A charity worker in Haiti is working on a project which will employ up to 40 survivors of last year's devastating earthquake.

Andy Chaggar and his charity, European Disaster Volunteers (EDV), have been completing relief work in capital Port-au-Prince following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck in January 2010.

Since he arrived in June, the charity has opened a school for orphaned children and provided scholarships and classroom furniture for other schools.

Staff and volunteers are now constructing a workshop in partnership with American non-profit group Rebuild.

It will provide a base for up to 40 members of a women's group, who will make shoes to give to local orphanages.

The workshop, which has cost about £2,500, is expected to be ready next month.

Andy, 34, of St Matthew's, Leicester, said: "Our biggest project is the workshop, which is almost complete.

"Unemployment is a big problem in Haiti, there are very few jobs available, so something that will hopefully employ up to 40 people is something we're very happy with.

"Without steady work, families are left without means to send their children to school, rebuild houses or businesses destroyed by the earthquake, or take any steps to better their lives."

EDV moved to a new base in December, which has allowed the charity to take on more volunteers. Since then, some 80 volunteers from 12 countries have donated about 8,000 hours of their time to work on various projects.

Andy said: "We've expanded pretty rapidly in the last few months, so it's exciting times.

"As EDV grows, I spend more time managing, but I like to get involved as much as I can. It's very satisfying – that's why we want to do it."

Recent schemes include a new medical clinic, which has provided treatment for more than 600 children, and major repair and renovation at the Foyer d'Orelph Orphanage and School.

The orphanage hosts a free school which could hold up to an additional 150 children if there was sufficient classroom space and financial support.

Andy said: "We are doing major repair and renovation work which will provide a safer, more comfortable environment for 50 children living and studying there.

"That will be combined with financial support for teachers so more children living in the area can attend."

Andy became interested in helping out in areas struck by natural disaster after surviving the Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand in 2004. He set up EDV last year and Haiti is their first project.

"By the end of the year, it would be good if we were in a position to move to other places," he said. "I'd love EDV to be in lots of places so we could provide volunteering opportunities all over the world."

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