PHOTO:         Beatrice Giorgi / VIS (Rome)

Media Contact: Hannah Gregory, media@findyourmission.org

To Donate: www.FindYourMission.org.

Jan. 21, 2010: Port-au-Prince, Haiti & New Rochelle, NY

SALESIAN MISSIONS has been working in Haiti since 1936 and provided food to 20,000 children in Port-au-Prince before the earthquake in addition to the schools it operated for hundreds of children. Salesian Missions is desperately working to find any remaining survivors in our facilities and care for those who are homeless and suffering. A vast Salesian Missions compound in the Cite Soleil (which consisted of schools, trade shops, housing, orphanages, youth centers, feeding programs and administrative offices) was almost completely destroyed. At least 250 and up to 500 students and personal were killed or buried in the rubble. Buildings destroyed includes ENAM, the renowned National School of Arts & Trades, were a vast majority of the deaths took place. A search and rescue team was sent to ENAM on Jan. 18, where 200 students were confirmed dead in that facility alone. Kitchens that fed 20,000 of the city’s poorest children daily were destroyed. Even with the enormous losses and beyond-challenging circumstances, Salesian Missions is working hard to continue to provide for the children and families that already depended on them, in addition to so many others now in desperate need.

As of Jan. 20, more than 3,000 refugees are being housed by Salesian Missions in the limited number of our facilities which remain standing. Many people, including the children Salesian Missions cares for, are sleeping outside in the streets and in cars. An 11-truck convoy of supplies arrived Jan. 16 at the Salesian Missions compound and was distributed peacefully (photos available). Salesian Missions is delivering 20,000 meals on Jan 21. A relief fund has been created for Haiti and donations are being sent directly to purchase food, water, medical supplies, survival kits and tents for shelter. Donations are urgently sought for more supplies. Additionally, Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions, is traveling to Haiti Jan. 20, along with a photographer/videographer familiar with Salesian Missions works in Haiti. Salesian Missions is not only dedicated to the relief efforts, but will be instrumental in the rebuilding. Donations can be made by going to www.FindYourMission.org. Plans to rebuild the schools and other humanitarian programs are already underway.

At the time of the earthquake on Jan. 12, Salesian Missions estimates they served the following number of students/children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti:

· Salesian Missions Little Schools program (primary school): 20,000 (approx.)

o 136 children from the Little Schools program attended a special school for gifted students on the Cite Soleil campus

· ENAM (National School of Arts & Trades): 1,400 (approx.)

o short-term technical courses: 360

o full time school (high school): 1,040