Despite the fact that over the last 4 days I have had the chance to hear and see a first-hand account what life was like on the ground in Port-au-Prince, I'm still having a hard time putting the reality of it all together. The following video from PBS does a better job than I could showing Chris's work. This clip shows the general hospital and the Cange clinic where Chris worked and features interviews from the people he was working with in Haiti.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Good news...
I received a phone call at 2am yesterday morning that Chris was on his way home! He arrived in Roanoke at 5:30 safe and sound. The journey is long from over, but I, for one, am happy to have him here -- for awhile at least. And I know he is grateful to be home, but I also know that so much of his heart stayed there. I can't predict what the future holds, but I can say without reservation that the people of Haiti have a long road to recovery ahead of them. Something like this does more than break bodies and buildings, it breaks minds and hearts. And there is much to be done.
Over the next few days, we're going to take some time to decompress and try to figure some things out. But I'm not letting any of you off the hook so easily. I am personally asking you to continue the efforts you've already taken. I'm asking you to continue spreading the word and increasing awareness of the immense nature of this catastrophe. I'm asking you to strengthen your own resolve to be an agent of change.
So welcome home, Chris, and to the rest of you? Welcome to the revolution.
Over the next few days, we're going to take some time to decompress and try to figure some things out. But I'm not letting any of you off the hook so easily. I am personally asking you to continue the efforts you've already taken. I'm asking you to continue spreading the word and increasing awareness of the immense nature of this catastrophe. I'm asking you to strengthen your own resolve to be an agent of change.
So welcome home, Chris, and to the rest of you? Welcome to the revolution.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hokies United Running Change For Haiti Campaign!
I am very happy to announce that Hokies United, a highly motivated student/community action group, has picked up the Change for Haiti initiative! They will be placing Change for Haiti jars throughout downtown at select merchants and restaurants, in student centers and at select First & Main retailers. Please look for the jars & the Hokies United logo as you're out and about in Blacksburg.
We're definitely getting the word out there. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time and energy to put out a jar. It's amazing what we can do, coin-by-coin!
I will be providing more updates on specific CFH locations as soon as possible.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Help for the Pediatric Ward of a hospital in Port-au-Prince
As many of you know, my friend, Elizabeth, is currently in Port-au-Prince trying to get her adopted daughter, Lily, out of the country. Lily has been living with an amazing family led by Mona Gedeon for the last 2.5 years. Mona is a pediatric nurse and a remarkable person on many levels. She has sent out a call for help on behalf of the children she serves - they need diapers, wipes, formula, non-perishable food items and clothes. Shipping these item is a difficult logistics issue at the moment, so Liz's husband, Tim, is leading an effort to raise $2,000 in the next week. The funds will go directly to a point person in Miami (namely Liz's mother) who will purchase the supplies and hand them directly to an aid organization, who will then take the supplies directly to Mona and her children. If you would like to be part of this effort, please consider donating now using the following link. I am personally connected to this effort and will vouch for its authenticity at every level. Thank you for your support.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Update from the Ground in Haiti: Day 9
I finally received a phone call from Chris today. This is the first actual call he's been able to make and as you can imagine, hearing his voice was an incredible relief. He sounded good -- tired but upbeat. He is currently traveling to outlying regions of Port-au-Prince, including Boucan Carre, St. Marc and Cange. His team has been tasked with structural assessment of PIH clinics, as well as establishing emergency care capabilities as more and more patients are being moved out of the city into these outlying clinics. The needs are immense, but progress is being made.
As for the current conditions in Port-au-Prince, they remain dire. The general hospital has faced setback after setback as aftershocks and tremors continue to wreak havoc on the psychology and physical capabilities of patients and workers alike. Chris said no one sleeps inside. People are scared. They fear collapse of compromised structures and are simply traumatized by the ongoing chaos. However, he says that everyday, it gets a little better. Despite a continued flood of patients, more and more OR facilities are being opened and doctors are now operating around the clock. In the yard of the general hospital, as many as a thousand untreated patients wait, but the tireless efforts of doctors, nurses and trained first responders is paying off.
He described a number of scenes to me that I find hard to comprehend. But in each of these snapshots of disaster, he told of a doctor who stepped in with the exact skill needed to save a life. An elderly woman in shock, a young woman with a crushed skull, a young mother with a vaginal hemorrhage -- all were treated immediately by doctors who are going beyond the call of duty...or perhaps just stepping up to it.
In addition to the doctors and other medical personnel, Chris continues to sing the praises of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 82nd Airborne, the UN officials and peacekeepers and the Haitian people he has been working with for over a week now. He said the community created by these men and women is exceptional. Army personnel have begun to set up tent cities and are continuously seeking additional tents to house the displaced people of P-a-P. Most people have been sleeping under sheet, tarps, cardboard or corrugated tin. But with the arrival of army tents and other weather-proof structures, they will at least have protection from the elements.
