(c) 2010 www.outreach-international.org

Outreach International, a humanitarian and development charity affiliated with the Community of Christ, is seeking help with post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Haiti. Outreach International supports a network of 90 schools in Haiti.  Some 30 of these schools were destroyed or sustained major damage from the earthquake.  The reconstruction process goes far beyond the normal scope of work of our local partner, Organisation pour le Développement Social des Masses (ODSM), which administers the network of schools. It will take time, strength, and expertise to assess the situation, evaluate needs, negotiate with potential funders, and handle the details of rebuilding facilities and lives.

Outreach International has three broad objectives in post-earthquake Haiti:

• Get kids back into school
• Help rebuild families and community
• Rebuild the schools program

To provide us with technical support in the reconstruction process, we have formed a strategic partnership with Article 25, a British charity that provides design, architectural and construction assistance in developing countries. To successfully manage this project and meet our objectives, Outreach International and Article 25 seek to establish a joint Administrative Support Center in Haiti staffed by a core staff team. The objectives of this are team are:

• To support the three broad objectives of Outreach International’s earthquake response in Haiti
• To increase likely success of grant requests
• To effectively manage rebuilding projects
• To support Outreach International’s communications and donor relations efforts

To submit an application for the Outreach International positions, please send a resume/curriculum vitae and contact details of three professional references to Matthew Bolton at m.bolton@outreachmail.org  To submit an application for the Article 25 positions, please send a resume/curriculum vitae to Alick Macleod at alick-macleod@article-25.org

Outreach International Networking and Liaison Volunteer

Networks and liaises with other humanitarian and development agencies in Haiti, including UN, NGOs and the Haitian government. Researches funding and partnership opportunities, develops concept papers and proposals. Attends cluster meetings for the education, shelter, early recovery, and logistics sectors. Registers Outreach International with appropriate agencies and bodies. Acts as Administrative Support Center team leader, under the supervision of Outreach International’s Haiti Emergency Coordinator. They will be paid a living stipend and be provided with accommodation. Commitment of 6-12 months required.

Qualifications:

• Excellent writer, experience in grantwriting
• Experience in humanitarian and development work
• 1 year relevant experience
• Experience working in multicultural environment
• Fluency in English necessary, French preferred, Creole helpful
• Experience in developing countries and unstable environments
• Must be comfortable working with non-proselytizing faith-based agency
• Masters in Development Studies, International Relations or related discipline preferred
• Female candidates are particularly invited to apply

Outreach International Field Research and Reporting Volunteer

Manages assessments of, gathers data from Outreach International sites and the communities surrounding them. Writes reports of findings. Monitors and reports on progress of the program. Provides multimedia communication on programs and beneficiary stories. They will be paid a living stipend and be provided with accommodation. Commitment of 6-12 months required.

Qualifications:

• Excellent writer, experience in social research and/or journalism
• Knowledge and/or experience of multimedia communication (text, photo, video, online media)
• Experience in humanitarian and development work
• 1 year relevant experience
• Experience working in multicultural environment
• Fluency in English and French necessary, Creole helpful
• Experience in developing countries and unstable environments
• Knowledge of education programming preferred
• Must be comfortable working with non-proselytizing faith-based agency
• Masters in Development Studies, Social Science, Social Research Methods, Journalism/Communications, Sociology, Anthropology, International Relations or related disciplines preferred
• Female and/or Afro-Caribbean candidates are particularly invited to apply

Two (2) Article 25 School Reconstruction Volunteers

Two technical advisors – engineers, surveyors or architects – to supervise Article 25’s technical assistance to Outreach’s reconstruction program and continue to assess school buildings. They will be paid a living stipend and be provided with accommodation. Commitment of 6-12 months required.

Qualifications:

• Technical and professional qualifications required to assess the structural integrity of earthquake affected buildings
• Knowledge of AutoCAD
• Knowledge of earthquake and hurricane resistance, and sustainable, climate responsive and vernacular design
• 3+ years relevant experience
• Fluent in both French and English, Creole skills will make application more competitive
• Experience working in multicultural environment
• Experience working in Haiti advantageous
• Experience in construction in developing countries and unstable / post-disaster environments
• Excellent communication and personal skills
• Haitian or Afro-Caribbean background preferred

As of the last week in January, I have been working as the Haiti Emergency Coordinator for Outreach International, a charity affiliated with the Community of Christ. Since the 1980s, Outreach International has supported a network of about 90 schools catering to 9,000 students in Haiti. About 30 of these schools were in the earthquake-affected area, most of which are damaged or destroyed, affecting over 1,200 children. The following are links to reflections on my first visit to Haiti in early February, as serialized in The Examiner (Independence, MO):

1. “Finding Ways to Help Haiti.”

2. “Work and Worry Take a Toll on Relief Effort in Haiti.”

3. “The Question of Reconstruction or Development.”

4. “Leaving Haiti Only to Return.”

For more information on Outreach International’s work in Haiti, click here. To support our efforts to rebuild and strengthen our education program in Haiti, click here. I will be returning to Haiti for a further assessment mission on Monday.

-Matthew Bolton

In response to the terrible earthquake in Haiti, both Outreach International (click here for their appeal) and the church (click here for their appeal) are calling on church members to give generously to those in need.

In times like this there is often a rush of people wanting to jet to the disaster zone and volunteer, or collect clothing, medicines and food to send to the people suffering. This altruistic impulse is praiseworthy and displays the great generosity and charity human beings show in times of trouble. However, not every well-meaning response to a disaster is a good one. In this briefing paper I wrote in light of the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, I explain how, when responding to a humanitarian disaster, potential donors should keep in mind the following key principles to guide their gift:

1. When making a donation, cash is best (see this helpful information sheet from InterAction). Cash can be moved around the world far more quickly and cheaply than medicines, clothing, food or other commodities, and enables agencies to respond flexibly to the situation.

2. If you want to volunteer, do so in your area of expertise (Those considering volunteering, might want also to read this article I wrote about the response to the Tsunami, the same principles apply).

3. Coordinate your response with other agencies and donors — don’t “go it alone.”

4. Make a long-term commitment to the region

Click here to read about these principles in more detail.

Click here to make a donation to Outreach International’s Haiti response.

-Matthew Bolton