Rubble, Beaches, Mountains, and Tremors...

Hello everyone. Sorry, it's been difficult to get updates out. Mostly because I decided not to bring my own laptop to the Project. I figured it would have been difficult to keep charged. However, with a reliable generator supplying power to our camp from 6-10 each night, I would have been okay. It seems that almost everyone packed there laptops. I'm not sure what I am surprised. The other problem with updates is the intermittent Internet access and associated bandwidth limitations. I have so many photos I wish I could sort and share here with you in a timely manner. Of course, the major obstacle in providing updates is time itself. Our workday begins at 7:30 AM and ends around 4:30. Dinner is served over the 5 O'clock hour and we have a daily meeting beginning at 6 O'clock each night. During the evening, we need to find time to do laundry and bath. So, as much as I'd like to share so much on this blog, it has proven difficult. Especially with a communal laptop. With that said, let me try to bring everyone up-to-date.

My first full week of work in Haiti was very rewarding. I mainly enjoyed the rubble, having a hand in the completion of 4 projects. I was also involved in some light carpentry at a wearhouse on the outskirts of Leogane which is being converted to a Hospital to be used by a Multi-national volunteer force managed by a large NGO.

Saturday marked the end of our work week. Around 2 AM on Sunday morning, Leogane was awakened my another aftershock, the first since I've been here. It was nothing major. Just a reminder that we are in an active seismic area. Something we must keep in mind while working around collapsed structures that may be unstable.

I remember trying to fall asleep on Saturday night, however the barking packs of dogs that roam the streets made it very difficult. The noise of the dogs is something we deal with everynight. I hate to say it, but the barking usually leads to some very viscious sounding fighting, which eventually brings the perpetual barking to an end. Saturday night, it was different. It was more general, persistent barking. It wasn't until after the tremor did I recall the difference in animal behavior that night, including more verbal cattle. I can't qualify this in anyway. It was just an observation about the possible intuition of animals.

In case you were wondering, ear plugs are almost necessary for sleeping around the HODR, open air basecamp. If its not the dogs, the cattle, of the children, it will definitly be the roosters that keep you awake. The roar of thousands of roosters all around town every morning is pretty incredible. It is hard to describe.

Sunday morning, about 10 of us loaded a Taptap for the journey to Jacmel, a semi-tourist destanation about two hour drive south of Leogane. After waiting in line for almost two hours for Fuel, we began our ascent into the mountains which we had to cross in order to arrive in Jacmel. We ascended thousands of feet into the fresh, cool, clean air above. Very different then what I've become accustomed to here in Leogane. The mountain communities were amazing to see. The very fertile pastures perfectly cultivated on very steep hillsides were very, very impressive. This is an insanely mountainous country and there is not better way to experience it's beauty then on the back if a pick-up truck!

Finally, after about four very enjoyable hourse, including a flat tire, we eventually descended upon the vibrant community of Jacmel, with a beautiful river leading us all the wat ocean! For the most part, Jacmel was unaffected by the Earthquake. Unlike Leogane where there are a few buildings left standing, we only saw a couple of collapsed buildings. It was nice the Haiti outside of the Earthquake effected areas.

HODR Progress so far...

Projects Completed - 49

Families Served - 65
Persons - 333

Volunteer Hours - 4600

Volume - 12,000 Cubic Feet

Weight - 350 Tons



Note that Rich is on Rubble @ Valtinord, Jim is on Tools n Shed, Jess is on Great Rubble, and Steph is on Hospital - Pharmacy.

"Big site today....we'll finish by this afternoon.

Oh....and we uncovered a lot of personal effects in the rubble today....came across a package sent from Dorchester!"

This is from a quick update Rich emailed me today and I had to post it because of the reminder of what a small small world we live in! A package from Dorchester, MA!

-Marcia

Project Leogane - Week 1

I've been in Haiti for about a week now, though it seems like I've been here for much longer. The days go by quickly, methodically, and with lots of productivity. I awake well-rested, usually around 6 AM. The sunrise as my alarm clock. When I am hungry that is because it's time to eat and when I am tired, it is time to turn-in for the night. Seemingly and despite being in a disaster area, life is what it should be. Simply, happy and productive!

I've enjoyed immersing myself in a totally foreign culture, one of a developing nation. One in which the the power and necessity of community is obvious every single day. Of course, it is the same everywhere, but here it seems very pure. We all play a role in our own communities, wherever they may be. But, it would also seem that so many of our roles are optional at the end of the day. Here, the only things that exist do so because they are necessary and beneficial to everyone. I haven't been here for very long, I could be wrong, but as difficult as life can be in Haiti, things are definitly much simpler too. Of course, that speaks only of the great lack of opportunity offered to the average Haitian, but that is meant for a larger discussion. One that is beyond me.

As for the here and now, I am enjoying my time and this incredible opportunity. I can't emphasize the unique situation that HODR as created. One that is built on an idealistic model. As many of you know, my idealism has caused me great personal difficulty at times. Here, I finally feel content.

I do feel guilty at times, knowing that I am enjoying myself as a result of a catastrophy that has caused grave suffering. My only comfort is knowing that the work we are doing is good, worthwhile, necessary, and incredibly humbling. The human interaction, with my co-volunteers and the Haitian people, especially the children, is priceless and rewarding. I still can't believe I am here. Better yet, I end each day feeling very fulfilled and anxious for tomorrow.

