Updates
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Updates |
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Earthquake Update from Hope House
the following are daily emails from Debbie Berquist, VOH Director for the week of Jan 12 - 16, 2010
Jan 16, 11pm The bags are packed and they're ready to go. We have 6 big hulking guys with us all camped out in my room....I have the living room couch.but that is where I have spent the last 4 nights so no big deal. Haven't had any word back from the Insurance company about step 2...after arriving in the DR.....but I am not too concerned. I know they will be met and taken care of at the airport in the DR and logisitics are so much easier there. Plus they have the offer from Delta airlines to get them home so I know they are well on their way. I will accompany them to the airport...I will carry the luggage and will see them off from there.
3:00 AM will roll around pretty quickly so I will say goodnight for now and will report in again after I get back from the airport.
good night,
Debbie
Jan 16, 8pm Hello all: We have two members from Global Rescue and two more staff plus two drivers will be arriving in a couple of hours. They will all spend the night here. At 5:00 AM the group will depart for the airport accompanied by the 6 folks staying here.... for an expected departure from the airport at 8:50 PM. They will be flown to Santo Domingo where they will be met by another team from Europ Assistance who will take over from there. The fellows from Global Rescue are only responsible for this end and could give no details regarding the other end other than that they will be met. I will be in touch with the organization to see if I can get more details on that side. As suspected folks can only take a small carry on size bag..eveyone is quickly learning how to pack well and what is most important to them. Other news:
Clovis sent me an email this afternoon with the news that three other staff have reported in: Guerrier Dusanord...a true miracle as I feared he would have perished since as I mentioned earlier he came from one of the worst hit areas. Ellie Guerrier 2ndary teacher reported he is fine but his house destroyed add Marie France St Cyr primary school teacher is alive.
Jean got back around 7:00 PM from the DR trip. He had quite a story to recount of all the palaver her had to go through but in the end he came back with 8 jerry cans filled with diesel fuel and about 6 - 5 gallon jugs of drinking water. He couldn't get any gasoline but now he knows the lay of the land so to speak and we can go again if/when it becomes necessary. I was relieved he got back safe and sound.
He also delivered a sack of beans to the school for me. Lou Lou is going to arrange a distribution for all of the support staff who are out there. I plan to go out to the school at the beginning of the week to check on things and get the propane which Jean didn't have time to do today and also to get the other medical supplies which I couldn't get since I didn't go today.
I have other sad news to report in that I learned that the husband of a good friend of mine was crushed in a school that collapsed on him. He had gone to the school to discuss a renovation projec that he had been selected to do. His name was Muriel Jolivert and some of you may recognize that name as he was one of the engineers I had asked to bid on the construction of the school. This seems to unreal to me as he had just made a visit to the school on Monday to review the site again and was going to send me his renewed bid at the end of the week. Muriel had a past relation with VOH as he worked for Carol building the water cistern, the kitchen and water trough system by the dining hall. Please keep his wife Jacqueline and their three daughters in your prayers.
So today has definitely been a mixture of highs and lows.
final details to follow once I hear back from the Insurance co.
Debbie
Jan 16, 5 pm Hi all: Just got off the phone with the Global Rescue staff. One of their staff on the ground in Haiti will be visiting us this evening in order to finalize logistics for the teams evacuation via airplane from PAP to Santo Domingo tomorrow AM. More details to follow with the final report for the day later on. Much celebration but also mixed feelings at leaving their new friends in Haiti behind.
a bientot
Debbie
Jan 16, 1:30 pm Hi folks: Two of the gardeners LouLou and Dor showed up at the gate this AM and just after they left Clovis appeared with two of Helene'r relatives who are staying with them. Clovis and the two relatives had walked from downtown. It just awes me their strenght and fortitude! It was SO GOOD to see all of them. Between the three I have the following news
Dumas the school vice principal is OK
Charleston Pascal 2ndary science/math teacher OK
Edouard Fils Pierre 2ndary math teacher OK
Marie Antoine Nancie 2B teacher OK
Mirlande Guirande Grade 3 teacher OK
Lou Lou and Dor reported to me that ALL of the children at the school are alive. ...Prasie the Lord!!! I asked them several times to make sure they truly understood my question and they confirmed each time that this is the case.
