It has been an exciting and educational winter in OneBigBoost land! Not everything is positive: its first stumble block was met last October in Haiti. A tile-making workshop was set up for six adults in Saint Marc, who were excited and dedicated. Every morning from 9 am - noon or later we worked with clay, learning step-by-step. We were allowed space at a school, worked one day in a home and the last two days we were allowed to use space on the patio of a nice hotel in Saint Marc (Le Gou-T). They loved it and the projects, esp for first try at clay, turned out nice! Problem: no kiln. It was there, but we were not allowed to use (and pay for) it. No reasons given by the Am. person who supervises it. That was not easy: it felt like a lost project. But there is always next time! I left the remainder of the clay there and saw last month that they kept making various things. Experiementing and gaining experience where there had been none.
The winter brought excitement through a tough situation. A physician from Illinois, Dr. Carroll, sent out an emergency message: new cholera outbreak in south-western peninsula (Haiti), south of Pestel. Various BIG agencies he contacted (no names here!) denied the existence of cholera there, while he was looking at the ill and dead. Sander passed the message on to me, and I contacted Dr. Carroll, his wife, the hospital there (things don't work so smooth there: too much work for each). He told me that water filters, medication and especially volunteer med personnel were needed most. OneBigBoost could provide water filters. We discussed the targets and decided that families, isolating the disease, would be easiest and safest. We (OBB) found a great water filter. Highest rating, strong, inexpensive ($10 US incl transport, $20 with a predrilled/spout installed bucket) and, above all: easy to maintain AND small (about 6"x3") AND lightweight. Most of these had to go up into the mountains and these were all major issues. Many had to be delivered on foot. I have walked some of these steep, berubbled paths and believe-you-me: weight is an issue esp in the boiling sun. Teaching workshops on use and hygiene (washing hands) were part of OBB's gifts. A wonderful woman, Judy Foster (one of those miracle-do-it-all people) took care of the on the ground gathering and transport from Port au Prince to Pestel. Google www.harvesthousehaiti.org to see only some of the work she does! Can't wait to meet her in person.
Next. There are always SO MANY nexts!
We are incorporating 501-(c)-(3) Not For Profit. Darned. And here our board had been enjoying all these weekends at the beach without you knowing! (No wonder everyone wanted to on Board!)
We have our meeting with our lawyer, a most generous and knowledgeable man on the subject (an a fabulous artist) this afternoon for the final step! We're registered both with the IRS and legally...now the dots for the i-s.
One reason this is so crucial is because have a donation of $10 000 waiting for us. Can you believe it?
The possibilities here are staggering. We have done so many 'small' things that made such a difference... if we keep thinking that way we will be able to do so much in so many places!
Do not, however, stop you from making a donation from $1 on up! Everything we do makes a difference!
Yesterday we received a check for $150. the three children in the family decided to 'purchase' one generator for the TECH project, and one classroom water filter of $48. Of course the parents will receive a letter for taxes. That was another enormous gift!
L to R: Miguel-technology, Viergeline-Secretary, Weber-presentations, Melet-Pres. and project director.
So what is TECH? TECH, which stands for Technology, Education, Community and Health, is a project conceived by a small group of very bright, energetic and dedicated young men and one woman.
They have started (January) with presentations at schools, using a projector, a small screen and science movies. These HS students had never seen/learned about the destructive forces of nature (except in person, of course) globally. Not about life in the ocean. About the issues of distinction and protection, and a few more. A few - not enough! They asked me for help (I am close friends with one of them, Melet Deroze of Verrettes) in organization, grant-search, programs and projects...general direction. And a budget, needless to say. Ultimately we all need a budget. I went to visit them last May (wow-only a few weeks ago..) and had a Fantastic Time with them. We decided to adopt the name TECH Project and defined and refined some of the programs. With them I visited eight different schools, from excellent local schools to some of the most difficult ones to watch, filled with a few brave students, even braver and dedicated teachers, a blackboard, chalk and a stick for pointing. But in the end they will be able to read and hopefully not forget. These schools have only 3-4 grades and nothing after.I truly, truly admired them most.
TECH Project's goals are
1- to continue the science/geography etc DVD presentations, as broad as available. This draws about 100-200 students each time, with full cooperation of the schools. I sat in on two, and it was wonderful!
2- to implement health, hygiene and community (health) science projects and fairs in towns in the region (Artibonite)
3- to become visible in the community through community-involved projects such as clean-ups, movies in the park etc.
4- to be trained in emergency preparedness, which will be, most importantly, offered by an organization called SOLO, based in Vermont. We;re trying to get this done before the next hurricane hits! This will include community organization in case of disasters, first aid, CPR, preparing for evacuation etc. A fantastic project and so crucial!
5- teaching the use of modern equipment such as computers, projectors etc and simple repair
6- teaching educators to go to other regions and spread the programs and projects.
These are only some examples.
For this they need materials and equipment more than anything. Two generators are needed to make sure the projectors work. Small, portable solar units that provide spotlights for teaching. ($50 each for 2 spots and solar). Hand-outs for each classroom after each show.
DVDs, in FRENCH or language-free of subjects in the above categories are ESSENTIAL. If you have any (look on the back of your DVD case: it will say 'languages') please send them to me (22 Revelstone Dr, Honesdale, PS 18431) and I will get them there.
They need little white painter caps. They will be decorated with TECH and some design, to show all the people in Verrettes who has worked on the clean-up project. Important message!Sounds like a waste? NOT!
OBB wants (well..) solar infant transport units (they look like eggs!). Two of them. These are regulated for air, temperature etc etc. $1400 a piece.
The list is much longer and , as far as I am concerned, wonderful. Like a Christmas wish list.
Next summer, 2013, we plan a huge project in rural, northern Rwanda. A young, professional adults group contacted OBB (boy does that feel good!) to ask for help. SekaRwanda, SmileRwanda, consists of teachers, technicians etc who are trying to reach the children and communities neglected. they are largely neglected because it takes so long to build a country back up after natural or man-made disasters. We can help. A little. The project will consist of volunteers in the medical and education field and anyone who wants to fill the crucial gaps. Teaching and teaching teachers, hygiene projects, medical clinics and help where possible and teaching there as well.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in finding out more for this July 2013 Rwanda trip, please have them contact us through onebigboost@gmail.com with "Africa" on the subject line.
Here a good chuckle from a grocery store in Verrettes to share:
Of course there is always more, but I would put you to sleep. Hmm- maybe you should read this at 10 pm :D
I love you all, am so grateful to those who tell me that they have read the blogs and please do pass it on!!
Happy as a clam:D
Marianne
PS Feel free to use all typos to write me back :-)
I have a friend and a lawyer to meet!
