Haiti House Unsafe, Manifestations, Food Aid, School News: Updates from Cap-Haitien

Repairs to Starthrower's house in Haiti, Cap-Haitien Manifestations, Food Aid Chaos, and Schools News

Hello Eveyone,

Sharon Gaskell phoned this morning (Monday) from Cap-Haitien, Haiti. I hadn't heard from her at all in over a week, so she called to let us know that she is alive and well.

As she spoke, the sound of hammering made it hard to hear her at times. She explained that the house is being shored up with steel girders and is work being done on one corner of our center, and will progress to all corners.

Repairs to Starthrower Foundations Center in Cap-Haitien Haiti

The house sustained more extensive damage than initially thought, with new cracks appearing as fast as existing ones were repaired. Some cracks are due to aftershocks and some from the initial quake on January 12, and some perhaps the result of the age of the building.

Now that the walls are being removed, and the basement is being dug out, the building foundation is being exposed. It's become apparent that cement block foundation is mostly rubble and dust, and that limestone had been added to the original cement blocks laid some 30 years ago.

Building materials and supplies, always hard to come by in Haiti, are in short supply, which slows the repair work.

Even without the quake damage, the house was increasingly unsafe. Rental options in Cap-Haitien are limited at the best of times; with the current housing crisis, they are virtually non-existent.

Haitian Students Work to Help Mason Repair Lakay Starthrower

Building Fund for a home of our own
The best case scenario, Sharon says, would be to buy some land in the area, and build a Starthrower Foundation center. With the house repairs taking so much time, Sharon has not been able to go view a parcel of land recently offered for sale.

"The mason, Frank, and workers arrive each day by 7 a.m., and work until about 5 p.m.," she said. "I'm up at 4:30 a.m. So far I am still living in the house, and the kids can still come to get a light meal, to study and get some water.

"With the house being ripped apart, they can sit on the gallery, or on the patio outside. And with the walls opened up, the mosquitoes are everywhere in the house. Jack and Jocelyn are sick now, and I've sent Jocelyn to the clinic. I suspect malaria again. Jack is ill, but with other student workers sick and sent home, he has to stay to help with the work.

"The masons are working on house to shore it up with girders. So far, one corner is being worked on. The bulk of work is yet to be done. My best guess is the work will take 4-6 months to be completed. We are paying for the work but I have asked the landlord to pay for repairs, and I have said that if we do them, it is in lieu of rent for 6 months.

"I have been staying in the house, though if and when Frank says it is totally unsafe, I will sleep in the small building at the rear of the property. It's not ideal, but it has been repaired and seems safe."

Haitian Workers Repair Quake Damage Cap-Haitien

Manifestations in Cap-Haitien
"With so much going on here at the center, it's better for me to be here than at a hotel in town. Getting back and forth from the hotel to the house would be a nightmare, as many Cap-Haitien streets are blocked while they are being repaired. And now, streets are also being blocked with manifestations (protests, demonstrations). The crowds are a nightmare.

"Auguste had gone into town on Friday afternoon, and called to let us know how difficult it was to get around. He said there were piles of burning tires, and crowds throwing rocks, and for me to tell the others to stay at the center until the situation improved.

"Part of the reason for the demonstrations is the food aid distribution program. There is absolutely no system in place. The food aid trucks pull up and start throwing bags into the crowd. The people are so afraid of starving, they mob the trucks, so the trucks leave.

"They are treating Haitians like dogs."

Bos Mason on Roof Opening Bedroom Wall Lakay Fondasyon Haiti

Hydro Food Water Propane
"For the past few weeks, there's been almost no hydro, as when work is being done on the house, it is shut off. Ice has been scarce, and for several days, we had none. Water is also harder to find. I can still boil water, but that's only good for as long as we have propane. Jack usually goes out to look for water, propane and supplies, but he's had to help work on the house so he cannot get out to look for any today."

Schools, Exams
"Some students have been back at school, and are into exams now," Sharon said. "No school for a whole term, and two weeks of classes, and they already have exams! These are the kids whose schools accepted our offer of payment for a half-trimest, and third trimest fees are due next week.

"The students who went to schools that insisted on full payment for the January-Easter term, even though the schools were closed, are not attending classes, and some students decided to stay out of school until September.  I think waiting till September would be best."

