1.  The population in Haiti is 9, 035, 536 95.0% black, 5% white Had the first black-led republic in the world The literacy rate in Haiti is 45% The country is heavily corrupt. Each year much of the humanitarian aid is pocketed by officials. Many of the citizens in Haiti have told reporters they have given up on there government.  Between 1999 and 2004, no new foreign aid to Haiti was sent because political instability made it unlikely that aid would be distributed properly.  Haiti requires more than US$1.3 billion in aid each year, and since the earthquake the number has only risen.

2.  The death toll in Haiti as of February 15 th has risen to over 230,000 people, and 300,000 more have been injured.  The quake struck on January 12 th at 4:53pm and lasted terrifying minutes. The magnitude of the earthquake reached a high 7.0 on the rector scale with 33 aftershocks ranging to a 5.9 on the rector scale.  The earthquake's epicenter hit just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince and its 2 million inhabitants.  3 million people are in need of emergency aid after the earthquake. about 60% of buildings were shoddily built and unsafe in normal circumstances, because of this most of the city lies in destruction. strongest tremor to hit it in over 200 years.

3.  Iroquois ridge has taken the initiative to help out with this disaster and raise awareness in this troublesome time.  Haiti bracelets ($5 ea)  Dodge ball tournament  Ridge hockey buyout !  Dance, proceeds go to Haiti  Matchmakers – part of proceeds go towards helping out in Haiti  Monte Carlo night

4.  founded by 12-year-old Craig Kielburger  in 1995 11 school friends to begin fighting child labour.  Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children  more than one million young people involved in 45 countries.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhTzxM 217_s (free the children) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhTzxM 217_s

5. Listen to your morning announcements for updates on events happening at the ridge in support for Haiti Get involved with free the children and help out in your local community youth@freethechildren.comyouth@freethechildren.com. www.savethechildren.org www.Redcross.ca http://www.worldvision.ca/Pages/Home.aspx

6.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp5g qoiHRvM (save the children) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp5g qoiHRvM  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxqp -M1XG18 (world vision) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxqp -M1XG18  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpqs8 6YE4Ps&feature=related (C-17 Air Drop) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpqs8 6YE4Ps&feature=related