Just days after a deadly earthquake a Landmark man working in Haiti is seeing the devastation firsthand.

Gary Unger operates a residential foster home, Beauty Out Of Ashes, in Fort Jacques about 7 miles from the Haitian capital Port au Prince

“Beauty out of Ashes was founded back in 2017. My wife and I saw a tremendous need for helping domestic slave girls. So we got together with the Child and Family Services in Haiti and got a license and they brought us twelve girls.”

Unger says they provide safety, shelter, nutrition, healthcare, education, counselling, and spiritual guidance to children who have been domestic slaves. They focus on helping those in their care retain their Haitian culture and to secure good jobs because they will remain in Haiti.

f president Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021.

“The gangs in Haiti are trying to profit off of this by blocking the roads that are passable and demanding a sort of ransom, about 50 U.S. dollars, to be able to pass through or they’re hijacking medical vehicles or vehicles coming through with rice and food provisions and water. It's really difficult on the ground for the rescue organizations and relief organizations.”

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Unger understands that many people want to help by donating to those in Haiti. He says giving to a reputable organization that is on the ground and working is important.

“One of them would be MFI, which is Missionary Flight International. They fly constantly now every day. Into Haiti with provisions and food and medical supplies and flying doctor teams in.” Unger also suggested Missionary Aviation Fellowship and Hope For Haiti as possible organizations to donate to.

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To add to the tragedy and damage caused by the quake, Tropical Storm Grace is bringing heavy rains to the region.

“That was another thing that really hampered rescue efforts because the few tents there basically collapsed and people walking around in ankle-deep water because of the flooding. So, it really made it difficult for the people that are out there on the ground trying to rescue people.”

Unger is planning a brief trip back to Steinbach to visit family, including a new grandson, and to do some fundraising before school starts at Beauty Out Of Ashes in September.

The girls from Beauty Out Of Ashes get ready for church. Photo credit: facebook.com/beautyoutofashes