Back in Canada Dates
Sharon said that she is still planning on returning to  Toronto around May 8, but that time frame can change. The nursing student ceremony in Leogane is now set for May 12, and she would like to be there to support our students, but she may have to miss it.

Those of you who are waiting for responses to emails, etc. may have to wait a little longer. If anything is urgent, contact me, or phone Sharon in Haiti.

^ Karen
Admin. Starthrower Foundation

Water, Propane, Food, Medical, Dental, Supplies ~ This Week in Haiti

The News this week from Starthrower in Haiti: Water, Propane, Food Distribution, Medical, Dental, Supplies

Propane Supply Found
We've been without ice for almost 2 weeks. Vegetarian lifestyle is the most reasonable option. And we ran out of propane last Sunday.

Staff had been scouring the city to find a refill tank. More important than cooking, we need it to boil the well water.

Jacques arrived from town on Wednesday with a full tank of propane. It took stops at 7 shops to find it, but we have it! The first shop was closed, and the next 6 had no stock.

They returned to the first shop to find it open and in possession of only 5 full tanks and about 30 empty ones, and that's it for Cap-Haitien.

Current price of a propane tank refill is $600 Haitian or 3000 HTG = $78.54 US. For a full tank (not just a refill - I would say 'new tank' but the word 'new' would be misleading) the price is $1500 Haitian or 7500 HTG = $196.34 US.

We did manage to secure potable water for this week's distribution. Hurray ! And we finally got enough sun over a few days for solar power.

Rice and beans arriving, Water
Rosenie and I prepared food sacks on Sunday and we distributed them all week.

This is in addition to the simple meal we provide each of the kids when they drop in.

They bring their gallon jugs for potable refills at the same time. Monday was crazy busy as expected as we resumed  food distribution.

Sherlyne wrote a note asking if we could lend her money to buy food as she goes many days without eating. This is the norm.

Instead of a loan I offered her a job on weekends helping Rosenie purchase and package food, oil etc. It frees me up and allows them to continue working whenever schools finally reopen.

On Tuesday morning, Erzilia also wrote a note (in French -- talk about keeping up with studies!) and then came in asking for work, so she will cover the office with Auguste on Thursdays and Fridays for a few weeks.

Student Health - Medical, Dental
Jean-Ricot and Christamene went to Milot Tuesday for extensive dental work.
They'd gotten up at 4 a.m. to travel to Milot at 5 a.m. They were fortunate enough to each get a consult, as only 10 consults are done per day.

Adlyn arrived on Tuesday, after having had a circumcision (needed due to recurrring infections from bathing with dirty water) to bring us his prescription forms.

Rosema also arrived Tuesday, having come from the clinic. He'd been back and forth 3 times, walking each way, each time, and he is so sick. I diagnosed malaria but waited for the experts to agree. I don't want to give him something he doesn't need. Unfortunately my diagnostic skills are quite accurate. At least we can treat it.

We continue to have success with the natural product Allimax that has an antibiotic effect. I Am NOT a paid spokesperson; I just have had success personally using it and now here with the kids: The stubborn wound on Jack's arm closed in 3 days, and he did not need an xray as the pain disappeared, and the arthritis he has in his joints is now gone for the first time in years.

Rosenie's chest infection cleared up and our pup is still alive and showing signs of improvement (when I can slip the capsule into her food).

Many of our young people suffer from arthritic complaints from sleeping on the ground or on concrete. Even with funds for beds and mosquito nets (though the students would be more comfortable), they would still have joint pain.

I always feel so badly sending kids for day surgery, dental surgery, etc on public transit over horrendous road surfaces, knowing the discomfort and often pain they experience. Someday we will have a vehicle. But for now we do what we can with what we have.

Shopping for Shoes

Everyone is in need of shoes, as well. We provide a new pair in September and January.

Although school is still on hiatus, shoe leather wears out at the same rate here.

Roads are non-existent for the most part, or else a series of various sized potholes joined together in an intricate pattern.

As it is the rainy season, the constant mud also takes its toll. Everyone needs black dress shoes but everyone needs different sizes and feet, like teeth, continue to grow despite a life of abject poverty.

Since schools are still closed, they actually have the luxury of taking their time going through the marketplace looking for shoes.

