Hello Everyone,
I just got a phone call from Sharon. She wanted me to let you know that she is going to Hospital Justinien in Cap-Haitien hospital for bowel surgery this afternoon.
I'll spare the graphic details, but she is very ill, likely from the E. coli, and the surgeon will check for abscesses or perforations.
She has no idea when she will be released from hospital, or when she will return to Canada. It will NOT be next weekend as planned.
Sister Rosemary has been taking care of Sharon the past week and will phone me when Sharon is out of surgery.
Her voice sounded very weak, and she has been in constant severe pain for several weeks now.
Prayers are needed, Everyone.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Update 9 pm EDT
Sister Rosemary just phoned from the hospital in Haiti to let us know that Sharon is not having surgery until the doctors deem her kidney function sufficien to handle the anaesthetic.
Their best estimate for surgery is later tonight or tomorrow.
Sister Rosemary was heading home for the night, but said that a nurse and two of the students were with Sharon and would stay the night.
If anything changes she said the hospital will call her, and she will call tomorrow afternoon.
Canadian Charity Working to Promote Social Justice & Education
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
No Celebrity Endorsements, No Aid Flowing in Sen Rafayel, Cap-Haitien Haiti
* * *
Hello Everyone,
There are times when I am at a loss for words. That doesn't happen often but lately, I have fewer words and many more moments of reflection. Wrackspurts, as J.K Rowling's character Luna Lovegood calls them in the Harry Potter series.
With the exception of last Thursday, we have had rain every night since Monday, September 15. The rain has added to the misery and danger in many places, including Sen Rafayel. [Ed. note: See this page on Hurricane Center for current storm activity.]
Dieumane's mom died yesterday morning in Sen Rafayel. She was 43. Her house was flooded when TS Hanna went through and she had been sleeping in a ditch ever since . She became ill last week, probably a combination of malnutrition, typhoid, pneumonia -- you name it.
Dieumane's dad was drowned in the river 2 years ago during a storm. The victim list continues to grow here. Many of our kids are still unaccounted for. News from Haitian radio this am brings word of more flooding last Wednesday as a result of the daily rains.
The village of Dondon is just south of Sen Rafayel. It experienced flooding, loss of gardens, animal, houses, people as well. San Michel above Sen Rafayel was all but wiped out. Sen Rafayel sits mired in debris, illness, hunger, and renewed flooding. And still no support.
A friend of mine said in an email last week, "Hope the aid is flowing and things are returning to normal."
I can only shout the message with capital letters and hope that awareness emerges. The only aid in Haiti is in the places that make the news, either by celebrity endorsement or misery caught on video.
Still no electricity or gas, ice
One tanker of gas arrived at our gas station in Champin on Sunday. The rest of the city was shut down. Vehicles were lined 3 abreast and police as well as private security were on duty. By Monday morning, every drop was gone. No ice anywhere. Apparently there is no gas for the delivery vehicle.
While we can do without ice and refrigeration, we cannot do without potable water. Let's hope that is not the next victim of this crise. Many stores are closed completely. Cost of a school uniform is doubled now as material is scarce, marchands unable to replenish stocks so doubling prices.
We will supplement for the kids who are coming in this week with results for State exams for 9eme. We are sending more to the clinics daily as hunger and illness grows but the Clinics are unable to perform many tests as generators are gas driven.
Cap-Haitien, Sen Rafayel roads to Port-au-Prince closed
We are completely cut off from the south now. The secondary route through Sen Rafayel and Hinche was extremely dangerous but people tried to navigate it. Another died trying yesterday so the route has been closed.
We have kids stuck in Port-au-Prince with insufficient funds, and we have kids stuck in Sen Rafayel who want to start university but they cannot get to Port-au-Prince.
The cost of a gode of uncooked rice (one cup) is now 40 gds ($1.00 US) up from 11 gds about a year ago. The same amount of charcoal for cooking it is roughly the same price, for a total of $2. US to buy and cook a cup of plain rice -- without oil, beans, spices, water, matches, cooking pot. [see convert USD to HTG info]
We will get through this. My mother always says that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. She was talking about her many cancer surgeries and treatments. She is one tough lady. But I digress.