I am sad to report that two of the three staff members with the name of Guerrier have passed away......although we have no confirmation of which two. Clovis suspects as I do that one of them will be Guerrier Pierre Dusanord...who also assisted in the Admin office may be one of them as the area he was in was VERY badly affected. As soon as we get confirmation I will let you know.
Another teacher Angeline Fabe was at school herself and Clovis said her school collapsed. There is no word yet on her fate.
Lou Lou and Dor told me that they have lost their houses as a number of the other staff members from the school area did. I guess as you get further from the highway the damage is greater...thus my false impression that the area was not too badly affected.
My plans to go to the school changed for this AM for as we speak Jean is on his way to the border in the gros camion (big truck) with a number of empty gas and diesel containers with the hopes of buying fuel there. It seems his cousin Fresnel has some connections out that way and thinks he will not have too many problems. I await anxiously to hear what stories he has to tell when he gets back.
Some people have asked when school will restart and one of the team members ask Clovis the same question. As I suspected Clovis responded that he has no idea but does not envision it will be in the forseeable future. He said it is not even on the priority list for the gov't who in actuality has literally no place to sit. He said so Many Many schools have been destroyed. My feeling is that any "official" school activities for this year are most likely over with.
I think we knew that VOH would not get through this episode unscathed. My heart is so sad for those who have lost their lives and for the surviving family members. We know the challenges of those who have lost houses are many. However I feel blessed that in comparison to others we have much to celebrate than to grieve.
I haven't yet made it to Marie's for the day due to these unexpected but welcome visits. Will head there shortly.
Until later...keep those prayers going.
Debbie
Jan 16, 10:30 am Good Morning....ah Saturday ..the weekend .how I wish it could be a day of rest for Haiti. Our team awoke refreshed and feeling optimistic as the evacuation efforts with the insurance company progress. I have had a number of email communications with them between late last night and early this AM and just got off the phone with them as well. At this point they can offer us no estimated time line but are working diligently to get here ASAP. I asked about luggage and most likely each team member will be able to leave with a small backpack or carry on size bag. We will pack up items that folks would like to eventually get back. I am pretty sure that future team members will not mind getting them back to the US at one time or another. Everyone has done their morning chores (over 100 concrete blocks "rescued") the office dusted...yeah I am no longer working at a desk covered in plaster dust and other debris. Now they are sitting around have a group marriage counseling session from Cheryl...for those young folk in the group who are getting ready to marry. As I worked in the kitchen I heard lots of laughter and wondered if anyone was writing down what Emily was committing her loved one to.
I am very happy that Digicel phone service is up and running this AM. I was able to get through to Wilner and Jean with no problem They are giving out about 15 minutes of free service for everyone. Wilner was going to try to get in here today but we decided it was best for him to stay put due to the difficulty with public transport and everything else. It is great knowing that at least we can talk from time to time. I know this will be a great boon for so many that they can try to contact family members. I have tried contacting our family (Clovis, Dumas, Guerrier) but either the lines are occupied, their phones not charged. I will keep trying.
I am waiting for Jean to arrive and then we will check in on Marie and head to the school. I am enclosing a prayer that was sent to us from our VOH friends Rene and Richard from Sarasota. I read it to the team this AM and wanted to share it with you. Click here for Prayers for Haiti
until later today...thanks for keeping us and the others in Haiti in your prayers,
Debbie This afternoon the "kids" and I went down to Marie's (Grace Mission) and played with the girls for about an hour.....we had skipping, singing, bubble blowing and a few other games. The girls even taught me a new Kreyol song....I still need a few more lessons before I can sing it alone. It was good mental health exercise for both the youngsters and our gang. Marie organized a large bag of charcoal for me.....I thought it best to have some on hand in case we run out of propane. As my family knows I have become pretty adapt at cooking over the charcoal.
This evening was more rounds of cards and Kreyol/English lessons as the team enjoyed time with Fleury, Poppy Blanc and Joel.
 I recieved two phone calls today...from Octere and Robenson.....two of the university students. Both are fine and were wanting to check on me and to learn any info about the others. We didn't have long conversations as everyone is trying to conserve their phone cards for as long as possible. Octere did get a chance to tell me that all of the universtiy buildings are down. Marc Henry another student fell asleep and was late for his afternoon class....providence as the school collapsed and all inside perished.
