Democracy Now! Haiti 6 Months Afterwards

Sean Penn on Haiti Six Months After the Earthquake, Recovery Efforts and Why He Decided to Manage a Tent Camp of 55,000 Displaced Haitians

Two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director Sean Penn was honored by the Haitian government on Monday at a ceremony marking the six-month anniversary of the earthquake that killed 300,000 people and left more than 1.5 million homeless. Penn first came to Haiti after the earthquake struck to help with immediate relief efforts. He decided to stay to finish what he started. He co-founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization and is managing a tent camp on the Petionville golf-course that now shelters some 55,000 people. On Sunday night, we went to visit Sean Penn’s camp. We walked in and asked to speak to him. We were ushered in to a large tent and ended up sitting down with the Hollywood star for more than an hour talking about Haiti, recovery efforts and the lack of them, his life and what inspired him to do what he is doing.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/13/sean_penn_on_haiti_six_months

Container out of customs

It finally happened....our shipping container made it out of customs!!!

After weeks of effort, Ricot got it out this morning.  Knowing how much it is needed he got the container unloaded into two large box trucks and drove it up to Camatin.  Harvest Field now has all the supplies!

Frontline's The Quake: Now available online

Please check this out if you missed the broadcast.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/haiti/view/


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Haitian-American Poet Lenelle Moise

Quaking Conversation

I want to talk about Haiti.
How the earth had to break
the island's spine to wake
the world up to her screaming.

How this post-earthquake crisis
is not natural
or supernatural.
I want to talk about disasters.

How men make them
with embargoes, exploitation,
stigma, sabotage, scalding
debt & cold shoulders.

Talk centuries
of political corruption
so commonplace
it's lukewarm, tap.

Talk January 1, 1804
& how it shed Life.
Talk 1937
& how it bled Death.

Talk 1964. 1986. 1991. 2004. 2008.
How history is the word
that makes today
uneven, possible.

Talk New Orleans,
Palestine, Sri Lanka, 
the Bronx & other points
of connection.

Talk resilience & miracles.
How Haitian elders sing in time
to their grumbling bellies
& stubborn hearts.

How after weeks under the rubble
a baby is pulled out
awake, dehydrated, adorable, telling
stories with old soul eyes.

How many more are still
buried, breathing, praying & waiting?
Intact despite the veil of fear & dust
coating their bruised faces?

I want to talk about our irreversible dead.
The artists, the activists, the spiritual leaders,
the family members, the friends, the merchants,
the outcasts, the cons.

All of them, my newest ancestors.
All of them, hovering now,
watching our collective response,
keeping score, making bets.

I want to talk about money.
How one man's recession might be
another man's unachievable reality.
How unfair that is.

How I see a Haitian woman's face
every time I look down at a hot meal,
slip into my bed, take a sip of water
& show mercy to a mirror.

How if my parents had made different
decisions three decades ago,
it could have been my arm
sticking out of a mass grave.

I want to talk about gratitude.
I want to talk about compassion.
I want to talk about respect.
How even the desperate deserve it.

How Haitians sometimes greet each other
with the two words, "Honor"
& "Respect."
How we all should follow suit.

Try every time you hear the word "Victim,"
you think "Honor."
Try every time you hear the tag "John Doe,"
you shout "Respect!"

Because my people have names.
Because my people have nerve.
Because my people are
your people in disguise.

I want to talk about Haiti.
I always talk about Haiti.
My mouth quaking with her love,
complexity, honor & respect.

Come sit, come stand, come
cry with me. Talk.
There's much to say.
Walk. Much more to do.

© 2010 by Lenelle Moïse 

Frontline Documentary: "The Quake" airing tomorrow night

We received an email from Reggie, a production Assistant for Rain Media, in response to Troy's post about President Clinton's plea to help Haiti toward self sufficiency rather than continuing the cycle of abuse and dependence.  Reggie wanted us to know that PBS will broadcast a Frontline documentary on the current situation (and some history) in Haiti tomorrow night at 9pm Eastern (check your local listings in other time zones).

Please check it out.  Set your DVR.  Tell your friends.  Post it on your blog.  You can watch a preview here and feel free to use the poster image above.

Here's most of Reggie's email, which includes a summary as well as some other links:

"I wanted to make sure you knew about the upcoming PBS FRONTLINE documentary about Haiti called “The Quake” airing Tuesday, March 30th at 9 pm Eastern.

"The Quake" is a thoughtful, exhaustive exploration of the unnaturally deadly disaster and spiraling humanitarian crisis that threatens to confound the largest global relief effort in modern memory. It features an exclusive interview with Clinton among others where he states:

"The Haitians have been abused by outsiders, neglected by outsiders, helped, but in a paternalistic, ineffective way by outsiders. They've engaged in self-abuse. They've had all kinds of problems. And they wanted finally to seize control of their own destiny."

Paul Farmer, the UN Dep. Special Envoy, "This is an opportunity to rethink how aid works and how we, the most powerful country in this part of the world, can work with our oldest neighbor. So I think all that possibility is built into this tragedy."

