Mission to Haiti

November 28, 2011

Hello Everyone,

As the holiday season approaches, we are often compelled to find ways of giving to those in need, whether through charitable donations or direct service to others. In this spirit, I am excited to share with you the news of my upcoming mission trip to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere — Haiti.

In recent years, the country of Haiti has struggled with such devastating problems as political upheaval, widespread health crises, hurricanes, and the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years. The quake that struck Haiti in January of 2010 reduced much of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, to rubble. A study by the Inter-American Development Bank estimated that the disaster caused between 8 and 14 billion dollars worth of damage, and left a catastrophic death toll of approximately 300,000 lives lost. An estimated 634,000 people still live in displacement camps, which are run down and lacking essential supplies.

I feel strong calling to serve this impoverished area and its people, and have chosen to do so through an organization called, Healing Haiti. My week-long trip will last from January 2-9, 2012, and my work will include delivering clean water to families living in Cite Soliel, teaching children in understaffed schools, and bringing supplies and much needed care to orphans, disabled people, and the elderly at Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity.

In addition to this direct service in Haiti, I am committed to continuing to give my support by donating a portion of the income I earn from each Ryan Koch Homes housing transaction, in 2012. These additional donations will be made in the names of each of the clients with whom I work in the coming year, and they will go directly toward building homes for Haitian families living in extreme poverty, and toward Mother Teresa Charities. If you’d like to learn more about Healing Haiti, please visit the organization’s web site at www.healinghaiti.org. I am excited about this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, and to be reminded of all that we have to be grateful for in the state of Wisconsin.

Best Wishes,

Ryan Koch