Correspond with your partner

Holli Griffiths went to Haiti with photojournalist Heather Fassio from Feb 14 to Mar 2, 2010, traveling via the Dominican Republic. They visited encampments in Port-au-Prince, conducted interviews, and used the funds that she raised for relief of immediate and longer-term needs. You can follow their progress here!

This is the place to find the latest updates from People in Need Partnership in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We are working to reestablish our operations in the face of the disaster and the collapse of our office.

March 16, 2010

To: Lori’

Good afternoon my dear,
The program that PINP organized for all partners who included in People In Need, it is more interesting for the children come up in mini center because I am learning a lot of thing by your support for example: English, Computer and drawing. Eac time I come in the mini-center I study different thing if today I learn this thing I cite but next time I will learn another. I can say you it is helping a lot during school closed.

How thing is doing by yourside? Your family? I would like to have your news soon cause I miss you!

Lot of hug and kiss to you!

Have a nice day!

Your Partner
Gerda

March 16, 2010

To: Tom

I am happy to let you know today I am coming in mini center at People In Need to learn some word in English lesson, computer class and Grammar. I want to thiank for this program that you help me going every week.

How are you doing? Your family? I am always happy to write because tyou are thinking of me often. If a day you won’t write I must think in my mind that you are busy with your work.

I would like to hear from you my dear Partner? And then, would like to know by photo a day. Please send me one.

Take good care of you!

I love you!

Your Partner
Maiclane

March 16, 2010

To: Susan & Mia

Hello!
Each time I am going at People In Need Partnership I am enjoying a lot in the mini-center with them. They help me a lot about everything and take care of all thing that show me. I am proud of PINP for the good job they are doing here with all Haitian partners. Today I learn English, drawing, French, Grammar and Computer. It is very interesting like school

By the way, I am okay and my family. I write this note just let you how much I am thinking of you and miss you so!
I would like to hear from you so!

How Mia is? Is she still going to school?

I send my to Mia and says her that I am missing a lot!

Lot od hug and kiss to you!

Your Partner
Naika

March 16, 2010

To: Jamie & Marcus

Hello,
It always a pleasure to me to receive your nice letter that you sent to me. Happy to hear your voice and thank you for your photos, they are very beautiful, I do love them.

I am at the mini-center’ People in Need Partnership, I am learning a lot of things like Dictation in French, Computer class and English. I love it a lot cause it helps me a lot during school is close.  And then I know some words in English and some vocabulary also.

By the by, hope all is doing well for you and your family. I want to greet your mom, and hope God will cure her a day.

Hope you will have a nice day

Kisses to you!

Hug Marcus from me!

Your Partner
Gabriel

March 16, 2010

To: Alida

Hello!
I do love to come at People In Need’s mini center to learn something. It is very funny to come up here. I would like People In Need continue with this program forever because it is helping a lot, they teach me well and make me understand the thing that show us. It is very interesting.

By the way, Hope you are doing well and safe by grace of Lord. Me too I am okay.

I am looking forward to hear from you!

I do love you!

Your Partner
Georgeline

3/16/2010 Hello Jasmine. I hope you are doing well. I understand that you will be learning english soon. I can’t wait. I miss getting your letters. Have you started going to the mini center yet. I seen pictures of little girls learning how to use the computers. I didn’t see your picture though. But I was looking for you. I will keep looking for you. Love , Linda

Dear Nehemie

I am sorry I have not written sooner. I usually get on the computer at work, but the hospital has been very busy lately. I didn’t realized that you would be able to write so often! I am glad to hear from you. I wish you could meet my boys and Michele. I try to explain about how we have a friend in Haiti but far away places and earthquakes are difficult ideas for a 5 year old! Owen doesn’t realize how easy and blessed his life is. Sometimes when he gets whiney we have him list all the things he has to be thankful for, and he quickly realizes how good he has it! You have had such a difficult time, even before the quake. I am so glad that you keep trying and work hard to learn. I’m sure one day we will all meet in person.

