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Help Haiti Now is a mission of charity and education with a three-fold purpose: to provide basic needs of healthcare and medicine, educational support, food, clothing, and shelter to Haitian people in abject poverty; to foster self-help in health, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and respect for the environment; and to increase public awareness in the United States of conditions and the lack of human necessities in developing countries.
Rachel Quirk established Help Haiti Now in 2005 as a nonprofit charitable and educational organization incorporated in the State of Florida and holding 501 c(3) tax-exempt status. Help Haiti Now operates with minimal administrative costs under the direction of a board comprised of both U.S. and Haitian members serving without compensation. In addition, Rachel is supported in this project by her mother, sister, and many friends who resolve that gifts to the organization will go directly to help the people of Haiti.
The needs and objectives for establishing this effort arose when, with a small medical team, Rachel Quirk traveled to Haiti for one week in May 2005. She was greatly disturbed by the distress and despair of the people.
Ms. Quirk returned to Haiti June 13 - July 12, 2005 to teach English at an orphanage and a church youth group.
During this time she thoroughly evaluated how and whom she might be able to help. She identified two rural communities in dire need of resources and financial support: Goyovier and 87th Place. Help Haiti Now supported these operations for over four years.
NOW - In response to the urgent need for shelter for orphaned children since the Haitian earthquake (1/12/2010), Help Haiti Now has established a home for 15 children just north of Montrouis. Help Haiti Now is also helping support another 250 relocated people from Port Au Prince in temporary shelters in Montrouis. Supporting these projects is now our focus.
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Rachel Quirk
Since creating Help Haiti Now in 2005, Rachel has made dozens of trips to Haiti. She currently divides her time between Haiti and her residence in Florida. Frequent trips, often with a new team of North Americans, allow transport of needed supplies for distribution in Haiti.
Venice, FL: Help Haiti Now; post-Earthquake turns full-time
Epiphany Cathedral, Youth Group Leader
Ft. Myers, FL: Art teacher K-8, St. Francis Xavier School, 2006-2009
Washington, DC:
Art Therapy, staff assistant, George Washington University.
Masters in Fine Arts, 2001, George Washington University
Web Designer, GWU, http://www.ncela.gwu.edu
Asheville, NC: Attended UNC/Asheville, fine arts courses.
Started successful bakery, creating high-end cookies for local espresso bars.
Carmel, IN: Japanese Language Instructor, junior & senior high school
San Francisco, CA: Tour coordinator for Japanese travel company
University of Nanzan, Nagoya, Japan (year abroad 1987-88)
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Bachelors of Arts in Japanese Language Studies, 1989
Muscatine, Iowa: High School, 1985
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Chilet "Ba" Joseph
Director, Haitian Operations
Ba is the co-founder of Help Haiti Now. He is a native of Montrouis and well respected throughout the community as a representative of the poorest of the poor. As a child he worked with his father helping missionaries in Port Au Prince. His father died at a young age, but Ba continues to help visitors to Haiti. Ba has always refused any offers of compensation for his time & services on behalf of Help Haiti Now. His only request was for HHN to pay for his son to go to school. Happy to report -- his son continues to progress in school! |
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Dr. Rigaud
Before joining HHN, Dr. Rigaud worked with infectious disease issues at a Haitian hospital which underwent financial difficulties. He has taken the vital role of providing immediate and long-term healthcare for emergency situations which HHN encounters daily. Dr. Rigaud is pictured here purchasing medications at a local pharmacy. |
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Wilton
House Security |
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Madam Esperanta
House Mother |
 | Wisland
Kitchen Operations/Head Cook |
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Bebette
Laundry, cooking help, cleaning, and most importantly, care-giver. |
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Blondine
Kitchen back-up |
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Roseman
Cook |
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