A delegation made up of 17 South Florida politicians and support staff has returned to Miami after spending three days in Haiti.
The delegation, organized by City of North Miami Councilman Jacques Despinosse, went to Haiti on a goodwill mission and returned with ideas on how to help Haitians.
"Right now everything is calm. That's what you hear from the government, the chamber of commerce and even from the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti," said Despinosse, at Miami International Airport Sunday night.
"So now they're focusing on education, education, education. That's why were launching a campaign locally to get school supplies to bring back ourselves to the children of Haiti in September," said Despinosse.
During the weekend trip to what is considered the poorest country in the western hemisphere, the delegation met with President Rene Preval and the country's Parliament.
The delegation also toured schools, hospitals, prisons and several cities and towns, which the delegates said gave them ideas on how to help. "Some major problems they have like local infrastructure and education, we can't help them with that, the federal government can. But we can help with things like adopting a neighborhood school, sending them good police cars -- things that we can do at the local level," said North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns.
Burns said he plans to talk to the City of North Miami police department to see if some of the officers would be willing to go to Haiti to help train their police force.
According to U.S. Ambassador Janet Sanderson, the U.S. federal government is responsible for 60 percent of Haiti's international aid.
The delegation hopes to increase the aid to Haiti with help and contributions from South Florida residents.
"I am making a plea to all the constituents of South Florida -- to donate a back pack, school supplies, whatever, and we personally will make sure it gets to the hands of the needy in Haiti," said Despinosse.
How To Donate To Haiti
If you would like to donate school supplies to the children of Haiti, you can drop them off or mail them to:
Councilman Jacques Despinosse 9999 NE 2nd Ave., Room 303 North Miami, FL