I think PINP mentioned you are able to get on the computer at their center. Ask for help getting on our family’s photo site: http://worobiecfamilyphotos.shutterfly.com/
sign in with my email, and the password is: sailboat . This way you can see photos and videos of our family!

The snow is all gone. Some flowers are starting to push up out of the ground. Owen has been riding his bike a little, and we’ve gone to the park to play. I have been walking our dog, Luna, so that we can both get some excercise.

At Owen and Thomas’ school they actually had collections of donations for your country and the kids learned about how awful the earthquake was. Some of our neighbors who are 2-3 years older than Owen had learned a lot about the earthquate and helped send over care packages. I don’t know if you or your neighbors received any of them but I know every church, school and business wanted to help the earthquake’s victims.

I will see if PINP can help with a tent, or in other ways. It is so frustrating because our family has so much and we’d like to share but I’m not sure how to get things to you and your family.

Please stay healthy. Don’t give up hope.

Michael, Michele, Owen and Thomas

Mach 15, 2010

This is a short review of the meeting between PINP (Cajuste and Marcel) and MAXIMA (Evelien), today March 15th 2010 at the Maxima factory in PauP.

- Maxima is building wooden temporary relief shelters for earthquake victims (http://www.maximasa.com/FonMax_Housing_Program_introduction.pdf). These cost $2,000 but through a Dutch fundraiser by the foundation “Projecthulp Haiti” several houses can be made available for free or against a minor financial transaction for earthquake victims who are very poor and cannot afford the $2,000.

- Maxima has been contacted by a Dutch family (fam. van Oenen) who are worried about the biological mother of their adoptive child from Haiti. It now appears that this lady, Marlene Chery, is a partner in the PINP program. Through this connection PINP has approached Maxima for help in shelters for the homeless: not only for Malene Chery but also the other of the 90 partners, and possibly for the PINP staff as well.

- PINP works in Cité Soleil (Cité Fekère, Soleil 10, bloc Ti-Ayiti), slum areas Jalousie (PV) and Citron (Montana), as well in Cayes-Jacmel. Some partners now live in a tent city at Delmas 56 (behind Epi d’Or).

- Whereas Maxima has found that many poor people do not have land to build a house on and can thus not receive a Maxima shelter, PINP on the contrary has several partners who own land and are in need of a shelter; besides, PINP has land available at Delmas 77 where some shelters could be built. Most partners in Cayes-Jacmel also own land.

- PINP runs a mini-center for its partners, with courses in Alphabetisation, English, Computer, Painting and Women’s Rights. It is located at Delmas 75, Rue Faustin 1er, Imp.Ambroise #3 (close to the Car Wash and Depot Delmas 75).

- In order for PINP to receive houses for free or for lowered costs, Maxima/Projecthulp will have to go through a verification procedure of PINP. The following references have been given:
. Action Chrétienne (where some of the PINP kids go to school in Cité Soleil): 3452-9330 Joel Janéus
. Pélé, Conocs, pasteur Hénock 3823-5096
Evelien will check out these references, and will also doublecheck with the Dutch Consulate and other organizations working in Cité Soleil.
PINP is recognized as non-profit in the US, and has an official website open for all to see (http://www.PINPartnership.org) but the Haitian organization was in the process of being legalized thru the Ministry of Plan when the earthquake struck and thus has no official recognition in Haiti yet.

- As for the land at Delmas 77, Cajuste will contact the owner in Canada, in order to communicate in writing that he indeed allows PINP to build wooden temporary shelters on the property.

- as Maxima will offer the wooden shelters ex-factory, PINP will have to organize transportation, preparation of the land (making it level etc), installing the prefab panels, pouring of the concrete slab, and painting of the house with oil-based paint. Maxima will work on training teams to do all that, but cannot promise that this will actually happen and thus encourages benificiaries to organize it themselves a much as possible.

- As Cajuste and Marcel doubt that the land of Marlene Chery is large enough for the Maxima shelter, they will measure the land and communicate the outcome with Evelien; in case the land is too small there could possibly only a one-room shelter be placed instead.

