Thinking of Haiti

I know its been 2 weeks since the earthquake, but I can’t stop thinking about all of those people. They had so little to begin with…

My only hope is that they will get some real help that will allow them to rebuild and start over.

I have hope that they will get it too.

Almost 4 years ago I went to Haiti on a medical missions trip with the nursing school I was attending. In Haiti we met up with Lifeline Missions and one of the most amazing LPNs I will ever meet. The small village she lives in is very close (within 10 miles) of the epicenter of the earthquake.

I have been following her blog here, and cannot imagine how she must be feeling. Since the earthquake she has been there with new life (helped give birth to at least 3 babies who’s mothers had no hospital to go to) and with lives lost. She has triaged, bandaged and provided shelter for more Haitians than she can possibly count.

I’d like to give you all a peak into what Haiti was like 4 years ago- and how it has likely changed in the last 2 weeks.

The first picture is a housing district in Port Au Prince. The houses should barely be called shelter, as they are falling apart and being patched together with scrap metal and any other supplies are available.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to assume that many of these (barely standing) homes have been destroyed.

One of Lifeline’s major projects is building housing for families. Here is an example of 2 houses they built. It costs about $2,500 to build a family a house. Seems like a small price to pay for shelter for those who desperately need it.

The Haitians are very grateful for these homes, which come with electricity!

Even some of these homes have been leveled, and many need major repairs.

Here is a photo of the “sewer” system in the village. Everything just lingers here until the rain comes down the mountain and a flash flood sort of “flushes” everything out- into the ocean.

And running water is a figure of speech. Water spits out of these pipes twice a day from a well provided by Lifeline. Be there or be square. If you don’t make it, you miss out on fresh water until the next day.

Here are some children fetching water.

The well has been damaged and is unable to provide this service right now.

Here is a woman washing clothes in the stream. Clean water is for eating and drinking- not washing clothes.

Speaking of eating, here is a woman making dinner- likely for a crowd. The only source of heat is from fire- and the most available way to make fire is with charcoal. The pot on the left is rice, followed by a chicken boil in the middle and then beans on the right.

But the people? They are strong and resilient. They really don’t have a choice. They will find ways to survive, just like people have done for centuries. My only hope is that they will rebuild homes and villages that are better than before the earthquake.

If you were looking for a way to help, but wasn’t sure what organization can best use your money, check out Lifeline. They not only minister to their spiritual needs but to their most basic humans needs too. I have been impressed with this ministry and would recommend them to anyone looking for a way to help. At the very least they can use your prayers as they devote every waking moment to sustaining life and order in Haiti.

Here is a list of locations across the U.S. who contribute to Lifeline. There are many in the Midwest who not only take monetary donations, but food and supply donations also. Here is the drop-off location site if you want to find something near you.

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