Aftershocks Aftermath
Aftershocks continue, and you get to the point where you don't want to say anything because maybe you're the only one who felt it. Wisly and Alland came down from Sen Rafayel to talk. Together, they speak not a word about the earthquake trauma. Separate them, and stream of consciousness pours out.

Intellectually, they understand that the trauma of their experience at the nursing school in Leogane will fade, although it will always be a part of them. Emotionally, they are still very much in the middle of it. What each talks of independently is the courage of the Doyenne, Mme Alcindor. She is their hero, holding them together and turning them into clinicians.

Thank you For Supplies
Thanks to Mme Cindy and elves in Penn!

Jacques (staff) discovered that the baseball cap (kepi) he received in his bwat nwel (Christmas Box) has a miniature flashlight embedded in it.

As there is still little and intermittent electricity, he's very grateful from a security standpoint, and it's hands free!

What a boon! This country could use about 5,000,000 of these!

Mme Cindy also sent chocolate chip cookie mix, so the kids will have a treat. There is no margarine in sticks available in any of the markets, so we're trying a pouch margarine from Indonesia which came to us via the Dominican Republic.

Our biggest challenge when cooking is a having to use a 6-year-old propane stove which has no temperature settings, only a series of dash lines between min & max. We frequently overcook food and oft times undercook, making everything oven cooked an adventure.

Thank You to Nadia and Daniel from Toronto, for turning a holiday into an opportunity to send supplies to us. They had come to Orangeville in January to help pack a bag of donations stored in my apartment, and  packed a few more bags with their own. They were travelling to Provo, Turks and Caicos, so they took all the bags with them to Provo, then sent them to us via Air Turks and Caicos. Thanks again!

Haiti, Canada, Chile
It's been a month since I returned to Haiti. The comparative luxury (electricity, flush toilet, blankets and bed) of my modest one bedroom apartment above a store on main street in Orangeville, is difficult to picture.

I had forgotten the smell of burning tires, the ferocity of storms during the rainy season. On Thursday, the winds started mid afternoon and howled all night long. Many toll roofs have been blown away.

I'd almost forgotten how incredibly difficult life is here in Haiti, and the immense courage of the Haitians.

Pi ta
Sharon

PS Tale of Two Quakes: Saturday's Mag 8.8 earthquake in Chile invited media comparisons' with Haiti's Mag 7 quake on January 12. See Associated Press story in the Sunday Toronto Star.

---

Haiti Earthquake News Cap-Haitien, Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Sen Rafayel

.
Hello Eveyone,

News is still coming in sporadically from Haiti, some devastating, some hopeful. With no cell phone service, e-mail has been a lifeline. To upddate our previous news, here's what we know so far:

Port-au-Prince Bad News, Sad News 2 students
Frandzy and Peterson, in Port-au-Prince, until this afternoon were both still unaccounted for. Auguste just emailed to tell me that he heard from Peterson last night, who said that he is injured but alive.

However, Frandzy (Carmene our cook's oldest boy) was killed. Both were studying medical technology. Plenitude is okay.

Our sympathies go out to Carmene. Auguste reports the family is desolee. Another of her sons, Ernst, died of an ear infection about 4 years ago. Ernst was also one of our kids, who we sent to the school for the deaf (Lekol des enfants sourds).  Carmene has 2 daughters as well, both in elementary school.

Leogane School Nursing -- 4 Students

Our nursing students (see earlier post) are shaken but alive. They described the town of Leogane where the nursing school is located as 'kraze' (crushed). The school gave them permission to travel home. I am not sure how this will happen as nothing is moving up and down the Route Nasyonal.

It sounds as though the students were able to get their belongings out of the dormitory. We'll know more soon, hopefully. Obviously my concern is for these 4 kids travelling the 200+ kms (124+ miles) on their own.

BUT CNN just ran a story from the nursing school in Leogane. The students have been operating a clinic as the hospital and 90% of the town demolished.

I saw one of our students, Alland, in the clip looking every inch a competent nurse!!!!

Doctors without Borders have just arrived. The students attended to an estimated 5000 people. The mayor estimates the town has already buried about 5000 although numbers are unreliable as many are burying their family dead privately.


Thanks to Mme Jane in Georgia for responding to my query with news of our nursing students.

