Cap-Haitien Schools Collapse, Earthquake, Update Medical Dental, Water, and More Christmas Boxes Arrive

News from Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel Haiti

Bonjou tout moun!  Hello Everyone!

This week began innocently enough. I was allowed to turn the water back on Sunday night at 6 p.m., the plumbing operations, performed Saturday were sufficiently dry and I was exhausted so bed at 6:30.

When one is up with the roosters at 4 a.m., fatigue sets in early. Besides we had endured a weekend of torrential rains and that lulls me.

Another Quake Felt in Cap-Haitien

At 7:49 p.m. (according to my cell phone), an aftershock tossed my bed from side to side. It certainly took my attention off the book I was reading.

The options were to stay in bed and wait for another shock, or join the rest leaving their houses and heading for the street in the pouring rain. I chose option A.

Monday morning rain continued unabated.  I rose and opened the house, fed the animals, fed night security, boiled water for dishes (we cook with propane, so must go outside in the rain). Auguste was back from his week off, and his shoulders had descended from his ears and were sitting in the appropriate place. As well he was smiling despite the rain.

Tuesday was the first of three days March for the Official Mourning Period. It began at 6 a.m. and wove through town from the airport, closing businesses, hospitals and clinics, and stoppin traffic until 6 p.m., so all staff walked to and from our center.
 
Jack, Dieugrand, Christamene, Jean Ricot arrived and decided to work inside as the rain was so heavy. Jack had repaired the quake damage in one room and it needed to be painted. Perfect indoor work. Outdoor repairs are impossible with all the rain.

Joceline arrived and began to clean bathrooms, Carmene arrived from the market an hour later. Thank goodness she took a cab. Students were arriving, Claudy was on the phone from Sen Rafayel, but I had to go to town to the bank to pick up the Moneygram sent from PA to help Carmene manage her houseful.

Jackson (cab) arrived within 20 minutes and off we went. When the rains come, huge amounts of water are dumped. Although he parked on the sidewalk in front of Fonkoze (bank), the water still came up over my shoes.

Inside I knew what a sardine must experience wedged in a tin. The place was full of folks waiting for Moneygrams. The guard said I would probably get processed about 3 p.m.

This was 10:30. There were 8 chairs, and more than 40 people. I would have stayed except for the fact that one must surrender either passport or Haitian identity card.

I'm uneasy when my passport is somewhere I can't see and dozens are milling around in front of me. So I secured my passport and asked for the daily rate of exchange. Armed with that information we went looking for ice for the house. None to be found and the road was so bad we past several taxis which had lost tires in the potholes.

Home at last and Martha is waiting, so sick from not eating or sleeping. But she can't eat/sleep because she keeps feeling the  ground move. So after she drank a little tea, ate a little bread and cream cheese and half a gravol tablet, she began to settle.

Schools Cap-Haitien Collapse
Jackson had just arrived in town spurred on by a call from his brother: Le Petit Ecole, a private primary school in Carrenage (downtown Cap-Haitien) had collapsed and he was going to help. We learned that 4 Grade 4 students were killed, up to 8 more students plus a teacher were seriously injured.

We later learned that one of the little boys who died was the only son of M. Brutus, our rental agent. I have spoken to that boy so many times on the phone from the time he was learning to talk.  Our condolences to the family.

Also killed was the only son of Dr. Toussaint, a local pediatrician. Mudslide and huge boulders had crashed down the mountain, landing on the roof of the school.

This is a yearly occurrence during the rainy season. In the last 2 days, 3 more schools in Cap-Haitien have had walls. etc. collapse.

These were all private schools for the wealthy: Kay Frere (primary and secondary), College Regina (not sure about levels offered) and College Notre Dame (primary and secondary).

Thankfully no one was injured, as these schools had closed after the disaster at Le Petit Ecole.

Lakay Fondasyon Damage, Injuries
Wednesday night the rain continued unabated and what was left of our damaged covered parking / study space came down. Jack had arrived early to help me as I had had no security overnight, and after filling water pails for me to boil, he poured a cup of coffee.

