earthquake was a house that collapsed. While the entourage helped get the people out of the house, Jeff and and another went back to check on "Vals". When they went back they found nothing but rubble and no one! No sign of anyone, no noise, NOTHING! They knew the building that collapsed was where the children were going into when they were leaving.. So.. you can imagine their thoughts.."
"When they got back to their entourage; they shared the bad news. All were devastated, but knew from what they saw so far their help was going to be needed at Christianville, so they hurried on. Upon getting to Christianville they assisted in setting up triage, for the wounded, and I am told there were plenty of wounded. (side note: two plastic patio tables were pushed together to make the surgery table)."
"Val's orphanage heavy on their mind Jeff and another one took a motorcycle back to Val's to see what was going on there. Much to their relief, they found EVERYONE accounted for!! The worse injury was a "goose egg" on one of the children. When the earthquake started they were all still out side, playing w/ their new "treasures". The building/ground started shaking. Yrma (Val's sister) told them all to RUN just RUN and get away... so they did!! This is why Jeff did not find them when he went back minutes after the earthquake. On this trip he found they salvaged 7-8 mattresses and cleaned out the chicken coop which is where they are currently living."
"Such wonderful news to share on his return to Christianville this time."
Below is a picture of the children in the orphanage chicken coop after the earthquake.
Below is a picture of the orphanage after the earthquake.
