Hearts and Hands to Haiti (Shunem.org) -- On the Ground

One of our team members, John Vermilya, and his crew of 6 carpenters arrived last week in Haiti and have been working to build, build, build as much as then can. These are a group of men who have helped H&H2H raise money, find supplies and then went off to bring their Hearst and Hands to Haiti. Partnering with World Hope International, they got a clinic built in one week. Now the nurses can attend to patients in a clean environment instead of on a dirt floor. Also, John was able to find and connect with a doctor who will visit the new clinic once each week! I'm amazed at their effort, generosity and kindness.

Technology Divide? Technology Leap?

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Lady Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. It was a small discussion, only about 5 of us and we spoke about our hopes for Haiti in terms of Education, Energy and Environment. It's hard, though. It's hard to figure out how to deploy technology that could help Haiti take a giant leap forward in terms of education, energy or communication. How can we connect Haiti to the world with new technologies when people have nothing to eat. Here is just the short list of things to do...

We need to:
Continue relief efforts: Provide tents, food, water, medical care

Focus on rebuilding and renewing Haiti:
Educate in innovative ways,
Add electricity generating capacity,
Strengthen the government,
Eradicate poverty,
Raise the minimum wage,
Root our disease,
Focus on economic development,
Rebuild the infrastructure,
Reforest the country,

among so many other tasks.

So where do we begin? Where do we place the first stake in the ground? How do we know that if we have started in the right place and what do we displace when we add a new gizmo, a new method, a new seed?

These are just a few of the questions racing around my head each day as I attend these meetings, learn about new technologies and innovative development ideas. But, as I consider each option, I continue to land in the same place: What does Haiti want its future to be and who gets to decide?

Supplies and Team make it into Petit Goave for the Week

Hearts and Hands to Haiti sent more than supplies this time to Haiti. Sunday we sent a team in to deliver medical supplies, food supplies, clothing, and a box of eye glasses. In addition, the team will also work in Haiti for the week. Their task: Do whatever is needed. First the team will focus on building a wall for one of the clinics and then move on to other tasks, if they are able to complete this one. John Vermilya and his team will also work to check in with some of our team mates on the ground already in Haiti who have been coordinating supplies, doctors, rescue teams etc. It will be a lot of work for them, but we are happy that they are able to help.