Hounslow reacts to Haiti (From Hounslow And Brentford Times)

Hounslow reacts to Haiti

8:14pm Monday 8th February 2010

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Reported by community correspondent Sandhya Jonnalagadda

The devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti has caused an immeasurable amount of tragedy and destruction. People all over the world are left feeling useless and shocked from the news and this is certainly the feeling that many Hounslow citizens are feeling, trying to do the most they can.

Haiti, a small nation, lies west to the Dominion Republic and east to Cuba in the Caribbean Basin. Currently, it is one of the poorest nations in the western hemisphere.

The country is among the worlds poorest and least developed. In 2003, it was estimated that around 80% of the population is living in poverty.

The earthquake hit the already devastated country on Tuesday the 12th of January, at 16:53 (local time) and was measured to be around 7.0 on the richer scale. The epicenter was 16 miles from the capital city, Port-au-Prince. It is estimated that around 3 million people were affected by the quake.

Wilford Marous, 38, who has lived and worked in Hounslow for 14 years, was relieved to hear his cousins survived the earthquake, but is still waiting for word of his two missing uncles who live in the worst hit area of Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital.

"I'm expecting the worst," said Wilford, who grew up in Les Cayes, South Haiti. "We are still hoping and praying, our fingers our crossed, but god knows. Maybe they just can't reach a phone. The UN are doing a good job over there and hopefully my uncles will be found alive."

"It is a relief that my parents are in France but we are a very close family so as you can imagine we are all very worried. My mother managed to speak to my cousins the other day who were telling her how they managed to get out their house just before it collapsed."

Throughout the world, in excess of $335 million has been raised for the disaster in Haiti so far, and the people of Hounslow are not too far behind.

Wellington Primary School held a non-uniform day for the children on Friday and raised £308.00 (and counting), which will be sent to the Salvation Army. Lampton School has held numerous cake sales and is holding a non-uniform day on Thursday 11th of February; all proceeds will be donated to support the Wings of Hope charity.

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