THE SITUATION:  

It has been more than a year since the earthquake in Haiti devastated so many lives. The healing has begun, but there is still much to be done. Special attention must be given to the children impacted. Children under eighteen years of age comprise approximately half of Haiti's population of over nine million, and they have been disproportionally impacted by the tragedy. Many suffered the loss of parents and other loved ones and many remain homeless.

Playmakers First Trip to Haiti: Despite their traumatic experiences, the children could not resist the invitation to play, to connect, to express joy.

THE PLAYMAKERS GET TO WORK:  

Working with local partners, Life is good Playmakers has trained a large group of front-line child care providers to bring healing play to children in the tent cities and orphanages around Port-au-Prince. They call themselves the Gerye Jwa (Creole for "Joy Warriors") since they are committed to protecting the playful optimism of Haiti's children. Already they are conducting Playmaker groups with thousands of children every week.

A core team of these Gerye Jwa received additional training both in Haiti and in the United States, enabling them to take the lead in training hundreds of other relief workers throughout Haiti. Talented, dedicated Haitians equipping more and more of their fellow Haitians to heal and strengthen children — this is a sensible and sustainable model for a stronger Haiti.

Playmaker Training: Haiti's inspiring Playmakers prove that optimism knows no borders.

BRINGING THE JOY:
	JANUARY 2010:  The Life is good Company created a fundraising tee to support relief efforts targeting Haiti's children. Our work to date in Haiti has been funded by the more than $85,000 raised through the sale of the Life is good Haiti fundraising tee. We're grateful to all who have contributed — wear it with pride.
	MARCH 2010:  Partnered with AMURT Haiti, an NGO addressing the social, emotional and educational needs of children in tent cities throughout Port-au-Prince. Conducted a needs assessment in Port-au-Prince to determine the psychosocial needs of local children impacted by the earthquake.
	JUNE 2010:  Identified a group of 25 outstanding Haitian child care providers whom we trained and supplied with play equipment to run playgroups for children living in tent cities throughout Port-au-Prince. See our trip to Haiti on flickr.
	AUGUST 2010:  Follow-up trip to Haiti to provide support and supplies to Haitian Playmakers, who persevered through seemly impossible obstacles, including heavy rains, flash floods, lack of shelter, food and water, political unrest, and disease.
	SEPTEMBER 2010:  Identified a Haitian Playmaker Leadership Team and invited four members to attend a weeklong training program in Boston. This Haitian Training Team will travel the country providing Life is good Playmaker trainings and resources to child care providers throughout Haiti.
	JANUARY 2011:  Traveled to Haiti to continue the training of our Haitian Playmaker Leadership Team and conduct a training session for preschool and kindergarten teachers through a local NGO, Haiti Partners.