Yes, that's a piglet! Two of these, one pink on black, raced (high speed-very funny) to the left each morning, and raced back before dark. They must be making rounds. They did stop, however, to have a nibble at the disgusting dirt that flowed in front of our house!
Our twice-daily chopper from the US army. Great excitement on Jean's part!
Jean discovered books-even if they're upside down - and recites the entire story.
Typical view of the eroded mountains. I keep thinking that bamboo would be great: popular, long roots, tenacious, fast-growing and much like the sugar cane they are accustomed to. But what do I know? Another option: every person plant 3 trees. Two make it, that's 12 million trees!
Tranquil Countryside...? Keep y'r jaws shut!
I just saw that the first blog (posted after the last blog) made it in after all.
At this point we are about to run out of money, which means that the project is about over. Since we employed seven people: two shoppers/main cooks, two cooks and cleaners, one hauler (that stuff is heavy!!) and book-keeper and two part-time HS students and our driver, we need to break the news gently that their income (which they knew was only temporary) is about over. I think we'll be able to keep the two cooks, the book keeper and the driver for another few days to serve the remaining 20 patients who are alone.
Feeding around 100 people a day was really a major project, particularly in view of the conditions, where water always has to be hauled a distance, cooking is one outdoor on two small charcoal burners and all water has to be boiled 15 minutes before doing the many dishes (1 bowl and 1 spoon per patient plus all cooking utensils).
We still have some funds left (because still more comes in) so we should be able to continue this on a small scale.
Beth's friends from Keystone College are going to a school south of Petionville (I believe) where they will also do a hexagon project with a number of students (google it if you want details) which could have some fabulous results. The Hexagon Project is an international link to OneBigBoost. Every link helps.
This time my goal will be to see what can be done with the tent-city that is still growing around Saint Marc. It was still fairly small and well-cared for by particularly USAid, the US army and Save The Children, who all we saw in great numbers on a daily basis. Helicopters flew in and out every morning and every evening with teams of doctors and nurses, transporting patients when going the other way. Most prominent, however, were the small teams of 3,4,8 people who were joyfully doing their volunteer work around the hospital. Moving patients, carrying charts, washing floors,,all of it needed and no skills required. The t-shirts were actually (I always think they are a bit corny) perfect for identification, and our bright-yellow group stood out with pride - they were the only Haitian one! GOOD FOR THEM!
People are constantly asking what they can do. Although our funds are dwindling, many have offered clothing, new and used, medical supplies, school supplies (the kids have to go back to school and are not allowed in without supplies - a government stipulation...no comment...)
This time I am also going back for another reason. One may wonder what on earth it has to do with the quake. Well...perhaps it is because the quake can finally be a catalyst for change?
I have spent a great deal of time, deep into the dark of night, talking with our team and a group of other young adults. Listening to what they had to say about their government. Listen to what they said about education, food, the city, future. There was not much good they had to say, but neither offered much hope. As I wrote: it may not have to do with the quake, but maybe the time is right, after all this destruction and need for reconstruction (there are cracks in the ceiling of Jean's school, and the school had to close).
The discussion turned to personal responsibility. To leadership on a small scale, and the importance thereof. That they can govern their own neighborhoods in a positive way and be an example for others. But to be peaceful and insistent at all cost. To start with a simple neighborhood clean-up and improving the drain ditches and the odor of facilities. Their homes and clothes are sparkling clean - why not the neighborhood?
They were all very excited and this is one reason I want to go back, just for a few days, before their fire goes out.
Yanko, a HS student who finished 8th grade in Orlando where his Dad works, is particularly aware at what can be accomplished. He painted a picture for me that he wants me to put on a t-shirt. It is in red-white and blue, Haiti's colors. There is a hand holing the flag, and next to it "Haiti - yes we can change it"
It WILL go on t-shirts, and be handed out by him to their neighborhood, for many others to see! It's not a great piece or art, but says it all loud and clear.
To all this I can only add: until you have been there and see it, you will never, ever understand the hopeless poverty like no-where else, exacerbated by the wealth only miles away, nor understand the beauty and love of the Haitian people.
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