You can get a sneak preview of “The Quake” at www.pbs.org/frontline/haiti where you will find embeddable videos and more information. Follow the films producers at twitter.com/rainmedia. "

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Something Lyrical To Start The Week

Young Artist for Haiti 50+ Canadian Artist Sing K'naan's: Wavin' Flag

Clinton: Make Haiti Self-Sufficient

Just off the AP newswire

Clinton asks groups to make Haiti self-sufficient

By SAMANTHA GROSS (AP) – 3 hours ago

NEW YORK — Former President Bill Clinton is urging the aid groups serving Haiti's devastated communities to help rebuild the country's government and ultimately put themselves out of business by fostering a self-sufficient nation.

Clinton, the United Nations special envoy to Haiti, spoke to representatives of the aid groups Thursday, ahead of a critical U.N. donors conference next week at which Haitian officials are expected to ask for $11.5 billion to rebuild.

"Every time we spend a dollar in Haiti from now on we have to ask ourselves, 'Does this have a long-term return? Are we helping them become more self-sufficient? ... Are we serious about working ourselves out of a job?'" Clinton said.

Haitian leaders have expressed frustration that billions of dollars in aid have bypassed the government and gone to U.N. agencies and to foreign non-governmental organizations, which operate independently and don't always coordinate with local authorities.

Clinton asked the groups Thursday to allocate 10 percent of their spending in Haiti for government salaries and employee training, to help the nation's agencies rebuild their decimated staffs.

He urged the aid groups to hire local staffers, consult with local authorities and structure their efforts around the Haitian government's plan, which is currently being finalized. Groups should make sure that the money they spend builds communities and infrastructure and creates local jobs, he said.

Efforts most focus outside the capital of Port-au-Prince, Clinton said, adding that Haitian President Rene Preval and others were eager to decentralize the country.

"For too long, Haiti has revolved around its capital city rather than just being supported by it," Clinton said.

The former president also urged the groups to participate in an online registry and make their expenditures transparent. And he warned that unless they take action to move refugees to higher ground, as many as 40,000 people could be killed if there are heavy rains.

Liz Blake, a senior vice president for Habitat for Humanity International, said that Clinton's words were inspiring and aid groups were willing to work with him, but what he was asking is difficult.

"Working yourself out of a job — which is working to strengthen the government of Haiti so that the support and work of a nonprofit is no longer needed — isn't a standard practice," she said.

But, she added, "All of us want to do what we can to support the Haitian people and work with the Haitian government, and do so even if we have to suspend our disbelief."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Surgery Success!

Lorrette Pierre is a wonderful Haitian woman that suffered from a tumor on her lower jaw that would eventual block her breathing and ability to eat.  A surgeon from Tennessee made a valent attempt to remove the tumor in the days following the earthquake.  However, the facilities in Jimani did not have the equipment necessary to ensure she would make it through.  It was incredibly painful to see her wake up from the surgery and realize that she was no different than before.  She also was incredibly sick from the  medication used to put her under.

The surgeon returned to the states with a mission:  get Lorrette here for surgery as soon as possible.  His efforts paid off recently.  Read about the incredible actions of doctors in Florida to save this young ladies life:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/03/22/haiti-woman-brought-to-us-for-medical-rescue.html

Onward!

We have an updated list of needs sent by this week's team at the clinic in Haiti. If you can help in any way, please communicate back with us so we will not duplicate efforts and take up needed space on the aircraft! 

Thank you!

 

Multivitamins with iron
Multivitamins adult
Multivitamins for kids chewable and liquid
Silver nitrate sticks.
Malarial meds (we only have doxycycline to use in the clinic now)
Benadryl cream
Ophthalmoscope/ otoscope
Head lights, pen lights, flashlights
Zyrtec or Claritin
Saline nose drops
Ophthanine eye drops (? spelling - any brand for topical numbing)
Magnifying glasses or loupes
Pregnancy tests
Vagisil (or similar) cream

Also a microscope is still needed.

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Haiti says it needs $11.5 billion to rebuild after earthquake / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

Haiti says it needs $11.5 billion to rebuild after earthquake / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

Good article from the CSM.
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Ministry of Touch — Reflections on Disaster Work after the Haitian Earthquake

Dr. Annekathryn Goodman has written a great personal account of what she calls "touch rounds":  Even without an interpreter, I can visit each cot and touch a face, an arm, or a hand and receive a touch in return. The patients and I develop our own handshake: a finger catch, thumb grip, fist pound, and finally the hand to the heart. This hand gesture causes general hilarity, and everyone wants to participate.


Read her touching story here:

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp1002311

New England Journal of Medicine
Volume 362:337 March 18, 2010 Number 11

Update on our container shipment

We last posted on March 1st that our container containing food, medicines and medical supplies had made it to the port in the Dominican Republic.  We thought we'd wait until we had news of it clearing customs and being loaded onto a truck for delivery into Jimani before posting again.  Well....you've just gotten a sense of how time often works in Haiti!

