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Jan

2010

HELP US IN HAITI!

Journal/Haiti

Author: Barton Brooks

IMMEDIATE: CLEAN WATER SYSTEMS

WE ALSO NEED TENTS, DIAPERS, AND MEDICATIONS!

There are many organizations in Port Au Prince (PAP - it’s the capital and obviously has immense need), but down here in Jacmel people have been just as affected - we have nearly 20,000 people in our little town who are now homeless - with no sustainable clean water and rainy season quickly approaching.

This is Gwenn Mangine explaining the water filter - she and her husband have pretty much taken care of me in Jacmel, and they will be helping me distribute our clean water systems around the area.

WATER:

While unloading a plane yesterday, we met Lisa Ballantine, the Director of AquaPure Dominican Republic - U.S. group who make personal clean water systems that would be perfect for a family to have clean water, and they can get them to us almost immediately. Here is information about the filter if you want to learn about it: AquaPure Water Filters

The water filters are $30, and cost $5 to transport them, so for a grand total of $35 you can PROVIDE A FAMILY WITH CLEAN WATER FOR FIVE YEARS! You can donate here, and we can make one or two big orders to ensure we get them together quickly, and they can be here in 24 hours.

The big challenge for us is that the bajillions of dollars of aid that's been sent goes to PAP to be distributed, and we are being overlooked down here. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that our little rag-tag group is started to run things in this region - in fact, we control and operate the airport (come in and I'll greet your plane and take you through "customs"), and we sit on every UN board. Strangely, they actually brought US all the measles vaccinations to store for this entire area - not the Red Cross or UNICEF - but Tiffany, Barton, Sarah, and Patrick.

Strange, but our new roles and our collective experience have allowed us to evaluate the immediate needs in the region, and our main need right now is clean water.

DIAPERS, MEDICATIONS, FORMULA...

We are running short on basically everything, but a few standouts are diapers and medications, and we can run to the DR to a pharmacy or store and collect many of these items. Antibiotics are the main thing, but we really lack everything else as well...

TENTS:

We’ve yet to find a good (well, any actually) source for tents, but a group brought in some Coleman tents like this and they seem to be working well.

We need similar tents, so if anyone knows someone at a tent company that will donate something that would be great. We're still trying to figure out how to buy tents in the states and ship them here, but it's currently not cost effective, and we haven't been able to find ones strong enough in the DR that would survive the rainy season that's quickly approaching.

So far, the list is small and concise, and will grow in the coming weeks, but for now... Please Help.

CLEAN WATER FOR ONE FAMILY - $35.00

TENTS - HELP!

MEDICATIONS, DIAPERS, FORMULA, ETC. - ANY AMOUNT

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29/01/2010 Comments: View/Leave Comments

Jan

2010

VOLUNTEER WITH US IN HAITI!

Journal/Haiti

Author: Barton Brooks

We're working to create walk-up volunteer opportunities so anyone can come to Haiti and help. We've secured a house that will house around 25 volunteers semi-dorm style, with showers, internet, a generator with constant power, in the middle of Jacmel - food and laundry included - $35 per person per day.

We’ll be staying there coordinating the volunteer efforts for those coming in, while volunteering along with you all.

Currently it looks like we will be offering rubble removal (greatly needed), reconstruction projects (we have Builders Without Borders coming), and working in the refugee camps helping local NGO’s.

Also, since many of the schools and orphanages were destroyed, we’re going to need people to possibly teach english, maybe teach a computer class for kids, and to give those running the orphanages a break. School has been cancelled indefinitely, so these kids are going to need some guidance and education during this reconstruction phase.

If you are in the position to do something really substantial (rebuild an orphanage, school, or community) we have partners here on the ground that could help facilitate all of that for you.

If you are a medical professional, we should have specific opportunities and placement in the coming weeks. After the initial trauma wave is over, we’re going to see a lot of gangrene, infections, and primary follow-up care in this entire region. We will be able to place you in a current facility to offer support for local doctors and other NGO’s already here - all of which are completely understaffed.

It really is an “all hands on deck” scenario, and as soon as I get the logistics of getting from the DR to here - anyone is welcome to come and join. Flights to Port Au Prince may resume around Feb 14th, so when that happens it will be much easier logistically, as we’re only an hour or so south and can arrange transport for you.

If you can and want to come (only if you are completely serious and prepared to buy your own ticket and show up within the next month) - let me know and I’ll start figuring out a place for you. There’s not going to be a lot of hand holding because I’m overwhelmed here, but I can get you on track so you can go out and help us get something done.

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28/01/2010 Comments: View/Leave Comments

Jan

2010

We are running the airport... Really?

Journal/Haiti

Author: Barton Brooks

Our little rag-tag group works together all day at the airport - each running off to our various projects throughout the day, but meet every night and figure out the approach for the next day...

We have all been asked to sit on various UN assessment groups (called clusters), so we’re dialed in to every aspect of relief. My clusters are volunteers, shelter, and reconstruction, Sarah is on displaced persons/orphans, Patrick is on clean water and the Red Cross, and Tiffany is on health/medical, logistics, and central command.

It really has it's benefits running the airport - I found out some guys from my home town were doing Guerrilla Aid by flying helicopters around delivering supplies, so I called Paul (we were in French class together in High School) and said, "I need tents!" and the next day they flew in and gave me tents - THANK YOU PAUL, DUANE, NATHAN, AND JEREMY FOR YOUR HELP!

paul_ford_-_nathan_kinsella_-_duane_fielding_-_barton_brooks.jpg

In addition to our official duties, we are also working with the local groups to coordinate a concise volunteer effort. It all started because we meet everyone coming in through the airport, and Tiffany and Sarah have been here for years so have deep local connections.

Do you want to take over airport arrivals and departures? Come to Jacmel and I'll put you to work.

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27/01/2010 Comments: View/Leave Comments

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Guerrilla Aid is a style of volunteerism - simply go somewhere and do something, while teaching others to do the same.

Guerrilla Aid is a division of Global Colors - a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization

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