- Cajust will check with PINP what the best way is to proceed financially: although it is obvious that the PINpartners cannot afford the shelters themselves, it might be possible and possibly even wise to have the partners abroad pitch in financially either on an individual basis or through a special fundraiser.

- As soon as the administrative work is done, and indeed both parties agree that shelters can be built and the terms thereof, PINP and Maxima will decide on the timeline and priority order of houses to be built: priority to be given to either urgent need or ease of installation.

- As Maxima’s reason for being is in Job Creation, Maxima will contact Cajuste next time it needs new workers.

- As Evelien is also involved in HPCD (http://www.HPCD.org) which has a Business Incubator (and at this point runs a program with 35 ladies from Cité Soleil, financed by Minustah), there might be possibilities in the future to network further; also, Maxima was in the process of starting a Technical/Professional school when the earthquake hit, and there too could be of interest for PINP and vice versa.

All parties agreed that this was a very pleasant and structural meeting, and we are all looking forward to working with each other in the near future.

Respectfully submitted,

Evelien de Gier

c.c. mr Piet Dijkhuizen, Stichting Projecthulp Haiti, the Netherlands

Computer Class for the mothers, March 15, 2010

March 15, 2010

To:  Treva

Good afternooon,
In Haiti, the weather is too hot but every night it is raining, And yours how is the weather? 
My mother says hello to you. She thanks you a lot for the way you take care of me. And I am happy for the tent you sent to me, it will be helping me a lot my dearduring many months, las tnight it rains I could not sleep cause it was raining a lot. I don’t know how much I can thank for the big gift that you sent to me, but it doesn’t install yet but I hope tomorrow they will install it for me.

By the by, I am well and my family, I come up at People In need to learning computer, English lesson, Fench lesson etc. I am very happy to go there. And want to thank for the place that you help me to go every week.

I am looking forwrad to hear from you.

May God bless you so!

I do love you!

Your Partner
Rose

March 15, 2010

To: Cameo

Hello
I am always glad to have this place to come up every Monday to enjoy myslef during school is close. I am learning a lot of thing like computers, lesson English, and take Dictation in French or Creole etc. But I want to thank for this program that you are helping to go.

By the by, how are you doing? Your family? Are you busy with your work?

About me, I am doing okay by grace of God and my family.

I would like to hear from you often.

Take care of yourself!

Your Partner
Katty

March 15, 2010

To:  Jodi

Goood afternon my wonderful,
I am very sad to spend a lot of time to not receive any message from your side. What’s going on? Are you busy wityh your or school? Why did you spend much time to not have your news?

About me, I am not too good not too bad. I am going at the minin-center to learn a lot of thing like computer, Alphabet, dictation in Fench, Ebglis lesson etc. I am very proud each time I go there. I would like you olet me know how thing is by your side?

I am very sorry to pass all time without hearing from you. Hope everything is doing okay for you and your family.

I send you a loof kisses!

Much l ove to you!

Your Partner
Lise

March 15, 2010

To: Bree

Hello!
It is always a pleasure to me to write you this letter jut to know how thing is doing by your side?

Me, I am doing well by grace of God. How is your activity?  I am coming at People In Need. just to learn some thing special for me: For example: Computer, dictation, Drawing and English. It is very funny, I enjoy a lot in it.I do love this program.

Hope to hear from you soon, cause each time I have your new I am feeling okay.

Take care of yourself!

Much love and hug to you!

Your Partner
Wilbert

March 15, 2010

To: Shelley

Hi my beautiful!
Here it is not cold but verynight it is raining a lot it gives a lot problem. For example: yesterday I couldn’t sleep because of rain, the land wet and my clothes but this morning I am caught.

My dear I would like to have tent just to protect me during the rain. My dear I am happy to see you and your family by photo. They are very beautiful; I will go to put them picture on the wall.

By the by, It is sad to hear that your husband’s father died, I wand to say you cordoleance with all your family. It is very sad to lost someone who was close to you. stay strong.