As for the Haitian people themselves, I can only offer a quote from Chris: "To call the people of Haiti 'strong' is patronizing. This word doesn't begin to describe it." He said everyone, doctors, volunteers and Haitians alike, has come together with a synchronicity that inspires him daily.
It seems silly to be worried about where he was sleeping or whether he had anything to eat at a time like this, but being as that I've had no idea for days, it was good to hear that he has been staying with his colleagues Jim and Mark, as well as Dr. David Walton and Dr. Evan Lyons, both PIH doctors. They have been housed by the godmother of a PIH staff member and he said her generosity has been incredible.
Our call got cut off three different times, but I did get to ask what he wanted people here to know. And so I will close with his words for all of you: "I have images in my head that will haunt me forever, but everyday it gets better. We're saving lives everyday, but everyone is working together to make it happen. I am hopeful."
Lespwa. The Haitian Kreyol word for "hope." May it be the thing that pulls them through.
As for the current conditions in Port-au-Prince, they remain dire. The general hospital has faced setback after setback as aftershocks and tremors continue to wreak havoc on the psychology and physical capabilities of patients and workers alike. Chris said no one sleeps inside. People are scared. They fear collapse of compromised structures and are simply traumatized by the ongoing chaos. However, he says that everyday, it gets a little better. Despite a continued flood of patients, more and more OR facilities are being opened and doctors are now operating around the clock. In the yard of the general hospital, as many as a thousand untreated patients wait, but the tireless efforts of doctors, nurses and trained first responders is paying off.
He described a number of scenes to me that I find hard to comprehend. But in each of these snapshots of disaster, he told of a doctor who stepped in with the exact skill needed to save a life. An elderly woman in shock, a young woman with a crushed skull, a young mother with a vaginal hemorrhage -- all were treated immediately by doctors who are going beyond the call of duty...or perhaps just stepping up to it.
In addition to the doctors and other medical personnel, Chris continues to sing the praises of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 82nd Airborne, the UN officials and peacekeepers and the Haitian people he has been working with for over a week now. He said the community created by these men and women is exceptional. Army personnel have begun to set up tent cities and are continuously seeking additional tents to house the displaced people of P-a-P. Most people have been sleeping under sheet, tarps, cardboard or corrugated tin. But with the arrival of army tents and other weather-proof structures, they will at least have protection from the elements.
As for the Haitian people themselves, I can only offer a quote from Chris: "To call the people of Haiti 'strong' is patronizing. This word doesn't begin to describe it." He said everyone, doctors, volunteers and Haitians alike, has come together with a synchronicity that inspires him daily.
It seems silly to be worried about where he was sleeping or whether he had anything to eat at a time like this, but being as that I've had no idea for days, it was good to hear that he has been staying with his colleagues Jim and Mark, as well as Dr. David Walton and Dr. Evan Lyons, both PIH doctors. They have been housed by the godmother of a PIH staff member and he said her generosity has been incredible.
Our call got cut off three different times, but I did get to ask what he wanted people here to know. And so I will close with his words for all of you: "I have images in my head that will haunt me forever, but everyday it gets better. We're saving lives everyday, but everyone is working together to make it happen. I am hopeful."
Lespwa. The Haitian Kreyol word for "hope." May it be the thing that pulls them through.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Today was a good day
Today, I watched my daughter carry her bank to the dining room table. She carefully unscrewed the lid and began counting the slightly crumpled bills into a neat pile. Then came the coins one by one. She looked at me and said, "Mom, this is for Haiti." I thoughy my heart would burst. Instead of the doll she has been saving for, she chose to give to the little girl who stands alone in the street with nothing.
Today, in the cold damp of a Blacksburg morning, a team of 7 children and 5 adults set out with me through our neighborhood armed with jars and a desire to make a difference. People reached into their wallets, their coin jars and their hearts. Less than two hours later, we had collected $400.
Today, a group of women gathered at my neighbor's house. They were together for an evening of socializing and friendship. They were gracious enough to allow me a few moments to speak about Haiti and the conditions on the ground. I left with $280 worth of hope.
Today, Change for Haiti, and those who support its mission, raised nearly $700 for the people of Haiti.
Today, I regained energy that has been slowly seeping away thanks to the support and encouragement of my community, my friends and those who believe that we CAN make a difference.
Today was a good day, indeed.
Today, in the cold damp of a Blacksburg morning, a team of 7 children and 5 adults set out with me through our neighborhood armed with jars and a desire to make a difference. People reached into their wallets, their coin jars and their hearts. Less than two hours later, we had collected $400.
Today, a group of women gathered at my neighbor's house. They were together for an evening of socializing and friendship. They were gracious enough to allow me a few moments to speak about Haiti and the conditions on the ground. I left with $280 worth of hope.
Today, Change for Haiti, and those who support its mission, raised nearly $700 for the people of Haiti.
Today, I regained energy that has been slowly seeping away thanks to the support and encouragement of my community, my friends and those who believe that we CAN make a difference.
Today was a good day, indeed.
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