Haiti News Students, Airline, Shipping, Schools, Hydro, Heat, New Campaigns

Bonjou tout moun / Hello Everyone!

I am back, safe and sound from Cap-Haitien. The trip was all too brief but certainly very busy and rewarding! Here's some news about shipping, new airline to Haiti, and pictures of some of the post-secondary students and life in Lakay.

Student News - Good News
Auguste and I reviewed the finances, and requests for aid from students, and then took Jackson's taxi to town to do the banking. As always, a challenge in Haiti, but they're all sorted out now.

Nursing School Students: Wisly, Alland, (Sharon) Brunie, Gaby

Looking over the papers from the School of Nursing, plus a phone call for clarification, we found out that what appeared to be a yearly fee of $200USD per student for dormitory and cafeteria use is actually turned out to be a monthly fee. Yikes!

Vincent, Auguste, Sharon, Cap-Haitien Haiti

Vincent, our third year agriculture student at the university in Limbe, and Plenitude had both received the demi bous (half bursary) they applied for. Vincent 's dormitory fees were waived for the year.

Plenitude demi-bous for the university in Port-Au-Prince to begin a 5 year program in master electronics. There is no dorm or cafeteria there, but a small allowance from Starthrower will allow him share a ti kay (house) and to eat daily.

Casimyr, Sharon, Osmann ~ Teacher's College Haiti

Casimyr and Osman were both admitted to the 5 year Teacher's College program. We provide a small stipend to assist with room and board. This is a new state university highly recommended by one of the nuns currently in second year. A phone call from Rosemary yesterday provided new information: There is free bus service for these students to the school. It is a fair distance outside of Cap-Haitien.

Micheline ~ Year 2 Medical Technology

Micheline successfully entered the second year of the Medical Technology program. It was so good to talk to all of them, and catch up and celebrate their successes with them.

Rosenie, back from her trip to France, also successfully entered the second year Kindergarten teacher training. Talking with Rosenie was a riot! I didn't have to say a word. All she could talk about was the trip to France and every new experience from airplane rides to the food to the Eiffel Tower, to meeting young people from all around the world to the challenge of many languages!

I am so proud of our staff and students. In my absence everything continued. As there were enough funds in the bank to get everyone enrolled in to school and cover tuition until Christmas, Auguste and I agreed to go moso pa moso (pay a portion at a time) and leave it to the universe to provide for January to June. This is a strategy we have employed many times.

Haiti Shipping
On the way to Haiti, in Ft. Lauderdale, I purchased, packaged and delivered supplies needed in Haiti and took the boxes to CAS Xpress (the new shipping company), who assured me that the supplies would arrive in Cap-Haitien via Port-au-Prince on October 20. We shall see. We are still waiting for boxes sent in June and August.

Florida Coastal Airlines
Since Lynx Airlines, the usual carrier, has ceased operations, Marjorie, who travelled with me from Ft Lauderdale, and I flew to Cap-Haitien on the new Florida Coastal Airline (see Lynx site for details). The plane had 31 seats and a lavatory, though no running water. WOW! After a smooth flight, then the usual dance through customs, we were finally out the door to meet Auguste and Jackson, our usual taxi driver. I was HOME. I would have kissed the ground except that it is too difficult for me to get down and up!

Lakay Fondasyon - Our Home in Haiti
In the taxi to the house (kay la), we all talked non-stop as we caught up with each other's news. Then to greet me at the house were Carmene, who takes care of the house and cooking, Joceline, Jack, Wisky and Diuegrand. It was so very good to see them all.

And the garden! How it had grown. The house was spic and span, cleaned by Joceline and Carmene. Because my surgical dressings must be changed daily, the house had to be as clean as it possibly could. It also smelled heavenly!

Carmene had cooked us dinner, her variation of traditional Haitian foods -- Mayi Moulen (a cornmeal mush cooked with kidney beans, coconut, peppers, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese) and Militon Gratine, a very mild pepper-like vegetable. A real treat! Sister Rosemary and long time driver, Jud, joined us for a catch-up visit. So much has happened while I have been in Canada.

Hydro and Heat
Once again, I woke with the roosters at 4 a.m. and, miracle of miracles, we had electricity! Hydro seemed to work during the night for a few hours, so that made it the ideal time to do my dressing change. It was also a little cooler then. When we arrived, Sister Rosemary reported that the temperature in the courtyard at the convent was 47 C (117 F) in the shade. This is very unusual heat for the end of September; It was more like July.