Here is where we are (greatly condensed to save you from having to read about the endless hours of discussion, walking from office-to-office and paperwork that's taken place over the weeks):

1. We were cleared for duty free import into the Dominican Republic!
2. Harvest Field procured a warehouse in Port au Prince, so we requested that the trucking company  change the destination.  It cost a bit but makes unloading and distribution soooo much easier.
3. Our truck was released and headed to the border earlier this week.  Once there we learned that the border has really tightened up and any containers carrying medicines (ours does) are being strictly regulated.  After many, many, many hours of discussion and paper shuffling the truck was headed to Haitian customs in Port au Prince.
4. Our bright yellow truck with Antillean down the side stood out at the border.  You could see it from miles away.  Once it was in the Port au Prince customs center it was one of thousands of containers, hard to pick it out in the crowd.  We learned that the trucking company put the wrong name down for the receiver.  This makes it really hard to pick up your trailer when the documents say it belong to someone else!  We got them to change this once we figured out what had happened.
5. We start to work again on Monday trying to get the container cleared from customs.  We've got plenty of time to figure out how to make this go smoother next time!

More as we have it....

Toward a Second Haitian Revolution

Steven Stoll, associate proefssor of history at Fordham University, has an editorial in the April issue of Harper's Magazine:  http://harpers.org/archive/2010/04/0082881

Summary:  Haiti was the most productive plantation colony in the hemisphere.  Neoliberal reforms set into motion the collapse of the agrarian system that provided little economic growth but previously supported most people's immediate needs.  "Rethinking our assumptions about development, and allowing subsistence cultures to produce for exchange on their own terms, would give Haiti a chance to recover the best part of its history and to stun the world again with the genius of its freedom."


Read it.  It's good food for thought.

Ashore!

The container is now on the ground in the Dominican Republic and in the queue for customs inspection.  Our friends on the ground there are now working diligently to assure that there are no hang-ups at this critical step, while we here in the States try to work on other things while also staring at the phone, waiting to hear that we've cleared.

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Almost there!

The Erria Vietnam carries our cargo of hope.

Here's a picture of the Erria Vietnam, the ship that's carrying our container to Puerta Rio Haina, Dominican Republic.  The container should be unloaded and clear customs tomorrow and then be on its way to Jimani and points in Haiti where folks are anxiously awaiting the food and supplies that have filled every cubic foot!

By the way, this is a very high-res photo from shipspotting.com, so click on the photo to get a close up view.



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Livestream Compassion International Haiti Benefit Concert

 Tune in here!

http://helphaitilive.com/

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Harvest Field On The News

Our friend from Harvest Field Ministries, Brian Lloyd, appeared on a Knoxville news show recently. Hear what he has to say about one of the orphanages:



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Latest update from Harvest Field Ministries

Update from Brian Lloyd in Haiti.  News like this is why we're doing what we're doing instead of following the prevailing advice to donate money.  We know the work being done by large aid organizations is absolutely critical, but how do you respond when you realize that smart, capable, and caring folks like Brian and his friend Hippolite are having such a struggle to get United Nations food aid for their communities?

We're responding by sending the needed items straight to Brian and his partners in Haiti.  And the first load is on its way.  I won't pretend to understand the ins and outs of why there's such a struggle for outlying areas to get assistance, but it gives me pause.  And it makes me glad that we're dodging all these politics by sending Brian and our other partners the food and supplies they desperately need.  Most of all, your donations of rice, beans, and relief gear continue to make it all possible!

Brian's update below:

Planning on leaving tomorrow and this trip, like most, has flown by.  I was supposed to leave today but the seat I had in a plane was given to someone else.  Thankfully American Airlines is flying in and out of Port au Prince again (started yesterday) so I was able to get a flight out tomorrow (Monday).  The flights/travel are still so undependable I'm telling anyone who is even considering coming to Haiti for a week to plan on being in country for a week, plus or minus a couple of weeks.  Sounds like I'm being sarcastic, but really I'm not.

The last few days we've been primarily distributing rolls of plastic, heavy tarps, blankets, buckets, and hygiene items.  Some of these items we purchased and some were given to us from Samaritan's Purse.  From an accountability standpoint, it's been really nice being able to see the materials get directly into the hands that need it.  The pastors of the churches have done a great job at coordinating this and keeping things running smoothly at distributions.

We've continued to go to the UN meetings to learn how we can get food aid for the communities we serve but so far those meetings have been fruitless.

I want spend a minute to tell you about a friend of mine who is so valuable to me.  His name is Hippolite Fanfan (pronunced like eepoleet).  Hippolite grew up in one of the orphanages we work with.  He, his wife, and 4 month old little girl live in conditions that most would deem unlivable, yet he just constantly emits joy.  He is a guy that has helped us for years when we bring mission teams down, but since the quake, he has been like my right arm.  He is my GPS system (he knows how to get everywhere), he is my voice (because my creole is still just good enough to get me into trouble - he gets me out), and he is my muscle (he works like a mule).  More importantly he is my teacher.  He teaches me daily what real faith and generosity is (when I give him some food and I see him later privately giving it to some hungry children).  He teaches me about worship (as he sings creole hymns all day long in the truck and as he dances at church).  He teaches me what selfless prayer is (as I listen to him praying fervently not for himself, but for things like "blessings for my friends in America", "for the Haitian govt to love Jesus", and "for my brother Brian to have a good life").  Yes, that last one stings.  Attached is a photo of Hippolite.  I wish I could send you a sound clip of his laugh (which I'm lucky enough to get to hear many times each day) but for now a photo will have to do.  Will you do me a favor and take just a few minutes right now and pray for my good friend Hippolite, his wife Nadine, and his little girl Ladine?  Thanks for your prayers.

