Christmas gifts- Healing Haiti

Its been a couple of weeks since I’ve put my thoughts to paper- I’m home in Portland having left December 19, thinking that with official announcement of the election results on 20 December more manifestations would prevent our departures scheduled a few days later. With a delay in announcement, the city has been ‘quiet’.

We drove to Kettle Falls to spend Christmas with my mom, not wanting her to be alone with the memories of last Christmas when my dad passed away. It was really the first time we had spent Christmas since I moved to Portland many years before. Always our summer vacations were spent there but winter weather just not as welcoming. It was a quiet reflective time for all of us. The gift of memories past are cherished.

Just as I left Haiti, we had word that one of the orphanages Healing Hands for Haiti and Team Canada Healing Hands has supported in the past years was hit by cholera. I’ve written about this orphanage before located on Ile a Vache and run by Sr. Flora. They escaped without damage from the earthquake, survived the hurricaine but despite being on an island could not defend themselves from the deadly grip cholera has on the entire nation. Word of a 5th victim came today as help arrived in the form of cholera prevention - supplies that Fiona was able to procure or purchase and that Wadson was able to deliver today. Hopefully, we can do our part to halt the progression of this horrible, preventable disease. Christmas present- A simple gift...

600 sachet Oral Rehydration Solution

200 bars soap

50 hygience packs ( one is enough for 5 people = 250 hygiene items)

Large bucket of chlorox (enough to treat 100,000 gallon water apparently)

5 buckets

5 scrubbing brushes.

Cholera prevention information.

(see photo above)

I will return to Haiti just after New Years, Haiti’s Indepence Day knowing they will celebrate in a traditional way with pumpkin soup but not in a traditional sense. Its much more difficult when you live in a tarpulin covered tent, and if rubble piles, poor sanitation unsafe water isn’t enough to contend with there is the cholera and gangs and manifestations, but they will pray for life to be better. Even as we celebrate on New Year’s eve and make resolutions for better things to come, I hope you all will resolve to make something better for someone, pay it forward your good fortune. It doesn’t have to be a big thing...

Happy New Year and best wishes for you and your family.

December 12...Eleven months later. Are we 'raining love on Haiti or washing our guilt?

What does Port au Prince look like nearly a year later? Alas, Haiti still garners some headline news stories. Certainly these stories are no longer earn front page status as the first few days following the earthquake - there are always bigger and better stories from around the world to rate front page. But when a story does make the pages, every story begins the same way...Haiti, the most impoverished, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, continues to struggle since the earthquake of January 12...nearly 1 year later, Haiti still struggles.... Does this make the story more compelling?

There was a freak storm in September, Cholera came charging in a rampant rage in October, Hurricane Thomas threatened to blow away the tent communities and camps throughout the country in November and now the after-effects of the presidential election have nearly been the final straw. People are demonstrating their outrage as they should. They feel the election for a new President was a chance for hope. a chance for survival. But what they got was more of the same Haiti electoral process as every other electoral process.

President Obama campaigned for change. The candidates for President of Haiti offered change for a vote. But there is no change here.

The city still sits in rubble. People still need permanent housing options. People still struggle to find work, to provide enough food for their family, to provide medical care, education for their children....they don’t expect a lot- just the basics would be helpful really.

The land of plenty has yet to give plenty...the aid money has yet to be released. It is understandable under the circumstances. Governments around the world have sent aid in many forms, but still hold tight to millions of dollars that could lift the burden. That is not to say that there hasn’t been aid of course. The numbers of people that have come to give aid are in evidence every time I go to the airport. They ‘rain love’ on Haiti as one groups t-shirts proclaimed. Many ‘official’ people come on behalf of someone...of some government...to see for themselves the misery. What do they take back with them? What difference will they make?

Most of my Haitian friends and colleagues are fortunate to have jobs, to have homes- not all of them. Some still live in tents, still struggle to make ends meet before the end of the month. For me, it makes it more understandable to see why people live day to day. They can’t plan for next week or next month if they are struggling to feed their family at the end of the day.

I get to go home for Christmas (providing the airport reopens before then). I have the assurance that my kids have enough to eat. That they can get medical care should they need it. There are days I struggle with guilt. In fact, everytime someone asks for a few dollars. I can’t help everyone, how do I choose who to help and who to say I’m sorry to because I can’t help everyone. I will deal with this struggle because I do have the freedom of choice, of options, a job, a secure and safe place to live. Guilt is a small price to pay. Someone posted on Facebook that most people have a thousand wishes for Christmas, cancer patients just have one - to get well. I think that it is the same for Haiti. Its a country struggling to get well. To get away from the labels of poorest country, most impoverished. My wish for them is to have the burden of poverty lifted, to have the daily struggles lifted so they can have the same options, the same choices I have. We can rain all the love we have but until they have the perfect storm- a truely democratic government for the people, freedom from poverty and food for life they can’t get well.