Keep us in your thoughts . . .
Sharon
Hello Everyone,
There are times when I am at a loss for words. That doesn't happen often but lately, I have fewer words and many more moments of reflection. Wrackspurts, as J.K Rowling's character Luna Lovegood calls them in the Harry Potter series.
With the exception of last Thursday, we have had rain every night since Monday, September 15. The rain has added to the misery and danger in many places, including Sen Rafayel. [Ed. note: See this page on Hurricane Center for current storm activity.]
Dieumane's mom died yesterday morning in Sen Rafayel. She was 43. Her house was flooded when TS Hanna went through and she had been sleeping in a ditch ever since . She became ill last week, probably a combination of malnutrition, typhoid, pneumonia -- you name it.
Dieumane's dad was drowned in the river 2 years ago during a storm. The victim list continues to grow here. Many of our kids are still unaccounted for. News from Haitian radio this am brings word of more flooding last Wednesday as a result of the daily rains.
The village of Dondon is just south of Sen Rafayel. It experienced flooding, loss of gardens, animal, houses, people as well. San Michel above Sen Rafayel was all but wiped out. Sen Rafayel sits mired in debris, illness, hunger, and renewed flooding. And still no support.
A friend of mine said in an email last week, "Hope the aid is flowing and things are returning to normal."
THERE IS NO AID FLOWING.
THERE NEVER IS AID FOR THE AVERAGE HAITIAN WHO LIVES IN ABJECT POVERTY.
THERE NEVER IS AID FOR THE AVERAGE HAITIAN WHO LIVES IN ABJECT POVERTY.
I can only shout the message with capital letters and hope that awareness emerges. The only aid in Haiti is in the places that make the news, either by celebrity endorsement or misery caught on video.
Still no electricity or gas, ice
One tanker of gas arrived at our gas station in Champin on Sunday. The rest of the city was shut down. Vehicles were lined 3 abreast and police as well as private security were on duty. By Monday morning, every drop was gone. No ice anywhere. Apparently there is no gas for the delivery vehicle.
While we can do without ice and refrigeration, we cannot do without potable water. Let's hope that is not the next victim of this crise. Many stores are closed completely. Cost of a school uniform is doubled now as material is scarce, marchands unable to replenish stocks so doubling prices.
We will supplement for the kids who are coming in this week with results for State exams for 9eme. We are sending more to the clinics daily as hunger and illness grows but the Clinics are unable to perform many tests as generators are gas driven.
Cap-Haitien, Sen Rafayel roads to Port-au-Prince closed
We are completely cut off from the south now. The secondary route through Sen Rafayel and Hinche was extremely dangerous but people tried to navigate it. Another died trying yesterday so the route has been closed.
We have kids stuck in Port-au-Prince with insufficient funds, and we have kids stuck in Sen Rafayel who want to start university but they cannot get to Port-au-Prince.
The cost of a gode of uncooked rice (one cup) is now 40 gds ($1.00 US) up from 11 gds about a year ago. The same amount of charcoal for cooking it is roughly the same price, for a total of $2. US to buy and cook a cup of plain rice -- without oil, beans, spices, water, matches, cooking pot. [see convert USD to HTG info]
We will get through this. My mother always says that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. She was talking about her many cancer surgeries and treatments. She is one tough lady. But I digress.
Keep us in your thoughts . . .
Sharon
Monday, September 22, 2008
Convert USD to HTG - U.S. Dollars to Haitian Gourdes
Since the Haitian gourdes (HTG) is not one of the world's most valued currencies, it can be difficult to find an up to date exchange rate online. I did find one source at Exchange Rates.org, which shows the following conversions to USD as of early September 2008.
Since currency rates do fluctuate, please check the above posted site for latest information, or try this currency exchange rate site : XE.com conversion; keep clicking Additional Currencies on currencies menu until Haiti gourde HTG appears, then calculate.
Click on image to view larger size.