Dr. Coq, Sister Rosemary, Dr. Jerome, Sharon

On Sunday just before Marjorie and I left to go to the airport for our flight from Cap-Haitien to Ft Lauderdale, in addition to Rosemary, Dr. Coq (surgeon) and Dr. Jerome (Internal Medicine) came to our kay la. They had heard on the street that I was back in town, and they wanted to say hello and take some pictures of 'the team'. My gratitude to them is boundless: They literally saved my life!

I'm so glad I took the time and took the chance to make the trip to Haiti. Seeing how well the centre is running, and knowing for sure how the staff and students are doing will help me through my upcoming surgery and recovery.

Two New Campaigns for school, food program
Although Starthrower Foundation welcomes individual sponsors for our students, we decided that 'many hands make light work'. That is, many small donations soon add up! The two new campaigns will be ongoing, and run in tandem.

We need to raise $20,000 USD to cover costs for our post secondary students, and a similar amount to restart our Food Distribution Program for secondary school students. This week we received $660.00 USD. Thank you so much! We are on our way!

It bears mentioning that when one donates through Canada Helps, it is not necessary to register or set up an account (see information in right menu). And already, several fundraisers are being planned in Ontario. Working together, we CAN make a difference!

Thanks, Everyone, for your continued support.

And Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Beni tout moun
Sharon

PS If you are planning a fundraiser, do let us know and we can post details on the web site.

PPS Rose Youdeline's sewing machine arrived last week. It has been assembled and will be delivered up the mountain to her in Sen Rafayel this week. See photo on this post.

Ship to Haiti ~ Cas Xpress in Florida

Hello Everyone,

We received this email from the president of CASCO, the American company that has been handling our shipping of goods from Florida to Cap-Haitien. It is posted here to assist those of you who require this information.

Here are excerpts with contact information for the new business.

Caribbean American Shipping Corp (CASCO) is closing effective May 29, 2009.
I truly appreciate your business, confidence and loyalty over the years.

It has been my privilege to have met and worked with so many wonderful people assisting our adopted country of Haiti.

As many of you and your organizations have expressed through letters and emails, you have come to appreciate and depend upon the personalized shipping service our staff has provided you.

Some of my employees will be continuing the ship to Haiti service. One such employee is Maybeline Dugue Despagne, a native of Cap-Haitien who has been with CASCO for 6 years and has handled most of the documentation of your cargo for the last two.

She has formed her own company, Caribbean American Shipping Xpress, LLC (Cas Xpress www.ShipToHaiti.com ), leased an adequate warehouse a few miles from here in Florida, and will work with some of her co-employees in both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. I am very confident that Maybeline and her team will give you the same reliable service you have become accustomed to.

New Contact Information Effective June 1, 2009

Caribbean American Shipping Xpress, LLC ( Cas Xpress )
3989 Pembroke Road
Hollywood, Florida 33021
305-777-2020
Maybeline [ at ] shiptohaiti.com

Ship your cargo directly to the new address to arrive on or after June 1 in Florida, for shipping to Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haitien.

Port-au-Prince:

Carrefour Marrassa
Santo 25, Rentre Fomosa #16
La Pleine, Port au Prince, Haiti
(509) 3550-9323


Cap-Haitien warehouse address for pick up of cargo has changed.
The new address is :

Rue 8/9 H , #113
Cap-Haitien, Haiti
(509) 3761-1272

.

.

Haiti News - Schools, Sponsor Students, Shipping ~ Winter in Canada and Cap-Haitien

* * *

Hello Everyone,

It's been a long time since the last blog post update. I hope everyone had a good break over the holidays. I am in regular contact with the staff in Cap-Haitien, and I've had some news to pass on to you.

Auguste emails that, following the Christmas break, our young people in both Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel started school again on Monday, January 12. He is busy paying second trimeste fees and is expecting the students' first term reports cards and/or bulletins to come in shortly.

Student Sponsors

• Marlene and Elorge, our students attending university in the Dominican Republic, returned to Santiago for classes January 5.
• Deles and Vincent are back in class for the last semester of Year Two at the University in Limbe, Haiti. As you may recall, Vincent's sponsor was unable to continue, and as yet, we do not have a replacement sponsor (See December post and post from last March ). Since Starthrower Foundation can no longer support post-secondary students, he will have to forgo his studies if we are unable to find a new sponsor to support him for 3rd and 4th year.
• Plenitude has returned to Port-au-Prince , again borrowing money to finish his first year in telecommunications study. We also ask again for a sponsor for him.

If you know of any associations, groups or clubs who may want to undertake post-secondary sponsorship, please pass along this message.

