Jeremie, West Haiti after Hurricane Matthew passed through. Picture by CNN (see Haiti Battered by Hurricane Matthew).

On October 4th, Hurricane Matthew made landfall in southwest Haiti as a category 4 storm. It devastated the area, destroying homes, infrastructure, and crops. By October 7th, the death toll in Haiti had risen to over 1,000 people. More than 300,000 people living in the region are now living in shelters.

I am happy to report that the people living in the Village of Joy, which is located in the northeast part of the country, fared much better. They received a substantial amount of rain, but everyone is okay.

	Lawen Jean-Pierre and her son, Wislin.

In addition, I have an update on Wislin Jean Pierre. Wislin is the young child I wrote about on July 24th, who had a large growth on the back of his neck. (See A Mother's Struggle to read his story.) His mother, Lawen, could not afford to take him to the doctor. I had asked Food for the Poor to arrange a doctor visit to determine the extent of the need and the cost. I told them, if I could, I would cover the costs. I am pleased to report that Wislin was taken to the Dominican Republic where he received the care he needed. Without intervention, he could have lost his life—all over a medical procedure costing $500. Wislin's story is a reminder of the challenges that poverty stricken families face every day in Haiti.

Please click here if you would like to help us fund the completion of the Village of Joy project and help more families like the Jean Pierre's. If you would like to support Food for the Poor's Hurricane Matthew Relief effort, you can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a huge impact in the lives of the poorest of the poor.

Paula Mueller

All donations are tax-deductible.