Sen Rafayel -- 50 students
The students in Sen Rafayel are okay, but supplies in the village are becoming scarce as transit up and down the mountain is interrupted.

Cap-Haitien Students
All schools are closed in Cap-Haitien, and the banks and government offices are also closed. With the banks closed, it is difficult to make repairs (more detail  about damage below) as we need to pay tradespeople on the spot and we do not keep a large sum of money on site.

Gas Kerosene Scarce
As shipments are not getting into the Cap-Haitien, supplies of gas and kerosene are becoming very scarce. Those with money (moyen ekonomik) are beginning to stock up.

This hoarding mentality means that the poor, who can only purchase a very small quantity at a time, will be left with no light source. As dirty and unsafe as kerosene is, it provides illumination in a very dark time.

Damage at Lakay -- No Water, No Hydro
Our house sustained more damage than initially noticed. The new water reservoir on the roof which we installed about 18 months ago has cracked. The staff did not realize this until they went to draw water and it was empty. Let's hope it only needs repairs and not replacement.

The wiring for our generator (which draws water from the well up to the roof reservoir) was also damaged and needs to be replaced. Jack sustained a shock from anba te-a (underground) so the owner's representative in Cap-Haitien was contacted.

This rep said in no uncertain terms that this was not his problem. We will handle this as we have in the past. Jack and Auguste will do what they can until I arrive.

There is absolutely no electricity! We have dealt with this before. The longest period I remember without electricity is 6 months in 2004.

House Habitable
The staff thinks that the house is structurally sound despite the appearance of new cracks. I have confidence that this is so as Jack has a great  deal of experience as a builder. He has checked everything and declared it habitable.

Students Housing Estimates,Repairs
Students continue to come in to Starthrower's center asking for help repairing damage to their living quarters (ti kay-yo).

Auguste is making a list and giving the kids appointments to come back so they can direct staff to their house. We have to do it in this manner as there are no street names or addresses. Small living spaces are very difficult to find even after having visited once before.

We can then estimate what materials are needed to make repairs and how long the work will take. With both gas, taxis, and building materials in short supply and high demand, repairs could take a while.

We need a taxi to get to the houses to make estimates, we need money to pay for the taxi and the taxi needs gas, which is in limited supply. Once we have made estimates, we'll need to purchase building supplies. All banks and businesses are closed, so the staff  literally have their hands tied.

Travel to Haiti
I will fly from Toronto to Ft Lauderdale on January 30, and purchase some supplies, then fly over to Cap-Haitien on January 31, provided the airport is open by then.

Courage Kouraj
Haitians have been through devastating times in the past. Too many, perhaps. But their 'kouraj' will bring them through this.

If food is available for purchase, we will also restart our meal program at the centre until the schools re-open. It may just be a brief time until the kids can get back to high school. However long it takes, we'll get through it together, one house at a time, one student at a time.

And again, Thank You
Thanks so much to those who have emailed and phoned with words of support an encouragement.

Thanks also to those who have donated for our rebuilding needs.

Thank you to those who let others know of our plight, and thank you to colleagues who share information.

As we learn more of the needs and conditons in Haiti, and the extra funds now needed following the earthquake, we need our Starthrowers more than ever.

Thank you, Everyone! Once I get to Haiti and can assess what's needed in  Cap-Haitien, Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Sen Rafayel, I'll let you know.

I'll also let you know when and what I hear from the nursing students making their way back home.

Beni-w
Kenbe pa lage
Sharon

.

Cap-Haitien Haiti News : Auguste, Lakay Okay

 .
 Hello Everyone,

As you know, the Mag 7.0 earthquake and  dozens of aftershocks devastated much of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

As yet, we have not heard any news from any of the students attending post secondary there.

However, Auguste emailed that the house has a few more cracks after the earthquake, but seems fine.  I will see for myself when I get there. They may be old cracks.

Digicel, our cell provider, is down. so we are able to use email only.

Starthrower, as is likely with all charities working in Haiti, has been contacted by media for information. For those of you in the Toronto area, I will be interviewed tomorrow morning -- January 14, Thursday -- on Andy Barry's morning show on CBC radio 99,1 FM at 7:13 a.m. See http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/andy_barrie.html and the video at Waiting for Word from Haiti.