Winter in Haiti ~ Vitamin C Needed
Auguste also reports that nearly everyone who comes to Lakay Fondasyon for safe drinking water has winter colds, which are giving rise to eye, ear, throat and chest infections, and that we are nearly out of vitamin C. As we are unable to purchase some necessities, such as Vitamin C, in Haiti, any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

In the past we have been able to provide everyone with enough vitamin C for a daily dose. When food is in short supply, as it is now, we always see an increase in the number of illnesses which in turn prevent school attendance. These illnesses also keeps Auguste busy informing the schools of absenteeism. Also he is once again responsible for handling all student medical referrals and prescription purchases as we were unable to replace Jhennie after she left in May.

Supplies Received via CASCO ~ Thanks!
Thanks to Cindy and Maureen in the States for supplies received. CASCO is again functioning with about a 4 to 5 week wait time for warehouse (Ft. Lauderdale) to warehouse (Cap-Haitien) delivery. Although changes in customs routines have necessitated price increases. it is still more reliable to have CASCO see goods through customs.

As I am still unable to travel, I know the staff would really appreciate receiving anything anyone can send. My dream is to have enough supplies arriving that we don't have to keep asking. Contact Starthrower by return e-mail if you need shipping information.

Special thanks to the Solon Family for their Christmas fundraiser to benefit Starthrower. Thanks again to everyone who wrote and phoned over the holidays. Your support has been overwhelming.

My 'first' Winter in Canada
In closing, my health continues to improve slowly and steadily. Weather permitting, I meet with the surgeon January 26. Tests originally scheduled for this week in Toronto have been postponed as the original surgical wound is not yet healed.

I qualify every day's activities with "weather permitting". This has been my first winter in Canada in many years. I had forgotten how beautiful and how brutal winter can be here. Somehow the nurses from St. Elizabeth and the support workers from Red Cross manage to get to my place in spite of inclement conditions. They are truly dedicated, amazing people. Thanks Lesley, Jenna, Joanne and Marie.

Plis pi ta (more later)

Beni-w (Blessings)
Sharon

Lakay Fondasyon, Cap-Haitien Haiti News, Shipping to Haiti, Christmas Project

Hello Everyone,

Auguste, who continues to operate Lakay Fondasyon, Starthrower Foundation's center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, while Sharon Gaskell is in Canada recovering from surgery(ies), sends this news about sponsored students.

[Sharon had gone into hospital then returned to Toronto prior to completion of students registrations for school for the fall term; Haiti's summer of hurricanes and resulting storm damage had prompted Haiti school authorities to extend enrollment dates one month.] Auguste has been studying English, so he is able to communicate with non-Kreyol speakers.

This year we have 97 students: Girls 46; Boys 51

• Cap-Haitien: Girls 22; Boys 23
• Sen-Rafayel: Girls 22; Boys 22
• University : Girl 1; Boys 3
• University waiting list*: Girl 1; Boys 3 *These 4 students are not good for enter in the university [They did not pass exams.]

Yes, I distributed the bag food to students.

About the students they are no good, no bad, only they are not sick. They are going to school, but for eating, it very difficult for Haitian people.

I am praying for you and I wish you a good job.

Blessings !

Auguste

And news from Sharon Gaskell:

Thank you, everyone, for your support and kind words, and for your continued support of the students in Haiti. This [unexpected illness and return to Canada] is precisely why I have been training staff over the years to take over in my absence and continue to operate.

Starthrower Foundation is not about me. It is about the students and the center in Haiti. I know Auguste will do a good job. As nice as he sounds in email, he is twice as nice and caring in person.

And thanks to Mme Cindy and her 'helpers' in Pennsylvania for their Christmas project for Starthrower. I have every confidence they can work with Lakay Fondasyon staff in my absence.

Blessings!
Sharon

If you wish to donate to the Christmas project or to help with the food program, you may do so using the Canada Helps or Paypal donate buttons.

Shipping to Haiti
We received news that CASCO now has a minimum charge for shipping to Haiti. If you are planning to ship goods to Haiti, please phone or fax them for details as it may be more economical to wait until your shipment reaches the minimum (i.e. send 3 boxes for the same cost as one box):

CASCO website: CASCO
Mail: 1801 SW 1st Ave,Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 USA
Phone: (954) 525-1717 | Fax: (954) 525-1317

Posted by: Karen
Starthrower Admin.

Plumbers, Dentists, Laundromats, Donations, Shipping, Schools and other Haiti News

Hello Everyone!
For some reason, one of my email accounts won't let me access messages, and I know that there were several messages awaiting replies. I will keep trying, but bear with me, please.