Keep praying,
Brian

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We have LIFTOFF! 1st container on its way!

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

I'm so excited to announce that our container is on its way!  Loaded up at the UMC Disaster Warehouse Friday and by now arrived at the coast and ready for loading on a ship leaving out of Miami.  There's a whole series of pictures from loading day in this post, but the main message is - thank you for making this possible, and this is just the beginning.  Once we've successfully gotten the container all the way through to its destination we will set up to send another one.


We still have a great deal of food in the warehouse, and a brand new donation of 5000lbs of rice on the way from food importer in Illinois.  Meanwhile, it's still a great time to run a food drive (or a tarp drive!) at your school, church, company or other organization.  


Head here to register your drive so that we can coordinate with you and keep you posted on any changes in needs.  If you're interested in volunteering or even bringing a group to the warehouse, please head here to let us know.  We're also interested in volunteer drivers to bring food donations from both Trinity UMC and Hudson Alpha to the Warehouse. 

To finish this post, here's a quote from an email sent from my friend Jean Thomas in Haiti.  The large relief organizations are doing amazing work in Port-au-Prince under challenging conditions, but it's harder than you'd think to get help and food for outlying areas impacted by the quake.  


Here's an exerpt from the email, "Believe me, that 40' sea container is going to fill quite a void! We do need more of them in varioius parts of the country. There are so many procedures to get anything from the giant relief organizations... The recipients of these supplies will find some much needed relief."

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Warehouse volunteers wrap a pallet of braces and splints bound for medical facilities in Jimani DR and Port-au-Prince.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Warehouse Supervisor and my newest hero (though he'd certainly disapprove that second title) Ray Crump carrying buckets Haitian-style.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Troy guides Kim as another pallet gets loaded.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Every box contains 50-80lbs of food!

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Warehouse Treasurer Estin Lovingood loads crutches.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Troy and Ray fill the last nooks and crannies.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

I'd call that full.

From Haiti Relief Packing The Truck

Sealing it up.


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Operation Rainbow

Operation Rainbow envisions the world’s children, free of deformities and pain, living lives filled with hope and joy.

Operation Rainbow did some fantastic work at the Jimani hospital. Their teams responded incredibly quickly with dedication and passion. Take some time and read about their organization and view some pictures they just posted from Jimani:
http://operationrainbow.org/index.html

Google LatLong: Haiti imagery layer now available

For those interested in our mapping project, this blog post from the Google Earth and Google Maps team will be of interest. There is a high-res imagery layer available as a .kml (Google Earth file) with a variety of high res sources and dates.

Google Earth is free (of course) and can be downloaded here.

Once you have it, your browser should recognize that you have it and offer you a "view in Google Earth" link on your My Maps page where, for example, our Haiti Relief Map can then be uploaded straight into Earth. This way it's possible to view our own sites at the same time as the high-res images.

Google LatLong: Haiti imagery layer now available

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Rebuilding Haiti

Democracy Now! & Al Jazeera (English) ran a story on the politics of rebuilding Haiti. It's a question that comes up all the time and this piece explores several of the options that exist:

“Haiti–The Politics of Rebuilding”: A Video Report from Avi Lewis of Al Jazeera




http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/16/haiti_the_politics_of_rebuilding_a

Amy Goodman has long covered Haiti and all the articles and videos are available in the Democracy Now! archives. If you're interested in a first hand account of events in Haiti from 1996 to today spend some time here:

http://www.democracynow.org/tags/haiti

Haiti Relief Blog: Update: Harvest Field Ministries #16

Update on the work in process in Haiti from Brian.

Haiti Relief Blog: Update: Harvest Field Ministries #16

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Other ways to connect

We've added a "Follow me on Twitter" button to the blog, which will connect you with the Haitifooddrive Twitter feed.

I'll be adding this and our other sites on our contact page.



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Help Haiti Live - Ryman Auditorium

Help Haiti February 27th - HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.

http://helphaitilive.com/

“Help Haiti Live” is a multi-city ticketed concert event taking place on February 27th, 2010 to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. The event will also be streamed live at HelpHaitiLive.com for those who cannot attend one of the concerts in person.

100% of on-line donations through HelpHaitiLive.com will go to Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. 100% of net proceeds from ticket sales will go to Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund.

“Help Haiti Live” is a production of Shaun Groves and Synergy Production Group for Compassion International.

Map in process - with post-quake satellite images

I'm working on a map of relief efforts and logistics points for us and our partners, and while updating my Jimani Hospital location to match the GPS points I realized that the satellite imagery of Hispaniola has been updated.  I'm not sure if anyone who's viewing this can date this image more precisely - but based on the Gatr units and what look to be Blackhawk helicopters it'd have to be sometime later than 22 January.  Click on the image to see it full-size.