The Director of the Catholic School behind us got into Haiti today via the DR...he managed to get on a rescue plane flying to Haiti. The teachers who were holding the fort were mighty relieved to see him. He came over to use the Intenet to let his family know he had arrived and also to thank us for letting the girls use our service. He is okay with our gang going over to help so they may be able to wash those dishes for 300 or so after all.
Many of you have asked if I had heard how Wilner's daughter was. I am happy to say she is alive and well and back in the Artibonite at home with her sister and aunts. It was such a relief to get Wilners second call and to learn that news. He said his head was aching from all of the news he is recieving....one of his close friends was crushed under a school for which he was the Director. He has been helping out in the hospital and says it is overflowing with people.
Jan 15, 12 pm Hello again: Well we got to the embassy and back, saw a number of downed buildings along the way. The streets are also filled with people walking in both directions....a lot heading out of town to get to relatives living in the country who were not so hard hit. Street commerce continues ...a big truck full of small bags of water and large chunks of ice was doing a brisk business. At the embassy we found lots of cars and people. There were two LONG lines of people both Haitian and Blanc in the them. We approached a couple of officers who were greeting people and answering questions. We had been warned that staff were getting testy but we found the gentlemen to be helping us very kind and welcoming and answered our questions to the best of their ability.
The Internet information we recieved before heading to the embassy was that US citizens should start making their way to the airport if they wanted to be evacuated and to take water and snacks along with them. The fellow we spoke to said it was advisable to come to the embassy instead as people at the airport had been shuffled back to the embassy to await their turn to get on a plane. At the moment he said their were over a 100 inside the embassy and it seemed at least that many were already in line outside. He suggested that if we were in a safe place and could stay there that it would be best to wait another 2-3 days before coming to the embassy. Right now people were being flown to the DR and had to make their way home from there. He told us that if the DR got too overwhelmed then they may begin to take people to Panama or Quantanamo Bay. We asked about what luggage people could take and he didn't have a clear answer but we saw people arriving with small backpacks or roller boards for the airline. From past experience in discussing evacuation we have been told that only a small bag was permissable. We were also advised to make sure that the team was registered with the American Citizen Services and not just with the Embassy site (for which the team were already registered).
That was about all of the information these fellows could give us..he said the rest of our questions would be answered by staff inside...for which we would have to wait an undetermined period of time.
We came back to the House and sat and had a team meeting. I told them my instinct was to take them to the embassy early Monday morning. I feel much more comfortable taking them there even if they have to wait a day or two before getting on a plane, rather than taking them to the border and leaving them to their own devices to get through two border crossings, across no man's land and to meet up with whoever may meet them to take them to the same destination that most likely they will arrive at by going the embassy route. The reason I feel that way is that there is security and also staff and assistants that speak English with additional assistance if needed. We talked about trying to coorindate with those in the US already trying to organize a land crossing to see if they could arrange plane tickets in the DR. We then thought this would not be possible due to the fact we have no guaranatee that they will be taken to the DR for the reasons as stated above. So after discussion where all had a chance to voice their thoughts and concerns it was agreed upon that I will take them to the embassy Monday AM. Joseph our driver will come Sunday afternoon and spend the night here so he will be here for our early 5:00 AM departure for the embassy. Being a Cnd citizen I don;t know whether they will let me stay with the group for awhile but I will sure do my best to do that. I think it is the best decision and pray for everyone's understanding and acceptance of this recommendation.
Someone asked me if I planned to leave as well. I would not be able to go with the team due to the fact that I am from above the 49th parallel. If I were to leave it would have to be via the Cdn Embassy. However this thought has not even entered my head. I feel my responsabilities are here ...taking care of our Haitian staff as I can, watching over Hope House, being a support to Marie and also that Wilner is in Haiti and I feel I need to be in the same country as he...even if we are still miles apart. I will figure out what to do with my time once I have seen everyone safetly to the embassy. I plan to stay at Hope House as I said to keep an eye on it and also for my own peace of mind as there is no one at my apt...the folks from the DR who were all safe..headed back home. At Hope House at least I will have Fleury and Joel around and the others from time to time.
