Earthquake Update Cap-Haitien Haiti Schools, Students, Hydro, Water, Food, Study, Jobs

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Hello Everyone,

I am on my way to Cap-Haitien Haiti so by the time you receive this I may already be at Lakay. Here's an earthquake aftermath update about Cap-Haitien schools opening, students, hydro and water, food, study and job programs.

As well, here are a few pictures sent from Haiti before the quake. (Click on the picture to see a larger version, then click the Back button to return to this page.)

Hydro, Schools, Programs
One area of Cap-Haitien had a little hydro on Wednesday but not in our section. More kids are coming every day looking for news about what's happening, and for food and water as schools remain closed.

We plan to start meal hand outs, and food and study programs and job creation on Monday (February 1). I'll give you more information once I have a chance to assess the situation in Haiti, but if schools are not able to open, then one of the programs we will set up will be for studying and tutoring. We can have the students come to the Lakay to do their school work.

Restarting school, university, etc will be a massive undertaking in much of Haiti. See this report on CBC news  for a bit of background.

Guilene, Port-au-Prince
Just before I left Toronto (Saturday,January 30), I received an email from Auguste, our director of education in Haiti. Auguste said that Guilene (see this post) made it safely from Port-au-Prince to San Rafayel. She took the alternate route which by passes Cap-Haitien.

Nursing Students Leogane
Bruni, Gaby, Wesley and Alland, the 4 nursing students at the (now demolished) nursing school also made their way to Sen Rafayel.  I expect that Bruni will help them find temporary accommodation. They are expected to come down the mountain to see us in Cap-Haitien this week. I will let you know when I hear from them.

Plenitude, Peterson, Port-au-Prince
Plenitude remains unaccounted for after his initial phone call (this post). Peterson made it to Cap-Haitien to go to a clinic to get patched up. He has now returned to Port-au-Prince in the hopes of going through the rubble of his dormitory to find his papers (pyes yo) -- his birth certificate, baptismal certificate, high school papers and university entrance papers.

Alternatives to Haiti Schools
I've had several inquires about the feasibility of sending our Haitian post-secondary students to North America or to the Dominican Republic to continue their studies at this time. Other than the cost involved, there is also the language barrier. Our students speak Kreyol (Creole). Some may know a smattering of French and / or English, but not at a level acceptable for post-secondary studies.

Haiti Trips Postponed, Canceled
Visitors who had planned to travel to meet me in Cap-Haitien in the coming weeks have canceled or postponed travel at this time.

Donations, Fundraisers, Christmas Boxes
Thank you for supporting the earthquake relief fund, nutrition and education programs, and for organizing fundraisers. As always, the easiest thing to get to Haiti is cash.

Thank you for offering to send clothing, bedding, etc. but those items are available in Haiti, and so do not require costly shipping. When we buy these items in Haiti, we make best use of your donations.

Thanks again to Mochaberry Cafe, Henning's Salon and Acheson's in Orangeville, ON  for collecting money for Starthrower following the earthquake.

Auguste reports that more of the Christmas boxes are arriving in Cap-Haitien. And just prior to the earthquake, he was advised that a shipment of supplies sent months ago from Mlle Kayla in the U.S. had arrived, but I do not know if he was able to arrange to pick it up at the port:  "CasXpress gen bwat-la pou nou men yo pa livre li paske moun ki pou bay nou bwat la, li pa Okap bwat Mlle Kayla." I'll check into that as soon as I can.

ROCK4HAITI Concert Toronto
For those in the Toronto, Ontario, area, Ryan and his band My Flea Circus are holding a fundraising concert for Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. at Sneaky Dee's (College and Bathurst) in Toronto to raise money for Starthrower Foundation (see Starthrower Foundation Fundraisers).

Next Update From Haiti:
If all goes according to plan today (Sunday), I will be in Cap-Haitien by late afternoon. I hope to be able to assess what's happened at our center (water, hydro, damage to buildings, etc) and the likelihood of schools opening in Cap-Haitien, as well as updates on our students, and let you know by the middle of next week.

Travel To Haiti
As I make my way via Ft Lauderdale to Haiti this weekend, I have been pleasantly surprised at the response from everyone who asked where I was going.

In the past (before the earthquake), when I said, "Haiti," there were grimaces made, and some airline staff, customs agents and fellow passengers wondered why I would ever want to go there.