The week has been busy! The plumber finally arrived Thursday. He solved the problem of the major leak in the new sink and taps by cementing it shut. We now have no leak because we have no water flow. However, we were able to turn the water back on in the house so can now flush toilets, boil water for washing.

Dental problems continue to plague us
Ganel came down from Sen Rafayel on Wednesday, in great pain. He has family here in Cap-Haitien, so he stayed with them for a couple of nights. We sent him to the dental clinic at the hospital. Unfortunately, all they do there is pull teeth (rache), and so he lost 3 of his.

Claudy is having the same problems but has no family here. Se Ginette (Soeur Ginette) who is our medical dispensary support in Sen Rafayel throughout the school year, has found a dentist whose practice is in Pignon and who is willing to come to Sen Rafayel on Saturday mornings throughout the school terms and do a clinic. If funds allow, we will try this as a project (pwoje) for the first trimeste then evaluate. This still doesn't help for the summer months, and we still have no solution for dental services in Cap-Haitien.

Does anyone know of a visiting dentist willing to do a clinic here this summer?

Laundromat in Cap-Haitien
Washing by hand here at the house, three times a week, is very labour intensive and Joceline doesn't have the strength to wring towels etc. by hand. We have a laundromat in Cap-Haitien, so I stopped in last week to check it out, get the hours of operation and prices. It is very clean, and they offer pressing on site as well. It is powered by generator.

On Friday, Joceline and I went in with 2 loads. She was amazed with everything, including the taxi ride. To watch the emotions of awe and joy at the workings of a laundromat reminded me again of the privileged world in which I walk when not here. In Canada, I complain about walking to the laundromat.

This week Joceline will strike out on her own, going to the laundromat on half price Tuesday and Friday, in the taxi with Jackson (subject to change at a moment's notice). Jackson picked us up at the laundromat on Friday announcing the machin (car) was en pan (broken down) and he had spent the intervening hour in the garage because pa gen clutch (doesn't have a clutch.) He proceeded to prove that he didn't have a clutch on the trip home! Joceline will also be introduced to the workings of a cell phone as she will need to phone Jackson when ready to come home.

Cell Phones for Safety
We have 2 cell phones at the house, both for staff use. One is Comcel; the other, Digicel. When staff members are away from the house, we always send a phone with them for safety. For example:

• when Rosenie, Erzilia and Edwina went to Sen Rafayel
• when staff go to the market for book repair supplies
• when Dieugrand is purchasing potable water and food supplies
• when we sent Kenson to Carfoumoustik for radyograf (xray)

There are times when we need more than 2 cell phones, so we have paid half of the purchase price for Jack, Auguste, and Carmene to have a personal phone, with the understanding that it is also used when they are working. We purchase one time card per month for each staff member, and they can charge batteries here with the solar power. Which phone we send depends on which one has a full charge. Our phone number here at the house is entered into each one. I guess we have our own LAN!

Shipping and Things We Need.
In response to a couple of emails, I'll make a general response here. As much as we appreciate the thought and the support, there are a couple of reasons why I ask folks not send donated items unless they are urgently needed.

Urgent supplies
Multivitamins, vitamin C, protein powder, protein bars, pencil cases, note books, back packs, pencil sharpeners, pens. Everything else can be purchased here if sufficient funds available.

Donations
Thanks so much to Starthrower Sue in the UK for understanding that our most pressing need is financial -- for schooling, water and food programs, medical and dental, etc. With donations, and proceeds from fundraisers, etc., we should be able to continue the potable water distribution program in Cap-Haitien, and to begin the 6 month trial potable water project in Sen Rafayel. Financial donations will also allow us to plan and implement food distribution in Sen Rafayel for September, and to reintroduce the food distribution program here in Cap-Haitien.

Schools all have different start dates and so we implement programs according to the start of the term, by grade. At year end, each grade writes exams at different times, so this year, we ceased distribution using those dates as our guideline. The ideal, of course, is to have enough funds to feed these young people year round, as well as enough to pay for summer school which everyone requests.

Summer School
We have had to say "No" to summer school this summer. This is very unfortunate, as the extra class time gives the students a head start for the coming year. Summer school would also help them gain acceptance at a Haitian university, as opposed to having to go out of Haiti. Even though the few sponsors we have are OK with our students who do go out of country, we know that this is not the ideal solution. With your assistance, we will be able to do do more to keep these young people home to study.

