This section of our website is to provide you with information about our efforts to offer relief to the people of Haiti. All donations made from this section will go directly to those efforts.
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Fresh Start Pack
Founders- Claudia Batichon, Pastor Travis Ivey, and Cheri Lance
The story of the Fresh Start Pack gives the Haitian nation hope on God’s desire to help them in a time where people are in desperate need. Our goal is to collect 100,000 Fresh Start Packs and deliver it to Haiti as early as the government will allow non-profit organizations to travel to Haiti.
The Fresh Start Pack started out as an idea, however it transpired into a huge project when a person who was affected by the January 12, 2010 Haiti Earthquake contacted Pastor Travis Ivey at Abundant Life Worship Center. Pastor Ivey opened his arms to help not only her, but the people of her native land. Although Statesboro, GA, a town of 23,000 people, where less than 0.01 percent of the population are Haitian, a local florist, Cheri Lance grew interest in helping the people impacted by this catastrophe. Ms. Lance is no stranger in charity projects just like Pastor Ivey—currently Ms. Lance collects blankets for the senior citizens in Statesboro, GA.
The significance of the founders of the Fresh Start Pack reminds the Haitian people of their motto “L’union fait la Force,” which means “Unity Builds Strength”. Six months ago, the three founders of the Fresh Start Pack did not know the existence of one another. However, Pastor Travis contacted the Statesboro Herald newspaper and told them Ms. Batichon’s story. One article written on Claudia and her husband Hans Batichon in regards to their attachment to the earthquake got not only Pastor Travis involved, but it caught the attention of a local florist. Together they formed The Fresh Start Pack.
Why Fresh Start?
The Haiti earthquake has caught the attention of numerous countries, non-profit organizations, celebrities, and individuals wanting to help. In the assessment phase of the disaster, money will make the biggest impact due to the urgent need for medical supplies and clean water. However, there will be a time when non-perishable items, such as blankets, shoes, flashlights, and etc. are needed, but in the midst of collecting these items we must NOT forget the need for hygiene products.
The Fresh Start Pack provides an individual or a family an opportunity to get a fresh start at taking care of his or herself physically as well as emotionally at a time where hygiene products are scarce. During a time of hardship, victims tend to focus on physiological needs that are vital to survival such breathing, food, and water according to “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”, however once these needs are met (physiological, security, and social needs), esteem needs become increasingly important to maintain satisfaction and build hope. We believe the Fresh Start Pack will help with self-esteem, personal growth, and social recognition.
After a calamity such as the earthquake hit a nation of people where more than 50,000 become deceased and individuals are left homeless, the victims do not have the money to buy the basic necessities such as toothbrush, toothpaste, or even soap! Prior to the earthquake, Haiti was a place that struggled with the issue of contamination, diseases, and bacteria—IMAGINE NOW
Products such as a hand sanitizer or a band-aid can make a huge difference in the lives of an individual who may have an open wound. Other products such as soap, moist wipes, tissue, and cotton swabs, which are included in the kit, will help with basic hygiene necessities.
Importance of Hygiene
The need for basic hygiene care is important because of the physical problems associated with poor hygiene. The Fresh Start Pack provides certain products such dental care due to the amount of bacteria in an individual’s mouth that may lead to tooth decay. Body wash is also an important factor because the removal of dirt and grime is important in daily hygiene care. Hand sanitizer plays another important role due to the spreading of germs.
All products that are included in a Fresh Start Pack plays an important role not only in hygiene care for four different groups of people (male, female, child, and baby), but the founders also added a toy in the bags that will go to children and babies to help build comfort and a little bit of happiness.
The Fresh Start Pack is exactly what the title says—it allows an individual to have a FRESH START in the midst of a tragedy.
Information on Fresh Start Kits coming soon.
Your help is needed and greatly appreciated. Donations can be made in person, via mail, or quickly, easily, and securely right here on this website using the form to the left. Please specify "Haiti" in the Designation field provided.
Coming soon.
Help Haitii
We’re on a mission, and we’re asking for your help. We will never know the ‘why’ of tragedies like the earthquake in Haiti. We, at Abundant Life, are focused on the ‘what for’- to show the love of Christ to those who need to be loved at this time. We want to offer mercy to those who have never experienced mercy as we have. The amount of devastation in Haiti is indescribable, and there is no way to comprehend the magnitude of it unless you see it firsthand. Abundant Life Worship Center has launched a fundraising campaign because Haiti has quickly become near to our hearts. Our very own Hans and Claudia Batichon were born in Haiti and still have family there. As of today, they have not heard from any of their aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents that reside in Haiti.
Also, our denomination has 50 churches in Haiti through which they feed over 3,000 children a day. We do not know the specific details of what churches and schools were lost at this time. Yet we know it is our responsibility to do what we can to raise support and bring awareness to as many as we can.
At this point, raising funds is the most crucial task. It doesn’t matter if it is one dollar or one million- please give what you can. We thank you for joining with us! Please know YOU have made a difference in the life of someone you will never meet.
maginable disaster.
Local Haitian natives ask Boro to help victims
An earthquake destroyed the city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti Tuesday, but the ripple effects of the natural disaster reach all the way to Statesboro, as native Haitians living here wait in worry to learn whether their loved ones survived the quake.
And, they hope local citizens will find it in their hearts to help the victims in their homeland.
Bulloch County residents Claudia and Hans Batichon and Dr. Rose Larolisiere Caesar were stunned to learn of the devastating earthquake that toppled schools and shacks, hospitals and homes, the U.N. peacekeeping headquarters and even the Presidential Palace.
Among the rubble are thousands of victims — and possibly, relatives of the Batichons and Caesar.
Claudia Batichon, who works as assistant director of compliance for the Georgia Southern University Athletics Department, has aunts and uncles, cousins and a grandmother in the Port-au-Prince area.