Monthly Archives: January 2011

Buried for two days beneath the rubble in Haiti

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Laura Blank in Disaster Relief, Stories

Earthquake survivor, Faradhia, stands at the former site of the Caribbean Market where she was once buried for 50 hours — the rubble now cleared away and the foundation visible behind her. A powerful experience, it was the first time she had returned to the site since she was rescued. (Mary Kate MacIsaac/WV) Faradhia Moise walked into the Caribbean Market to pick up dinner for herself and her parents – they were going to have pizza that night – when the floor started to shake. “There was a really loud noise, and I thought the building was about to collapse,” she said, recalling that fateful day last January. She turned, ran, and then it was dark. “I could not really...

The appalling silence of good people

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Rich Stearns in Advocacy, Stories

Yesterday we honored one of the greatest men in our country’s history, Martin Luther King, Jr. I do a lot of speaking around the country, and in almost every speech I find a way to include this quote from King: “We will have to repent in this generation, not only for the evil words and deeds of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” I often ask myself, “What am I silent about?” Are there injustices going on around me that I don’t recognize? Just a few generations back, slave owners went to church on Sunday morning, then beat or raped their slaves on Sunday evening. Were there opposing voices within the church at that...

Voting for hope and peace in Sudan

Posted on January 14, 2011 by James Addis in Advocacy, Disaster Relief, Stories

A war-wounded Southern Sudanese man casts his vote at Juba University polling center in South Sudan capital, Juba on January 9, 2011. (Abraham Nhial/WV)

If you are a close follower of international news, or perhaps of film star George Clooney, you might have picked up there’s a bit of excitement surrounding an independence referendum going on in Sudan this week—one that is likely to see the creation of an entirely new nation....

Haiti: One year report

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Lindsey Talerico-Hedren in Disaster Relief

On 12 January 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, the most powerful quake to hit in more than 200 years. The impact and aftershocks were devastating. One year ago today, a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti. Today, the World Vision family around the world celebrates relief accomplishments made so far, prays for the years ahead, and remembers those whose lives were lost. Wherever you are today, please pray for those in Haiti who are working tirelessly to provide children and families with shelter and other necessities, and for those whose memories of the earthquake are still raw and painful. The following is an excerpt from a letter from Kevin Jenkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Vision International...