Rosedanie Cadet and Others to Return to Haiti — Orcas Businesses to Help

The town of Limbe sits about 22 kilometers away from Haiti’s northern shore. Though it was far from the January earthquake that devastated the southern regions, the town has experienced a major shake-up in the wake of the quake. Towns like Limbe, with a population of roughly 50,000 people, have seen their populations swell by as much as 30 percent, as the sons and daughters who went to find work in Port-au-Prince now return home.  In disaster’s wake, a tenuous balance has been tipped for towns with an already-shaky infrastructure.  Lack of adequate sanitation, clean water, and food were already issues in Limbe before the quake, and the problems are only compounded now.

But according to Rosedanie Cadet, leader of Orcas Island-based relief organization Helping Hands Noramise, a new Haiti can be born out of the tragedy.  Cadet envisions a Haiti where everyone has access to education, proper sanitation, and proper nutrition, and is working to foster that through Helping Hands Noramise.

In March 2010, volunteers from Helping Hands Noramise worked with individuals and groups in Limbe, planting gardens, fostering artisan partnerships, and mobilizing townspeople to remove a giant trash pile from their marketplace.

In May 2010, the group will return again to continue nurturing the seeds that were planted in March.  Plans are in place to begin building a school in Limbe, and in June, a group of teen volunteers from Orcas Island will go to Haiti to help build it.

Dozens of businesses from Orcas Island have organized fundraisers this month, to continue the work of Helping Hands Noramise. Allie Ubanek, currently working at Morningstar Farm, has done all the organizing for these benefit events.. She can be reached at 376-2704.

The following businesses will contribute:

Monday April 26th

Madrona Bar and Grill
310 Main St, Eastsound
all proceeds from appetizers

Tuesday April 27th
The Kitchen
249 Prune Alley, Eastsound
A percentage of the day’s proceeds

Tuesday April 26th – Friday April 30th
Tres Fabu
238 North Beach Rd, Eastsound
A percentage of week’s proceeds

Wednesday April 28th
Straight Shots Espresso
1 Main Street, Eastsound
A percentage of the day’s proceeds

Inn at Shipbay
326 Olga Rd, Eastsound
open at 5:30 pm
$10. from each dining room entrée

Thursday April 29th
Deer Harbor Inn and Restaurant
78 Inn Lane, Deer Harbor
$25. benefit dinner
5-8 p.m
The meal will include a choice of vegetarian lasagna or grilled marinated free range chicken, split pea soup, garden salad, homemade bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Friday April 30th
Westsound Café at Kingfish Inn
4362 Crow Valley Rd. Westsound
5-8 p.m.
all proceeds from appetizers and desserts