Point Douglas rises to Haiti's aid
BY RYAN CROCKER
STAFF REPORTER
ryan.crocker@canstarnews.com

Like many other Canadians, residents of Point Douglas shared Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean's grief when they saw her weeping about the recent devastation in Haiti. Few communities share the emotional connection with Jean, the Queen's official representative in Canada, that Point Douglas does.

Jean was warmly embraced as a member of the community when she visited the north Winnipeg neighbourhood in June 2007.  And she has never missed an opportunity to praise the neighbourhood as an example of positive change when she travels abroad.

Seeing her distress prompted Point Douglas residents to join together to help Haiti in her honour. At a meeting held at Norquay School on Jan. 27, members of the community reached a consensus on how best to do just that.

"We're partnering with the Mennonite Central Committee to sponsor schools in Haiti," said Karen Peters, the executive director of the Point Douglas Residents Committee. "We'll be raising money for the Timkitk I and II schools in the Cite Soleil area of Port-au-Prince, the capital."

The schools were an easy choice for the residents. They included Sel Burrows of Power Line, a community-run crime prevention initiative, Jillian Ramsey of Graffiti Art Programming, Sheri Nepinak of the North Point Douglas Women's Resource Centre, and Nancy Bateman, principal of Norquay School.

Most were personally involved in Jean's much-publicized visit to Point Douglas, during which she celebrated the neighbourhood's efforts to reduce crime and create a safe and healthy community.

"Point Douglas is a community that's coming into its own and we have a chance to show others that we can contribute," Burrows said.
Peters said one of the most important aspects of their work is ensuring the support is both immediate and long-term. While life-saving supplies such as water and food are desperately needed, she said Haiti will also need help building its future.

Bateman said while school staff have been careful not to share the most traumatic details of the earthquake with students, most are generally aware of what happened and are eager to help.

"They started raising pennies. We have three pails filled already," she said.

"I told them we were having a meeting to decide where to give the money and they were very excited about supporting a school."

Bateman said ensuring access to education in countries such as Haiti is critically important. She said education can make all the difference for the future of children in the the poorest country in the Americas. As well, schools will provide a sense of normalcy for students in the months and years ahead, she added.

Point Douglas residents are accepting donations and welcome volunteers to assist with planning and fundraising. For more information, contact Burrows at 956-4090.