Haiti five years later: "The situation of so many children is still dire"

OTTAWA, Jan 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Five years after the unthinkable 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, significant progress has been made in reconstructing the country. Even so, Canadian NGO SOS Children's Villages warns that the people in greatest need are the people who can provide the greatest hope for Haiti: its children.

Noted SOS Children's Villages Canada President Boyd McBride, "The situation of so many children is still dire. Three out of ten children born in Haiti today will grow up illiterate."

SOS Children's Villages has been active in Haiti since 1978. They have been concentrating its long-term reconstruction efforts on education and supporting families.

• Right now, SOS Children's Villages runs over 35 community centres that provide literacy training to over 3,000 pre-school children. SOS has also built or rebuilt 6 new schools throughout Haiti and continues to work with the Haitian government on new educational projects.
• Over the past five years, SOS Children's Villages has reunited hundreds of children separated from their families through its family reunification work. SOS continues to care for many children who were unable to be reunited with a new SOS Children's Village officially opening on Saturday, January 10 in Les Cayes.

"Haitians are grateful to the many generous Canadians who have contributed to this process," notes Boyd McBride. "If we want a new Haiti, we need to give its children all the advantages they can to face the oncoming challenges. Education and a family are a great place to start."

OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERVIEWS:

• SOS Children's Villages Canada President Boyd McBride and Director of Communications Graeme Burk will be in Haiti January 5-12.

SOURCE SOS Children's Villages Canada

Image with caption: "SOS Children's Villages Canada (CNW Group/SOS Children's Villages Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150107_C5339_PHOTO_EN_9915.jpg

For further information: Graeme Burk - cell 613-282-1476, [e-mail]; Samantha Halyk - 613-232-3309 ext. 535, [e-mail]; B-Roll, video and photos are also available.