Haiti Milk Relief Project

By the “Friends of the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia” and Friends of the Orphans-Canada (FOTOCAN)

Haiti's Earthquake... how does one respond? It’s so large and overwhelming.

As the founder of the NPH Orphanages in 9 Latin American countries, including 1 in Haiti now housing 350 children, and growing, Father Wasson said “You can not help all the children in the world, but you can be ‘all the world’ to one child.”

As a response, I would like to challenge us, ‘the Friends of the Dairy Farmers’ to help me with a request.

The director of the NPH Orphanage in Dominican Republic emailed me Saturday January16th for donations of milk powder. The NPH Orphanage in Dominican Republic has become a depot/distribution centre for shipments into Haiti. They are sending 2 truckloads every other day of water, fuel, and medical supplies to support their sister childrens hospital, St. Damiens Childrens Hospital, in the earthquake zone, and Doctor Father Rick Frechette, the NPH director for Haiti also needs milk to supplement the nutrition of their patients.

How can I say no? In forming the ‘Friends of the Dairy Farmers (Nova Scotia)' we want to
solicite individual cash donations from N.S. Dairy Farmers, Industry, and Friends for the purpose of buying milk powder to go to the St. Damiens Pediatrics Hospital in Tabarre, Haiti (15 km from earthquake epicenter)

Or more specifically, 10,000 kg of skim milk powder, enough to make 300,000 glasses of milk.

Dr. Father Rick Frechette went to Haiti in 1979 as a priest. He said “These people don’t need a priest, they need a doctor.” He returned to USA and became a doctor … And returned to Haiti.
Fr. Rick, as we call him also said “Charity is not just doing the best you can…..Charity is thobligation to do the right thing, in the best possible way."

We are all farmers and all have friends, and right now I think this is the best possible way to help.

In Canada I have worked with the charity organization called ‘Friends of the Orphans Canada”. My wife and I, with friends, have made 3 trips to work at this orphanage and feel obliged to help. We can help by sending donations to ‘FOTOCAN’ for the Haiti Milk Relief Project. Charitable donations will be issued for 2010 tax year and the federal government will match our donations. This money will go to the Canadian Dairy Commission to purchase milk over and above the 100 tonnes that they have already allotted to our government.

I also pledge to keep ‘friends’ informed of our progress and I pray that in 1 month we have a wonderful story to share. Donations can be dropped off, or mailed to the N.S.Federation of Agriculture office on Willow St., Truro, N.S. These will be recorded and forwarded to FOTOCAN at Woodstock, Ontario.

So remember
-donate today
-donate tomorrow
-solicite industry to donate
-solicite your friends
-and log onto the NSFA website for our progress.

Congrats on your efforts!!

Submitted by Lisette Messervey (not verified) on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 21:37.

Hi Ian,

I just watched Live at Five and seen the piece that you and Brenda did. Congrats! That's a great iniative you are involved with. I hope you reach your goal. I plan to make a donation.

Good luck in the Dominican! Keep up the good work!

Lisette and Tony Messervey

wow, it's great to see

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:15.

wow, it's great to see farmers responding like this, but not really surprising... farmers feed us all, they care for us on the most basic level, so they deserve our respect and thanks every day!