Returned Saturday with plans to download a million photos, blog away, and simultaneously organize my whole life. Actuality was , after getting up at 1:45 local New Orleans time , catching the bus at the equivalent of 2:00 AM, opening the airport in Port au Prince , flights to Atlanta and then New Orleans, with arrival at 5PM here, I was a bit tired. After dinner with Dan Tolley and Kathy McKinney, I got home to my deprived two cats and simply watched some pre recorded horsemanship shows before I collapsed.
Sunday I was up before daybreak ( I am normally NOT an "A.M." person) and started laundry and sorting through my journal notes. Best intentions were replaced by the mundane needs of a nearly empty gas tank, groceries, job preparation , emails, calls, checking in with friends, and then the day was gone. I am now working .
Looks like the Blog will have to wait a few more days.
I promise loads of photos, and great information.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
I became an Anderson Cooper fan during the aftermath of KATRINA, ( so what! you may ask) and recall his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, told him to follow his passion- leading him into his journalistic reporting career. I followed one passion and became a physician . Now that I want to "retire" from the drudge of the American medical system of practice, I still seek that one thing that will let me die knowing I did all I could to make a difference. I am so emotionally charged with being here, learning even more of the undertaking I am a part of....and meeting so many amazing people already....that I know I am hooked. So-
After 2 hours of sleep, my day began at 4 AM with a lift to the airport from Dawn Tolley (who will be living in Costa Rica by the time I return). The 6:15 AM flight ( did not know the airport was even open that early)- took me to ATLANTA, where I am staying at the Sheraton Gateway near the airport. I had 10 minutes to get to my room before 10 AM registration began.
Tables were piled with Habitat Tee shirts, Tool bags, goggles, and Hard Hats. Everyone is in a meet and greet mood, arriving from Oregon, California, Virginia, even Canada, and , New Orleans! Johathan Wallach from New Orleans Real Estate Investors Assoc. is here too. And ,I now have even more loot to figure out how to pack for the leg to Haiti.
My room mate for the hotel stay is a delightful San Jose Californian named Vickie who has done quite a few "global Build" projects with Habitat already, cooks for and feeds the homeless, and is so interesting that we spent the entire afternoon in the bar chatting. (yes, I ordered a Pink Squirrel and the bartender even tried to make something like it. It was good enough that Vickie and two others in the bar ordered one!)
The evening "Ceremony" was just great. We had "Freedom Singers" that originated with the Civil Rights movement, and of course, THE CARTERS. They just strolled into the dining room, roamed about shaking hands, greeting us, getting their photo taken and giving heart burn I am sure to the secret service personnel with them.
The program was a mixture of updates on the build site progress, conditions in Haiti currently, and construction safety issues. We have been provided with information on the history of Haiti with insights to the economic problems that plague the country since it's separation from France in 1804. May not sound interesting but the slides, speakers, and information was exciting. I fear I am already addicted to Habitat and will make every effort to be on every build project I can afford in the future.
I am unable to upload photos from the hotel computer, and will likely have no Internet access for the next week, but will return with a journal of sights and stories that I hope will have you fall in love with a country and people I already feel dedicated to.
To quote someone: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. This is proving to be one such experience.
After 2 hours of sleep, my day began at 4 AM with a lift to the airport from Dawn Tolley (who will be living in Costa Rica by the time I return). The 6:15 AM flight ( did not know the airport was even open that early)- took me to ATLANTA, where I am staying at the Sheraton Gateway near the airport. I had 10 minutes to get to my room before 10 AM registration began.
Tables were piled with Habitat Tee shirts, Tool bags, goggles, and Hard Hats. Everyone is in a meet and greet mood, arriving from Oregon, California, Virginia, even Canada, and , New Orleans! Johathan Wallach from New Orleans Real Estate Investors Assoc. is here too. And ,I now have even more loot to figure out how to pack for the leg to Haiti.
My room mate for the hotel stay is a delightful San Jose Californian named Vickie who has done quite a few "global Build" projects with Habitat already, cooks for and feeds the homeless, and is so interesting that we spent the entire afternoon in the bar chatting. (yes, I ordered a Pink Squirrel and the bartender even tried to make something like it. It was good enough that Vickie and two others in the bar ordered one!)