Answering of your question: I am learning a lot of thing here: English, Computer, drawing, how can spell some word in Frnch or English, Gammar Math etc. I do love this place that you are helping going. It is nice moment during school is close, they help me a lot. And sometimes they give me lesson to study just to make me very clear.

I would like PINP continue with this program even if school restart.

Hope to hear from you again!

I love you!

Kiss you family from me!

Your Partner
Dialine

March 15, 2010

To: Bob

Thank you a lot for the letter that you wrote to me.  About me, I am doing well by grace of God because I don’t have fever, I am cured.

My house was destroyed during the tremor, since the day I am sleeping out with my family like everybody. Last night it was raining a lot, I could not sleep because cause I wet and the land also. I would like to have a tent to take safe me when it is raining.
It is a sad moment for me when it rains, right now I don’t want it to fall even if I am not God. But it gives problem and prevents me to sleep.

I would like to hear from you again, cause I was missing you.

About the money that you sent to me, I don’t receive it yet from People In Need but hope I will have it soon when Mr. Cajuste will receive it.

Thank you a lot for thinking of me.

Say hello to Mary from me, and says her I truly love.

I kiss you so!

Your parner
Misty

Video Clip Delourde Alberte, March 15, 2010

Dear my partner natasha,
I am so happy to hear from you! It is awful that yo uare still sleeping outside, when will your house be rebuilt? Thank you for your birtdhday wished for Amelia, she is getting very big now. Herold will have his birthday soon! I hope he is well and your other children also.
We are going to move house this week, it is very good be cuse we have been living in a small apartment so we had to give your little dog to my in-laws to look after, and we miss him. Damon has already lived in 7 houses and i worry because he is only 3 years old, will this harm him? I hope not.
I think of you always!
Give your children ad big hug and kiss from me!
your partner, Samantha

We are all doing fine.  The baby is growing so quickly now and the second baby seems easier to care for than my first.  This time my confidence level is higher and more experience taking care of a baby than with my first daughter. 

I read on the internet the schools in Haiti are closed. Maybe Rebecca can go back to school soon hopefully?  And we wanted Ralbeua to go to school too. Yet it is probaly hard to find buildings to resume school. 

Kira picked out some toys for the children and I sent them in the package.  Is there anything else you or your husband would like for a gift.  Thinking about buying clothes but not sure the size you wear. You look so petite and tiny and pretty!  I will go and look for clothes for the spring, and if you sew maybe you can tailor them.  Tell everyone hi and I promise to check on you and find out from Cajuste about the additional donations we sent to you. 

Much Love and Blessings.
Marci and Family

We are all doing fine.  The baby is growing so quickly now and the second baby seems easier to care for than my first.  This time my confidence level is higher and more experience taking care of a baby than with my first daughter. 

I read on the internet the schools in Haiti are closed. Maybe Rebecca can go back to school soon hopefully?  And we wanted Ralbeua to go to school too. Yet it is probaly hard to find buildings to resume school. 

Kira picked out some toys for the children and I sent them in the package.  Is there anything else you or your husband would like for a gift.  Thinking about buying clothes but not sure the size you wear. You look so petite and tiny and pretty!  I will go and look for clothes for the spring, and if you sew maybe you can tailor them.  Tell everyone hi and I promise to check on you and find out from Cajuste about the additional donations we sent to you. 

Much Love and Blessings.
Marci and Family

We are all doing fine.  The baby is growing so quickly now and the second baby seems easier to care for than my first.  This time my confidence level is higher and more experience taking care of a baby than with my first daughter. 

I read on the internet the schools in Haiti are closed. Maybe Rebecca can go back to school soon hopefully?  And we wanted Ralbeua to go to school too. Yet it is probaly hard to find buildings to resume school. 

Kira picked out some toys for the children and I sent them in the package.  Is there anything else you or your husband would like for a gift.  Thinking about buying clothes but not sure the size you wear. You look so petite and tiny and pretty!  I will go and look for clothes for the spring, and if you sew maybe you can tailor them.  Tell everyone hi and I promise to check on you and find out from Cajuste about the additional donations we sent to you. 