My very best Christmas wishes to my Haitian friends and family, collegues and those friends I’ve yet to make on this 11month anniversary of the earthquake that the opportunity and actuallity that wellness will come soon.

Haiti boule- burning!

Smoke in the air, helicopters making circling flights overhead, shouting and even occasional singing loudly surrounds our compound. Occasional gunshots are heard as manifestations fill the streets of Port au Prince this morning. It actually started last night about 9 pm with the announcement of the candidates that qualify for the run off. Most people seemed to hope and expect it would be Mirlande Manigate, the 70 year old former first lady, and sometime senator and Michel 'Sweet Mickey' Martelly, a popular musician throughout the country. Alas, Jude Celestin- the choice of current president Preval was announced as the run off candidate against Manigat. I suspect and hear from others that a 70 yr old woman would have less chance of winning in the January 16 run off election. Bernice, Syltane and I feel quite safe here, our compound surrounded by high walls and we have 24 hour security guards with us. Our danger more likely will come from falling fruit and palm fronds falling seemingly out of the sky.

I've been constantly busy on phone, texting etc and getting reports from around country. Friends are safe, but protests and road blocks reported in most areas.

Celestin's headquarters are on fire & reports of people heading towards Prevals home above Petion-Ville, though extent of damage reported seems minimal- I'm sure cars have been burned and rocks (rubble?) have been thrown but hopefully people will continue to protest the candidate but not hurt themselves ie business', homes, etc.

People are expressing freely their desire to see something better or at least different for their country. If the current government and candidates that have had a hand in the past history of the government haven't made a difference in their life, then its time to put someone else in place even if he has not experience and has reputation for wild antics on stage during music performances. Haiti has a history of protesting their government, none of this is new territory for them. They add and remove presidents seemingly as easy as shells from peanuts over the years. Unfortunately, nothing changes. If only....

Gail and Mary, at Magdoos

Bloody bon bagay!

Contradictions of life in Haiti

setting up for celebration- Danye, our receptionist
Eric Doubt, Executive Director of HHH

Bernice's map of Haiti in lights
Certificates of appreciation to Noel & Jorel, our drivers with Dr. Nau
Flower girl without flowers
The brides family
The dancing girls
Myrline, our beautiful lady in waiting

This week we had our official opening celebration of our Klinik Kay Kapab. Much preparations through out the week culminated on Friday 3 December- Day of Disability in Haiti. We had some very special guests from the Minister of Health, Dr. Pean and Mesye Metier as well as a number of patients, our Haitian board members and press along with our devoted staff. After speeches were made, we had a lovely catered lunch.

Friday night I went out to dinner with my co workers to a Lebanese restaurant called Magdoos. We said it was Eric’s birthday so we could get the roman candle birthday treat. To be inside this restaurant and having non Haitian food in an atmophere of green plants, billowing curtains, hookahs and hummas takes us to another world away from tents and rubble and manifestations.

Wedding day Dec 4...Mercia’s (our cook) daughter was married yesterday. It was my first Haitian wedding. Al, Deb, Shaun and I went to the wedding- the invitation said 4 o’clock but it didn’t start until 5. In the yard of the church is a tent community. The bride appeared extremely nervous as she didn’t have any smiles until after the ceremony and at the reception. She was very beautiful. Myrline and another friend were also in white dresses - if we hadn’t known who the bride was, we wouldn’t know who the bride was. Apparently they are the ladies in waiting for the bride. There were 6 other young women with green dresses accompanied by 6 young groomsmen that did a slow dance down the aisle ahead of the bride.

The ceremony appeared to be in French, kreyol and with some latin thrown in. It last a little more than an hour. The sky was thick with heavy clouds and it appeared that it might rain, however it did not. I didn’t understand most of what the Pastor was saying to the couple but had the gist of it and Shaun filled in some parts, telling the groom he was share the duties with his bride- chop the spices for her, provide the water for her to clean, when he is tempted to look at another woman, look at his beautiful bride.

The reception was held at the guest house. Music was blasting from the dj’s big speakers, tables were set up in the patio. Food layed out on tables, a beautiful cake set up in the dining room. After more pictures were taken, guests lined up to partake of the chicken, rice, Mercia’s famous and delicious lasagna, pasta salads, and other foods. A beautiful fruit dispay - Hela’s specialty was a very nice touch of color display.

The funny thing about Haitian wedding receptions- I attended one last year and it was the same -they do not cut the cake and share with their guests. Shortly after everyone finished eating, they began to leave. A few people danced, namely the grooms’ grandpapa and Isaia, the brides young brother, Shaun with Luna, Suze and Veronique. The cake was left in its glory to sit on the table. Untouched.

Cheers and Jeers...