Since currency rates do fluctuate, please check the above posted site for latest information, or try this currency exchange rate site : XE.com conversion; keep clicking Additional Currencies on currencies menu until Haiti gourde HTG appears, then calculate.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
College Jean-Claude Mondesir High School in Cap-Haitien Haiti Fees and Post Secondary Sponsors
___________
Hello Everyone,
Folks have asked about the cost of sending a youth to high school in Haiti for a year, so I am going to provide the fees and associated cost for one high school in Cap-Haitien, the College Jean-Claude Mondesir, at 143 Rue 23F, where we have 2 students registered and 3 more waiting for sponsor funds.
As you may recall, I've mentioned in earlier posts that high school fees vary according to grade level and school. These fees below are specifically for Marcellus and Rodney, who are in 3eme, which is the 4th year of high school. I hope this information is helpful.
The fees are listed in Haitian dollars (5 gourdes = $1 Haitian; about $7 Haitian = $1 USD)
*Text books costs would be much higher if not for our intensive textbook refurbish program which runs from July1 to August 31.
College Jean-Claude Mondesir is a medium priced school; for other schools, we pay more; for some, less. We have NO students attending any of the 4 top schools in the Cap-Haitien, as they are beyond our financial abilities. However, if we could afford to send students to the top schools, it would guarantee better teachers, equipment and placement in post secondary situations.
Special request for Post-secondary sponsors
Mechanique Auto-Diesel at Universite Internationale de St-Gerard.
Johnley P. and Danius J., our 2 boys from Sen Rafayel who want to study Mechanique Auto-Diesel, have brought in the pertinent information from Universite Internationale de St-Gerard.
This school has an American - Canadian affiliation, as flags for all three countries are displayed on the information page, and are shown in the photo of the university entrance. We phoned the university and spoke with the director of admissions. There are no entrance exams required, because proof of Philo (attestation; High school diploma) serves the purpose.
Fees and living expenses would come to close to $2000. USD per year, per student, which is a little lower than other post-secondary schools, as Universite Internationale de St-Gerard is one of the less expensive post secondary facilities. Classes begin October 6. This is a 3 year program plus a year of internship at the end.
Medical Technology Program
Frantzy has been accepted into a medical technology program with a demi-bous of half fee. He needs $1000. per year for 4 years (school only - help with living expenses would be appreciated).
Our other University hopefuls are writing entrance exams this week. Plenitude wrote last Saturday and has yet to hear her results.
Thank you all for your support with these students.
I am staying on in Haiti longer than planned so I can try to get the students settled. With the aftermath of the hurricane and severe storms, school opening has been moved from September until early October.
I plan to return to Canada on October 11 (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend) for a few weeks.
Sharon
Hello Everyone,
Folks have asked about the cost of sending a youth to high school in Haiti for a year, so I am going to provide the fees and associated cost for one high school in Cap-Haitien, the College Jean-Claude Mondesir, at 143 Rue 23F, where we have 2 students registered and 3 more waiting for sponsor funds.
As you may recall, I've mentioned in earlier posts that high school fees vary according to grade level and school. These fees below are specifically for Marcellus and Rodney, who are in 3eme, which is the 4th year of high school. I hope this information is helpful.
The fees are listed in Haitian dollars (5 gourdes = $1 Haitian; about $7 Haitian = $1 USD)
- Enskripsyon fee: $50.
- Frais Scolaire: $950.
- Iden. Card. $30.
- Mois Sept. $220.
- Informatique $300.
- Ecolage $650 par trimeste X 3 trimeste =$1950.00
- TOTAL --- $ $3500. Haitian OR 17,500 GDS OR $500. USD
- text books: 11 text books plus 3 dictionaries, about *$2500.H or *$357. USD
- school supplies
- uniform (including shoes and underwear) and hygiene products: about $700. H or $100. USD
- medical
- dental
- housing
- food and potable water
*Text books costs would be much higher if not for our intensive textbook refurbish program which runs from July1 to August 31.
College Jean-Claude Mondesir is a medium priced school; for other schools, we pay more; for some, less. We have NO students attending any of the 4 top schools in the Cap-Haitien, as they are beyond our financial abilities. However, if we could afford to send students to the top schools, it would guarantee better teachers, equipment and placement in post secondary situations.
Special request for Post-secondary sponsors
Mechanique Auto-Diesel at Universite Internationale de St-Gerard.