Much Love and Blessings.
Marci and Family

Hi Christine,

Thanks for writing back so quickly. I bet you are busy trying to find food and taking care of everyone there.  I just emailed Cajuste to get an update on why you did not receive the additional funds since the amount was around 400 dollars in US money which should help out tremendously.  I am going to research this since I want to make sure he sees someone for a health check.  Going to mail your package next week, sorry it has taken me so long. Need to find a radio for you because I remember you asked for one last year.

Bonjour Zanmi!
Balbaud.. ?Koumon ou ye?
It is great to hear from you. I am wondering if you received my picture that I sent through this program a week ago. Did you receive my picture?
I hope you are well and am praying for you my friend.
What are you doing these days?
I am working for the Army right now and am taking classes to learn my new job. Also I am learning a language by taking classes to understand the language of Arabic.
How well do you know your geography balbaud? Have they taught you in school where Haiti is located on a world map? How about the United States?
After I learn Arabic, I would like to learn some French.
Bonswa Balbaud

Roseline,
Hello! I am so thankful to have you as my partner. I want to thank you for the birthday greeting! I was very touched by your message.Your friendship is the greatest gift I could receive.
I think about you everyday and I pray that you and your family are safe and well.I am excited to be able to work with you to help realize some of your dreams.
I have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. I started my family at a young age. My children are:
Gabriel Justin 34
Aimee Marie 33
Joshua Daniel 31
Elizabeth Kathleen 22
Dakota Benjamin 21

My grandchildren are 9 girls and 1 boy, with two more baby boys on the way!

I am having some difficulty with uploading photographs, but will try to send you a picture soon.I am going to go now and work on my self-survey, so you can learn more about me also. I feel that we have much in common.

I hope this finds you and your family well. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Please write and tell me how you are doing.
Sending you love,
Tammy

12 March 2010

Dear Wilna,

Hello! I hope that you are doing well.

Thanks for the drawing!

Things are okay here.  My mom is still waiting to see a doctor about her condition.

My husband, David, received a promotion at work last week.  He is a software programmer, and now he has more responsibility with his projects.

My work is supposed to end next week.  I am covering for someone who had surgery and is recovering.

Are they teaching you things at the mini center?  What are you learning?

Right before the earthquake I bought you a book with Creole and English words.  I do not know how to get it to you now, but I will try.  Maybe my aunt will go to Haiti soon.  She lives in Atlanta in the southeast of the United States and her church is very involved with a group called Timoun (I don’t know what that means!) that works in Haiti.

Tomorrow night we are going to a concert from a group from Port a Prince.  They are from St Joseph’s Home for Boys, which I believe the people of PINP are familiar with.  They are touring in various areas of the United States and performing to raise money.

I also bought a cd set to learn some Kreyol.  I studied French for four years in college, but where I live many people speak Spanish.  Now I understand Spanish much better than French.  I was only listening to one lesson on the cd, and because Kreyol and French have so many similarities I was getting confused.  I am trying!

Back to work!  Say hello to your family for me.

Take care,
Elizabeth

Roseline Seide Video Clip March 12, 2010

March 12, 2010

To: Caroline

Dear Caroline,
Ofcourse, it is going taking a long time before i will get my normal life here. I ahve a very problem right now, the house you sent me money to rent has come to and end since february 9, it’s true i am sleeping in the sleep but all my stuffs are in side of it. The owner comes to ask me his money all day and he tells me i have to pay him by that month or moving from his house.

By the way, up to now, I don’t know when PINP will start to build the home for me. I would like they do that for because I have much trouble for sleeping. About my daughter, yes she was delivering for 4 months, sorry, i was not letting you know that.she has a baby girl. She is well. Anything was ever to happen again.

My children who are living in the country side are safe but I can not afford to send them nothing.

That’s great all children are doing good and I am happy to hear that Andrew is learning to drive. Does Raymond still like making cooking?

