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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Yesterday seemed to go on forever. The climate in Haiti seemed to get hotter and hotter every minute. The internet was spotty at best. We were in a holding pattern, with our hands tied, waiting for the food delivery. So we decided to go down to the encampment and interview individuals, and get more specific information. We learned that the Mayor had arrived and kicked them off the property. He said they could move behind that piece of land, to a ravine. This so called "place" to move is a sloping hill, that drops about 50 feet into a pit of garbage, junk and jungle. It is perhaps, that areas dumping ground for garbage and waste, especially dirty diapers. One woman said, "this is a place for animals, not humans" The rain is coming, and you can sense the fear in people-as they live in sheet tents. If our tent city was to move to that ravine, they would be washed down the hillside soon. Heather and I have found out very quickly, they do not make it easy for Haitians to get the help they so desperately need. We asked several people if they knew where to go for help, if they wanted to get a tent, or needed food. Everyone had a different answer, but none of them knew. Hundreds of thousands of people live in areas that have still not received aide. The smaller camps are being passed over, so they become the forgotten. Heather and I have begun to take this matter very personally, and seriously. We told a grandmother of the group yesterday, that we can't make any promises, but that we were going to do everything we could to help them. She said they needed us to help fight for them, because with "us" it is better. If they have representation, their chances more than double in getting a result. So Heather and I are going to the UN today to ask for assistance in moving these 70 displaced people. They have nothing, and now they have nowhere to go.We are also looking into the possibility of renting a piece of land for around $100/mo-in which case we would provide 4 months of safety. We have a lot of great ideas, we will see how far we can go with them!! We did receive the food, and Myriam, Heather and I built the food bags specific to each family. A nominated spokesperson for each family will arrive today to be interviewed and given the bag to take back. I want to empower them by asking THEM how we can best help. Maybe if they have a voice, that is heard, they will start to feel human again....
Within the group there is a single mother of 10, who used to sell water pouches on the street as a form of income. They lost everything, but all managed to survive. She is grateful for that miracle, but they have no way of rebuilding. There is also a 21 year old girl with a small child. Her Godmother was paying for her school, and she was in college to become an engineer. She has no idea where any of her family is, and she moved into the tent city because she knew one person, who allowed her to live in their camp. We found out it is roughly $100/yr for her education. Through our interviews we have learned the personal stories, struggles and triumphs of the these 70 people. It is our Mission, with your help from the money raised and hopefully more money down the road, to forgo the temporary band aid in place of a more secure future.
We could not have gotten this far without Myriam and Cajuste. Their help has been immeasurable. I thanked Myriam last night, as she stayed late to help us build the bags. Her response made me almost tear up. She said, " You came to help my country, my people, it is the least I can do". We will try to upload photos today-yesterday was impossible. We have many photos we want to share....
Yesterday seemed to go on forever. The climate in Haiti seemed to get hotter and hotter every minute. The internet was spotty at best. We were in a holding pattern, with our hands tied, waiting for the food delivery. So we decided to go down to the encampment and interview individuals, and get more specific information. We learned that the Mayor had arrived and kicked them off the property. He said they could move behind that piece of land, to a ravine. This so called "place" to move is a sloping hill, that drops about 50 feet into a pit of garbage, junk and jungle. It is perhaps, that areas dumping ground for garbage and waste, especially dirty diapers. One woman said, "this is a place for animals, not humans" The rain is coming, and you can sense the fear in people-as they live in sheet tents. If our tent city was to move to that ravine, they would be washed down the hillside soon. Heather and I have found out very quickly, they do not make it easy for Haitians to get the help they so desperately need. We asked several people if they knew where to go for help, if they wanted to get a tent, or needed food. Everyone had a different answer, but none of them knew. Hundreds of thousands of people live in areas that have still not received aide. The smaller camps are being passed over, so they become the forgotten. Heather and I have begun to take this matter very personally, and seriously. We told a grandmother of the group yesterday, that we can't make any promises, but that we were going to do everything we could to help them. She said they needed us to help fight for them, because with "us" it is better. If they have representation, their chances more than double in getting a result. So Heather and I are going to the UN today to ask for assistance in moving these 70 displaced people. They have nothing, and now they have nowhere to go.We are also looking into the possibility of renting a piece of land for around $100/mo-in which case we would provide 4 months of safety. We have a lot of great ideas, we will see how far we can go with them!! We did receive the food, and Myriam, Heather and I built the food bags specific to each family. A nominated spokesperson for each family will arrive today to be interviewed and given the bag to take back. I want to empower them by asking THEM how we can best help. Maybe if they have a voice, that is heard, they will start to feel human again....
Within the group there is a single mother of 10, who used to sell water pouches on the street as a form of income. They lost everything, but all managed to survive. She is grateful for that miracle, but they have no way of rebuilding. There is also a 21 year old girl with a small child. Her Godmother was paying for her school, and she was in college to become an engineer. She has no idea where any of her family is, and she moved into the tent city because she knew one person, who allowed her to live in their camp. We found out it is roughly $100/yr for her education. Through our interviews we have learned the personal stories, struggles and triumphs of the these 70 people. It is our Mission, with your help from the money raised and hopefully more money down the road, to forgo the temporary band aid in place of a more secure future.
We could not have gotten this far without Myriam and Cajuste. Their help has been immeasurable. I thanked Myriam last night, as she stayed late to help us build the bags. Her response made me almost tear up. She said, " You came to help my country, my people, it is the least I can do". We will try to upload photos today-yesterday was impossible. We have many photos we want to share....
Ideas from Geoff
Founder, PINP
Last entry: May 17, 2010
Founder, PINP
Last entry: May 17, 2010
News from Allison
Assistant Director
Last entry: May 17, 2010
Assistant Director
Last entry: May 17, 2010
News from Jennifer
Head Coordinating Director
Last entry: Mar 20, 2010
Head Coordinating Director
Last entry: Mar 20, 2010