Johnley P. and Danius J., our 2 boys from Sen Rafayel who want to study Mechanique Auto-Diesel, have brought in the pertinent information from Universite Internationale de St-Gerard.
This school has an American - Canadian affiliation, as flags for all three countries are displayed on the information page, and are shown in the photo of the university entrance. We phoned the university and spoke with the director of admissions. There are no entrance exams required, because proof of Philo (attestation; High school diploma) serves the purpose.
Fees and living expenses would come to close to $2000. USD per year, per student, which is a little lower than other post-secondary schools, as Universite Internationale de St-Gerard is one of the less expensive post secondary facilities. Classes begin October 6. This is a 3 year program plus a year of internship at the end.
Medical Technology Program
Frantzy has been accepted into a medical technology program with a demi-bous of half fee. He needs $1000. per year for 4 years (school only - help with living expenses would be appreciated).
Our other University hopefuls are writing entrance exams this week. Plenitude wrote last Saturday and has yet to hear her results.
Thank you all for your support with these students.
I am staying on in Haiti longer than planned so I can try to get the students settled. With the aftermath of the hurricane and severe storms, school opening has been moved from September until early October.
I plan to return to Canada on October 11 (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend) for a few weeks.
Sharon
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sen Rafayel Haiti News, Shortages and Storm Damage Reports
______________
Bonjou tout moun (Hi Everyone)
Although we are still cut off from the South, Claudy and Louisena managed to make it down from Sen Rafayel on Tuesday. The 28 kms (17 miles) trip took them 6 hours, and the same to return home.
The bridge that is needed to facilitate the trip has been out for almost 2 years now. With this track record for road repair and maintenance, I fear for length of time it will take to repair or replace the other 3 major bridges that were washed away during the recent storms.
We are being told it may be months before they are restored. Meantime, traffic to the Dominican Republic continues as Haitians head there to get gasoline and vehicle traffic here has been trimmed to 'manageable'.
From Sen Rafayel, Claudy and Louisena brought news of devastation and loss. Claudy estimates that about a third of the houses in the village were completely destroyed, and that about another 25 percent sustained heavy damage.
He said that people are sleeping in the ruins, that gardens and animals are all lost. This is a replay of the devastation of December 2006 that took out the bridge.
Claudy had decided to keep the backpacks in the office and then distribute after the storm. Unfortunately the office is small, only one table. The 11 back packs placed on the floor under the table were beyond salvage. We have begun to replace text books etc.
Since the village spreads over a huge geographical area, we have no idea of the number of students who have lost uniforms and shoes. The good news is that the 3 students in Cap-Haitien who rewrote Rheto exams were all successful (bon).
Because Louisena is entering Philo this year, her work with us will finish next month. The school year work load is too heavy for her to also have work commitments. Her job will be taken over by Fabiola C.
Next year Claudy enters Philo so we will be looking for his replacement as the year progresses. In this way, these young people get a bit of training in administration and workplace practices, which can only help them as they move on through school.
Unfortunately the gas shortage is impacting on necessities. The Culligan water purification plant and ice making factory in Morn Rouj has not delivered this week as they have no gas for the trucks.
We have not pumped water for the house for 2 weeks as our generator is gas driven, and of course we have no gas. We have asked Jackson (our driver) if he can sell us a gallon of gas next time his brother brings some back from the Dominican Republic.
In addition to having no gasoline, we ran out of propane on Saturday. Jack spent 3 hours in town going from place to place trying to find a refill. Half of the businesses were closed.
He finally found one tank for which we paid $700 Haitian, or $100 U.S. This is a price increase of about 50 percent, but we desperately need a reserve. Propane is our main cooking source. We must boil all water before using. We are using rain water until the generator is working again.
We are still waiting for the miracle of electricity although the state sent a boat of gasoline which arrived yesterday. Apparently it is for police, electric company (EDH), government offices etc.
I will head in to town later this morning to try bank Fonkoze again. There are donor funds we could not access last week. I'll let you know how I make out.
Pi ta (later)
Sharon
_____________
Update Thursday evening:
We have had fierce thunderstorms for 3 consecutive nights, compounding the misery.
Just back from town, and the staff has departed for the day. Fonkoze able to access account, so I have some money now.
