Haitian Children Saved by Last-Minute Effort
By: Evan Axelbank
Updated: January 18, 2010
For the school kids Rochester accountant Dave Young sponsors, the most dangerous part of the earthquake, wasn't the earthquake itself.
It was the aftermath.
Up until a few hours ago, dozens of children were starving to death.
And it took a last-minute effort to save them.
"They are literally starving," said Young.
And there was no telling when the next one would get there. The 160 kids who survived the quake, albeit with injuries, are being cared for by teachers. Until late Monday night, it'd been a week since they had food, water or medical care. Young has managed to be in touch with the school's head.
"He thought, unless they got some food, water, today, that those kids would start to pass away, and it would be more and more each day," said Young.
Using the internet, Young mapped out a plan for the school leader to go to across the border into the Domincan Republic.
Dicksent Jeen Welch was able to get food, water, blankets and tents. But getting the stuff wasn't nearly as big an issue as getting it where it was going. Jeen Welch managed to evade looters by hiring Dominican police officers to get back safely.
"This trip is fraught with all kinds of danger," said Young. "Will he make it, with the supplies in tact? The people in his area are desperate. People are looting and stealing from each other. It has gone from bad to worse."
The kids who survived the quake now have a temporary boost of food. Still, they're nowhere near safe.
"think the kids are just scared out of their minds."
Dave Young says the food and water that the school leader got was only enough for two days.
They're going to need more.
At this point, no relief from authorities has gotten to the school.
It was the aftermath.
Up until a few hours ago, dozens of children were starving to death.
And it took a last-minute effort to save them.
"They are literally starving," said Young.
And there was no telling when the next one would get there. The 160 kids who survived the quake, albeit with injuries, are being cared for by teachers. Until late Monday night, it'd been a week since they had food, water or medical care. Young has managed to be in touch with the school's head.
"He thought, unless they got some food, water, today, that those kids would start to pass away, and it would be more and more each day," said Young.
Using the internet, Young mapped out a plan for the school leader to go to across the border into the Domincan Republic.
Dicksent Jeen Welch was able to get food, water, blankets and tents. But getting the stuff wasn't nearly as big an issue as getting it where it was going. Jeen Welch managed to evade looters by hiring Dominican police officers to get back safely.
"This trip is fraught with all kinds of danger," said Young. "Will he make it, with the supplies in tact? The people in his area are desperate. People are looting and stealing from each other. It has gone from bad to worse."
The kids who survived the quake now have a temporary boost of food. Still, they're nowhere near safe.
"think the kids are just scared out of their minds."
Dave Young says the food and water that the school leader got was only enough for two days.
They're going to need more.
At this point, no relief from authorities has gotten to the school.