I believe you need the Google Earth Plugin to see the detailed imagery, but I have not tried this on a browser without the plugin, so I'm not sure.  If you can't see this recent, high-res view of Jimani in Google Maps, then you need the plugin.

Below is the map itself - please make updates for places that you know.  I'll ask the following in order to make sure the map stays useful:

1.) Please be as accurate as you can.  Use GPS coordinates if you have them, but at least zoom in to make sure any markers are placed where the location you're labeling actually is.  If you're placing an airport, please include the 3-letter IATA code if there is one (e.g. LAX, PAP).

2.) Try to use informative icons.  I've used the little yellow house for people we know and houses/orphanages, the red cross for medical facilities, airplanes for airports, etc.

3.) If you have info on places that should be added (either in Haiti/DR or in the States), but updating a Google map isn't for you, please please, feel free to email me the info you have or comment on this post and I'll add it for you.  I'd like to get either GPS coordinates or an address and bit of background on the site, but as long as I get sufficient data to find it at all, that's probably enough.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Apparently just because a map is "public" doesn't mean anyone who wants to can modify it.  So if you'd like to make additions to the map, send your email address to haitifooddrive@gmail.com and I'll send you a collaboration invite.

Thanks for any help!
View Haiti Food Drive in a larger map
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Scales Donated!

I'm excited to report that Health-o-meter Products, Inc. has donated four brand new professional scales (two pediatric and two adult) which are being shipped to us on Monday.  This is straight off the needs list generated with input from the returning medical team.

Health-o-meter is already committed to earthquake relief in Haiti, and we're very excited that they're also teaming up with us in this way!

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Haiti: The emergency phase is not over - news - MSF UK

You have seen and possibly even experienced disasters before. This disaster is different.

Even here in the States we have recent experience with tragic national catastrophe. But to understand the current situation in Haiti, we have to let go of our assumptions about what happens afterwards.  The disaster after the disaster.

Imagine the process of recovering from a national catastrophe if there were no military, police, or other government agencies to provide some semblance of order. Imagine if there were no well-equipped local hospitals to which injured victims could be evacuated. Imagine trying to mount a disaster recovery effort in an area that is not only densely populated, but which also has no power, communication, or transportation infrastructure.

For example, I reached Brian Lloyd (Harvest Field Ministries) in Haiti this morning by cell to ask about donated solar power equipment that we are shipping for him.  I learned that before the quake, residents of urban PaP who were actually connected to the grid were lucky to have power for 2-3 hours each day. Today, in this city of over 2 million, the electrical grid is still shut down one month after the earthquake because it is in shambles and completely unsafe.  We kept the conversation short to conserve Brian's battery.

Imagine being a survivor. No home. No news. No phone. No way to get or give information about what's going on. No emergency services. No services of any kind.  Unreliable access to food or water at best.  For a week. Two weeks.  A month?

This post is already longer than I intended, and I still need you to read the article linked below.  It conveys with more authority than I can how desperate the situation still is.  After you've read the article, head over to our Equipment and Supply Needs page or our Volunteer page and think about how you can help.  Join in.  We are in this for the long haul.  Please share this info and the article link.

Haiti: The emergency phase is not over - news - MSF UK

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Haiti quake opens road to transformation, Paul Farmer tells Harvard - The Boston Globe

Interesting perspective from Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health.

Haiti quake opens road to transformation, Paul Farmer tells Harvard - The Boston Globe

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Looking for hand trucks

We intend to send 2-3 hand trucks on our container shipment to facilitate unloading.  They don't need to be new, but in solid working condition and fairly heavy duty.  Email if you have one, Thanks!

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Donations Can Now Be Made Here!

We've added a PayPal link to the blog so you can make monetary donations directly. There is a notes section in the checkout process that will allow you to let us know if there is a special project that you'd like your funds to be utilized. For example, if you want your donation to be used for purchasing tents for Harvest Field Ministry orphanages.

Try it out and let us know what you think!

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6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Updated list of medical equipment needs

This is a list of needed equipment from the current team at the PaP clinic.

There are plans in the works for launching additional clinics - we'll keep you posted on developments there. Meantime, here's the list as it stands today. I also created a separate page as well where we can keep the list current.

If you have or can obtain any of these items to donate, please email me so that we can update the list.

Thank you!


Equipment:
Microscope (for outpatient clinic use)
Autoclave
OB Equipment (equip a delivery room)
Blood Pressure Cuffs
Gyn exam equipment
Infant scales
Adult scales
Nebulizers
in-ear thermometers
vision charts
medical droppers

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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Warehouse volunteers needed

From Warehouse

We'll need some help over the next few weeks and months with processing, cataloging, and packing food donations for shipment at the disaster warehouse in Decatur.  We also need some drivers who can be available during business hours to pick up food donations at some local schools and businesses and transport them to the warehouse.

This isn't glamorous work, but don't think it goes unnoticed!  Our teams on the ground have expressed some serious gratitude and relief at the well-boxed and clearly labeled supplies and food they've received from us, and that work was done right here in town.  You can help.

And we need your help - please sign up here so that we can let you know when the opportunities are.

Thank you!

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6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Tents Needed!