I forgot to mention yesterday that both Roselene and Carline came to work. Roselene's daughter and husband are fine...he had a minor injury to one of his arms only. Roselene is trying to get to her new house as it is undamaged and where she is on Delmas is very unpleasant as you can well imagine. She will stay with her family and check in at HH on Monday. Carline will come each day but for a shortened time. Jean is having a day of rest and will come tomorrow to take me to the school so we can pick up more water, propane and some more medical supplies. I will also have him start to scrounge around for fuel for our vehicles and the generator.....even if it is $25.00 per gallon.
Before heading out we checked in on Marie...they all slept well until the rumbing of the earth at 5:00 AM. To answer questions asked of me:
The Deacon kids (who live across the road) are fine. The family and kids who live in the same yard as Marie are fine. Pastor Metelus and his kids and orphanage are fine..he passed by again to see Marie yesterday afternoon.
She like me is anxious to have folks come to help with the clean up and repair but both of us also are in the same boat having to ask folks to be patient as for logistical reasons......inability to ensure water, fuel, transportation we have to be prudent. It would only be more worrisome for us having visitors around if we could not take care of the basics.
I did not get a chance to pass by Roberta Edwards home again.
well folks I think that is about all I can give you for now.....
will check in with a quick message before hitting the sack this evening.
Debbie
Jan 15, 9 am Hello all: Another night safetly passed. The tremors are lessening ....only two last night that I felt. The airspace over us was busy last night as we heard and saw many cargo planes leaving from the airport. After the birthday dinner and cake, a number of people sat around playing cards and showing Fleury, Joel (our house/yard staff) and Poppy Blanc who is helping with night duty as an extra set of ears and eyes. I heard many a laugh as I sat in the office catching up with my messages. Pat was able to get through to his wife on his cell phone (isn't modern technology a miracle) at 4 AM. They enjoyed a long conversation and both felt better for hearing each other's voice. All of the families gathered at their church last night to share stories and pictures. We also got information that the US evacuation for American citizenship would most likely not start until Tues or thereabouts.
Pat gave everyone a report of his conversation at our team meeting this AM. Afterwards we discussed plans for evacuation. I wanted a team consensus on how everyone was feeling about things. As much as they want to get home all agreed that they would rather wait it out at Hope House for the US evacuation planes that take a trip overland to the DR where it would be uncertain as to when they would get out. It plans from your side were such that we knew a vehicle was waiting for them at the border and seats on a plane booked then they would feel more comfortable going that way.
Assuming then that they would be hear a few more days we assessed our water, fuel and food situation. We also took a review of who had prescription drugs that need taken care of. Sara was the most urgent as her asthma drugs ran out today.....another miracle....the gal in charge at the school behind us had both medications availalbe that Sara was taking so she is all set. Others are not as urgent and we are working on various avenues to see if we can find the drugs that could be needed in the long run. Everyone else is good for several more days. Toni has enough Insulin to get her through another week or so but we are looking to see if we can get some for her never the less.
We have our morning chores....airing out towels, doing hand laundry, breaking up concrete block, sweeping glass off the road and various others. I am heading down to Marie's now to check in with her and then will head to the embassy.
Further report to follow when we get back from there.....Courtney and Cheryl are coming with me. Joseph our Haitian driver left his house at 3:00 AM to get here in order to help us today. He walked 90 per cent of the way.
until later....keep those prayers coming
Debbie
Jan 14, 5 pm Hello all: Happy News. Jorel Carte may his way down here by foot and machine this PM. He and his family are fine. There house collapsed. Jorel was in the third story of the school he was attending when the quake occurred. It sank like a pancake...Many people were crushed underneath him. He was bounced about but came out without any physical injuries. You can well imagine the emotional impact not only suffering what he did but also being a witness to such things and not being able to to anything. He made his way home wondering if he would find his family alive. He passed many buildings totally collapsed such as the Carribean Market. He told me Valerio Canez was crushed. Epi Dort suffered minor damage and they were open today giving out bread to people.
Other good news....he somehow connected with Clovis as he was making his way down here. Clovis and his family are fine as is their house. He has many relatives staying with him who were not so fortunate. No other news on any of the other teachers.
