Rebuilding Lives

DATE: September 16, 2011

On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake.Hundreds of thousands of people were killed that day—most of them by falling buildings.

To help ensure new buildings will be more earthquake-resistant, CLAC provided $50,000 to bring California Polytechnic State University architectural engineering associate professor James Mwangi to Haiti to educate Haitian builders.

James recently returned home after spending one year in Haiti. While there, he trained masons, architects, and engineers in better building techniques. He also met with government officials to plan a new engineering university.

Through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and several other aid groups, James assisted in a project that repaired 126 homes for people with disabilities and was involved in the construction of new homes and a youth centre to ensure quality control.

“I am so grateful to MCC, CLAC, and Cal Poly for giving me this opportunity,” says James. You can watch a video that provides a glimpse of what he was doing. CLAC is honoured to have had the opportunity to be involved in his work.

A new engineer, Julie Sandoz, is taking over for James this month. We look forward to supporting Julie as she continues the vital role of helping the people of Haiti rebuild their homes and their lives.