He never got to drink it, though, as a very large mouse poked its head out from between the tins of dry goods. Into action we went, dispatching the mouse and deciding to rearrange to pantry area completely. The mouse had been very industrious and it needed a good cleaning.

Jack, who had been injured when working on repairing the covered study area, is going for an x-ray on his knee. Though the wounds on his forehead and leg from the wood falling on him have healed, the one on his arm is still quite nasty. I am changing the dressing every 2 days,. He also has pain in the knee area where he was frappe.

Carmene phoned during to say that she had a very high fever and could not work. I couldn't urge her to get tested for Malaria as hospital (and many business) were still closed for National Mourning.

Auguste has started to talk about his fears for the country and trying to deal with kids who have the same fears but he feels he mustn't show his.
 
Sen Rafayel Medical Dental, Guilene, Gaby
The students in Sen Rafayel have phoned us, but not come down into Cap-Haitien because of rain, mud, rocks blocking route. But Friday, Claudy made it down from Sen Rafayel with requests for money from hospitals, dentists, clinics.

For example, the dentist in Pignon charged $270 Haitian for a visit: $50 Haitian ($7 US) for registration, $70 Haitian ($10 US) for a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, and $150 Haitian ($20 US) for the actual dental work (composite).

I never begrudge payment for dental work, but the charge for dental hygiene products which in Canada would be a gift from the dentist gets my Irish up. Besides we provide these supplies to the students at the beginning of every trimest (except for the floss, as we can't get it). So we learned today that we specify we pay for treatment only.

Christamene and Jean Ricot both have dental problems so we are sending them to the dental clinic at Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot although we know they are overrun with victims of the earthquake.

We sent Guilene to the hospital in Pignon as she is having pain in her shoulders and back. Small wonder after being trapped under the rubble in Port-au-Prince for 6 days.  We sent her to Lopital Bienfaisance in Pignon; she needs 2 x-rays for a total of $700 Haitian ($93 US), payable up front.

Since she couldn't pay, they sent her back down the mountain by camionet over terrible roads with who knows what pain (and she is blind) to get the money before they would take the x rays.

Truth or Rumour? Study Abroad Program
Gaby (student nurse) sent a letter from Sen Rafayel via Claudy today. He has again heard on Haitian radio (each station has a different version) that other countries are offering to help those students who were post secondary in the Port-au-Prince area  continue their studies abroad.

I have heard nothing about this. If anyone has any info, please let me know.

Gaby also said in his letter that after 2 weeks in Sen-Rafayel, "I think I can take back me."  How profoundly moving and descriptive. Bear in mind, English is about his 4th language.

Schools Opening After Easter?
A local magistrate said on the radio that schools should remain closed at least until Easter (April 5-6), which would mean a one-semester year rather than trimest. At this time, I don't know if our payment would be honoured.

Rosenie
At the beginning of every trimeste, we distribute toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, facecloths etc. and the girls drop in whenever they need pads. Part of Rosenie's job is to purchase and prepare hygiene products for distribution. She purchased everything on  February 7.

She was off on Friday when Claudy had come down from Sen Rafayel and when we had sent everything that she had purchased back with him (prices are higher in the Sen Rafayel market).

Imagine her surprise when she arrived for work and found she had nothing to work with. At least she knew where to go to find supplies and I knew exactly what things would cost.  So she is preparing hygiene packages for distribution and tomorrow, we package rice, beans and oil to distribute. See food program details here.

Water and Christmas Boxes Arrive
Today (Saturday), Jack called to say the store owner with whom he left our deposit bottles just called him to let us know the potable water had finally arrived, so he is coming to pick up and deliver.

Mme A. just phoned to say that she has 4 boxes for us, the rest of the Christmas boxes from PA. So BIG thank you to Mme Cindy and her elves. Now we hunt down Jackson, our driver, to pick them up.

Donations and Fundraisers
Sunday (tomorrow), we will to go to the airport to pick up the bags that Daniel in Toronto is sending by air from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.         

Thank you all for continuing to support Starthrower Foundation, the students and their families in Haiti, by donating funds,  by donating and offering goods and services from dental and carpenter supplies to trauma counselling and paramedic skills, by holding fundraiser events and in schools.

