Apparently there's a saying in Haiti: "Bermuda really loves us."

Good Samaritan Phillip Rego has organised yet another collection for the impoverished nation, in the hope that residents will respond.

A container was filled with items last night and there is hope that another will be by the end of next week.

"There has been a lot of response," said Mr. Rego yesterday as he recalled how residents' donations had filled the parking lot of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Warwick.

"We had a woman, Natalie Simmons, she must have brought 50 pairs of shoes brand new probably more than that."

Last year, Mr. Rego sold his landscaping business, Ideal Homes and Gardens Ltd. His initial idea was to support a food programme in aid of people in Haiti.

He has since helped build a roof for a medical clinic and improved conditions at the Eden Garden Orphanage, which doubles as a school for 140 Haitian youth.

He visits the country once or twice a month and provides additional help through his charity, Feed My Lambs Ministry, which collects money and goods for people there.

"A lot of the kids in school there haven't eaten in two, three days, so our first project was to build them a kitchen," he said. "We started feeding, and it grew into this. Now we're trying to set up a trade school, so they can learn about carpentry, automobile repair and computers.

"There are people just a little walk away from the home that just don't have any clothes because they can't afford them."

Mr. Rego said that he has been amazed by the generosity of Bermudians much appreciated by Haitians desperately in need of help.

"Everyday I come home and someone's left a package on my front door. They have a saying now in Haiti 'Bermuda really loves us'," he said. "We wouldn't be able to do this without Bermuda donating a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of prayers. Every five minutes the phone is ringing."

Residents here have given more than $80,000 since Mr. Rego started collecting funds for the project a little over a year ago.

His organisation has also been inundated with actual items clothes, construction supplies, computers, water heaters and even picnic benches.

Mr. Rego's wife, Maria, said that hundreds had donated throughout the day on Monday and hundreds more yesterday.

"For three hours, it was a constant stream," she said. "We filled about 309 boxes so far 234 yesterday and a little less than a hundred so far today. Most of the boxes have a combination of donations from different people."

Her husband intends to continue collecting contributions until Friday. Because of the large number he's seen so far, Mr. Rego is asking donors to place items in a labelled box.

The initial plan was to send a container. However Meyer Shipping unexpectedly donated a second, which Mr. Rego hopes to fill.

"If anyone wants to help us, please do. We didn't plan on a second container," he said last night.

To contribute, send an e-mail, feedmylambsministry@gmail.com, or telephone 535-8934. Persons can also donate directly to the charity's Bank of Bermuda account, 010305498012, under the name Phillip Rego. For more information, visit www.feedmylambsministry.org.