I've returned from my week of thanksgiving over the Thanksgiving holiday week with my family. They are a great and supportive family and I am very thankful that they are patient and willing to allow me to be here in Haiti to do this work. The week was very cold! It is hard to layer enough clothes to stay warm and not look ridiculous! The good thing is that I get to come home for Christmas and experience it again. It is nice to return to sunshine and warm days I admit it. Yahoo weather says it is in low 90's for a high~ it is very comfortable and enjoyable. Cool nights- mid 70's- I've put on long pants and long sleeve shirt in Haiti.

I wasn't sure what to expect returning to Port au Prince following the sunday election for president. My flight arrived at 9:30 and I was met by some of my airport friends and "whisked" through the line, received my bags- worse for wear- and out to the waiting Noel and van in less than 30 minutes from landing! There was minimal traffic in the streets and despite rumors of manifestations, people were setting up their market stalls streetside. Everyone was very happy to see me at the guest house including Gracie who leapt into my arms! I felt very special for sure.

The election was held with 19 candidates- news reports of 'corruption', ballot box stuffing even before the polls opened, threats of violence, reports of violence - despite several polling places (there were over 11,000) burned down, people not able to vote due to not having their registration cards, or having them were not on the list at the polling place they were to go to, or not knowing where they were to go to vote, the government still issued a statement that the election process was a success. An announcement of the top vote getters is expected early next week. A special run off is scheduled for Jan 16th. Most of the candidates stated in joint press conference that their was blatant irregularities and wanted the election invalidated. They have since changed stances and said they would wait for the results. The 3 or 4 top vote getters most likely will be in the run off. Everyone has said they would bide by the results. I get a sense that they think the Presidents’ favorite, Celestin, will not be in the run off- more likely to be run out of town. Its been calm to this point - yesterday there were a few non-violent manifestations reported, traffic was detoured and it took me an hour to get to the airport to pick up Eric and an hour to get home again. Still we are thankful to not see a full scale revolution!

Having read about the Duvaliers - presidents for life from the late 50's to early 80's and immediate following and what I've learned about Aristide, Preval and their governments, and then experiencing the past 10 months of minimal recovery despite the masses of international aide, its difficult to see that this country will see and experience change that is needed to gain a foot hold to move forward. Its mired in quicksand that is slowly eating away those at the bottom of the pile. I continue to ask myself why is it so hard all of the time. Those that have jobs are industrious, work hard for little pay but are the happy to be able to take care of their family. Those that don't sit hopelessly and listlessly outside of tents or along a cement wall waiting.

The young boys rush with filthy rags to wipe down our car windows, usually smearing them more than cleaning. Occasional one will have a squirt bottle of fluid and actually make the windshield cleaner- they are trying hard to earn a few gourdes to have something to eat at the end of the day. Its hard not to reward them for their attempts to earn something rather than begging. Its just as hard to ignore the little old lady on John Brown or the little old lady on Dalencourt- both look about 90 years old at least. One begs all day, the other sits at the side of the road waiting for the day to pass I guess. I've given them both money - last year and this year if they are alone. I'm afraid to give it with people around for fear it will be taken from them.

People continue to clear rubble, carrying buckets and wheelbarrows full to dump them along the street. The garbage collectors are collecting the garbage, the markets are busy, the busses and tap taps are full of people going somewhere. Business are running yet something is not working. I still have not been able to get the 21 specialized wheelchairs and other equipment out of customs, we have new computers and printers sitting in DHL waiting for the minister of finance to sign a paper releasing them to us. Our story is no different then many many organizations that have shipped donations by ship- piles of stuff sit in warehouses or on the dock waiting for government sign off. It shouldn't be this hard. I promise to be appropriately thankful when they are released. Minimal amounts of the aid money has yet to come. So what isn't working- all points to the government.

Cholera is still in the news as it should be. Over 1800 deaths reported and thousands ill- we continue to be vigilent of our staff and patients, providing everyone with as much information and education as we can. We are being proactive.

We are planning our official opening of our clinic on friday- National Day of Disability and we have invited press, government officials (hopefully we've invited the right ones), our partner organizations and a number of friends. It will be interesting to see who shows up. I'll post pictures next weekend. I hope we have a good turn out... another thing to be thankful for.

The daughter of our cook is getting married on Saturday and the reception is to be held here at the guest house. A celebration of love!

When it rains, it pours. Our power has gone out each day between 4 and 5 pm- fortunately, I am good at turning on the generators. Unfortunately, we are having issues with them- one is not working. Then the crew working on our driveway, broke the water pipe in 2 places - the pipe that feeds water to our cistern from city and the pipe that feeds our guest house. The pool pump crashed yesterday and still is being fixed. So that is 3 things- once fixed we should be in cracker jacks for awhile!

All of this long winded blog is a way of saying in Haiti we take the good with the bad, happy with the sad, encouraging the discouraged and deal with it the best we can. Sometimes with a bloody mary cocktail. cheers.