Kenbe pa lage

Sharon

PS February Birthdays Starthrower: Evaldine (Feb.10), MarieModeline, Shounoune and staff member Jacques (Feb. 5), Julhomme (Feb 20), Nauseline (Feb 22), Kinston (Feb 24).

Ti Sab (dog, member of security team) still not well but able to stand up albeit very wobbly, still falls down a lot, moves laterally, has developed a large lump on lt. haunch (picture this post).
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Earthquake Haiti Schools, Students Aftermath ~ Hydro, Water, Food Update from Cap-Haitien

Hello Everyone,

As promised, here's an update on the earthquake in Haiti aftermath regarding students, schools, hydro, water and food supplies in Cap-Haitien, as well as a brief note about donations in kind, travel to Haiti and more Thank yous!

Starthrower Students in Haiti and Dominican
Schools are still closed in Cap-Haitien.

Guilene, a blind student at school in Port-au-Prince who received a Brailler and manual typewriter thanks to Pennsylvania donors Don H. and wife, Sharon, along with the Lions Club, and Cindy W., who supplied a portable cassette player for her, is all right, as far as we know.

Auguste received only one phone call from her, saying that she was okay, but she could not find anyone to take her to a bus station or help her find transport north to Cap-Haitien. Her belongings were destroyed, and she has only the clothes on her back.

Our nursing students (see previous update) arrived in Cap-Haitien on Monday, but I have no details about how they got there from Leogane. They came right to the center to let Auguste know they were back in Cap-Haitien.

Bruni, one of the nursing students in Leogane, likely will be trying to get home to Sen Rafayel. She has relatives in Cap-Haitien who took her in before, when she was going to summer school.

Auguste (our director of education) has only had one communique with Sen Rafayel via text message. The students are okay, but there is still no transit up and down mountain. That means Bruni won't get home unless she walks the 28 kms (18 miles).

Alland and Wisly (nursing students, Leogane) are in Cap-Haitien, but may not have a place to stay. Auguste will take care of them, however, as now he is able to get money from the bank.

Gaby (nursing student, Leogane) would go home to his ti kay next door to Carmene's, where his brother Lusnot is.

Peterson, who was injured in the earthquake and unable to travel, and Plenitude are still unable to get home from Port-au-Prince. They are not together and have no way of  connecting.

Dominican Republic Pre-Med Students
Marlen and Elorge, both in 2nd year pre med in university in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, are among the few sponsored students currently attending school.

Agriculture Students Limbe
Deles (a sponsored student) and Vincent, in 3rd year Agriculture (Agronomie) at university in Limbe, are attending classes. January is a month of 'cours intensif' for them.

Cap-Haitien
Rosenie (2nd year Kindergarten Teacher training) and Joceline (our laundress and Mme Carmene's support staff) are washing bedding and curtains, and mopping and disinfecting the house in Cap-Haitien to get it ready for my arrival.

Carmene, who usually handles the cleaning and cooking for us, is too heart broken at the death of her son (details this post) to work. One of my first visits will be to Carmene to pay my condolences. I will be fending for myself in the kitchen for the first while.

School Closure Alternatives
If schools are still closed when I arrive in Haiti about January 31, we will implement study programs or phys ed programs (both popular with the kids) or any other activities that they suggest, as well as work programs for anyone wanting to earn some money.

Hydro, Banks, Water, Gas, Damage Repairs
As of yesterday (Thursday, January 21), there is still no hydro anywhere and no gas. We are still able to purchase potable water and locally made bread, as a few of the banks are open as of today.

Auguste borrowed a few gourdes from one of the Sisters of St. Joseph who knows us well. The kids are still coming in for rest, bathroom facilities and food.

Jackson, who drives for us, will probably do what he did before the earthquake to get gas. He knows exactly how much gas is needed to drive to the Dominican Republic, so he fills up there. Jackson will pick me up at the Cap-Haitien airport and take me to the center.

