Cavan men heading to Haiti to build houses

Five men from across Co. Cavan will travel to Haiti this year to build thousands of homes for people displaced by the earthquake last January. Three of the men - Adrian Garry, John Freeman and Ken Cullagh - will go on the trip, organised by the Haven Partnership, later this month; while another two - Paul McAleer and Simon Hutchinson - will go out on a second trip in October. Adrian Garry from Dumgimmon in Mountnugent is off to Haiti on Sunday, April 25. The sound engineer who works with top Irish bands such as Bel X One and a few other groups is looking forward to the challenge. He also teaches sound engineering in the Sound Training Centre in Templebar. Adrian is also a qualified carpenter and worked in that discipline for five years after leaving college. The Haven Organisation was established by Lesley Buckley from Cork and the "build it week" involve the construction on no less than 10,000 two-roomed homes. Prior to the earthquake, the organisation had committed to building 1,000 homes in Haiti with more space. However this plan has been revised and they now want to multiply that number by ten and build smaller and more simple abodes. The homes will be constructed from concrete. This is his first trip to Haiti and Adrian will be joining 250 others from all over Ireland, including John Freeman and Ken McCullagh, also from Co. Cavan. They are all going out for one week to build the houses for those unfortunate people who were displaced by the earthquake in January. "We had to raise €4,000 and one of the things I did to raise money was to organise a gold classic at Crover House. The classic together with a raffle raised nearly €2,000," said Adrian. He has now raised all the money required for the trip and this was aided by the fact that he used an account on the Haven website. "I e-mailed friends and they were able to donate money into the account. I also received a proportion of the Sunday collection from the Church in Mountnugent. I wish to thank Fr. Oliver Devine and the people of the parish for that gesture." There also pub quizzes and soccer tournaments to add to the fundraising. Adrian is really looking forward to the challenge and he will be in the company of three friends from Dublin. "I have been told by other people that it will be a life changing experience." They will be flying to Port de Prince where there will be a fleet of buses to take them to their location some 70 kilometers away and the roads are so bad, it will take over five hours. He will be bringing out some tools with him, which he intends to leave behind for the locals to use. Adrian also intends to bring jig saw puzzles for children and football boots. Haiti rock cycle Meanwhile, Paul McAleer and Simon Hutchinson from Bailieboro are busy fundraising for a similar trip in October. The lads are running a charity cycle from O'Connell Street, Dublin to Bailieborough on April 30. The Haven Partnership has a year-long operation in Haiti, but twice a year it brings out several hundred volunteers from Ireland to take part in its projects. The lads will spend a week there living and working with the charity. To this end, the lads intend to raise €9,000 to take part on the trip and have organised the charity cycle on Friday, April 30. This will be followed by a charity rock night in the Hotel Bailie, Bailieborough starting at 9pm with four local bands and a DJ. The night will be a great event for all concerned so bring your dancing shoes and be there! • Further information can be obtained by ringing 086-8791321 or 086-1715884.