Our friends at Harvest Field Ministries are asking if folks out there can help them house their orphans. Specifically, they need 4 large durable tents that the children can sleep in at night and have school in during the day. We've found an organization that supplies rugged 9m x 18m tents that are made for these situations for $4,000. That's less than $25 per sqr meter! Quite a bargin compared to the military tents we've found at over $38 per sqr meter. The problem is that's still $4,000 per tent. Can you help? Donating to Trinity United Methodist Church is the easiest way. In the memo section just note Haiti Relief: Tents.

Here is Brian Lloyd from Harvest Field Ministries introducing you to the people your tents will house:

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6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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PaP Clinic startup - Moving the generator on about a week ago

Video from Troy's trip - Moving the generator into place at the PaP clinic.



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Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Great News! New medical team and critical equipment arrives with help from Abbott and Regions Bank

We have a new team on the ground now, ready to head for the PaP clinic and begin providing care.

From the Provision post, here are the team members:
Charlie Barnett, M.D. Summit Medical, Knoxville, TN

Charlie Bozeman, M.D. Summit Medical, Knoxville, TN

Jeff Robinson, M.D. Summit Medical, Knoxville, TN

John Law, M.D. Summit Medical, Knoxville, TN

Evonne Davison, Chadasha Foundation, Nashville, TN

Becky Warren, Chadasha Foundation, Huntsville, AL

Teresa Overholt, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN

Connie Juranek, Summit Medical, Knoxville, TN

Last week we were amazed and deeply grateful when a conversation between Charles Gattis, Sr. Pastor at Trinity UMC of Huntsville and his friend Regions Bank CEO Dowd Ritter led Regions Bank to contribute to our medical mission by transporting our medical team bound for Jimani and the PaP clinic on a Regions Bank company aircraft.

The first flight left yesterday morning with a team of eight doctors and nurses from Knoxville, TN (and one nurse from Huntsville) as well as the two i-STAT blood analyzers on loan from Abbott POC!  The plane returned from the DR to Knoxville with medical folks who had been in Haiti for weeks.

The medical work in Haiti is absolutely overwhelming.  Quality medical care was scarce even before the earthquake, and the ability to keep our medical teams fresh and provide trouble-free transportation is a huge boost to our medical mission.  We're so grateful to the team that's stepping into the fray right now, to Abbott for the i-STATS, and that Regions stepped in to provide transport.

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6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Yesterday's WAAY TV Interview with Troy

Update - video link to the WAAY TV Interview with Troy



Jump to the WAAY site here.

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Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
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Haiti Relief Effort Changes Huntsville Man's Life - WAAYTV.com - Huntsville, Alabama - News Weather, Sports |

Link here to a text synopsis of WAAY TV's follow-up story and interview on Troy's trip to Haiti - this story ran on last night's 10pm newscast, and I'll post back again when they post the video link to the story.

Haiti Relief Effort Changes Huntsville Man's Life - WAAYTV.com - Huntsville, Alabama - News Weather, Sports |

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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Volunteer and Medical In-country Volunteer Registration now LIVE!

In addition to the FAQ tab, we now have a Volunteer page where you can sign up to let us know about your desire to pitch in, availability, and special skills.

We'll also use that page as a place to post about specific needs.

This is a response to many folks who have expressed a desire to help, so thank you, and please sign up!

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6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Haiti Food Drive: Frequently Asked Questions

A FAQ has now been added to the blog site. If you're in the Tennesee Valley and looking for ways to help the people of Haiti, then we're on the same team! Head to the FAQ for an overview of who we are and what we're doing.

Haiti Food Drive: Frequently Asked Questions

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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Google Translate adds Haitian Creole amid earthquake aftermath | VentureBeat

Haitian Creole has now been added to Google's automatic translation services. This is a very cool effort and a great idea by Google. Haiti is the only place in the world where this language is spoken, and lack of translators has been a real problem on the ground.

Here's a link to the article:

Google Translate adds Haitian Creole amid earthquake aftermath | VentureBeat

If you'd like to read this blog in Haitian Creole, click here
Si w ta renmen li Blog sa a nan kreyòl ayisyen, klike isit
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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Haiti Benefit Concert

The local artist community at Lowe Mill held a benefit concert and silent art auction where they raised over $11,000! It was all recorded live and the first session is posted on YouTube. Check it out, enjoy the incredible talents of Ken Waters on trumpet and keep the folks in need in your thoughts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egRbJN6UWq8

We'll post the additional sessions as they are made available.

UPDATE: Sorry about the broken link - I'll try to find out what happened to the video and update the link.
UPDATE: New link in effect.

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Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
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Good article written by a Baptist Standard reporter on-site at Bon Samaritan.

I had thought about the language barrier, but didn't have a sense of what percentage spoke English well enough to communicate with a Doctor.  Any Creole-speaking medical folks out there that have not already been recruited?

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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions? Email haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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Troy is back!

Troy landed in Huntsville late last night and was here at Hudson Alpha this morning somewhat glazed and seemingly uncertain what to make of the easy availability of food and bathrooms, but otherwise ready to debrief and start downloading the rest of the intelligence that he gathered in Jimani and PaP.