Today I saw my surgeon. who is very pleased with the way I am healing. He gave me the green light to travel to Haiti, but no heavy lifting for at least another month. I will book flights tomorrow to return to Haiti as soon as possible.

Thank you to those who shared their news from Cap-Haitien:


To Debi from Salem, Oregon:

We have a team of nine people from our church, Salem Evangelical, that flew into Cap-Haitien yesterday right before the earthquake took place in Haiti.  We received word that all are okay.

To Mark in USA  :
Here is a report we received last night from Father Henry. Their MOP compound is across the street from Starthrowers in Cap-Haitien.

Blessings!
Thank you so much for your loving concern and for your prayers. Thank God, we are all safe here, residents and Brothers alike.

Except for a minor crack on one of the side walls of the Asile building, all of our buildings are also intact.

We do not know what it is like in the city, especially up in the hills where they have a lot of those weak houses. We definitely heard shouts from outside, but we only rushed over to the residencies to check on our residents.

We will go and check it out in our neighbourhood tomorrow morning. It seems Port-au-Prince has sustained quite a bit of damage. I pray there are no casualties even if there are injuries.

Thank you each and every one of you for thinking of Starthrower,  our staff and students. Thank you for asking for donations via your Facebook and Twitter contacts, and even for contacting your friends and relatives on our behalf.

We are of course very concerned about the students in Port-au-Prince. As soon as we get any information about them we will let you know.

Blessings,

Sharon
============
Update January 13, 2010 7PM

Auguste writes:

Still no word from Sen Rafayel and no public transit up and down the mountain. The country is at a standstill (bloke).

The rain which has been falling for 2 weeks in Cap is adding to the misery. The kids have started coming in because houses are damaged and the rain is coming in. As soon as possible we'll put together and send out work crews to do repairs, purchase and install new toll roofs.

Sharon

In Haiti, Earth Hour is Every Hour

Tonight, March 28, 2009, as you observe Earth Hour (8:30-9:30 p.m), I urge you to turn your thoughts towards Haiti, where every hour is Earth Hour.

This simple truth was brought home to me today, when at the end of her visit, one of my visiting caregivers said, very seriously, that she hoped I was going to observe Earth Hour tonight. She went on to say she understood what a sacrifice it was to go without television and lights for an hour, but that Earth Hour was an important event.

And so I explained to her the reality of life in Haiti: Most hours of nearly every day are Earth Hour. For those who live in absolute poverty on this planet, including the majority of Haitians, to have an hour of television and electricity would be a memorable occasion, talked about by all.

Those of you who are long time followers of our Starthrower blog and web site know how many times we have been without power in Haiti for weeks at a time. And it's not just in Haiti, nor just electricity: Spend any time at all in Central America, the Caribbean or countries such as Ethiopia, and you will know that having electricity and all that comes with it -- air conditioning, cooking facilities, fans, lights, hair dryers, curling irons, irons, microwaves, bank machines, gas pump, fridges, freezers, garage doors, elevators, medical equipment -- is a luxury enjoyed by the lucky ones on this planet.

When much of northeastern North America experienced a blackout in August 2003, we were all thrown for a loop. That the power came back on with a day is a testament to our First World conditions. As we congratulated ourselves on weathering this power crisis, a local contractor said, "This wasn't so bad. In Croatia, one time we had no power for 8 months."

And it is not just electricity that we squander. We do the same with potable water. How many tens of thousands of gallons of drinking water fill how many thousands and thousands of swimming pools? How many thousands and thousands of liters of potable water do we sprinkle on our lawns and gardens?

Even in Australia, a First World country by any standards, the water shortage is in crisis mode in much of the country. Bath tubs are rarely used; a fast shower -- no more than a minute and preferably with other family members at the same time, with grey water collected for use on the garden -- is not uncommon. [See National Geographic Australian Drought]

Most of us sleep snug in our beds at night, the idea of malaria from mosquitoes never entering our minds. No cockroaches, no tarantulas, no mice scurrying about to disturb us or render us ill. And that is the way it could be, should be, for all God's children.

So tonight I will light a few candles, perch a flashlight on my shoulder and read for an hour without power, flooded by my memories of Haiti: The tent of mosquito netting over my bed; the sounds of barking dogs and voodoo drum outside the compound; the roosters crowing at 4 a.m.; the kids coming to the house, looking for water, for help with school, for medicines, for comfort.