The evening "Ceremony" was just great. We had "Freedom Singers" that originated with the Civil Rights movement, and of course, THE CARTERS. They just strolled into the dining room, roamed about shaking hands, greeting us, getting their photo taken and giving heart burn I am sure to the secret service personnel with them.
The program was a mixture of updates on the build site progress, conditions in Haiti currently, and construction safety issues. We have been provided with information on the history of Haiti with insights to the economic problems that plague the country since it's separation from France in 1804. May not sound interesting but the slides, speakers, and information was exciting. I fear I am already addicted to Habitat and will make every effort to be on every build project I can afford in the future.
I am unable to upload photos from the hotel computer, and will likely have no Internet access for the next week, but will return with a journal of sights and stories that I hope will have you fall in love with a country and people I already feel dedicated to.
To quote someone: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. This is proving to be one such experience.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL HAITI PROGRESS LETTER
Building Homes and Hope in Haiti
On Jan. 12, 2010, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti just 10 miles west of the capital, Port-au-Prince.The earthquake damaged nearly 190,000 houses, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed. Of the more than two million affected survivors, 600,000 are still displaced today.
 Donate Please donate online today Get involved Individuals, Affiliates, Corporate Partners and Faith Partners can all make a difference View Photos and videos about the Haiti earthquake | |
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Soon after the earthquake, Habitat set a goal of serving 50,000 families over five years, helping them move toward safe, secure and permanent places to call home.
Nearly two years later, Habitat has reached these key milestones:
- More than 24,500 emergency shelter kits are in the hands of people who needed them most. The kits included tools — hammers, pliers, chisels, work gloves, rope and tarps. These tools have allowed Haitians to clean up debris, complete basic repairs and create emergency shelter. In addition, more than 3,300 emergency shelter kits have been stockpiled, ready to distribute quickly whenever a disaster occurs.
- More than 4,000 families have received transitional or upgradable shelters. Habitat’s upgradable shelter features a timber frame with pressure-treated plywood walls, a tin roof and permanent concrete perimeter foundation. The structure is built so that concrete blocks can be added later, as the family’s finances improve.
- More than 12,000 housing damage assessments have been conducted. Assessments help determine which structures can be made safe and which need to be torn down.
- Habitat has launched its repair and rehab program with more than 200 repairs or rehabs completed to date.
- More than 3,000 Haitians have been trained in construction or construction business practices, along with an additional 1,400 trained in financial literacy.
- More than 700 Haitians have found job opportunities through Habitat Haiti’s main office and Habitat Resource Centers. In a nation with an unemployment rate of 60 percent, job opportunities are a crucial part of rebuilding.
This summer, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its permanent housing community in Léogâne. Léogâne is close to the epicenter of the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake where nearly 80 to 90 percent of buildings were damaged or destroyed. The development will provide housing for up to 500 homeless families, or approximately 2,500 individuals. By the end of 2011, 150 core homes will have been constructed on the Santo site. Construction will culminate with Habitat’s 28th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. For one week, beginning Nov. 5, more than 500 Carter Work Project volunteers will build 100 core homes. The initial 50 homes will be built the prior week by volunteers from Haven Community Foundation, an Irish nongovernmental organization with whom Habitat has also partnered to provide logistical support for the Carter Work Project.
Transforming communities:
While we measure our progress by the number of families and individuals served, the impact of our work can be seen in the transformation of not only lives but also entire communities. We call it our urban development approach, which is based on empowering and strengthening communities in defined geographic areas. By working closely with communities, we help them to build self-confidence to take action and to identify and prioritize their needs. We also help them develop community action plans and leverage their collective capacity to advocate for change.
One such community is the Simon-Pelé neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, where Habitat has been actively engaged since last October. With support from donors, local community organizations and government, the community maps (or enumerates) each house and building in Simon-Pelé and surveys each family. Information collected helps the community understand their own needs and gives them the tools to become change agents and champions for critical services. To date, more than 6,000 houses and buildings have been mapped and numbered and approximately 6,000 households have been surveyed.
