March 20, 2007

One Block At A Time, Inc.

Ben Hilskamp of One Block At A Time, Inc. shared about their program that provides housing for homeless and poor families in Haiti.  It was established in 2005 and they serve to replace or renovate shacks with concrete buildings that include cement floors, tin roofs, windows and doors.  If physically able, the recipients of the housing participate in the construction along with volunteers from the local area in Ohio.  Local tradesmen are employed to to make concrete block and to supply materials as needed.

The average Haitian lives on less than $400 per year.  For about $7000, the group can provide a small 22'x22' - 2 bedroom home.

The land that these homes are built on is owned by the Catholic Church.  A church committee of 9 persons select the recipients who cannot be current landowners.  They are required to live by the rules of the committee and the church retains land ownership.  Currenty, the group is working to complete a project known as St. Michael's Village.

Contributions are taken at:

One Block At A Time, Inc. 
P.O.Box 33 
Maria Stein, OH 45860 
Phone 419-953-7841

For more information on this non-profit organization, follow this link.

Statistics on Haiti:
80% unemployment rate > $7.00 / gal for gas > $426 / year living expense > life expectancy is 49 for men and 50 for women > 8.4 Million population in an area the size of Maryland > roads are primarily dirt roads. > currency is the gourd: 40 gourds = $1 > Min. wage is $2.25 per day 

Hosting Rotarian: Eric Hirschfeld