FLORIDA GROUPS UNITE TO BUILD ORPHANGE & SCHOOL IN HAITI

TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA – February 1, 2010 - Florida groups have united their talents to start the rebuilding process for Haitian children, by creating an orphanage and school, called Future of Haiti, so the children can start to look toward a better future, leaving behind a shattered past. The initial core groups are El Especial Newspaper, Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers, Youth for Human Rights Florida, Clearwater Academy International, Washburn Academy, Delphi Academy of Florida and International Youth Theatre.

Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been providing emergency services for the past 20 years and are currently on the ground in Haiti organizing this effort. The orphanage and school will be located just minutes outside the Haitian airport. Reginald Jean has donated a football-sized piece of land enclosed with walls, and many of the walls are still standing. And for the walls which have crumbled, the Volunteer Ministers are paying local Haitians to rebuild the walls, creating not only a safe space for the children, but also creating jobs and self pride for Haitians. Working with the Volunteer Ministers are three Haitian teachers currently taking care of the orphans and who are very excited about the opportunity to give these children an education.

Youth for Human Rights Florida educates about human rights, and works in to improve those rights. The group is busy collecting school supplies and already sent thousands of dollars for a water purifier large enough for all the children living in the orphanage, which was sent last Monday on John Travolta’s personal Boeing 707 along with 80 medical professionals, 33 more Scientology Volunteer Ministers and four tons of ready to eat meals and medical supplies for Haitians.

Students at Clearwater Academy International along with the students of Community Learning Center, a tutoring group for students in need, are going to their friends and neighbors, gathering food and first aid supplies for their own “Boxes of Hope” for Haiti and to date have already collected 100 boxes that will soon be on their way to Haiti. The Clearwater Academy International has also has sponsored the education for four refugees who recently arrived from Haiti and among other things, they are teaching the French speaking youth refugees how to speak English.

Delphi Academy of Florida has joined the bandwagon and the students are busy collecting food for Haiti. Likewise, Washburn Academy students are busy collecting food and school supplies, while one of the faculties, Jennie Langford, is already in Haiti helping the victims.

International Youth Theatre has a mission to assist young artist while enlightening them of their abilities and responsibilities to improve human rights around the world. The theatre is producing a special showing of the Broadway musical “Annie Jr.” with all proceeds going to the Haiti orphanage and school.

Owner of El Especial Newspaper, Jose Sibaja, is reaching out to his community for donations for Haiti, and will personally go to Haiti in the recovery and rebuilding process.

Humanitarian groups or businesses that would like to join the cause or individual people who would like to help by donating money, food, medical or educational supplies can do so by contacting the Project Coordinator or any of the group leaders listed below.

Project Coordinator Barbara Santos at 727-643-3975 or at schneiderbarbara-AT-mac.com
Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers at judy-AT-tampabayvms.com
Youth for Human Rights Florida - Denise McGahee at denise-AT-youthforhumanrights.org
Clearwater Academy International - Laurie Miller at lauriem-AT-clearwateracademy.org
Washburn Academy – Jennie Langford at WashburnAcademy-AT-gmail.com
Delphi Academy Florida - Beth Voss at bethv-AT-delphifl.org .
International Youth Theatre – Doria Kintzel at dskintzel-AT-gmail.com
El Especial Newspaper - José Sibaja - jsibaja-AT-elespecial.com