This trip have found a shift in thinking. Twice folks said, "Those poor people! Haven't they had enough?' Empathy: What a healing, life-giving emotion.

Sharon

Food, Water, Exams, Supplies Cap-Haitien Haiti, and Thanksgiving

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Hello, Everyone!

Here's our news about the food, water, and supplies on this day of Thanksgiving in the USA. In a few short weeks it will be Christmas, the students will have written their exams, and the web comic will have posted its final pages. A busy time for us all!

Web Comic
To Daniel, thanks and congratulations on your wonderful web comic www.starthrowerinhaiti.com.

For those of you who haven't had a chance to read it, do try to find the time, and feel free to post a comment to Dan and pass on the link to friends, colleagues and family.

Dan is not only receiving positive peer reviews on his amazing talent, but also educating people about life in Haiti and raising funds for our students in post-secondary.
 
Food, Water, Proba
Auguste, our director of education, writes that many students in both Sen Rafayel and Cap-Haitien have malaria, and that hunger is again a major problem.

Although we really don't have funds for rice, beans, oil and charcoal, we are doing what we can to help feed these kids:

Thanks to Mme Cindy who has been sending us protein powder, we have begun distributing it in zip lock bags, along with plastic glasses and spoons.

Normally we distribute a container of our own home made peanut butter mixed with protein powder (Proba).

However, we do not have any jars (bokal yo) in which to put the Proba mixture, so we are doing the next best thing by distributing the powder, spoons and glasses.

We are distributing potable water daily, as well as distributing peanuts and hard boiled eggs, which Carmene prepares Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Exams, Students Updates
Exams will be taking place over the next couple of weeks so study space at Lakay is at a premium. We hope to have an update on all our post secondary students at the Christmas break in a few weeks.

Marlene, our student in Santiago, Dominican Republic, was in hospital with a severe infection, so she missed a week of classes. Now she is being treated for dental infections. Hopefully she is able to find better dental care than we have in Cap-Haitien.

Auguste has wired extra funds to cover these unexpected expenses. However, she is still alone, and ill in a strange country.

Supplies, Brailler, etc.

Some supplies are arriving at the centre in Cap-Haitien. Boxes from Pennsylvania have arrived, as have the back packs Daniel sent in July.

We are still waiting for Kayla's supplies as well as the house supplies I sent in September (this post).

Communication to and within Haiti continues to be a challenge. Claudy and Auguste have been attempting to contact our blind student, Guilene, to find out how the machines provided by Don and the folks at the PA Lions club are holding up.

As Guilene is back at school in Potoprens (Port-au-Prince) and we have no address, phone number, school name, it will probably be Christmas break before we have news. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from her.

Thank You!
Thanks again to the folks on the UN committee in Boulder, Colorado! The fund raiser which I attended in September has reaped more benefits, so our potable water program is in very good shape.

Thanks again to Mme Cindy for all the support from her and her 'helpers'.

Thanks, too, to Teena in Australia, who is also raising funds through her artful scarves!

On a Personal Note
On Nov. 11 my wonderful, courageous, high spirited mother, Betty Anderson, died of post op complications after emergency surgery.

Unfortunately I have been experiencing post op complications myself and had landed back in hospital the day she died. I was unable to travel to the funeral, but had spoken with her daily.

My sister who was so instrumental in my air lift to Canada from Haiti last fall, once again guided the family through another life changing transition. Thanks, Boo! You are the best!

Thanks so much to all who sent emails and cards, or phoned. This journey with the destructive E coli has again challenged me physically. Although the reversal has been successful so far, my doctor says he'll review my condition in about 6 months, and that one more surgery will be necessary.

I will be able to return to Cap-Haitien before then, although the current complications are slowing recovery.

Wishing  our friends in the States a joyful Thanksgiving!

Beni-w Sharon
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Walking wounded update, water and food programs, housing in Haiti

Hello Everyone,

Many thanks to the folks in Pennsylvania for their generosity of spirit. The Christmas boxes arrived over the course of several weeks and were distributed in Sen Rafayel and Cap in January. Unfortunately the customs changes have caused great challenges. Items shipped in Sept. and Nov. are still sitting waiting to be processed. They may never arrive.

