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.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
No news today
Haven't heard from Chris today, but remain hopeful that they are getting vital work done. PIH provides excellent updates, many of them referencing things that Chris has mentioned in his emails. To get these updates, subscribe to the PIH mailing list at www.pih.org. There is a sign-up box in the top right corner. Also wanted to mention some other great organizations doing great things:
- Red Cross
- CARE
- Oxfam
Please keep giving what you can. A great suggestion is to set up a monthly donation. Many sites allow for automatic monthly drafts in the dollar amount of your choice. Help is going to be needed for a long time.
Also, one of our closest friends is headed down to Haiti tomorrow to get her almost three-year old adopted daughter out of Port-au-Prince. Keep them both in your prayers.
In the meantime, keep the people of Haiti and the people on the ground in your prayers. Will post more as soon as I know more.
- Red Cross
- CARE
- Oxfam
Please keep giving what you can. A great suggestion is to set up a monthly donation. Many sites allow for automatic monthly drafts in the dollar amount of your choice. Help is going to be needed for a long time.
Also, one of our closest friends is headed down to Haiti tomorrow to get her almost three-year old adopted daughter out of Port-au-Prince. Keep them both in your prayers.
In the meantime, keep the people of Haiti and the people on the ground in your prayers. Will post more as soon as I know more.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
From the Ground in Haiti: Day Four Cont.
Received this afternoon:
i'm dashing around all day. mostly at the hospital, putting out fires. today, after the tremor/wake-up call, the hospital removed all patients. its so hot out here and its terrible enough already.i was asked to organize complete campus assessment only with Corps of engineers structural guys. was able to pull army contacts and make it happen, everyone is now getting back into the wards.
also working on restoring electrical power. a huge mess, so coord with all types, went out to cite sole to borrow batteries from an equipment company, finally got the thing started only to have no one to help us complete the work. used same army contacts, got electricians here who worked with local haiti guys we also brought in to get things started. hope to have power by 5pm
it rained hard last night. so bad, haitians are homeless or fear sleeping inside, if they have shelter, its sheets strung up by ropes. so can it get worse for them? and then the tremor this morning, i think a 6.1, really shook people up, no pun intended.
but we keep going, jim and i working hand in hand, we have 82nd airborn troops stationed here who are awesome, its absolute choas.
have a coord mtg tonight, i have been lynch pin between UN, US Army and Corps of Eng to organize assessments. still have decent hospitals with pats outside since day 1 that need assessment.
i'm dashing around all day. mostly at the hospital, putting out fires. today, after the tremor/wake-up call, the hospital removed all patients. its so hot out here and its terrible enough already.i was asked to organize complete campus assessment only with Corps of engineers structural guys. was able to pull army contacts and make it happen, everyone is now getting back into the wards.
also working on restoring electrical power. a huge mess, so coord with all types, went out to cite sole to borrow batteries from an equipment company, finally got the thing started only to have no one to help us complete the work. used same army contacts, got electricians here who worked with local haiti guys we also brought in to get things started. hope to have power by 5pm
it rained hard last night. so bad, haitians are homeless or fear sleeping inside, if they have shelter, its sheets strung up by ropes. so can it get worse for them? and then the tremor this morning, i think a 6.1, really shook people up, no pun intended.
but we keep going, jim and i working hand in hand, we have 82nd airborn troops stationed here who are awesome, its absolute choas.
have a coord mtg tonight, i have been lynch pin between UN, US Army and Corps of Eng to organize assessments. still have decent hospitals with pats outside since day 1 that need assessment.
From the Ground in Haiti: Day Four
I received this about an hour after the 6.1 aftershock hit this morning.
"We are safe and making stuff happen. We have been at HUEH the general hospital in P-a-P also called the University Hospital. Tons of patients, lots of media. Clinton and Paul [Farmer] were here two days ago. 82nd airborne with us -- awesome guys. Working with awesome Aussie UN guy. We are working to connect UN, US Southern Com, Corps of Engineers, Ministry of Public Works, Digicel and other local contractors. I've seen some pretty rough stuff and it's extremely difficult to do our work. But each day things get better."
"We are safe and making stuff happen. We have been at HUEH the general hospital in P-a-P also called the University Hospital. Tons of patients, lots of media. Clinton and Paul [Farmer] were here two days ago. 82nd airborne with us -- awesome guys. Working with awesome Aussie UN guy. We are working to connect UN, US Southern Com, Corps of Engineers, Ministry of Public Works, Digicel and other local contractors. I've seen some pretty rough stuff and it's extremely difficult to do our work. But each day things get better."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
From the Ground in Haiti
For those of you who don't know, my husband, Chris, is currently in Haiti working with Partners In Health and other relief volunteers. They are doing great things. Here are a few of the updates I've received:
Day One:
Already reopened a hospital via structural assessment
- 32 bed facility in which they could squeeze 100. Hooked up with UN
engineers, US Army guys, and a crazy field hospital with over 120
patients needing immediate surgery - working on finding ORs, then beds
for them at established facilities. Will be coordinating initial
building assessment teams in PAP to reopen or condemn more hospitals,
then govt' and UN buildings to get them back in action for more
coordinated response.
