Karma payment plan

  Picture taken in a tent city filled with needs- no fresh water no sanitation and while there was a health clinic in the area the health clinic did not see children
People ask me all the time “how is rebuilding in Haiti going?” I cant help but snicker. Rebuilding? Are you serious? They still have to clean up first. While the efforts of many have been in the process, still very little has been truly accomplished (not to down play the amazing work so many people and organizations have done) and it is a long way till rebuilding takes place.  If you ride on the main roads and stop at the upscale places, yes it appears things are better. But for the 100,000s of people still living in unthinkable conditions, it is a nightmare with no end.  People also often ask me what does Haiti need. My answer collaboration and long term planning. While there is a continual need for volunteers to come help, long term development is essential. Long term planning that is culturally competent, thoroughly thought threw (with out putting up to much red tape which can slow down needed services), and collaborated. everyone holds a little piece of the solution but it is nothing if you don’t put them together. there is also no need to reinvent the wheel.  while supplies are needed, it needs to be the right supplies and the right quantity.  Its more work to organize threw the crap one has then you could believe. Hospitals have a lot of supplies here but not the right supplies.  I have a needs list from about six hospitals, the lists are all very similar. Most important we need people not to forget that the need is so great. Often I speak with people who have just come down here and their response “I had no idea, the media shows little” well im here and im all over and ill tell you there is a huge need!! There is a lot of need for long term commitments here.

 

Ive seen a lot of people doing assessments, it is easy for even myself to point out needs and flaws. But what is need is for people to act.

Personally it is still a very hard decision to go home, for myself I know it is needed at least for a while.  Please continue to act. I feel like im calling the kettle black, saying  what is needed and then turning away instead of continuing. Hypocritical, I know. i can not hold others accountable only myself. 

"the heart does not feel what the eye does not see" Haitian proverb 

Im writing this right now from la plaza, for those who don't know, it is a very nice hotel right by the Palace in PAP, which after almost a month of intense working when i first arrived was an oasis away from the chaos and pain.


 im sitting here soaking wet after getting caught in the rain while unloading much needed supplies to a hospital and escorting a very sick and fragile TB patient back from the bath room to his tent- 


i just spent the last 2 weeks in milot. I chaperoned 9 new nurses on their volunteer trip to work with earthquake victims in haiti. they were amazing! i cant even describe how great they were with the patients, how flexible and how knowledgeable. the hospital was also amazing the quality of care they provided for the patients excellent. It gave me hope


unfortunately the nurses plane ride out of cape haitian was cancelled but luckily they were flexible so we went to PAP for a connecting flight back to the states. I landed in PAP and sat down waiting for my ride. a rarity it was over cast and not to hot. the wind reminded me of an early fall day. an epiphany hit me and i realized it was time for me to go home. i miss my family i miss my friends. i miss doing things that i enjoy. not that i dont enjoy helping people here but the long hours and hard work are wearing on me. i miss windsurfing and pottery and real showers, cold milk, bike rides fresh air.. the list could go on, but mostly i miss my family.


i have been volunteering now for 4 months in haiti. i have seen so much.. i cant even begin to describe. getting here right after the eartquake and watching the transition for the last 4 months has been both frustrating and amazing. The people here are strong in spirit and even against the odds and with limited resources are still surviving, and will survive. the organization and collaboration of many organizations disgusting,(not by all) while the strength of some really amazing individuals inspiring. 


so im heading home May 28th. there is still so much need here the people are still mostly in tent cities without tents, sanitation is non existent and care is limited.. knowing this makes it hard to leave. the locals i have become close with who great my on my return from Milot with smiles and thanks, also make it incredibly hard to leave. a part of me feels like im abandoning them. and in a way i am. but i will be more effective in helping people were ever i am if i do have rest if i acquire more resources and more education. 


so thank you everyone for your support, and thank you all of those that will continue assisting down here...