Contact: Audra Jennings, The B&B Media Group, 800-927-0517 ext. 104, ajennings@tbbmedia.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Sept. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Eight months after the devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked the nation of Haiti, killing 230,000 and leaving one million homeless, the emotional and psychological effects of the quake and subsequent violence, rape, and disease that followed still remain. Reaching out to help these deep psychological traumas is not a short-term mission. That's why David C Cook has made a commitment to support community leaders who are giving their lives to the task of helping the people of Haiti reach psychological and emotional restoration.
Several times weekly you will find more than one group of Haitian men and women gathered around a small table, engrossed in study. Surrounded by workbooks, pads of paper, and pens, they write furiously, and in front of each individual there is a book entitled Kit Twoma Ayiti. The title is in Creole and has now been imprinted on 9,000 copies of the Trauma Kits from David C Cook that have landed in Haiti at the hands of over 80 organizations there.
To assist Haitian community leaders, Cook developed a faith-based Trauma Kit, incorporating material tailored for the aftermath of the quake. The kit, created earlier this year and offered in English and Creole, includes training for leaders and interactive lessons for children. They are given free of charge to Haitian leaders and organizations, including Baptist Haiti Mission, Churches Helping Churches, Mercy Ships, Operation Mobilization, and Compassion International.
"We are contacted weekly with requests for more kits," reports Marlene LaFever, vice-president of educational development at David C Cook. "One leader said recently that this is one of the best resources available and that progress is being made and healing is taking place."
The Trauma Kits are just one of the resources Cook has created in response to needs of the global church. In countries such as India, China, Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, and the Ukraine, they have demonstrated support for the local churches in helping to meet the unique needs of each community. With the addition of new key staff members, Cook's commitment for the long term will tactically bolster the impact.
Vijay Kumar is the new international program director. Kumar, previously regional director for Trans World Radio, has a strategic focus for Cook's work in India where they are currently serving over five million people per year. Based in Mumbai, Kumar will further expand Cook's reach to assure that children living in orphanages have strong connections with people beyond the orphanage. Reed Olson joins Cook as international program director focusing on Latin America, where he lived for several years, by concentrating efforts to expand projects in these countries. Previously, Olson coordinated programs in 160 nations and, earlier this year, assisted in early response to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Sharon Oxley has joined the global mission group as donor field representative. She will keep donors informed about projects around the world as they continue to expand.
"This is an exciting time for the organization on so many levels," states David C Cook President and CEO Cris Doornbos. "This isn't simply an initiative to add to a portfolio of resources. We are committed to serving people in some of the hardest places on earth such as Haiti, India, and other countries. The strategic placement of our global mission group will result in the development of significant projects, both internationally and domestically, that will further strengthen our global mission impact."
For more information, visit www.davidccook.com.
