Wednesday - Last Day

Previously on the last day, VIM teams would hand out give aways like t-shirts, ball caps, and gloves.  The crowds just could not be controlled.  Different methods were tried, and they failed to create order out of the chaos.  While the people would not intentionally hurt one another, accidents could happen.

This time, we gave about half the items to the church on Sunday.  The other half we gave to Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, to distribute as he deemed appropriate.  On the last day, we saw many t-shirts that both had given to the people.  We will use this distribution method in the future.

The Croix des Mission people are hungry.  They appreciate the food that many of you have donated.  These people are very poor.  They appreciate the clothing that you donate.  We, the VIM teams, receive thanks for  your generosity.  Thank you for your support.

Tuesday - Haiti Communitere

After lunch today, we visited Haiti Communitere, an incubator for proposed projects in Haiti.  Organizations with an idea to work in Haiti contracts with Haiti Communitere to see if the idea or design is feasible.  At their site, there were some very innovative pilot projects.  Ubuntu blox was one of the project houses.

(While in Haiti, I was having problems with the blog.  I decided to complete it when returning home.  However, my camera was stolen at the Port-au-Prince Airport.  I had packed my carry on bag with the camera under dirty t-shirts.  The carry on was put inside a normal piece of luggage.  When I arrive home, it was apparent that both bags had been opened and the only area rifled in my smaller bag was where the camera was.  It is as if the thief knew exactly where the camera was.  Thus, I do not have photos.  Perhaps, when other team members post their photos, I will be able to put some in.)

Monday - Grace Children's Hospital

After lunch, we drove to Grace Children's Hospital.  The multiple building old campus was destroyed by the earthquake.  However, the newer, much smaller expansion across the street survived.  It is in the newer section that, after the earthquake, three wards were constructed for HIV, tuberculosis, and other inpatient babies and children.  (This was made possible by a $1,000,000 grant from the National Hockey League.)  To completely rebuild, about $20,000,000 is required.  Do you know a potential donor who may be interested in this type of project?

Walking into the inpatient ward was surprising; only two beds out of eighteen were occupied.  Robenson, our guide, said that the inpatient doctor had left the hospital.  Since the hospital did not have a doctor, it could not accept patients.  Do any of you know a doctor who could volunteer for a few months?

One of the beds was occupied by Cynthia who was a patient before the earthquake.  Cynthia has epilepsy.  After the earthquake, all children were released to their families since the hospital could not provide care.  No one claimed Cynthia.  A teenager, she has a great personality, always smiling.  Cynthia is credited with saving two other children during the earthquake.  Is there a special family willing to adopt this special girl?

Cynthia in September 2012


While on our tour, one query regarded the general mental health of the earthquake survivors.  That promptedRobenson to tell his story of a lost friend.  Sensing his deep loss and grief, Shirley led us in prayer for Robenson.  It was a special spiritual moment.  Have you felt God's comfort?

One of our team was able to bring several dozen bottles of children's vitamins for the hospital.  Malnutrition is a problem in Haiti.  Most children do not have enough to eat; seventy percent of all Haitian children go to bed hungry.  Is it time for you to join a VIM team to feed the hungry in Haiti?

Sunday Worship

Sunday worship with the Croix des Mission congregation is always one of the highlights of the trips to Haiti.  The services are usually over two hours, but time flies.

We were not the only Americans attending; there was a medical team from Brighton, MI.  They are working and staying at a hospital founded by Haitian doctors (husband and wife).  The wife is also an ordained pastor in the Haitian Methodist Church.  Julie, the Haitian pastor,  conducted the service.

The Michigan pastor gave the message.  Our group sang with our Haitian neighborhood children and a couple of Stevenson's music students.  A great worship experience.

Before leaving the church, we gave half of our give away items to the church.  The church leadership will distribute as they decide.  (Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, will receive the other half also to distribute as he decides.)

After lunch, we drove into central Port-au-Prince to see the Presidential Palace and visit the Haitian National History Museum.  The palace is no longer; the rubble has been completely removed.  Although the museum is across the street from the palace, the museum only suffered minor earthquake damage.

Then, drove up a hillside to see first hand how dense that housing is.  When the earthquake occurred, many hillside communities literally fell to the bottom of the steep hills.  However, the people continue to the build in the same places.

Our last stop was the new Montana Hotel where about 80 people died when the hotel toppled over during the earthquake.  Casualties included the head of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the head of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.  There is a small, permanent memorial to those who died.

Only three days left.  How fast they have gone!

SATURDAY WORK!

Picking Up Trash

Haiti is a throw away society.  If the object in your hand does not have any value, throw it away immediately.  It does not make any difference where one is, toss it.  So, plastic bags, those little bags that water is sold in, other plastics, paper, and odds and ends litter the landscape.  The Croix des Mission work site is no different.  We have been trying to teach the children to pick up trash and keep the site clean.  Many willingly participate in the clean up activity.

Moving Dirt

The pit for the septic is finished.  It is roughly 10x10x10.  That must be over 20 yards of dirt.  The boss man, the foreman, wants it moved to the front of the church.  That is a lot of wheelbarrow loads.

Dale Practicing His Crepissage Technique

The graffiti on the background is "KPP F.C."  It is the KPP Football Club, the neighborhood soccer team.  Even though the space at the rear of the church is relatively small, the team practices there.  (I do not understand what the KPP stands for.)



Dale has a long way to go before practicing 10,000 hours.  The technique for applying crepissage involves flicking one's wrist to propel the concrete onto the concrete blocks.  The skilled workers manage to apply most concrete with little falling to the ground.  Dale is at the beginner stage, applying little with most falling to the ground.  He liked it so much that he bought his own trowel.





Playing with the neighborhood children is always a delight.  They seem to really enjoy our company.  

Wanda and Shirley :Playing Ring-Around-the-Rosie

In the Mountains

There is more to Haiti than the millions who live in the Port-au-Prince area.  Today instead of working, we drove into the mountains above Port-au-Prince to visit Janet Daniels as she teaches sewing and quilting to women from a mountain village, Bois d'Avril.  Janet comes to Haiti twice per year and remains for two or so weeks at a time.


 As you can see, her students are very proud of their work.  One lady kept me taking pictures as she held up different items that she had made.  They believe that sewing and creating beautiful items can lead to a better quality of life, or they would not spend the time and effort in this endeavor.

Without exception, all the adults in Bois d'Avril are illiterate.  Even without an education, they know that they are learning a skill that has earnings potential.  It will not take much money to improve their lives.

 John and Deb Currelly, Canadians who have been working in Haiti for over 30, host Janet and her school.  (I neglected to take current pictures of them as they hosted the team for lunch.)  Their home has these wonderful views.

Our team took school supplies and Legos for the local school.  This school was only begun 2 1/2 years ago and has 2 1/2 small rooms.  Previously, the building was a roofless shell.  Roofed and painted, it is a poster child for the most basic school.

It is a private school, and the two teachers are paid by charging tuition.  John and Deb Currelly provide the teachers room and board as the school becomes established.  The school has 33 students in grades K-3; the oldest student is 15 years old.  (Since it was Friday, the students were released at noon, so we were not able to meet them.  Monday - Thursday, the hours are 7:30am to 3:30pm)

I am impressed with the teachers.   The students are learning English, French, and Spanish.  (One teacher speaks Creole and French; the other speaks Creole and Spanish.  Deb Currelly teaches English.)  The lead teacher is Montessori trained and has other training from a U.S. organization.

Tomorrow, back to Croix des Mission.