We will repair our water system first, then fill  the cracks that need it. Currently we are unable to do any repairs to the students' houses as we can't get to them to do estimates because of the gas shortage. Our students are scattered about the Cap-Haitien area, and at quite a distance from us.

We will also form students in work groups to help repair their houses. Others students can work in the garden, trim the trees, cut the grass etc. Joceline, and Rosenie can keep the house running while I will take turns in the office and the kitchen making sandwiches etc.

We want to establish some kind of normal routine as soon as possible to help deal with the earthquake aftermath.

How To Help Inquiries ~ Donations in Kind, Volunteer

Over the past week Starthrower has been receiving well-intentioned but misguided offers of donations in kind (blankets, tents, clothing, etc) as well as offers to help from those who want to travel to Haiti NOW to help rebuild.

And all we can tell them is thanks, but no thanks. Here's why:

First of all, we work in Cap-Haitien, in the north of Haiti, not the south, where rescue and recovery efforts are centered. For reference, Cap-Haitien is about 130 km (81 miles) north of Port-au-Prince. The road is rough in spots and typically takes 8-12 hours to drive from one city to the other.

If you have been following the updates from Haiti in the media, you will be aware that even large aid agencies and governments are unable to deliver and distribute supplies efficiently or at all, due to quake damage in Haiti.

Even CNN (and George W. Bush, in a statement to the media), asked that donors simply send money, as money is the easiest thing to ship to Haiti. This agrees with Starthrower's long held position and donations in kind. It may seem felf-serving, but it is really the most practical and cost-effective route.

Haiti already has tradespeople, and access to goods and services, What they don't have is money to pay for them.  And if a carpenter, for example, travels to Haiti to volunteer to rebuild, he takes a job from a Haitian and spends money to travel there that could have been better spent to help support a Haitian.

At the best of times, visitors to Haiti use resources better allocated to the residents, and in time of disaster, these scarce resources are even scarcer. Also, at the best of times, shipping to Haiti is a challenge. Following the earthquake, it's even more so, with damage to ports and disaster relief ongoing. Currently we do not know (no one does) when shipping and more reliable air travel will resume in Haiti.

In Charities, Smaller is Better
As well, I am pleased to hear media reports advocating donations to smaller charities and NGOs (non-government organizations) such as Starthrower Foundation because, they say, that these smaller aid groups are already on the ground in Haiti, know the culture and know what is needed and who needs it.

As well, these reports explain, most of the funds donated to smaller NGOs go directly to the intended recipients, with a tiny amount going towards administration costs.

Large fundraisers dominate major media, but it's hard to track their accountability and disbursements.

Thank You, Donors!
Thank you to everyone who has sent a donation. Once I am in Haiti, and am able to visit students' homes to assess damage, etc I will have a better idea of the money needed for dealing with the extra expenses due to the earthquake. We always need funds to support our students, and for food and tuition, and medical care. I am taking with me anti-malaria meds and Cipro, as I don't know what is available in Haiti.

Thanks to Orangeville Ontario Canada business people for supporting Starthrower Foundation:

Thank you, Sigrid at From the Kitchen to the Table for taking our need to the BIA (Orangeville Business Assn).

Thanks also to owners Janie, Sue and Deb at Mochaberry Coffee, who have set up a donation jar.

Thanks also to Dianne, owner of Acheson's, who is doing a fundraising blitz this week.

Thank you to Kathleen. owner, and staff at Henning's Salon who are also collecting donations via jar on the counter.

It means so much to have the support of my local community, and from Starthrowers around the world.

If you are unable to make a cash donation, you can still contribute to the work in Haiti by telling your friends, families and social network sites, and sending them the link to this page and to our web site.

On a personal note:
As of today I have been discharged from home care by the wonderful nurses of St. Elizabeth health care. My wound is manageable, and the restrictions placed by the surgeon will be followed to a T.

So for those who have written concerned about me travelling and living back in Haiti, know that I go with the blessing of my medical support team.

Thank you, Lesley, Jenna, Pam, Elyse, Peter and Dr. Pham.
Thanks also CCAC case workers Barb and Cheryl.
Thanks to Red Cross manager Carrie and PSWs Joanne (both of them), Elizabeth, Kim, and Nancy.