Prices have soared on all products due to scarcity. Also eggs and poultry from the DR (our main supplier -- see this news report ) have been halted due to bird flu scare. Contemplating buying a couple of hens and producing our own eggs.

Are continuing twice weekly food distribution on a pilot basis (Pwoje Byen Manje = Healthy Eating} and have begun Pwoje Dlo Potab (Potable water project). With so many gravely ill, we have started distributing from the 5 gallon jugs we purchase daily. Cuurrenly sterilizing 1 gallon containers and giving to those most ill. Cannot provide for everyone due to high cost and scarcity of containers. We have folks in several states working on a solution to our contamination problem -- thanks everyone.

Congratulations and thanks to Lucie, Peggy and all those who gave so generously of their time and energy in Charlotte NC. The fundraiser last week was a great success, with an amazing number of donated items being auctioned off to help support our young people.

The third of our pilot projects -- Pwoje Bon Sante' (Project Good Health ) -- is being headed up by one of our grads, Jhennie C. We did not have a sponsor for her to start university this year so she is glad to be working rather than sitting each day. Hopefully she will be able to return to school in Sept. ( although she is proving to be very valuable here).

All projects are for 6 month trial, if funds allow. As small clinics are understaffed and overworked, we are sending all serious illnesses (about 99% of the complaints we hear) to Dr. B, and Jhennie is liaison with both he and the lab. It is more expensive; however, many are too ill to sit for hours in emerg or a clinic, or go back and forth from lab to clinic, so Jhennie creates necessary paperwork, arranges taxi and funds, they see Dr. B in the a.m., tests (those not requiring xray or sonogram) are done in the lab on his premises, then Jhennie travels in the afternoon for results and consults with Dr. B for rezilta sonde (diagnosis) and meds and/or follow up needed.

She maintains a list documenting visits, purchases necessary meds and distributes next day. Also she is liaison with the dentist we use, and she distributes funds and necesssary paper work to students and keeps track of last appointment, creating a list for 6-month check ups. We haven't started the check ups yet as all dental cases are emergencies. Only have one who has seen a dentist before, and that was 10 years ago.

Illnesses mount. Camiose is being tested for 'microfiliare', yet another terror from the mosquito. Testing must be done at night and only can be done at Lopital Justinien. She is apprehensive about staying on a bench at the hospital during the night, so Julia will accompany her.

Jhon Charlee has malaria and needs a chest xray as well. Have a taxi arranged for [this morning] for Karfoumoustik. Julia will accompany him due to his weakened condition. Markendy's diagnosis was pneumonia not TB as initially suspected.

Daniel was diagnosed with probable appendicitis Jan 16. and Dr B said send him to Milot. It was the 21st Jan before we could arrange transit, then after sitting for 5 hours in Milot, he was told no surgeon would be available to consult before 15 March. Back he came in the taxi and went to Justinien next morning. They had no electricity so sent him to Karfoumoustik for sonogram. We arranged that for the next morning. Another day of sitting then back to Justinien the next day for lab work. Friday, back to hospital for final consult -- NO diagnosis given but meds for ulcer prescribed. Pain the same.

Five new diagnosis of gastric ulcers and an assortment of fungal infections, giardia etc. Jack's brother Wisky is working with us now. The Bos mechanic he was apprenticing with was paralyzed (kokobe) in an acident and has closed the shop. This is the third mechanic he has lost. The first died, the second was sent to jail. He has chosen to work and get his driver's licence (chofe). He will look after the grounds -- grass, garden, garbage and security -- when I am in Canada, freeing Auguste on weekends.

Jack and Bos Mason (M. Franck) are working on the addition we began last summer to open the kitchen staircase. Rough work is almost finished. We will begin the painting in a few weeks.

I am completing a 4th round of antibiotics for Typhoid. To add insult to injury, I've picked up a head and chest cold. Will retest Wed. Others in Cap have the same challenge -- a strain of Typhoid that is Cipro resistant.

On the good news front, the sun is shining and for the moment there is electricity.

Ala pwochen
Sharon

PS Anyone with first hand experience with high functioning autism please email me. Info needed.

PPS Auguste and I found a potential student housing site when making a home visit 2 weeks ago. It is a half consrtucted house with potential 7 bedrooms, common room, kitchen and bath when completed. Any one or any group interested in a fund raising project please contact me by email for particulars.