Day Two:
Yesterday was difficult, but there is more positive than negative, so we're making stuff happen....staying in PAP ... we have control of the Central hosp in downtown, just up from the Pres. Palace. [we are] helping restore the facility and helping w/ organization of building assessment teams. we are making progress, but things are
challenging. main energies are life saving efforts. problem: many orthopedic cases, open fractures. we have ortho surgeons, no ORs. a few places are operational, but over capacity. we have teams in central plateau waiting for patients, trying to line up transport. otherwise, helping PIH reestablish central hospital in downtown and working with UN/Ministry of Public Work doing building assessments to open more hospitals, then gov''t/NGO offices to restore communication. coordinated efforts very difficult b/c on-ground com systems sporadic. email best mode, but few have hand helds, so we email w/ boston who then coms back to people here.
i am safe and with wonderful people. its tough, put we're making things happen.
Day Three:
I'm safe...but busy.
Day One:
Already reopened a hospital via structural assessment
- 32 bed facility in which they could squeeze 100. Hooked up with UN
engineers, US Army guys, and a crazy field hospital with over 120
patients needing immediate surgery - working on finding ORs, then beds
for them at established facilities. Will be coordinating initial
building assessment teams in PAP to reopen or condemn more hospitals,
then govt' and UN buildings to get them back in action for more
coordinated response.
Day Two:
Yesterday was difficult, but there is more positive than negative, so we're making stuff happen....staying in PAP ... we have control of the Central hosp in downtown, just up from the Pres. Palace. [we are] helping restore the facility and helping w/ organization of building assessment teams. we are making progress, but things are
challenging. main energies are life saving efforts. problem: many orthopedic cases, open fractures. we have ortho surgeons, no ORs. a few places are operational, but over capacity. we have teams in central plateau waiting for patients, trying to line up transport. otherwise, helping PIH reestablish central hospital in downtown and working with UN/Ministry of Public Work doing building assessments to open more hospitals, then gov''t/NGO offices to restore communication. coordinated efforts very difficult b/c on-ground com systems sporadic. email best mode, but few have hand helds, so we email w/ boston who then coms back to people here.
i am safe and with wonderful people. its tough, put we're making things happen.
Day Three:
I'm safe...but busy.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
About Partners In Health
We have chosen Partners In Health (PIH) as our primary donation source because Partners In Health has an unparalleled reputation in both the NGO and international community. For more than 20 years, PIH has worked in Haiti to provide free medical care, community support and dignity of life to underserved communities.
To make direct donations to Partners in Health for earthquake relief, visit https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source=earthquake&subsource=homepage
PIH co-founder, Paul Farmer, was featured in the book Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, The Man Who Would Cure the World, (Random House) and has been joined by co-founders, Ophelia Dahl and Jim Kim, in a tireless fight to bring social justice to the poor and underserved populations around the world.
To learn more about PIH, visit www.pih.org today. Read more about PIH's direct response to the disaster in Haiti, donate directly and more.
All we ask is that you give what you can today. Then encourage your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can make a difference.
To make direct donations to Partners in Health for earthquake relief, visit https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source=earthquake&subsource=homepage
PIH co-founder, Paul Farmer, was featured in the book Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, The Man Who Would Cure the World, (Random House) and has been joined by co-founders, Ophelia Dahl and Jim Kim, in a tireless fight to bring social justice to the poor and underserved populations around the world.
To learn more about PIH, visit www.pih.org today. Read more about PIH's direct response to the disaster in Haiti, donate directly and more.
All we ask is that you give what you can today. Then encourage your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can make a difference.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Change for Haiti
Earthquake Relief for Haiti.
It's everywhere: What can I do? How can I help the people of Haiti?
The answer is as simple as spare change and a jar. And while the idea may seem simple, our belief is that you shouldn't wait until you have “enough” to give, instead, you can give what you have and ask those around you to do the same. Spare changes, loose bills, whatever you can give, it will make a difference for the millions of hungry, sick, hurt and displaced people of Haiti.
Our goal is to place change jars in as many locations as possible around the country. In schools, offices, libraries, local businesses, gyms, restaurants..anywhere your community members gather. All you have to do is print a label, attach it to a jar and put it out there.
Change for Haiti is a grassroots fundraising effort seeking to urge communities to action. On this site, you will find flyers, jar labels and information about where funds will go. We're not a formal organization, we're an idea. Our goal is to provide those who want to help with a resource for ideas, along with the materials and encouragement to move forward.
All we ask is that you give what you can today. Then encourage your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can make a difference.
Hope begins right here, right now, with you.
*All proceeds from this site and efforts of the Change for Haiti founders will be donated directly to Partners In Health, a non-profit medical organization whose dedication and direct relief efforts to the people of Haiti span more than 20 years. We encourage all interested parties to do the same. To learn more about Partners In Health or to make a direct donation, visit www.pih.org.
Please contact changeforhaiti@gmail.com if you would like to receive more information or have ideas for making a change.
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