We went to the school and it was like a different world...you would practically not even know we had had an earthquake. We saw only two buildings collapsed on the way and a few walls that had fallen down. The school is fine...alll buildings standing with no noticeable damage. KPS and Michelet are fine as are their families as are the rest of the local staff at the school. They were quite relieved to see us and of course were concerned about Clovis and the other staff. At that time I did not know about Jorel and Clovis.
Jean got here while I was absent and is presently out on the motorcycle going to the university students house and to try and find news of Clovis. I had left that assignment for him when he showed up. Its too bad because while at the school, KPS let me know that all of the Uni students are fine...and back home with their families. A few minor injuries such as scrapes and bruises only. Apparently the rental house was the only one left standing in their neighbourhood....God is indeed with us.
While at the school we filled up three 5 gallon jugs of water from the taps there and when we got back to HH I heard the water truck going by and we were able to purchase 5 more - 5 gallon jugs of drinking water so we are okay in that dept for a few days.
We collected medical supplies at the school and on the way back stopped at Hopital Eben Ezer at Latremblay 1 (I have got to know the director) and gave them some supplies. We then proceeded to CSI where I was to drop off some supplies for them. As we drove along the road we were stopped by three fellows on a motorcycle who were with the Salvation Army. They were searching for disinfectant and any medical supplies as they were running a small first aid station in Croix des Bouguets. I got out and gave them some of the supplies we had for CSI. The folks at CSI are going to be hosting a relief team from Germany and they will be doing some mobile clinic. They were most appreciative of what we dropped off.
Courtney and Linda gave some first aid to several of the students behind us while went down to Marie's to tend to a neighborhood boy who had a large gash on his foot. Marie has a little canopy set up for herself in the yard across her house and the girls and a few other neighbours are with her. She is in good spirits this evening. we shared a good laugh when I realized that the little whole I was told I had in my shorts was actually half of the backside ripped open...due to acid burn from my clean up in the depot this AM....here I have been traipsing all over today and not realizing.....glad I has such pretty coloured underwear on......so you can see we do enjoy a moment of gaeity from time to time....laughter is the best medicine.
  first aid care ......................................................Marie's 'palace'   holey pants.......................................................staying outside is safer We stopped by LCJ again and learned that Gladys is okay.She has not been able to get to the orphanage as yet. They have some staff there taking care of the kids and have enough supplies to feed them.
As well we stopped by Santo 11 to check in on Roberta Edwards and her kids. Roberta is actually in the U.S. at the moment. Sadly one of the 16 yr olds was killed when one of the walls around their yard fell on him. Otherwise all the others are fine. The house is still standing but has some major structural damage so they are sleeping in an area where other neighbours are collecting at night. I told them to come by any time if I/we could be of assistance to them.
We also stopped at my house and picked up another 5 gallons of water and some other provisions that I had there.
As I went about my errands today I took different members of the team with me.....they are all interested to get a bigger view and also suffering a bit from cabin fever. I think they were all appreciative to "get out".
Pat worked on the water system and we will test out his repairs tonight when we turn on the generator to see if we can fill the reserve tanks.
He also worked on the lights in the office and so tonight I can actually see while I write to you.
Dick wrote to me to ask about the road to the border and if we can get there as he was working on a possibility of getting the team out through that way. The roads are fine but as I wrote Dick back I wasn't thinking about the fuel. Jean is checking that as we speak to see what quantity we have in the tank. Jean was able to get 5 gallons of diesel on the black market today so we could use that for the truck. (Jean thinks there is enough fuel in the truck to get to the DR and back)
We are also getting messages from the US Embassy and they are working on evacuation flights. They have given us a number to contact but we haven't been able to get through. I may end up driving over to the embassy tomorrow with a few folks and their passports to see what other information we can gather.so we are currently working on to possibilities for evacuation.
Now evening has rolled around again and supper time fast approaches.....we are having a birthday dinner...the kids made a lovely birthday sign for me and even baked a cake.
Attached are Marie in her "palace", a view of the kids...first aid care and sharing a laugh with my "wholey" pants.
