Follow Me to Haiti

6-Month Review

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:51:11 +0000

As we reflect on the past six months, it is clear that we have accomplished so much for a small group. It is also clear that we could have done nothing without your support; yet sadly, it is also clear how much more work needs to be done. The reemergence of a strong media presence in Haiti has allowed people to see just how little has been done since the earthquake. Driving through Port-au-Prince, today, is not much different from six months ago, with the exception of an abundance of tents and tarps. The vast majority of the destroyed and damaged buildings have gone untouched. Heavy equipment is largely absent and when you see work being done it is typically with sledge hammers wheelbarrows. On a positive note, supplies are getting through and it has become much easier to find and purchase needed items, allowing us to focus on larger projects and urgent needs both short and long-term.
In the short-term, we have a team of 16 heading to our orphanage on the 25th with a punch list of projects — some will be completed and some will just get started, but the important thing is that progress is being made. We are going to be building storage bins for the kids, desks and benches for the school and are planning some vocational training for the older children. Classes will include woodworking, sewing and cooking. We have work to do on the new property, but our immediate needs include a diesel generator, refrigerator and/or a freezer, hair clippers, and a new water treatment unit. If you are interested in donating towards any of these items, please include a not on your online donation form or on your check and 100% will go towards the stated item.
Look for more updates and photos coming soon and thank you for your continued support.

A special little girl gets the honor of taking down the flag in the afternoon.

Latrine Complete

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:45:55 +0000

The Latrine Team arrived in June for five full days of toilet-building fun. The project turned out to be kicked off just in the nick of time — I will not elaborate.

Digging the trench nicknamed the Hatian Fjord

Mary Ellen, Tim, Ron, Nathalie, and Roland got right to work and with the help of the support team that arrived about two hours before the Latrine Team’s departure, finished the job on the fifth day.

Art painted onto the latrines

The amazing team from Tennessee came back a couple days later and painted the latrine (and their shoes and the ground:). This was a wonderful experience and a great team effort.

Ooops. A little paint on the shoes never hurt.

The kids had a blast watching us bumble around with power tools. I think we learned that for us it is better to measure four or five times and cut once, but for the most part everyone had fun and we accomplished our goal.

The team worked through the heat on construction

The kids now have four new latrines… score one for sanitation.

Four-stall latrine built with love

Building Team

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:37:30 +0000

The Kids are Ready!

A team representing Follow Me to Haiti is set to depart on June 17 for Port au Prince. During this five day visit the team will meet some very basic needs at an orphanage in Santos. Very few people can imagine the sanitary conditions that exist in Haiti today. We will build latrines for the children and the adult staff at the orphanage.