On January 12, 2010, a devastating 7.0 earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti.  The epicenter was very close to the densely populated capital of Port-au-Prince, home to nearly 2 million people.  In a matter of minutes, the city was left in virtual ruins killing roughly 250,000 of its citizens and leaving over 1 million homeless.  It had little or no infrastructure and its already shaky government was now decimated.  Haiti was a country that relied on international aid for daily subsistence so this earthquake only exacerbated these problems adding greatly to an already lengthy list of challenges.  Imagine for an instant if everyone in the metro area of Detroit, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Austin or Columbus were to instantly become homeless and there were no existing rescue services available to help them.  That's what happened to Haiti.

In the immediate aftermath of the devastation, food, water, medical supplies / personnel and, of course, money were needed.  While all that is still needed, Global Knit is partnering with Food for the Poor to provide relief kits to help with the daily hygiene needs of those affected.  We discussed multiple possibilities - some of which may be needed down the road - and have been asked to provide that which Haitians need now that rescue and recovery efforts are complete. 

Who we help	Survivors of the January 12, 2010 earthquake
In-country Partner	Food for the Poor
What we need	Bath / hygiene kits: 1 - 10" x 10" washcloth, 1 - 12" x 18" hand towel, 1 bar of soap (generic scent)
Haiti-specific requirements	100% cotton yarn *Complete kits only* Package bar of soap in a small ziploc bag, place entire kit in 1-gallon sized ziploc bag.
Guidelines	Pattern Guidelines and requirements
Patterns	Pattern ideas
Shipping info	We are asking for specific sizes, fiber and packaging at the request of Food for the Poor.  This will help them – and us - maintain consistency with this project.  Also - no other items should be added to these packets.
Shipping address	Global Knit    PO Box 69     Hilliard, OH  43026
Deadline	This is an ongoing project for which we'll be making monthly shipments.  Whatever arrives by the 20th will ship out the same month.
Relief Kits to date	40

 About Haiti

Location	The Caribbean, on the same island as the Dominican Republic
Population	9 million (2009 est.)
Size	Slightly smaller than Maryland
Capital	Port-au-Prince
People left homeless by the earthquake	Over 1 million
Literacy Rate	52.9% (Defined as age 15 or older who can read and write)
Peace Corps Connection	Peace Corps Volunteers have worked in Haiti over three periods: 1982 to 1987, 1990 to 1991, and 1996 to 2005 when it was suspended.  Over the years, Peace Corps volunteers worked in agroforestry, fisheries, vocational training, education and youth development.
Adoption info	The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Thanks to our ravelry friend dknit52 from Minnesota for making these relief kits!  The washcloths use the ball band knitting pattern and the towels are crocheted using the Dorothea dishtowel pattern. 

     
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