NEW GLASGOW - Among the many anxiously watching the fallout from an earthquake Tuesday in Haiti, an occupational therapist from Pictou County has a connection to the devastation.
Melissa Grant is part of a group of rehabilitative specialists that travel to the Caribbean country, known as Team Canada Healing Hands. The group operates a clinic in the capital city of Port au Prince. They provide therapeutic services but also work, for instance, in orphanages providing education to caregivers.
"Our whole team has been watching this very closely, talking to people we know down there, trying to figure out who's OK, who's missing, things like that.
"Our clinic has had damage, but it's still standing, so that's good," she said.
So far, Grant said she's been able to read correspondence from a few people she knows in Port au Prince.
"We've had Internet contact with a few."
Many in Haiti made use of satellite Internet and much of it remained functioning despite the earthquake.
Grant said the individuals involved with Team Canada Healing Hands - and affiliated groups in the United States - have teams ready to head to the country as soon as they know it's needed.
"I wouldn't be on that type of team, because as an occupational therapist, I'm not really in emergency protection. It would be doctors and nurses. I wouldn't want to go and use resources where they could be used by somebody else, like clean water and food."
Instead, what the people of Haiti need right now is financial support, Grant said.
"What Haiti needs now is money, and they're going to need it for a long time."
Team Healing Hands has set up its own relief fund, which may be found at Canadahelps.org. "Mark on it that you want the money to go to earthquake relief."
"If there is a silver lining, I hope this opens more eyes to the situation down there," Grant said.
How to help:
Local companies and organizations are accepting donations to the relief fund in Haiti.
The Salvation Army, which has been present in the Caribbean country since 1950, has a disaster relief fund set up.
Jean Moulton, community and family services manager for the Salvation Army in Pictou County, said donations to the relief effort may be made directly to the Salvation Army, which is located on Dalhousie Street in New Glasgow; donors may also call the Salvation Army headquarters at 1-800-725-2769 (SAL-ARMY) or visit its website at www.salvationarmy.ca.
Moulton said many have already expressed a desire to donate to the church's relief effort.
Additionally, Wal-Mart Canada announced Thursday a new project in which all of the retail giant's stores will take donations for the Canadian Red Cross.
