Valley High grad helping Haiti with World Vision International

Amanda Pennington has traversed a long road of adventure and goodwill since graduating from Valley High School in 1992.

Today, the 36-year-old is a communications officer with World Vision International, headquartered in Denver.

This week Pennington has been thrust into the organization’s command center in the Dominican Republic, responsible for helping coordinate the delivery of “hundreds of thousands of meals” and supplies to earthquake-torn Haiti.

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” Pennington told the Times-News during a phone interview. “I’ve been talking with World Vision staff in the field in Haiti and they are working citywide in Port-au-Prince distributing food.”

Pennington’s journey to working with the Christian relief, development and advocacy organization began years ago. Earlier in life she dreamed of beinga photojournalist for “National Geographic” but her goals shifted during college.

“I spent a semester in Israel. Our class went with a woman who worked with World Vision into the Gaza Strip and it was that day I knew I wanted to workwith the organization,” Pennington said. “I was drawn to World Vision because they went to places other people didn’t want to go and worked at helping provide better futures for the people.”

Prior to arriving inthe Dominican Republic, Pennington was Miami, coordinating global supply shipments. Critical supplies needed in Haiti include tarps, collapsible water containers, shovels, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, blankets, radio equipment and mosquito nets.

Pennington is one of about 90 World Vision staff members on Hispaniola.

According to the World Vision Web site, www.wvi.org, the organization is running a medical clinic and emergency triage center, and supplying shelter and food in the city of Jimani, Dominican Republic, where many survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake fled.

The group is also helping reunite families separated in the disaster’s aftermath.

The safety of relief workers is an ongoing concern, Pennington said.

“Security is an issue especially when those you are helping are so very hungry,” she said. “We’re making sure people stay in safe areas. We have specialized security who understand disaster relief and where to safely distribute food and supplies, and we adhere to those guidelines.”

She said Haitian volunteers are an asset in communicating with locals and respecting cultures.

While Pennington will remain thousands of miles away her mother, Carma Hamby, of Murtaugh, watches the situation closely.

“She’s never directly responded to help with a crisis,” Hamby said. “Amanda typically helps coordinate the shipping of supplies and now she’s down with a team. With that in mind, we’re watching it more.”

Hamby said Pennington has always been involved in helping other people and she’s proud her daughter fulfilled her dream to work with World Vision.

“She always texts me, letting me know where she is and that she’s safe,” Hamby said. “Amanda has a lot of faith.”

Pennington has been humbled by the overwhelming support given to World Vision and worldwide relief efforts, but cautions against people sending material goods.

“We want supplies to provide long-lasting protection while people rebuild their country and lives,” Pennington said. “While people have really good intentions, donated material goods often must sit and be sorted through before anything is given out … it really slows down the relief process.”

Blair Koch may be reached at blairkoch@gmail.com or 316-2607.