My life has been so blessed by your presence and expertise over the past 15 months.

As more updates come in, or we get other news from Haiti, I'll post it and let you know. I leave for Haiti in just over a week, but will be in touch before I go.

Blessings,

Sharon

PS Here are two links to articles about the crisis in Haiti that you may like to read:
Ted Fellows The Broader Crisis in Haiti  and the Wall Street Journal Leogan.

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Resources from Amazon
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Haiti School Registration, Supplies, Shipping Backpacks, Exam Results

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Hello Everyone,

As yet, I don't have an update from Sewoz (Sister Rosemary) on her trip to France with our student. When she phoned on their return two weeks ago, the phone connection was too poor and full of static, and she has been on retreat ever since. She did say the trip went amazingly well, and I will report details when I again hear from her and Rosenie.

Registrations, Text Books, Uniforms
Auguste, our director of education, has emailed that he is extremely busy registering (fe insripyson an) our students in school in Cap-Haitien, and arranging for registration in Sen Rafayel.

When students are registered, the schools provides the book lists and uniform material samples they will need to attend classes this fall. As the text book lists come in to our office, Starthrower's book repair team begins to assemble the necessary texts, and to compile lists of books that we do not already have. Each day, the staff will go to the market. look through the book stalls and let the vendors know which titles we need, and to hold them for us.

As well, funds to cover the cost of material for uniforms, and tailor / seamstress fees, and buying items like underwear and shoes will be distributed to each student. Claudy in Sen Rafayel is coming to Cap-Haitien this weekend to pick up the money needed to pay for inskripsyon and uniforms in Sen Rafayel schools.

Tuition First Semester
This coming week Auguste will make a return visit to the Cap-Haitien schools to pay the first trimester fees, and Claudy will make another trip to Cap-Haitien to pick up money to pay tuition in Sen Rafayel. Starthrower makes school tuition payments in stages because carrying large sums of money is not wise anywhere, and especially ill advised in Haiti.

School Starts, Exam Results
Haiti school classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 7, barring any tropical storms or hurricanes. The weather this year has been much calmer than last year. However, now that Bill and Danny have skirted Haiti, there is another storm brewing with the potential to escalate: See National Hurricane Center

Those students who were ajournee rewrote final state exams last week and are once again awaiting the results.

Sponsors Needed
Vincent, Brunie, Plenitude, Gaby, Alland, Wisly, Casimyr and Osmann are still praying for sponsors (see this post and this post for details on some of these students). Brunie, Gaby, Alland and Wisly will travel to Leogane to write entrance exams for Nursing Sciences program next week.

Backpacks
Currently we have no back packs to fill with supplies and distribute to about 125 students. Judy in NB Canada has some backpacks ready to ship, as do I here in Orangeville, but there is no cost effective way to get them to Haiti. Daniel in Toronto has purchased some in the U.S, and is working with cargo company CasXpress in Ft Lauderdale to ship 48 packs.

If anyone is planning to travel to Florida or Haiti and can deliver these packs part way or all the way to Haiti, please let us know. We are following up on a shipment of supplies (Thanks, Kayla) whose journey to Haiti began in June, and as of yet, have not arrived in Haiti. But many thanks to all who are doing their best to help these students. Whenever the packs arrive, they will be put to immediate use

Reading List
I have been reading lately; it's gift to have the energy and the time. In Teatime for the Traditionally Built, a novel by Alexander McCall Smith, his fictional African Bishop, speaking to a distraught parishioner worried about 'future doom', says,

"Our concern should be what is happening right now. There is plenty of work for love to do'".(p.56)

There is plenty of work for love to do: Such a simple sentence, yet such a profound sentiment.

In Wayne Dyer's Change your Thoughts, Change your Life, he quotes his teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj (pg. 23):

"Wisdom is knowing nothing, Love is knowing everything, and between the two, my life moves. And while you're living, stay as close to Love as you can."

What a challenge: To stay as close to love as you can. Easier said than done with the busy-ness and distractions of every day life. But what a difference we could make in this world if we each consciously make the effort to stay as close to love as we can. Think of the healing that could take place!