Debbie
Jan 14, Find attached photos of Maries church that I took this AM. I didn't take any of the school, dining area or back depots as they are all okay. The front wall by the gate had a large fissure and going from the gate towards Maries place the wall is leaning very precariously...another good shake and it could come down. Patty I know how much it will pain you to look at these pictures as it does everyone else but know that you are also anxious to see them. Marie appreciates all of the prayers and concerns and says keep them coming.
The kids are also going to do dish duty washing dishes (for 400) at the school behind us once the managers have them fed. They will also go and do some recreational activities with them this afternoon.
I will check in at LCJ on my way back and also drop off some supplies for CSI..another clinic in Croix des Bouquets. The gang is helping me by keeping up with Internet news. They learned that the Delta flight for tomorrow is cancelled. Courtney also contacted their travel agent with the hopes she may get some news. Toni is keeping in touch with her cousin. I will try to get other information as I am out and about today.
I have had no further news of other staff members or friends that I have not mentioned...ie Jorel, Clovis, school staff and university students. Rest assured I will share it with you as I get news. I plan to send Jean with his motorcycle to the students home later on today when we get back from the school. If he knows Clovis' and Jorel's residences I will ask him to try and get to them....am not too sure if those roads are open or not.
I didn't mention this yesterday as I was not in a celebratory mood and too preoccupied with everything else, but it was my birthday. However today I celebrate the beginning of another year of life with renewed strength and feel so blessed for the care and concern of my family and SO MANY friends old and new. I also feel very fortunate to be with a great group of people who despite feelings of fear, helplessness and homesickness are showing amazing fortitude and strength of character.
Debbie
Jan 13, 10:00 pm - I am sorry to be sharing other bad news with you and apologize that I kept forgetting to add it to the mails...but the earthquake events have overshadowed this other sad event. Clovis had informed me on Tuesday morning that another young student at the school had passed away. He was in the Hospital in Fonds Parisien. We do not know of what he died. I had not seen him in the clinic. His name is Mathurin Getro and he was in the 2A class. I regret that I end the day like this but wanted to send the message while it was in my head Until tomorrow.
Debbie
Jan 13, 9:00 pm - Hello all: I am HAPPY to report that we have our water problem solved. I looked at the system before supper and then as I did dishes with several others Pat and the fellows went to lay their hands on the pipes......they got a surprising shower when Pat opened a valve and unexpectedly released the air lock. So now the pump is running with the generator. We have all been able to take showers and feel refreshed for it. We have buckets and pails filled for the hours tomorrow when we will not have the generator running. We will also work on getting the intake PVC pipes fixed so tomorrow we can fill the tanks. We are running the generators for limited times...enough to charge up the invertors and to conserve fuel as well. John took a jerry tank with him today and I asked him to buy some diesel if any was available anywhere. I sent a bunch of pictures...Ray told me they didn't come through...did they work for anyone. If not I will try to get Sara to help me resend them. It will probaly be tomorrowa as everyone is heading off to bed.
Good night to all..thanks for keeping those prayers and message coming...they are a comfort to all,
Debbie
Jan 13, 6:30 pm -As I started to type another little aftershock came on through and a couple of ceiling tiles fell down again. they cause sure cause our hearts to take a leap or two and we are sure moving fast to get out of the office when we feel the shaking. We are told that due to the type of fissure etc that they could last until Friday. I have no further news on VOH staff members or friends that I have not previously mentioned ie..Jorel, Clovis/Helene, Dumas and other staff members. I have many people writing asking me about everyone..you may rest assured as I get news of folks I will pass it on to all of you. Jean came back this afternoon to borrow the truck to evacuate his mom and sister to another location. He was up to Delmas and Petionville on his motorcycle and said you can't believe the devastation unless you see it with your own eyes. Some areas the UN troops are not even letting people pass, which is no surprise.
I have had an email interview with a reporter from our Home paper in Hamilton. Courtney's mom and sister were interviewed for their local paper and for local TV station.
I will be attaching some pictures for you of the damage around Hope House and one of the team...seeing is believing that they are okay...although everyone is anxious to get home to family.
The damage I have seen thus far:
a small crack in the back wall of Fleury's room
tap broken off the water spigot outside of his room
1" PVC pipe taken water to the cottage broken
"IN' PVC pipes for both water tanks are broken
Back wall to the right of the cottage is down
The back wall from the generator on down is down
The wall behind the generator and the small shed is still standing
The wall from the shed to the front gate is down.
