(c) 2010 NPT Photo by Duay O'Neil

Local citizens gathered Thursday evening at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church to discuss plans
for the construction of a refugee city in Haiti. Those attending the meeting included, front
row, from left, Edna Worley, Charles Benson, Marilyn Benson, Louise Hux, Wilma Proffitt,
Amanda Ball, and Tal Carey. Middle row, from left, are Eddie Lennon, Larry Ralph, Brooke
Fullington, and Edwin Franks. Back row, from left, are John Bell, Luke Bell, Benny Proffitt,
Mark White, and Ray Anthony.

NEWPORT-Many U. S. cities have adopted sister cities around the world, often exchanging visits, ideas, and work projects as they grow closer over the years. Newport, Tennessee, to date, has never done this.

However, a project idea broached to several local citizens this past week will culminate in our community not only adopting a sister city, but actually building the city as well.

Newport native Benny Proffitt, founder of the international youth Christian group First Priority, introduced Larry Ralph, who has spent 25 years involved in mission work in Haiti to several local citizens on Thursday.

Ralph, whose involvement in the destitute Carribean nation dates to 1984, was in Haiti when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated its capitol city of Port au Prince, killing an estimated 200,000 people.

Ralph's work is centered in St. Louis du Nord, a city located on the island's northern coast, about two hours from Port au Prince.

"We felt the quake," said Ralph on Thursday night, speaking to a group at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. "I was on the third floor and yelled for everyone to get outside."

According to Ralph, refugees from Port au Prince began arriving in St. Louis du Nord that night.

"I thought I had seen everything until two weeks ago," said Ralph, in describing the complete devastation left by the quake.

"It was raining that night when they started arriving, but the refugees absolutely refused to come inside our building for fear of the roof falling on them. We finally just covered them with tarps in the streets. Nearly everyone was covered with blood."

"This has created a need I've never experienced," he added.

St. Louis du Nord's population of 60,000 has exploded to over 180,000 in the past weeks with more pouring into the area each day.

Ralph revealed plans for a refugee city which will be built on 50 acres of land his mission owns in St. Louis du Nord.

"We already have a dental clinic about 90 percent done, a good well with plenty of water, and a wall around the area. Our goal is a hospital in the future," he said.

Ralph said that the quake has left an immediate need for everything, especially shelter for the earthquake victims.

"We have room to build there for at least 1,000 people, maybe more," he continued. "This is a long-term project."

Such a project can be built for $60,000, according to Ralph. "We need about $20,000 to get started," he continued. "We have nearly everything we need in Haiti-we make our own concrete blocks on site. We just need money and willing hands."

For another $50,000, he added, amenities such as electricity can be added. "We must provide these people some degree of normalcy."

Ralph expressed concern over the "story not being told about the refugee situation.

"No one yet seems to be thinking long-term. Our mission work, which includes 14 churches and 10 schools serving 4,000, has been hanging by a thread. Now the spool is completely unwound. In less than 9 seconds, up to 500 years of construction was wiped out-two universities gone-and rescue teams still haven't gotten to them. You cannot comprehend the devastation."

Preliminary estimates of the losses, in addition to the 200,000 dead, include 800,00 gravely injured, 1,700,000 homeless, and 200,000 newly orphaned.

"Gangrene has set in. Doctors cannot amputate fast enough. They are using machetes to cut off limbs to free people from the rubble."

While in Newport on Thursday, Ralph and Proffitt spoke with several government, education, and religious leaders. "Every pastor we spoke to is excited," said Proffitt. "They all see this as an opportunity to bring our community together. We are here to introduce this idea to Newport. It will be a city's response to a nation in crisis."

Initial plans for the project call for the establishment of a local leadership team with a trip to Haiti, hopefully in March, to see firsthand the devastation and need.

Anyone wishing more information about the project may e-mail bennyproffitt@gmail.com. Checks should be made to First Priority Haiti Fund and mailed to 2000 Mallory Lane-Suite 130342, Franklin, TN 37067.