Learn more about Habitat’s response in Haiti:
- Quarterly report: October 17, 2011
- Quarterly report: May 23, 2011 (1MB .pdf)
- One year report: Building Hope in Haiti (1MB .pdf)
Also available in Spanish(.pdf) and in French(.pdf) - Press release: Haitian Diaspora bringing expertise to help rebuild Haiti
- Press release: One year after Haiti earthquake
- Haiti Policy Report
- Photos and videos about the Haiti earthquake
- Q&A with the national director of Habitat Haiti, Claude Jeudy
- Habitat’s CEO testimony at the House foreign affairs hearing on Haiti
Habitat’s partners in Haiti:
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011
LAST MINUTE SHOPPING
After months of waiting for this, it seems to have rushed up and jumped out at me anyway. I have piles of "stuff " to consider taking collected on the kitchen floor, clothes drip drying after being dipped in mosquito repellant hanging on racks, work shoes I have not broken in, and last minute scavenger items to find as suggested by the Habitat people. As if I have any time left to shop ( get back in town late Friday and my flight is 6AM Saturday) ,they would now like us to also provide some screwdrivers, a large hammer, and leave room for the hard hat, tool kit, and other items they will give us in Atlanta. (I have my own levels, plumb lines, and DIY cinder block construction book.) If I had any spare time to think about it, I would be excited, but I am sleep deprived, working a 36 hour shift at present, and currently traveling with 2 cats in the car when I go back to New Orleans.
Monday, October 17, 2011
THE SECURITY ISSUES -
"Conditions in Haiti are very challenging."
Thus begins the latest communication from the Carter /Habitat for Humanity Work Project. They point out that conditions for thousands there are desperate, and there is a very delicate and difficult situation for families who are not currently being helped.
Unrest and demonstrations throughout the country continue to occur. There have been demonstrations outside the Carter Work Project site. They believe that these security issues have been addressed in consultation with the local community leaders, US Embassy in Haiti, and Haitian national government. There will be a "high level " of security at all times. The work site and residence campsite are self contained areas, and we will not be going out except by bus.
Add to this, that President Carter and Rosalyn are to be there at least for part of the week, and we have some interesting dynamics to play out.
I heard tales of arriving aid workers and dignitaries being stormed at the airport entrances by the locals, and guards having to escort them to their vehicles. I heard a story of beanie baby toys given to children being snatched by the adults to be sold for food at market.
Most of all, I feel the pang of knowing I can only do such a tiny bit, and will want to continue to to find ways to help.
Whatever your political sentiment about why Haiti is such a political and economic mess, the people are just trying to survive in a miserable place. I have way too much, and they have nothing. I'm sure this will change my outlook forever.
Thus begins the latest communication from the Carter /Habitat for Humanity Work Project. They point out that conditions for thousands there are desperate, and there is a very delicate and difficult situation for families who are not currently being helped.
Unrest and demonstrations throughout the country continue to occur. There have been demonstrations outside the Carter Work Project site. They believe that these security issues have been addressed in consultation with the local community leaders, US Embassy in Haiti, and Haitian national government. There will be a "high level " of security at all times. The work site and residence campsite are self contained areas, and we will not be going out except by bus.
Add to this, that President Carter and Rosalyn are to be there at least for part of the week, and we have some interesting dynamics to play out.
I heard tales of arriving aid workers and dignitaries being stormed at the airport entrances by the locals, and guards having to escort them to their vehicles. I heard a story of beanie baby toys given to children being snatched by the adults to be sold for food at market.
Most of all, I feel the pang of knowing I can only do such a tiny bit, and will want to continue to to find ways to help.