One half of the ceiling for the work area is down
The water tank has fallen over
The wall over the door jam going into the bedroom that is the storeroom is down
Part of the ceiling in that same room is down
The toilet base in the BR by the dining rm is cracked
The toilet lid in the main bedroom is broken.
The main gate to let cars in and out was off the tracks but the fellows were able to fix it
The people gate is a bit warped but we are able to close it never the less
There is a fissure in the wall at the front of the house...we think it is at a joint where meets a perpendicular wall.
I went through all of the guest bedrooms and they seem to be well intact. The toilet in the 3rd bedroom shifted but is otherwise okay.
We tried to get on the Delta airline website to see what they were saying about flights..other than that today's flight was cancelled we have no news. Jean told me the bridge by Tabarre to get to the airport is okay...he didn't know about the one by Croix de Mission...I think they must be okay because I haven't heard anything about them on the news.
I have been getting news that many of my friends in Haiti are okay as are their families......thank the LORD! I have had no further communication from Wilner since talking to him last night. Apparently the hospital is okay and taking in many injured people from the local vicinity.
Most of the pictures are of Hope House,showing the damages listed above. One is of John's car as he narrowly missed greater harm. Two are of the road Santo 3. And the best is of the team with their thumbs up. I am new at this digital camera business and a big thanks goes to Sara who was voted in by the young folk to help me with the posting of the pictures. (The photos did not come through to me! I'll see if I can get them. MM)
Now to the water....Pat and I went up the ladder to the tanks. We were able to fix the cover of the one tank and get it back on.....it had flown off somehow. That tank is full of water. The second tank is less than a quarter......we estimated the tanks were about 250-300 gallons each. We have several 5 gallon bottles of Culligan water and I have started disinfecting another 5 gallons with chlorox. We are conserving it as much as possible. There is also a public tap down the road that we could get water from...although Joel told me that it was pretty dirty...but it is a source of water never the less. The schoo behind us has water and if necessary we may be able to get some from them if needed. Jean will be back to more and will try to fix the pump. He thinks the float valve may be stuck and there is no pressure in the tank as all the wate drained out.
That's it for now folks. I plan to drive out to the school tomorrow and will go to see Marie and maybe some of us will go and give her a hand if she is starting to work at the school.
Time has elapsed since I started this and it is now 6:00 PM...it's taken time trying to get the photo file ready to send. Several of the gals are in preparing dinner (spaghetti and salad). Joel made another visit to Marie's..they are hanging in there and she sends her thanks for all of the prayers and concern.
I'll send a last note before retiring.
Keep the prayers coming, Debbie
Joel delivered some clothes down to Marie for the girls...it is what she had asked for. He also went by Christophe's house for me..they are all fine..Christophe was out and about.. We delivered some vienna saussage, rice and PB to them. One wall of their house is damaged.
He also went by Carline and Yvon's house but there was no one at home...I suspect they may be at a hospital somewhere, knowing some of them were hurt.
The team have been at turns, working, playing and snoozing. Everyone sat and ate lunch together just now....and I think all feel better for it....no one has had much of an appetite up to now. We all feel a little helpless wishing we could be out "helping" and yet realizing that "guarding" Hope House is important too.
That's it for now.
Jan 13, 10:30 am: Hello all: Jean Dimanche came with his friend Samuel about 8:00. Jimmy is fine as is Jean's mother and other family members. Jean's house is fine. Fleury's wife walked from her house to HH to see how Fleury was.....they missed each other on the road. His house is fine....one of his kids has a broken leg and has gone to a hospital....otherwise all are fine.
Jean took me down to my apt. The house and wall are standing...damage only from things inside falling down. On the way back we stopped at Little Children of Jesus.....the houses there are fine as are all of the kids....no damage or injuries as reported by the guardian. Gladys had already left for the day and they have not had any news of her. Again the phones are still out.