I know that many of you will participate in Earth Hour, for Starthrowers care about the world around them. I also know that Earth Hour is a gesture to raise awareness of our global connections and universal conditions. We are the lucky ones, who can still go to our fridges for food, use our indoor toilets and wash or bathe in the hot and cold running water always at the ready for us. And one hour set aside to ponder our good fortune is not a difficult task.

Even knowing that Earth Hour is but a gesture, we must start somewhere and it's as good a time as any, if we truly believe that change is necessary for the health of the planet. So when you turn out the lights tonight, please take a little time in solidarity with all those who live without. Tonight you have the option of participating or not. They have no option, and often no candles and no flashlights.

And when you turn your lights on at 9:30 p.m., pause for a moment of gratitude for the abundance in our lives. Earth Hour offers such opportunity for solidarity and gratitude and it is relatively painless..

Thanks to all who will take the opportunity.

Pi ta
Sharon

Christmas Carol Video Images from Starthrower Foundation

The season of good will to all: Merry Christmas from Starthrower Foundation!

As this challenging year comes to a close, let us remember that for the people of Haiti, every year is a challenging year.

Young adults, especially, have a very difficult time finding their way in the world. Many of them are orphans who are trying to support themselves as well as other family members. Any help we can give them, no matter how simple or how generous, is very much appreciated.

Any challenges we face pale in comparison to the ones that they handle on a daily basis.

Help us give them their daily bread, today and every day.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving USA Update from Starthrower Foundation

Hello Everyone,

Here's a brief update from Starthrower Foundation on American Thanksgiving Day 2008.

Sharon Gaskell
Sharon traveled to Toronto on Monday for her check up at St. Michael's Hospital, where her constant companion for these many weeks, a vacuum pump, was disconnected and removed.

Sharon continues to recuperate at home in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, and, with the help of a physiotherapist and her own doctor there, is working on regaining muscle strength over the coming weeks before her next scheduled surgeries in mid-January.

While access to email is limited, she can be contacted by phone at 519-943-0114. Visitors are welcome, but please phone first.

Sister Rosemary
Sister Rosemary is returning to Haiti as planned on December 10, and has agreed to work from Lakay Fondasyon in Cap-Haitien for the foreseeable future.

Special thanks to her for all her help these past months -- from her care of Sharon in Haiti, and Toronto, and in Orangeville, for the many miles she drove to and from Toronto to tend to Sharon's needs, including driving her to medical appointments and arranging a place for Sharon to stay while in Toronto on those appointments, and her twice daily phone calls to make sure Sharon was okay.

University Students Sponsorships
With the exception of a few post-secondary students who currently have sponsors for the near future, Starthrower will no longer arrange any post-secondary student assistance, but instead focus on sponsoring students in high school and apprenticeships in order to make the best use of limited funds.

Thank you, Everyone, for your support these past few, difficult months. Starthrower is most thankful for your help, donations, and words of advice and encouragement as we work together to support our students in Haiti.

Starthrower Foundation 2008-2009 Board members are posted at http://www.starthrowerfoundation.org/mission.html

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

No Gas, Shops Closed, Post TS Hanna Cap-Haitien Haiti Update from Sharon

Morning

Very little juice in batteries. Will try to track down missing luggage again today. No luck yesterday.

Went to town with Jackson for food and ice. He rose at 3 a.m. to arrive at the gas station at 4 a.m. to wait for his 3 gallons of gas. He was very tired.

We passed 2 stations with lines which had no end as well as hundreds gathered around the pumps with containers. Police were out in full force trying to keep everything calm.

Two other stations had no gas. Soon the reserve will be gone then we walk, I guess. Many businesses still closed. Yesterday was like Sunday from that perspective.

Out of the 25 kids who showed up yesterday, five lost everything in the flooding including new uniforms for the school year.

We pay inskri to hold a place, then we repair text books and prepare and distribute backpacks. At the same time we distribute funds for uniforms.

The last thing we pay is the frais scolaire, first trimests and any other fees the school might request ie student identification badge, September entry fee, infomatique (computers), mayo (school Tshirt), activity card etc.

In addition to the 25 students, one mom came yesterday. Alex and Laura (see this post) will remember Mme Philippe as they videotaped the home visits. She was the one sitting on the floor with the baby.