First impressions -

Troy reports that Jimani Hospital (also being referred to as Bon Samaritan)  is running and running as well as it can thanks to strong leadership from Dorothy Davidson FNP along with her husband Dr. Dale Betterton through IMA. And while running the hospital is working Dorothy nearly round the clock, they do seem to be fairly well supplied and staffed and have taken excellent steps to better control and inventory on-site supplies, which was much needed. 

His initial assessment is for the Huntsville/Chadasha team to continue to supply Jimani as needed, but shift our focus to the out-patient facility that was established inside PaP just before he left.  The facility (located in a walled-in church) has proven to be workable and relatively secure, and it is providing much needed medical care to over 250 new patients each day and planning to increase that number as word gets out.  The idea is to continue to use Jimani as a physical staging point for supplying the PaP clinic directly.

More from Troy soon.

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Food distribution challenges in PaP for internation relief orgs

This is a difficult and sobering reality.  Near riots and stronger survivors forcing their way to the food while weaker people get nothing.  I'm tempted to judge the people who are fighting and scrambling over others to get anything they can, but the flip side of the equation is that I've never known desperation.  At this point providing order and protecting the weakest of the many victims is our responsibility.

We are continuing to work with people and organizations in Haiti who already have organized people on the ground, specific populations of people to serve, and the means to provide some security and order.  In particular, Brian Lloyd's Harvest Field Ministries is the focus of our food efforts, as his communities are very heavy with children and the elderly, who will need special protection from being trampled in the rush to survive.  Our medical mission continues to focus on Jimani and on the effort to establish "forward area" clinics in PaP.

Josh



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Critical equipment help from Abbott Point-of-Care!

 We're thrilled that Abbott Point of Care has donated the use of TWO i-STAT portable blood analyzers and a supply of cartridges.  From Abbott's web site the i-STAT system is "an advanced, handheld blood analyzer that provides real-time, lab-quality results within minutes to accelerate the patient care decision-making process."

For our medical team in Jimani and Port-au-Prince it's like having an on-call lab in the palm of their hand, and gives the doctors critical data for making treatment decisions.  This is a really important tool, and a really expensive one, and we're grateful to Abbott Point-of-Care for entrusting them to our team for the duration of the medical mission in Haiti.

As an aside, here's the donation statement from Abbott Point-of-Care, it basically says 'no strings attached': "Abbott’s agreement to provide product as a charitable donation is not provided to you in exchange for any explicit or implicit agreement or understanding that you or anyone else prescribe, recommend, use or purchase any products of Abbott or otherwise arrange therefore."

Josh


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32 Hours: The Church in Haiti

Mark Driscoll just got back from a 32 hour trip to Haiti to assess damage and check on the state of the churches in Haiti. Here he discusses his trip to Haiti. Must watch.

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Huntsville Soccer-heads helping Haiti!

This being the south, it may be news to some of you to realize that there's more than one kind of football in the world, and that Hatians, for the most part, play the other kind.  For anyone still confused, I'm talking about soccer.

 Ryan Harbaugh writes for and about the Huntsville soccer community at his Perfectly Weighted Through Blog.  Someone with more soccer knowledge than me can explain what that blog title means, but Ryan has a couple of really interesting posts here and here about the crisis in Haiti, connections to the global soccer community, and ways to help out including food donations here at Hudson Alpha and Trinity UMC.

If you play or watch soccer (or know someone who plays or watches soccer) head on over to Ryan's blog and ask how you can help partner with him and us on a future shipment of soccer equipment to help those kids begin, in Ryan's words, a "return to normalcy" in the coming months.


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Updated needs list for Huntsville/Madison Area donations

There is still an urgent need for food (especially rice, dry beans, and powdered milk) and we're adding to the list durable plastic tarps, plastic sheeting, nylon rope (for making tents out of tarps), and lightweight military-style folding cots. 

At $34 we feel like this model available from Walmart represents a good value and a good example of the kind of thing the Doctors are looking for to get their patients up off the ground.

Our sincere thanks to those who have already made donations of desperately needed food and supplies for the people of Haiti.  Please keep giving!

Josh

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Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
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CitiHope Update from Jimani: excellent partners serving Haiti

Medical Relief a Success - Next is FOOD
January 25, 2010
Dear Luke,

Thank you for bringing hope to Haitian earthquake victims through your support of CitiHope. This update showcases the impact your donations and prayers are having - we are grateful.

CitiHope's overall response has grown to include a significant food security dimension, and considerable on-the-ground coordination support. Paul II and his team are still in the field, and I hope you take a moment to read about their experiences as they proudly represents both CitiHope and you.

In our relief work, CitiHope purposes to obtain the maximum strategic resources, at the minimum cost, in the shortest period of time, to give health and hope to the greatest number of people possible. 'Hope for Haiti' is truly exceeding that goal, thanks to you.

