Amway announced plans today to continue its contribution to Haiti earthquake disaster relief through a rebuilding initiative with new partner, SOS Children's Villages. SOS Children's Villages works to improve the lives and well-being of children around the world. They have built over 500 villages in 132 countries, providing long-term, stable care for orphans. Two Villages – SOS Cap Haitien and SOS Santo, in the Port-au-Prince area – provide homes for more than 500 orphans in Haiti.
The newest SOS Village will be built in Les Cayes and will include 15 family homes, each supporting nine orphans and their "SOS Mothers," who raise the children as their own. The SOS Village also features a kindergarten, primary school, medical center, and community facilities. Construction is slated for late 2010, dependent on approval from the Haitian government and the United Nations, to ensure compliance with a master construction plan for Haiti.
"SOS is thrilled to partner with Amway, with its similar global reach," said Heather Paul, CEO of SOS Children's Villages – USA. "In this case, we together are building a house in Haiti. But we are really building a future for children who are Haiti's future. We look forward to Amway partners getting to know us, and our work on behalf of orphaned children around the world."
Amway will provide $250,000 toward the building project and encourages its Independent Business Owners (IBOs), employees, customers, and friends worldwide to participate as well. Contributions will help build one of the homes in SOS Les Cayes that will provide a stable and caring environment for orphaned children.
"Amway and our Independent Business Owners remain committed to helping provide long-term assistance to the Haitian families affected by the earthquake disaster," said Steve Lieberman, Vice President & Managing Director of Amway North America. "This initiative is an ideal fit for our One By One Campaign for Children®, which helps children live, achieve and play wherever we do business around the world. We are proud to partner with SOS Children's Villages to continue rebuilding for the future in Haiti."
Amway also provided over $1 million in donations collected from Amway IBOs, employees, customers, and its global affiliates toward the relief effort during the first months following the devastating earthquake. As part of the immediate relief effort, Amway also donated 10,000 personal hygiene kits and provided the use of its corporate jets to carry medical personnel and supplies to Haiti.