Boulder CO Trip
On the weekend of September 11, I plan to travel to Boulder, CO to attend a fundraiser to support our Potable Water Distribution Program. This will be my first solo trip since last summer, and I am looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Thank You
On a personal note, I spent a day at St. Anne's Spa in Grafton, ON as the guest of owner Jim Corcoran. Jim had invited me to come to St. Anne's last summer, before my illness and surgeries intervened. Thank you, Jim and staff, for a very relaxing, rejuvenating day! As I have another major surgery scheduled for October 20, the timing was perfect.

I know what a fine job Auguste and staff are doing, and that we are all doing everything possible to keep programs running smoothly in my absence.

Thanks again to everyone who is supporting these young people. You are helping them change their lives, and that of their country.

Beni w (Blessings)
Sharon

Back to School in Haiti, With Your Help

Hello Everyone,

We have had a very busy two weeks. Our visitors from Canada were here for 10 days working with the staff and travelling into town. It's a good thing they've had wilderness training as the pipes around the house were completely "bouche" (plugged up), so David and Mark helped dig up the cement and the old pipes, then lay the new pipes, and mix and apply new cement. They also travelled to our 'home' hardware store to purchase supplies. They had some culture shock,but I will let one of them elaborate about that.

Kat (Kathleen ) jumped right into helping clean, repair and recover our textbooks for September. She also travelled by taxi with Auguste to inskri (register) some of our kids at school. Our reservoirs on the roof are on their last legs, especially with the extra people using the system every day. We had to pump water twice daily. The day after the visitors departed, the connection sprung a leak so we have just been filling pails for washing.

Our rental agent came in yesterday; he had been away for 5 weeks. He will ask the owner for the funds to purchase a new holding tank for our water. The plumber dropped by today to tell us that he has recommended changing the entire system of drawing our water as it is 'ansyen' (old). We sent Jean Ricot to the hospital in Milot on Friday to see if they could help him. He has had a constant headache since the motorcycle accident in April. Apparently, there is a piece of 'fil' (wire) inside his right eyebrow that is holding things together. The doctor recommended removing it, so that is on our list of things to attend to. We have to get him there and back, as well as find someone to travel with him by public transit. It may be Christmas holidays before that happens.

Deles and Robert travelled to Limbe on Friday to get the results of their entrance exams to study agronomy at the university there. Both were accepted. Micheline has applied to the institute in Vaudreille to study medical technology. Marlene, Elorge and Frantzy will head back to Port-au-Prince the second week of September to write entrance exams for medical studies.

I say this calmly but with a sense of pride in them, and in our progress: These young people represent the first of 'our' students to graduate high school and go on to university.

All of this is happening with the hope that people will open their hearts to help these amazing young people realize their dreams. We have another 140 waiting to start the school year, and we only have enough funds for about 40. That's only 100 to go.

Jack travelled to Port-au-Prince on Sunday with Jud and another driver in a large rental vehicle to pick up a donation of meds from Canada. The trip back took them nearly 9 hours. They travelled through flash floods in the Artibonite and half the cargo was soaked with mud although the truck was canvas covered.

I had asked some staff to come help 'debarke' (unload) the vehicle once they finally arrived back here. They arrived at 6, the electricity arrived at 6:15, so they sat and played checkers and cards on the gallery. Due to the storm, the load arrived at 8:30. The travellers were exhausted and promptly left.

We began unloading and quickly realized that the wet cartons needed to be opened immediately. We worked until 11 p.m. placing the dry cartons in our covered parking space, opening the wet cartons and individual containers, wiping off the mud and piling everything on the table on the gallery,and placing others inside the living room. This being Haiti, the staff were all too frightened to go home at that time of night, as public transit had stopped. So we found a place for everyone to sleep (after eating). The hammocks make great beds.