Over the last week, I've mastered the "Bucket Shower", I've once again had to do laundry the old fashioned way with the 1 cycle wash basin paired up with the clothes line. Drying takes no time at all! I've become partially competent when it comes to dealing in local currency. Fortunatly, I don't have to do that very often. I've become comfortable with Haitian public transport options, whether it be the Taptap (a small pick-up truck, flatbed overloaded with people of course) to the Motor Taxi (Motorcycles) which you can hire to take you and 3 of your friends across town over rocky, rubble filled, dirt roads. Surprisingly, the roads didn't really scare me....beside the occasional head-on dual with tractor trailor trucks and the absence of vehicle safety inspections or speed limits, my confidence lie with the locals and the amazing power of the horn. You see, everything is pure and simple here, nothing unecessary at all!

Yesterday, I began my first full week as a volunteer. I finally feel completely settled. I am happy and optimistic. I'm definitly a big fan of clearing rubble. As I've mentioned, the rewarding feeling of accomplishment never gets old, day in and day out. Clearing the rubble of collapsed homes allows the home owner to begin rebuilding, whether it be a permanent structure or a variety of temporary structures being deployed by large NGO's all across Haiti. Structures vary from site to site, most common are cinder block homes sitting atop of concrete slab foundation. Unfortunatley, this sort of structures had very little integrity and did not fair-well during the earthquake, especially multi-level buildings. It is amazing how much rubble a group of 15 people can move in a day.

Rebuilding Haiti will take more then a decade. HODR, in partnering with some of the largest NGO's in the World, will have a large impact here in Leogane in the coming months and years. I couldn't be happier with my role at the moment and I am looking to do all that I can to support HODR in all of it's future endeavors, here in Haiti and abroad.

A Weekend in Haiti

I got an update from Rich on Sunday. It sounds like it's not all grueling work in the hot sun. It's also grueling play in the hot sun. The volunteers work 6 days a week; Sunday was Rich's day off. Here's part of his email:

"I went to the Beach and to 'The Mountains' and now I look like a lobster....I
can't keep sunblock on! Too much sweat! I actually had fun at the beach, then I
came home and checked the daily Mount Washington Avalanche Advisory online....go
figure!

Leave it to Rich to be checking avalanche reports while in a tropical area.

Our friend Steph is in this photo with Rich. They are at a local eating (& dancing) establishment that serves Burgers and ICE CREAM , but Rich prefers local cuisine. Steph, her sister and her Dad are all down in Haiti together. Jim is the one who connected Rich to HODR. Meanwhile, some newcomers are enjoying their ice cream!

Well, this was my first time blogging. I'm hoping that it publishes as I expect it to.

-Marcia

ALIVE AND WELL IN LEOGANE!

I've finally made it to Haiti! I've been here for a couple of days and I'm still getting settled into my new home, the HODR Basecamp. Sorry I wasn't able to update this blog sooner. Internet access is very limited because of a bandwidth restriction and there being over 70 people in camp. First off, I'd want everyone to know that conditions in Haiti are indescribable. I get the feeling that was the case even before the quake, but the quake related devastation is hard to accept. It is a slap in the face, for sure! Base camp is primitive (Just the way I like it), but luxury compared to the average Haitian. Still, the people of Haiti seem to be going about their lives the best they can, the only thing they've ever been able to do.

We have about 70 people in camp now. People from all around the world. Everyone is super motivated and endlessly inspired by the Haitian people. At the moment, HODR is managing about 8 projects in Leogane. Rubble Clearing, Hospital Inventory, Designing and Building Temporary Shelters, etc. I've spent the last two days in the rubble! We are clearing a home site so that a local family can begin to rebuild. The work is very rewarding. With the help of many locals, including so many great kids and a few Mango trees, it is easy to forget the trauma that Leogane has experienced. In large part because the Haitian people are so resilient and capable themselves while remaining so thankful for the help that the World has offered. If you're having a bad day you should be so lucky to see a Haitian smile!

I'd like to once again say THANK YOU to all of the donors and everyone who has offered well wishes or has otherwise donated to Haiti. The need here is so, so great! Between the great work that I am privileged to be a part of, to all the fantastic people I've met in camp and in town, this will, undoubtedly, be one of the greatest experiences of my life! I Thank You and Haiti Thanks You!

Rich Palatino
Project Leogane Volunteer
March 16 - April 7, 2010


BTW, it's HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!

Here are a few pictures. I've taken so many, but with the bandwidth situation and to be fair to everyone, I'll have to share them with you after I return.

DUE TO A DELAY IN PASSPORT RENEWAL, MY NEW TRAVEL DATES WILL BE MARCH 16 - APRIL 7, 2010

It's been a hectic few days, but things are back on track now that I have my new and improved e-passport in hand. Electronic passports include a "Contactless Integrated Circuit". According to the State Department, "The chip securely stores the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport, and additionally includes a digital photograph".

I feel so much safer now that I know "Big Brother" is with me wherever I go!
Remember to check back here for updates once I depart. I can't wait to get to work!

Thank You for all the well-wishes and generous donations!