Dominican Republic, University exams
Next week Marlene and Elorge will travel to Santiago in the Dominican Republic to write entrance exams on July 17th for the Intensive Spanish Program at Pontificia Universite Catholica Madre y Maestra. If accepted, they will be placed according to results. We are still awaiting a reply from our last email to the university, requesting the amount of their current fees, as those provided were from 2005-06. This is one of the challenges of intermittent internet access. The last reply took 2 weeks before we could access it due to signal interference.

Deles and Vincent are still awaiting their exam results. It is proving very difficult for them to go back to Sen Rafayel and sit and do nothing after the busy university schedule. They both asked for summer school but we just didn't have the money.

Home Visits Appointments
Auguste and I have been assembling a time table for home visits during July and August. The custom in Haiti is to make an appointment to visit someone, and then, when you arrive at the designated time, to again ask permission to come in and visit. The host's situation may have changed since the appointment was made, and now the time may not be convenient.

There are many homes that we didn't visit last year as there are a large number of zones that taxi drivers will NOT enter for security reasons. Also there are many places a taxi cannot physically enter as the road is in too poor shape, and the car is too low and has no 4 wheel drive. [We continue to scour the country for an appropriate vehicle. Our rental agent, M Brutus, is looking for a vehicle for us in Miami while his wife awaits the birth of their 2nd child there. Apparently he is able to navigate customs.]

Haiti Culture
As we talked about the home visits, Auguste recounted a recent difficult decision he had to make regarding a visitor (known to staff) who showed up without an appointment, expecting to enter. This put Auguste in an uncomfortable position. Ultimately, Auguste let the visitor come in but he was really torn about this decision, as I had not first let him know to expect someone. The customs in Haiti are so different from North America.

As I thought about this and our own visits to students homes, I thought about the Haitians beautiful customs and that perhaps this is an opportunity to introduce more of Haiti culture to you through the eyes of a Haitian.

And so, Auguste has agreed to write detanzantan (from time to time) and ti pislin (a little at a time), explaining some of the customs, culture and history of this amazing country. I will translate his essays, and let you know when they are posted on the web site. I am only sorry we can't show his delivery -- He is a born story teller!

(Update July 8, 2008 ~ The first of Auguste's Haiti culture and customs articles is posted at Starthrower Foundation Haiti Culture

Kenbe red ala pwochen
Sharon

Cap-Haitien to Florida and Back

Hi Everyone,

I am in Florida for the week to fulfill visa requirements. The trip from Cap-Haitien to Miami proved eventful on Monday as we had to land in Ft lauderdale due to storms which closed one runway in Miami. Rather than circle for 2 hours in a storm, the pilots chose to put down , making me very happy as I did not have to shuttle from Miami to Ft Lauderdale. The MIA travellers were not as happy.

Back in Cap, things remaina open and operating. Abel is doing day duty to respond to student needs, Jack is doing night security. Carmene is home Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, making mamba (peanut butter), and Joceline in coming in half days to clean through.

I should be home Friday (Feb.9) about 9 a.m. Abel will met me at the airport with a taxi. We are planning to make our mamba/protein mix that day and distribute Saturday and Sunday. Now that we are open all 7 days, we seem to be catching everyone before infections, etc. get out of hand. I however need to carve out a getaway space/time to stay sane.

Christmas gifts for the staff arrived from Penn. last week. Although delayed, the staff was probably more excited because they got to savor opening them. We took numerous photos so will send them when things are up and running.

Some of the kids in Sen Rafayel wrote thank you notes to Mme CIndy and they went to Guilene (our blind recipient of technology from Penn) to type and print their thank yous.

Current challenges: Dieumane has typhoid, vag infection, anemia and vision problems.

• Gaby has 15 teeth in need of composites/ amalgam.
  
• Jean Ricot needs one extraction, and 11 other teeth in need of extensive work.
  
• Christamene needs one extraction, and 12 other teeth in need of work
  
• Paulaine was to pick up her glasses Monday at the hospital dispensary.
• Modeline will travel to Milot on Thursday (tomorrow) for blood work to see if she is healthy enough for the surgery.

We finished painting the bedrooms before I left and Jack will paint the employees change room while I am away.

Re: grant applications. Please do not wait until I get home to finalize. I trust you all. Please go ahead.

Nearly forgot. I went to CASCO [shipping company] today and sent some boxes to [Haiti}. We will see how long it takes. The price is certainly right. The 3 boxes I sent today would have cost $200.00 on Lynx. CASCO charges by volume :: the same boxes cost me $40.00 total including customs inspection. We just pick them up at the warehouse after.

Will close for now

Beni-w

Sharon