April, an uneventful month in Haiti- not so much.

We stopped for a mango on the way home and was offered dinner...
River crossing near Grand Goaive.

I anticipated April to be an 'uneventful' month since we had few volunteers scheduled to come. I was wrong. One day I went to the store to pick up some food for Mikes' birthday dinner and went to my room to put some things away and heard a loud pop...wondering what it was I went back into the room to see that my surge protector near my bed had caught fire! yikes! Fortunately, I had a fire extinguisher! Years of training at the hospital served me well. Yet, I couldn't help but think that I rarely go to my room during the day and had I not gone...well, I'd rather not think about it.

During the demolition of the driveway, we discovered the sewer pipes had disintegrated over the years so had those replaced. A week ago we had a rain storm that undermined the small patio causing about a third of it to cave in, breaking the water pipes in the process. Replace pipes, check.

Two days later another huge rain and my office was completely flooded with about 6-8 inches of dirty muddy water. I was in awe that so much water could get under the door in such a short time. This gave pause to those who live in tents must contend with during each rainstorm- a worn out tent is very poor barrier for that much force of water. I honestly don't know how they cope with it. And rainy season is just beginning.

Also a week ago, we apparently had a surge of power and since then several fans, our time clock, and 2 computers have not worked. The new washing machine quit working. Its always something whether big or small. Power outages, broken pipes, etc are relatively easy to deal with when you have a solid roof and access to food without worry. We also have the option of taking some time to relax when the opportunity presents itself.

Since most of Haiti had a 4 day holiday for Easter, we too took advantage and went to Aquin, a small city in south of Haiti. They were having a music festival so we made arrangements to rent tents and take off for a couple days. Since I had to be back on Saturday for a meeting, we stayed just 2 days. Our tents were right on the beach so we just had to walk about 25 yards into the sea. Fiona and I helped some fishermen pull in their nets. After about an hour of pulling, we we got this huge net close in enough for the men to start pulling the fish out and into a boat. They sorted some of them- shrimp from the dozen or so different types of fish, a dozen or so crabs and still the catch did not fill up a 10 gallon bucket. Eight fishermen (and 2 girls-us) hauled on that net for such a little bunch of fish. It brings home to us everyday how hard Haitians have to work to survive on a daily basis. In the afternoon, we went into town and walked around the square where the music would be later in the evening and decided to hang out at Wanda's Bar and Resto. We discovered Wanda is a very good cook! Of course we were hungry but we had cabrit (goat) and seafood, plenty of Prestige to wash it all down and front row table to people watch, view the parade of RaRa bands, and entertain the kids...it doesn't take much when you are one of the few blancs in town. We passed the afternoon playing cards and listening to the music blasting at the back of the room, entertained by the dozen or so men drinking, singing, dancing and generally having a very good time. We apparently picked the hot spot in town, judging by the numbers of people stopping by to greet others.

The music included a group of woman drummers from Cuba, a New Orleans jazz band and BelO, a very popular Haitian group that is now my new favorite! They were all fabulous! A surprise guest musician, Kali from France (actually Martinique) was a bonus treat! He had dreds to his knees! He plays a 10 string banjo like no one else.

We left the next morning, Fiona driving and Jorel the co-pilot for the almost 4 hour drive home. We stopped at Giant market to purchase our Easter breakfast and dinner- cheeseburgers and a variety of snacks. A good way to end a brief holiday from work.

Relaxing on Easter- pool chairs were a birthday present from Utah team.
Healing Hands for Haiti Klinik Kay Kapab Management team, minus Al who was in U.S. We had a 3 day workshop on team building.
Occasional evening distractions include Rummikub or Casino.
Martelly kites sold on the street...
Slight disaster after rain storm; next to my office is a small patio. The cave in broke water pipe so house guests woke up to no water for showers.

cement is being poured on site of new physical rehabilitation center for HHH. We are scheduled to open March 2012. Will post progress....
Another site view -
and another site view...of the sea near Aquin, southern part of Haiti.
View from my tent....
Pouring concrete for new drive way.

Memorial at Montana Hotel, sight of many of our sunset visits.
Easter breakfast, scrambled eggs, lox and bagels. Who knew you could get smoked salmon from Norway in Haiti! yum!
Karibe Hotel patio, another nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Another view of sea from tent, all sand beach and water clear and warm!

King of Kompas to President of Haiti- Martelly Wins

A lot of news articles have been written in the days leading up to the announcement and since...not so long ago, the same was thing was happening in the US. I don’t know that President Obama ever had such a wild streak as the man to become the next president of Haiti. But he will try to bring about change too. For better or worse, the people spoke.

We heard cheering as if we were in the center of a stadium. Beyond the walls of our property, people will shouting for joy, singing for joy and playing their carnival horns. Cars in the street were honking- not in the usual manner of I’m passing or I’m here but for happiness of the news heard over the radio that Michel ‘Sweet Mickey’ Martelly, the kompas king of Haiti was elected president of Haiti. We were smiling too, knowing had it gone the other way, we wouldn’t be hearing these sweet sounds of victory but the sounds of civil war in the city of Port au Prince and through out the country.

Its not the official announcement but the preliminary results show by 67% of the votes the Mr. Martelly will become the new president in May. Mrs. Manigat has graciously conceded that the people have voted for change, for a new democracy to rebuild their country again. Over 60% believe Martelly will be the one that can lead the country out of the disaster zone. The others will stand by to see if he can do it or if he wil trip over his dancing feet. No doubt he will trip a time or two, maybe often. He has the power of the people behind him today. Only time will tell if he can keep it beyond tomorrow. Mr. Preval is the only president to serve his complete term, twice, so odds are not in Sweet Mickey’s favor. Haiti’s history has been turbulent for most of more than 200 years.

Obviously it has survived in the worst of conditions. Its time that these conditions were changed. Its time the people became the government and not the other way around. I hope the strength they have shown will carry them forward but like a river that meets the dam they have to use the power of the tide to carry them through the difficulties.

Where will they begin? People need to be able to work to feed their families, to send their children to school, to receive health care; they need a decent wage, they need decent education and they need educated health care workers. If a man can earn a wage that affords him these basic needs, he will begin to work for his country too.

The International communities need to recognize that they don’t need left over donations but mentoring to strengthen what they already have~ a will to see change, a belief that it will come in a new direction.

I don’t know that I would have voted for Martelly but I’m happy that the people voted, expressed their desire for change. Its a start. Time to roll up the sleeves, turn up the music (maybe not quite so loud) and make it work.

Good luck Mr. President. Bon chans Ayiti!