Gas scams abound. Price for DR gas is now $120 Haitian per gallon (over $17USD a gallon). Folks are selling urine in gallons. Many abandoned cars because motors have been compromised by bad 'gas'.
No way can we purchase many foodstuffs with these high prices, but many kids are becoming ill. A lot of standing water so mosquitoes plentiful. I am waiting for the first case of typhoid.
Jack said his parents place (in Sen Rafayel) still half full (half empty?) of water and they are sleeping beside it. His damage estimate is higher than Claudy's; Jack has talked to family who say about 75 percent of Sen Rafayel homes destroyed. We await word on replacing uniforms etc.
Bonjou tout moun (Hi Everyone)
Although we are still cut off from the South, Claudy and Louisena managed to make it down from Sen Rafayel on Tuesday. The 28 kms (17 miles) trip took them 6 hours, and the same to return home.
The bridge that is needed to facilitate the trip has been out for almost 2 years now. With this track record for road repair and maintenance, I fear for length of time it will take to repair or replace the other 3 major bridges that were washed away during the recent storms.
We are being told it may be months before they are restored. Meantime, traffic to the Dominican Republic continues as Haitians head there to get gasoline and vehicle traffic here has been trimmed to 'manageable'.
From Sen Rafayel, Claudy and Louisena brought news of devastation and loss. Claudy estimates that about a third of the houses in the village were completely destroyed, and that about another 25 percent sustained heavy damage.
He said that people are sleeping in the ruins, that gardens and animals are all lost. This is a replay of the devastation of December 2006 that took out the bridge.
Claudy had decided to keep the backpacks in the office and then distribute after the storm. Unfortunately the office is small, only one table. The 11 back packs placed on the floor under the table were beyond salvage. We have begun to replace text books etc.
Since the village spreads over a huge geographical area, we have no idea of the number of students who have lost uniforms and shoes. The good news is that the 3 students in Cap-Haitien who rewrote Rheto exams were all successful (bon).
Because Louisena is entering Philo this year, her work with us will finish next month. The school year work load is too heavy for her to also have work commitments. Her job will be taken over by Fabiola C.
Next year Claudy enters Philo so we will be looking for his replacement as the year progresses. In this way, these young people get a bit of training in administration and workplace practices, which can only help them as they move on through school.
Unfortunately the gas shortage is impacting on necessities. The Culligan water purification plant and ice making factory in Morn Rouj has not delivered this week as they have no gas for the trucks.
We have not pumped water for the house for 2 weeks as our generator is gas driven, and of course we have no gas. We have asked Jackson (our driver) if he can sell us a gallon of gas next time his brother brings some back from the Dominican Republic.
In addition to having no gasoline, we ran out of propane on Saturday. Jack spent 3 hours in town going from place to place trying to find a refill. Half of the businesses were closed.
He finally found one tank for which we paid $700 Haitian, or $100 U.S. This is a price increase of about 50 percent, but we desperately need a reserve. Propane is our main cooking source. We must boil all water before using. We are using rain water until the generator is working again.
We are still waiting for the miracle of electricity although the state sent a boat of gasoline which arrived yesterday. Apparently it is for police, electric company (EDH), government offices etc.
I will head in to town later this morning to try bank Fonkoze again. There are donor funds we could not access last week. I'll let you know how I make out.
Pi ta (later)
Sharon
_____________
Update Thursday evening:
We have had fierce thunderstorms for 3 consecutive nights, compounding the misery.
Just back from town, and the staff has departed for the day. Fonkoze able to access account, so I have some money now.
Gas scams abound. Price for DR gas is now $120 Haitian per gallon (over $17USD a gallon). Folks are selling urine in gallons. Many abandoned cars because motors have been compromised by bad 'gas'.
No way can we purchase many foodstuffs with these high prices, but many kids are becoming ill. A lot of standing water so mosquitoes plentiful. I am waiting for the first case of typhoid.
Jack said his parents place (in Sen Rafayel) still half full (half empty?) of water and they are sleeping beside it. His damage estimate is higher than Claudy's; Jack has talked to family who say about 75 percent of Sen Rafayel homes destroyed. We await word on replacing uniforms etc.
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