Imagine it's just a normal day at your home in Haiti. That is if you're even lucky even to have one. The Earth begins to shake massively and the entire building falls upon you. You somehow make it out alive, but everything is now gone. There are no buildings around. Everything is just piles of rubble. You walk to town with the sight of screaming children and bodies everywhere. You find out that all of your family and friends are dead, and that you are left on the streets with nothing. Criminals have escaped from prison. Murderers are on the loose, and that doesn't help the fact that violence is most people's only method to survive. Children are helplessly forced into the slave trade, and everything seems like a living nightmare.

But sadly, this is what had happened to the nation of Haiti days ago.

                As most are probably aware, on Tuesday, January 12^th, 2010, a massive earthquake destroyed the homes and businesses of the people of Haiti, and completely devastated their ability to function as a society.  The death toll is staggering and still unknown—approximately 200,000 have passed away at this point, and thousands more are expected to be found buried in the rubble.  Sadly, this leaves thousands more children without guidance and care—which adds to the orphan population that was estimated at 300,000 before the earthquake hit.  Not only must they face extreme poverty like never before without water, food, or shelter, but they are also now more subject than ever to the slave trade that preys on orphaned children.

                Seeing the bewildered and horrified faces and hearing the piercing cries of their Haitian peers, the French students of Loveland Middle School have committed to fundraising to rebuild schools and to provide supplies for Haitian children to find comfort and hope in their future.  In order to do so, we have dedicated the month of February to our campaign and are urging all Loveland students and community members to join us in our effort to contribute to rebuilding the lives of these orphaned children.  Our plan is outlined below:

·         Beginning February 1^st, we will be placing containers in all classrooms of Loveland Middle School, Loveland Intermediate school, and willing local businesses to which you can contribute your extra change.  The containers can be recognized as recycled containers (milk jugs, shoeboxes, coffee cans, etc.) decorated with photographs of the devastation in Haiti or children who need our help.  The container will also say, “Loveland Middle School French Class.”

·         Throughout the entire month of February, we are encouraging students and community members to think creatively as to how they can earn money to contribute to the fund.  Some examples of what students are already putting into action: donating babysitting, pet sitting, and paper route money, setting up a hot chocolate stand in one of the local neighborhoods, hosting a birthday party and requesting donations in lieu of gifts, baking cookies and selling them to neighbors, making bracelets to sell, or being willing to ask local businesses to contribute.  The hope is that you will use your talents and strengths as well as ambition and imagination to earn money within your own family and friend circle or neighborhood to contribute to our fund.  What do you bring to the cause?  No amount is too small and will help to drastically change the lives of the Haitian youth!

·         Our culminating event will be held in the evening of Thursday, February 25^th in the Loveland Middle and Intermediate School gymnasiums.  The LMS French and Student Council will be hosting a Dodgeball Tournament complete with concessions, prizes to be raffled, and a half-time show that includes a basketball shoot out and a musical performance.  We are inviting community members to come watch and participate and to show support and enthusiasm for this tremendously important cause.  Watch for upcoming advertising for this event via Edline, a blog that the French students will be maintaining, flyers, and information in the local newspapers. 

                The organization that we have chosen to donate the money earned is the Jean Cadet Restavek Foundation: http://www.restavekfreedom.org/.  Jean Cadet is a Cincinnati resident and a former Haitian slave who has devoted himself to empowering children to freedom through education.  His wife, Cindy, is a French teacher at Madeira High School, which provides us the unique opportunity to make local connections extend to our struggling neighbors in the global community.  100% of the proceeds will go directly to the children of Haiti.  If you would like to make a donation, you may either go to any 5/3^rd Bank location in the city (donate to the “Loveland Middle School French Class” fund), or you can stop by and drop it off at the Middle School. Checks must be made out to LMS French Class. 

                If you have questions, ideas, connections to interested businesses, or a desire to volunteer during our campaign, please contact Hillary Pecsok, French teacher at LMS: pecsokhi@lovelandschools.org or by phone: 683-3100 during the school day.