From the President

It seems like yesterday, but it was over two years ago that tragedy struck Haiti. The earthquake killed more than 200,000 people and scores were injured and maimed. As I travelled the streets of Port au Prince a couple of months ago, I could see the evidence of this disaster that remains in broken buildings and people still living in the public parks. Today, I'm pleased to be able to say that Speroway is still working to repair the lives of Haitians – especially the orphans.

Since commencing operations in Canada in 2004, we have devoted our energies to what we would call “emergency” situations.  Some would refer to us as a “relief” organization and this has indeed been our history – bringing relief to hurting and dying children through our programs at home and overseas.

What do we do overseas to help children?  Speroway assists in feeding children in several Central American countries, in Kenya and in 30 Haitian orphanages. Not only food is provided, but through our medical and dental team trips we have treated more than 25,000 people in Central America – many of them children.  I wish you could see the smile on a child’s face when they receive a hug from one of our doctors after an examination and some vitamins dispensed from our travelling pharmacy. I wish you could hear the heartfelt “Gracias” from a young mother after our dentist extracted her daughter’s infected teeth and dispensed antibiotics that literally saved her child’s life. Parents and children leave our clinic with food, clothing and much needed medicines and vitamins – making me wonder each time what they would have done had we not been there.

Do we assist children in Canada?  Yes we do.  Surprisingly, there are thousands of children in Canada who are going to bed hungry every night.  And, there are many children who have no bed in which to sleep – yes, Canadian children are in need of Speroway’s support.

Our Food/Hygiene Box Program provides food and other supplies to families in Canada.  By partnering with other social agencies, Speroway makes available a food box (approximately 30 pounds), and a hygiene box (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, paper products, etc.) for distribution to needy families. Hundreds of boxes have been distributed in the Toronto, Montreal and Hamilton areas. Food banks also benefit from food and supplies that they receive from Speroway.

Our program to First Nations communities in Northern Ontario provides much needed food and supplies. Our Bunk Bed Program has provided over 200 bunk beds to First Nation communities where children were sleeping on the floor and in many cases in mouldy environments. More beds are planned for shipment to other First Nation communities that are still waiting. This will continue our program to improve the health of the children – giving them proper sleep, which will assist in their capacity to learn.

We are only able to continue our work because of donors like you who partner with us, providing financial and in-kind resources so that Speroway can continue to reach its objective of “Meeting the needs of children with Christian love”. Thank you for your assistance. Together, we are making an impact in the lives of children and true to our name, we are delivering the HOPE that they deserve!

On behalf of the children,

KEN DICK, C.A.
PRESIDENT • SPEROWAY

July 2012