She had been injured and unattended. Had a scar from outside left knee to hip, broken bones not set. She came here in a nightgown (clean) using a very stout piece of wood for a cane. She probably weighs about 60 lbs.

What little they had was washed away and she was very sick with a fever and congestion. We provided food, meds, money for kamyonet and said we would also take on her son.

Her daughter, Guilene is one of ours. She lost uniform, shoes etc. Mom had scrimped to pay for son to attend lycee but his books and uniform were swept away. We will replace them and pick him up as well.

Yesterday we decided to take the rent money and purchase rice, beans, oil to do a one time emergence distribution. We are unable to restart our full food distribution program.

The kids are coming today even though we are closed. School opening has been delayed providing some breathing space for staff.

Joceline offered to help make sandwiches as everyone was busy. She started to make them one at a time. Having grown up with a mother who made sandwiches in quantity for any and all occasions, I showed her how to do a loaf at a time.

As she was leaving, she shyly asked if she could help Carmene in the kitchen as she would like to learn how to cook. First she learns to read and write, next a chef. It was really endearing.

I 'm in tears for just about any reason or no reason. This is just so overwhelming at times. However, staff and kids provide perspective. I 'm just tired.

Without the white noise of electricity, every sound is magnified in the night and sleep is elusive. Have decided to add security on the weekends starting tonight until I leave as desperation and robberies are climbing.

We are so behind now we can only go forward.

Beni-w
Sharon
PS
Thanks to Mme Cindy in Penn. for the running shoes on my list.
====================
See also Hurricane Ike Map - will be passing north shore Haiti today and overnight.

See also previous post about TS Hanna Damage in Haiti
===================
Pray

----------------

Cap-Haitien Feast, Tropical Storm Fay, Charity, Social Justice, Medical Bills, School Sponsors

Hello Everyone,

Where to start?
Last week passed in a blur of noise and celebration. It was Cap-Haitien's patronal feast celebration (Notre Dame Cap Ayisien). The actual date is August 15th but celebrations begin a full week in advance. Many expats return for this feast. Hotels were full and music was everywhere, 24 hours a day. Sleeping was interesting. Gave new meaning to 'lullabye'.

Still no electricity and it's becoming more difficult to find ice. Our visitors arrive today (Tuesday), so I will have to take a taxi out to the Culligan factory in Morn Rouj to purchase ice. I'm using solar power for a few minutes just to send this update, then I'll get offline and reroute solar to the fridge.

On Friday, Tropical storm Fay blew in to town, ripping roofs off ti kay yo during the night, sending garbage flying in all directions and flooding many houses. On Saturday during the rain, Soeur Ginette dropped in from Sen Rafayel to deliver our students' medical bills and bills for pharmaceutical services. Last year we owed her 35,000 gourdes ($1,000 USD). This year we owe 103,350 gourdes ($2,953.00 USD) and this is money we don't have as yet to pay her. She is, however, extremely patient. The information she provides is so valuable in getting a clear picture of life in the village.

If we can find the funds to begin a pilot program of food and potable water distribution in Sen Rafayel (not to mention enough to restart our program here in Cap-Haitien), I am certain we would see a dramatic decline in the number of clinic visits. Sherline is working on the receipts, grouping them by month and checking the number of visits by each student. Afterwards I will prepare a list of illness, the number of times they occurred and the months when the most illness occurred.

School Sponsorship News
Marlene and Elorge set off Monday morning for Santiago, DR, to begin university life. Their courage is amazing. They also have intelligence and common sense so should be fine. Only Deles, Elorge and Marlene currently have sponsors.

Here at home we have a large number of students waiting to go on, and time is quickly running out for registration deadlines. Half of our kids from last year will sit out the year, as will our high school grads who want to go on.

Due to lack of funds, the graduating and current students NOT continuing this year are:

1. Micheline 2nd year of Medical technology program
2. Vincent 2nd year of Agriculture (his sponsor is unable to continue)
3. Rosenie first year kindergarten teacher
4. Alland - first year medicine
5. Brunie - first year nursing
6. Wisly - first year medicine
7. Osner- first year agriculture
8. Gabriel- first year agriculture
9. Lebrun - first year agriculture
10. Johnley- first year Genie Mechanique
11. Danius- first year Genie Mechanique
12. Frantzy- first year Medical Technology (he has a half scholarship for the 3 year program)
13. Plenitude (Jean Baptiste) currently in Port-au-Prince studying for entrance exams to study agriculture.