Whatever your political sentiment about why Haiti is such a political and economic mess, the people are just trying to survive in a miserable place. I have way too much, and they have nothing. I'm sure this will change my outlook forever.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
NEWS ON THE VOLUNTEER CAMP SITE
PRIMITIVE was the term used. However it sounds a lot better than I envisioned. We will be at a site, called "Christianville". Buses will take us the 25 minute ride to the new town of SANTOS . The camp site will have tents for 6-10 people each, with cot, mattress and mosquito net. That's it. Latrines and showers will be available "for hygiene". I think that means no make up-mirror or hair dryer. In fact, the showers are listed as "tentatively available". We will have lights and electricity to charge a camera or cell phone. I was not aware that Haiti had cell phone service, actually. They even said they may have a few computers we can use. I do not see how 400 people can go on line between dinner and lights out so I do not plan to check email while there.
They even plan to have some Haitian entertainment and arts-and-crafts vendors to visit us. And there may even be a "shop" where we can purchase snacks and soft drinks.
Since we will not be allowed out of the two sites, I dont think Ill be sending post cards or doing any indepth interviews with the locals, other than the familes we are working with. Security will be provided, and site plans indicate this to be a walled compound. Early photos of the "site" reveal a dirt lot. But ! I am psyched!
I will try to update with some photos from the volunteer manual with the "prototype house" we are to build and anything else new...like my frantic plans to shed pounds and get in shape.
They even plan to have some Haitian entertainment and arts-and-crafts vendors to visit us. And there may even be a "shop" where we can purchase snacks and soft drinks.
Since we will not be allowed out of the two sites, I dont think Ill be sending post cards or doing any indepth interviews with the locals, other than the familes we are working with. Security will be provided, and site plans indicate this to be a walled compound. Early photos of the "site" reveal a dirt lot. But ! I am psyched!
I will try to update with some photos from the volunteer manual with the "prototype house" we are to build and anything else new...like my frantic plans to shed pounds and get in shape.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
IT IS GETTING CLOSE. BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR THE BLOG PHOTOS AND UPDATES. SUBSCRIBE
UPDATE ON THE BUILD PROJECT : November 5-12
This is going to be a massive effort. And the planning has been thorough. The first team, MY team, will consist of over 400 international volunteers. This is the beginning of back to back projects for this earthquake epicenter town.
Habitat started working almost immediately after the quake in partnership with families there to envision a new community that will be called "SANTO". Habitat has been working with the new homeowners to address all the needs the community will have including water, sanitation, schools, infrastructure, employment, environmental concerns, house designs, and selecting the first families to help. They have been training them at a resource center and they will be joining us in the build project.
Each year President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn give a week of their time to lead volunteers in building homes and raising awareness of the need for affordable housing. The Carter Work Project will be ongoing in Haiti for 2011 - 2012. Plans are to start with 100 core houses and eventually provide 500 families with a healthy secure place to grow and thrive.
I AM SO AMAZED TO BE A PART OF THIS. Follow me vicariously on this BLOG !!!
I STILL CAN USE FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
OF ANY AMOUNT TO GET TO GOAL
Use the sponsor me link at the top right to donate on line.
Phone supporters can call the international donation line at
800-HABITAT ext 7530
MY ID # is: 9353 6534 and THE TRIP # is : cwp 12252
UPDATE ON THE BUILD PROJECT : November 5-12
This is going to be a massive effort. And the planning has been thorough. The first team, MY team, will consist of over 400 international volunteers. This is the beginning of back to back projects for this earthquake epicenter town.
Habitat started working almost immediately after the quake in partnership with families there to envision a new community that will be called "SANTO". Habitat has been working with the new homeowners to address all the needs the community will have including water, sanitation, schools, infrastructure, employment, environmental concerns, house designs, and selecting the first families to help. They have been training them at a resource center and they will be joining us in the build project.
Each year President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn give a week of their time to lead volunteers in building homes and raising awareness of the need for affordable housing. The Carter Work Project will be ongoing in Haiti for 2011 - 2012. Plans are to start with 100 core houses and eventually provide 500 families with a healthy secure place to grow and thrive.
I AM SO AMAZED TO BE A PART OF THIS. Follow me vicariously on this BLOG !!!
I STILL CAN USE FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
OF ANY AMOUNT TO GET TO GOAL
Use the sponsor me link at the top right to donate on line.
Phone supporters can call the international donation line at
800-HABITAT ext 7530
MY ID # is: 9353 6534 and THE TRIP # is : cwp 12252
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