God's best,
Rev. Paul Moore and the CitiHope Team
www.citihope.org

Urgent Request for Food Help
Hope for Haiti Phase II Launching
As reported in our last email, Le Bon Samaritan Hospital is normally a 23-bed facility. Since the earthquake, they are caring for over 800 patients daily, with constant helicopters arriving and departing with Haitians needing treatment. Seen at right, a 'displaced patients camp' of sorts now exists right outside of the hospital. Conditions are reminiscent of military field hospitals many of us have seen in TV shows such as MASH.

CitiHope delivered 4,000 meals on one of our Saturday flights, which is just enough for two days. Unfortunately, the food aid being delivered by other agencies to Port au Prince still has not made it north to Jilmani, and CitiHope has been asked for further help.

A three-week-supply of food is urgently needed for the 800+ patients plus their caregivers. In the last two days CitiHope has secured 21,000 meals (roughly 3,000lbs) of a vitamin-fortified, nutritious and culturally palatable dehydrated soup mix from Stop Hunger Now/Operation Sharehouse. (The soup contains long grain rice, soy protein, vitamins, and dehydrated celery, carrot, cabbage, tomato, pepper, and is easily adaptable to several local favorite recipes.)

Paul II and his team have already begun construction of an outdoor kitchen, and ample volunteers are on hand to prepare and serve the meals.

The field team is gathering all available pots for cooking, bowls for serving and utensils, but we anticipate having to purchase some items.

Our challenge today is securing funding to move the food to our US airport staging location, fuel and fly a DC-3 airplane to Barahona, and then on to Jilmani for distribution. After receiving word today of a significant second donation by partners World Children's Fund and Medical Missions International, we're now estimating that we just need to raise an additional $36,000 to execute Hope for Haiti's Phase II, Food Security.

Together we are making a world of difference for good, for Haitians at risk... and you're help is essential. Please consider supporting Phase II with your most generous financial gift, and pass this urgent opportunity along to a friend who might also assist this impactful work. Most of all, please keep Hope for Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.
Hope for Haiti, Phase I Huge Success
Medical Relief and More!
In the Jilmani region, CitiHope is one of the principle relief agencies on the scene thanks to our rapid medical response, and Paul II and his team have become known as the 'go to' people when needs arise. In addition to our medical relief being delivered, here are highlights of what has occurred in just a week:
CitiHope was the first agency to figure out that bringing relief flights through Dominican Republic's Barahona Airport was the most strategic option. The US Air Force moved in over the weekend, and now their personnel and CitiHope staff are the only ones allowed on the tarmac!
Our DR Country Director Tim Tuccelli was given favor with the airport authorities, customs, and Governor of the region, and CitiHope has since become their partner of record.
We now have two trucks driving back and forth to Jilmani, not only with our own aid, but essentials coming in from other organizations who don't have their on the ground coordinates in place.
At Le Bon Samaritan hospital, CitiHope has provided a variety of essential needs. Here are a few highlights:
* The doctors needed additional exam tables, so CHI built and delivered them within 24 hours.
* The doctors desperately needed an autoclave to sterilize their instruments - it was delivered over the weekend.
* The hospital needed telecommunications and water purification systems, and they were on our first flight in.
* On Friday the hospital administrators requested long-range walkie-talkies, so Mike DiBenedetto and his St. Simons Island, GA team shipped them via flight #4 on Saturday.
* This morning Paul II asked for help getting 20 Gerber tool kits and multi-tools for his new friends in the ground crew. CitiHope is already procuring them from local stores in GA for the next air delivery tomorrow.
* A storage warehouse was lacking, so CitiHope dropped a 40 ft sea container in 48 hours, and are in the process of obtaining a local secure building as a permanent facility, to be operational by tomorrow/Wednesday.
* A kitchen capable of feeding the influx of patients is needed, so Paul II and his team have begun construction of an outdoor, open-air kitchen which will be finished this week.
CitiHope continues to respond to daily medical needs in Jilmani. Paul II is coordinating requests for help directly with hospital staff, whose focus continues to be patient care. Dr. Pinard and his team of staff and volunteers are extraordinary heroes.

Even Blankets Matter
Reported by Paul Moore II - Saturday, Jan 23. Last night at around 3am tremors woke the refugees here at camp. They rushed from the orphanage and sought shelter in the field. It gets cold here at night so men, women, and children were shivering in the cold.

Then someone remembered the CitiHope manifest and ran to our 'temporary warehouse' container. There they found enough thermal blankets for everyone. The camp stood still as doctors and nurses began to lovingly place these warm blankets on people in need.

When dealing with such a large-scale human disaster it is easy to become overwhelmed with the massive needs. Personally, I was grateful for the reminder that even 'simple' thermal blankets matter.

Quick Links
CitiHope Home

Hope for Haiti, Issue 1, Jan 18

Hope for Haiti, Issue 1, Jan 21

More About Us

One of the many Haitian children at the Le Bon Samaritan Hospital in Jilmani given hope, medical attention and nutrition through your caring support.

Together with her, and thousands like her, we say Thank You!


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CitiHope International Inc. | PO Box 38 | 143 Main Street | Andes | NY | 13731

Drop off your FOOD donation to HudsonAlpha
6900 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
Make CHECKS PAYABLE TO TRINITY United Methodist Church
Times: 10am - 4pm Daily
Questions: email us at haitifooddrive@gmail.com
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