I know you are retired but what’s doing when you get up every morning?

Say hello to everyone of you!

I love you!

Your Partner
Marlene

March 12, 2010

To:  Caroline

Hello my dear Partner,
I am well by power of God and my family also. I am very happy to hear from you often. How your family is doing?
Yes, I am sleeping ouside like the others people because they are scared of tremor. Sometimes I feel my feet hurt.

I am going to deliver my baby this month, but I am waiting God cuase only him can do something for me during my deliver.
The new house you talk to me, But I am still waiting the decision of Mr. Cajuste.

Give a big salutation to Raymond and your children from me.

I am missing so!

I love you!

Your Partner
Roseline

March 12, 2010

To:  Tom

Hello Tom,
I am so happy because you think of me, I would like toknow how thing is going by your side? I am so sorry to spend a long to not reply you. Because I was in the countryside to see my family. But now I come back to Port-au-Prince that is why I didn’t answer you.

During the eartquake I lost one of daughter of my sister. I want to think you for the money that will send tome for food, it will bw help me a lot while.

I hope all is doin well for you and your family

Thank you a lot for all letters that you wrote me.

Your Partner
Sylvia

March 12, 2010

To:  Samantha

Hello!
I am still sleeping outside with my children like the others because my house was destroyed during the earthquake. I often find water to drink but it is sometimes I find food to eat because.
Herold is doing well? He is not walking yet like Amelia. No the city doesn’t start yet to rebuild. Everyhting is the same since the tremor.

I would like to say Amelia Happy birthday later cuase I wasn’t coming up at people in need.
I am very happy to hear that Amelia is walking. If Damon is still playing with his friend.

I have a little bit problem when I am sleeping outside with my children, sometimes he can not sleep because they cold
I am, still sad when I spend a lon to not have your answer

Hug your husband from me!

I love you so!

Your Partner
Natasha

March 12, 2010

To:  Marci

Hi!
I thank you too for your nice letter that you sent to me. did you send the photo, I don’t receive it yet.
I hope all is well for you and your family. Even if I always pray and cite your name and ask God to protect in you all things you are doing?  I want say hello to all of your familly! 

I would like to find a solution with my ilness because it gives me a lot of problem when I feel cold I can’t do anything for my children.
Right now, I am sleeping out with my children because of tremor. Sometimes I feel my feet shake that’s why I stay ouside.

About the money that you sent to my son’s medicine, I don’t receive it yet. I hope I will have it soon.
Thank you a lot because you are always thinking of me. And for the money that you donate,

I am thinking of you oftener!

Your Partner
Christine

March 12, 2010

To:  Kimberly

Good afternoon
How are you doing? Your family? It makes a long to not have your new. Are you busy? Or sick?
Me, I am not too goo not too bad, because during the earthquake I didn’t have anything andf my family either.

I woould like to hear from you because I miss you so!

I hope to reply me because I don’t want to descourage about.

Tqake of yourself!

Your Partner
Marie

March 12, 2010

To:  Alicia

Hello
It will be good for me to send me Doctor because I am very sick sometime I can’t sdo nothing because my healthy is okay.

Thank you for thinking of me because I am in the misery and my health is not good. I hope you still pray for me, I know that you can take care of me. Don’t forget me in your prayers because I am still sick.

I sleep outside with my children without tent, sometimes when it’s raining I can not sleep. It gives problem for example: fever and caught.

Hope you are okay and your family also.

I love and miss you

Your Partner
Walkine

March 12, 2010

To: Achille

Hey Achille,
I am so glad to receive your note today and I would like to know how your family is?

By my side, all is doing well with my family. Yes, Iam getting back at the mini-center and i will still continue coming. Do you know after the earthquake I am sleeping in the street and I would be happy to have tent. I am not surviving at all and I am misfeed. I am agree you have no enough time to be on time at internet but I would like to have your answer at anytime you have free time.

By the way, the temperature looks changing here. Now, it’s hot and windy at same time.

I hope all your children are well and doing well at school!

I love you so!

Your Partner
Michelene