We won't even get to our waiting list of 140+.students this year.
So basically, the bottom line is:

• No money for food
• No money for school
• No money to pay the medical bills

The sad truth . . .
Starthrower received a sizeable donation prior to Christmas 2007 that has yet to be transferred to us here in Haiti. We can't feed these kids here in Haiti, nor can we send them to school or house them while this donation is still sitting in a U.S. bank.

This is another very real example of the 'Arrogance of Charity (see article on the web site). Many well intentioned folks have visited Haiti then left for home without really SEEING, smelling or feeling the misery of the lives of these young people. The lives of the most visitors are comfortable, so they can't see the urgency, the very real need, so why move with any speed?

I shake my head and sigh. Power and control over the poor is such a 'charity' mindset. 'Justice' wouldn't hesitate; a justice minded group would have had those funds here for last Christmas.

Please help if you can. Those who already have, thank you so much on behalf of these amazing young people. They more than deserve a chance, they are owed a chance..

Like Martin Luther King, I too have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have 3 meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.

Please be audacious and justice minded. Help us save this year for them.

Beni-w
Sharon

Modeline, Travel Notes, Supplies

(This is Karen)

I spoke to Sharon yesterday: Modeline has had her operation and seems to be doing well.

She left for her surgery at 6:30 a.m. the day before and finally went into the OR at 4:30 p.m. The doctor removed a 'bowel cycst', and sent her 'home'. One of the girls comes in during the day, and one in the night, to stay with Modeline. Sharon takes her to the clinic in a cab every two days to get her dressing changed. She will have a followup appointment with the doctor while Sharon is still there.

Other news: The intern who arrived on Easter Sunday left on Tuesday morning to go scuba diving at Cormier, so Sharon and the kids can still use help rebuilding the wall. The staff is back at the house after the Easter break.

For those of you traveling to Haiti: Sharon says she has had reports that the usually abysmal roads outside of Cap-Haitien are in even more abysmal condition following the rains and washouts.

Thanks to all who are sending or have sent supplies. Sharon will try and send an update before she leaves for Canada the end of April.

Starthrower Foundation Launches Blog

Justice :: Something to Think About

If you subscribe to the classical definition of justice, vis. the act of delivering what is owed to another, you must decide what each person is owed.

Are we owed a daily meal? There is enough food (3,500 calories/4.3 pounds) for each person each day.Yet more than half of us go hungry, and many of the rest buy diet books.

Are we owed safe drinking water? Some 12% of the planet uses 86% of the natural resources. While we wash our cars, fill our swimming pools and water our lawns, more than 3/4 of the planet is thirsty. Dehydration kills as painfully and as surely as malnutrition.

If we stop at food and water without supporting the tools needed for permanent change -- education, medical, dental, housing -- we are in a 'charity' mindset. Justice demands that you don`t just teach a man to fish, you test the water he uses for sustainability.

To stand in solidarity with, and to create a preferential option for the poor, we need clarity of intent and vision. For the poor to want a job and an apron to protect their clothes when working is part of doing justice. For the poor to keep cats to kill the rats, mice and cockroaches is doing justice. For the poor to have cat food to sustain the cats so that the cats are able to do their job, and feeding the people so that they do not have to eat the cats is part of doing justice in all its many aspects: distributive, redistributive, retributive, social etc.

Starthrower Foundation exists apart from the charity status quo mindset, and is constantly discerning and striving to stay true to our mission statement. Justice is more difficult than charity but infinitely more necessary to the planet. Martin Luther King`s vision that every person have 3 meals a day for their body, education and culture for their minds and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirit is a vision of a just world. This Starthrower Foundation's vision. Is it yours?

Dom Helder Camera wrote, "When I give bread to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why people are poor, they call me a communist." There are no saints in Starthrower Foundation. Justice isn`t easy and it's certainly uncomfortable. I challenge each of you to push your personal comfort level in relation to those who live in absolute poverty. Everyone can do something. You can change the world.

Wishing you SHALOM, the fullness of peace that comes when there is justice for all.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us.
"What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
Albert Pine (English author, d.1851)