Everyone was up when I rose at 5 a.m. The boys were sweeping the compound, and Rosenie was opening the gates. After breakfast, we worked all day sorting meds and making space for storage in case of more rain.We will try to distribute them before new visitors arrive next week. We donated some to a small local dispensary today, making many trips with our shiny new (red) wheelbarrow (bouret-la). Our old faithful wheelbarrow died a very ungraceful death while our visitors were here. We are looking for a place on our lawn to bury it full of flowers. A fitting end.

Every year, after paying inskripsyon (registration), I pay only the first trimeste fees. Usually there is not enough money to pay for the full year, anyhow, and sometimes the students cannot complete a full year due to illness or worse. When 'the worst' happens, we are not obligated to pay the remainder of the year. It sounds harsh, but it's a fact of life down here. There have not been many students in that last category, but enough to underscore the wisdom of paying for just one trimeste at a time. The average cost per trimeste is about $300 Haitian ($40 USD) per student per trimeste. Each student also needs a uniform and black shoes (they are not allowed into school without those). This required clothing costs $400 Haitian ($55 USD) per student.

Additionally, each student needs text books, back packs, notebooks, pens. While we recycle many textbooks, we always need to purchase some new ones. Then, by the end of September, we need money for rice, beans and oil, as that's when we begin weekly food distribution on weekends. And so many of them need eyeglasses. As well, all of these activities require staff.

The bottom line for Right Now is we need $10,000 USD, which allows about $100 USD per student times 100 students.

Ala pwochen
Sharon
P.S. See the updated list of Things We Need.

When Will it Stop Raining in Cap-Haiten?

Hello Everyone,

Rain, rain and more rain!

First the good news: Thanks to generous donors, we can start the food program again, and keep it going until I return the first of July. The not so good news is that we've had two solid weeks of torrential rain and everything is soaked. It's supposed to rain again tonight. It's so humid, and wet, and there's been no sun, so nothing can dry out. We've even been flooded here at the house, so today we are going to buy some Clorox and brushes and scrub down the mould and mildew growing up the walls. After we have done our house, we will start on the neighbours and the kids' homes. Of course, this means that the stores in town will have had flood damage too, and the rice will be mouldy and buggy, and the prices will be up.

Why has it been raining here for two weeks? We've never had this before. People are saying it's more like November-December weather. Some houses have two feet of water in them. One fellow said that, with the garbage and pigs (manure) outside his front door, the water just floats it all into his house. One group at [mission] said they went outside the other morning to look at the sea. There seemed to be a lot of unusual stuff floating in it, and they couldn't figure out what it was. Then they realized that the 'stuff' was houses that had floated away. We haven't heard from some of our kids in two weeks, and some of them that live in this area must have been flooded out because their houses are near the water. We will try to track them down.

Last week, I found out that [girl student] was being abused, and placed her in another home. When she first came to us, she'd been abused by her father, who had killed her mother. For the first 6 months, she only spoke in whispers. Then about 3 weeks ago (right about when I broke my arm), we noticed that she'd gone back to speaking in whispers again. So last week, I talked to her, and found out that she was again being abused, and moved her to another home. I plan to go check on her today and make sure she is safe. I feel bad -- if I hadn't had this broken arm to deal with, I'm sure I would have noticed it sooner.

Also upsetting is that I found out one of the high schools where our kids go uses a leather strap to discipline the kids, beating them on the soles of their feet. From now on, before I enroll any kids in any school, I will screen schools and find out what their policy is on discipline.

Last week, I kept my appontment with the doctor to see about removing the cast. My arm is still very painful, so I insisted on x-rays before he removed the cast. That took another day, another trip and a long wait, but showed that the one bone in my wrist that I was told is broken is mending. But when the cast came off, and I looked at my hand, I knew something was not right. The back of that hand really hurts, and I have pain on either side of my wrist. Physiotherapy is too painful to endure. I think that there is more wrong with my arm than we know. I have no plans to return to Canada earlier than the end of April -- there's just too much to do here -- but will try to get an appointment with an ortho as soon as I get back. Meanwhile, the [OTC painkiller] helps a bit with the pain.

I did try to do email but when I got there, with all the rain, the connection was down. I will try to get to it as soon as we are done cleaning up here.

Until next time, Kenbe

Sharon