We also went down to see Marie. The church indeed did collapse. The second floor still holds its shape but sits on top of the rubble of the church underneath. The mommies got all of the girls out in time. They slept outside in the yard across the street from Marie's house. The girls had eaten this AM...they are able to cook in the kitchen at the school. The school, dining room and new rooms Marie prepared are all standing so they do have a place to stay. Right now they are holding off searching for any property of the girls in the rubble. Marie's house is fine......as you can imagine her blood pressure is not at the lowest its been. Her brother has a injury to his forhead, lots of damage where he was. Marie said one of the students' from her school had died. I will try to keep in good contact with her.
When we got back to HH, Joseph our new driver was here. He is fine as is his family. The house he was renting rooms in is demolished. Turns out he and Poppy Blanc know each other well.
I keep trying my phone from time to time...no news of others from the school. Jean is going to see his mother and when he gets back depending on the time I will try to go and check the school.
The gang is working around me to get the office back in order. Jean is attending to the batteries for the invertors before he takes off. He will also check the water pump for me before he heads out.
More later,
Debbie
January 13: Hello all: It is 5:40 AM as I type this message. I sent Joel down to see how Marie and the girls are. I am happy to report that ALL are well. Joel told me the church has collapsed but the school and Marie's house are still standing. Marie has things flung about as we do but she is thankful all are okay. She asked that I be in touch with all of you. Patty I presume that you will be in touch with her family. We felt after shocks until about 4:00 AM....one pretty big one at midnight and 3:00 AM. The one at midnight brought most folks out of their rooms..most slept or at least rested on their mattresses under the stars...one was on the picnic table and a couple in chairs. Most reported that they got at least several hours of sleep Everyone's spirits are holding up well.
Carline found Djob to be okay. Her brother Yvon was hit on the head with a brick and 4 of his kids were also hurt.....Joel did not have any more details as to the seriousness of the injuries.
Fleury headed home this AM to see how his family faired.
Everyone at the Food for the Poor houses at Santo 2 are fine....the houses are still standing but the security wall is down.
I will keep you posted throughout the day as more news comes in. I'n off to get breakfast stuff out for the group.......and with the group.....everyone is being helpful.
Blessings,
Debbie
Jan 12, 11:00pm Hello all: We continue to have small tremors from time to time....just felt one as I type this. Everyone is hanging in there....many have been on the computer with messages to and from family and on their face books. They are all gathered around the picnic table and some are stretched out on mattresses. Everyone wants to be close to each other and the news was asking everyone to stay outside until at least 10PM tonight...we are being extra cautious. I am feel fortunate to be with this team.....everyone is chipping in, comforting each other and doing a great job. I've actually even heard a little laughter coming from the picnic table as I type. I had the generators running for a short time..just to make sure it worked...and it did. The water did not come as hoped when I turned on the generator. Will have to check that out tomorrow. We did get water from the cisterns but am being conservative with it. I was up on the roof checking out the tanks as best I could. There are several broken PVC pipes and the lid of the one tank went flying....it is sitting atop the tank to keep the water clean but we will have to get it tied down better tomorrow.
Several of the toilets are cracked but appear to be working okay. The store room at the end of the 5 bedrooms has had part of the wall fall down. The light and fan in the kitchen by the stove is hanging precariously.
I will write a more extensive or at least a combined report on the damage after we do a more thorough assessment tomorrow. Thank you all for your messages and thoughts coming our way....they are a comfort.
Blessings
Debbie
Jan 12, 6:50 pm Thank you all for your messages of concern and prayers. We are currently working of nervous energy cleaning up some of the things that went flying from counter tops shelves etc. The men are stringing up some barbed wire for security and I have arranged for several other gentlemen to come and help stand guard.....Poppy Blanc and a friend of his. Joel and Fleury are here as well. A wall fell on the front of Jean's car but luckily he jumped out in time. I heard from Wilner out in Deschapelles they had some shaking but nothing like PAP. Please pray for his daughter as we have yet to hear word of her.
Jan 12, 2010 - 6:03pm WE ARE ALL FINE....shook up in more ways than one as you can well imagine. A few MINOR bruises. It is 5:40 PM as we type this and we are still having a few after shocks...the room shakes as I type. All the Haitian staff at Hope House are fine as well.. My Haiti phones are out. Some of the team members (from PA) have been able to contact their families. There has been some Hope House damage.
We will follow the news on the radio and listen to our Haitian staff as they come back to work
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