Friday, April 30, 2010

Children of IMN



Though I didn't get an opportunity to see the students at IMN in their various classes, I did see them on Saturday as they attended a dedication of the rebuilding of the school. What I saw were a group of appreciative, polite, and patient boys and girls as they saw through and participated in the ceremony. These are skills that will obviously serve them well as they attend classes day by day.

I came away from the dedication more hopeful that Maxandre, the Principal, the eight teachers and one hundred twenty students are better off than most in Haiti. I have no doubt that some of the children will see a better day.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Everyday Life in Haiti





Much of everyday life, even prior to the earthquake, took place outdoors. It is not uncommon for people to cook outside in addition to selling products on the street. What has happened, though, because of the quake, is that a great deal of rubble from the collapsed buildings is on the street. The businesses that did operate indoors are now found on the street or there simply is no business.

Today, there are many problems associated with cooking and selling on the sidewalks. Huge mounds of garbage are on the streets and sidewalks as are mountains of concrete and cement. People can't get back into their businesses to get necessary utensils and other products to conduct their business. Pollution and sanitation are huge obstacles that hamper the vendors. Street sales are also problematic as the tent cities are literally right on top of the markets and cooking areas.

Haitians will always prepare food and sell outdoors but conditions have to improve if the citizens are going to be able to forge ahead. These are but a few of the issues facing the country as they try to recover from the Jan. 12th earthquake.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Maxandre's Home in Darbonne

Principal, Maxandre Bien Aime, of IMN School in Darbonne was a great host.  Not only did he have a warm welcoming ceremony for us but he was kind enough, along with his wife Helen, to invite us to his home for a tasty dinner.  Sadly, you can see a good deal of destruction to his home and others in the community.  Maxandre and his family have been able to put up cinder walls, plywood and a new roof and truly have one of the more comfortable homes in all of Darbonne.  For many citizens in Darbonne (the epicenter of the quake) they may have an actual tent to live in; otherwise, there housing would consist of tree limbs, plastic, palm leaves or some other material from nature.  Despite all the problems, there is a great deal of laughter and happiness in the Bien Aime Family!!   We had a wonderful time with Maxandre and his family and I want to thank him for his hospitality. 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Destroyed Homes in Port au Prince


During our four days in Haiti we had a number of opportunities to travel throughout Port au Prince as well as the surrounding region.  This is a typical drive to almost any location in and around the capital city.  As you watch the video you'll see some of the utter devastation in the surrounding hills.  You'll also note a number of tents that are to be found in any vacant space available.  If you think that the person holding the camera is having a difficult time, that's simply not the case.  There are bumpy roads, if you can even call them that - by our standards - throughout the city and countryside.  No wonder it took over two hours to get to nearby Darbonne and IMN.

Tent Cities - A Mixed Blessing

The common belief concerning tent cities is that they sprang up after the January 2010 earthquake.  While this is an accurate statement there are a couple of issues regarding them that are anything but true.

Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about tent cities centers on who resides in them.  The commonly held belief is that the tent cities almost strictly house those Haitians who were displaced from their homes because of the quake.  While a number of residents in the tent cities are former home owners, who lost their residences, a huge number of the people living in in tents were homeless prior to the January disaster.

Simply ask Haitians and they will tell you that the tent cities are often occupied by those who had no home prior to the earthquake.  These people quickly moved to the tented areas as they gained shelter, some food & water and a semblance of security, many of these absent in their lives prior to January 12th.  In a sense they clearly took adavantage of what became an improvement in their quality of life.  And who could blame them!

Many of those who owned homes prior to the earthquake want to head back to their former residence as soon as conditions permit.  To these Haitians conditions in the tent cities are worse than their living conditions prior to the earthquake.

Make no mistake about it, conditions in the tent cities are dplorable for all concerned.  There is a lack of clean water, horrible sanitation exists (if one can call it sanitation), there are filthy washrooms, too little food and water is to be found, a good deal of crime is apparent and medical attention is woefully lacking.  Add all this up and you can see why there is such despair and hopelessness among many.

Until the citizens (as individuals and as a collective group), along with government, address permanent housing needs, for all concerned,  the tent cities must and will persist. 

Dick Flesher

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Schools Count at IMN!

Today was truly a thrill of a lifetime as Dawn and I made the 2 hour trek from Port au Prince to Darbonne to witness the good works of Schools Count Corp and Kids4Good.

The ride to Darbonne was sad in many respects; crowded sidewalks, horrible sanitation, roads in need of repair, people displaced in tents, citizens literally living of the edge of despair and destruction beyond belief.  We have captured many of these events in various videos. 

I will put them on the blogspot when conditions permit.  Right now internet connections and transferring flip video to the blogspot is problematic due to some internet connection issues here in Hait.

If the drive to Darbonne was heart wrenching our arrival at IMN was so warm!  Students stood at attention outdoors and applauded our arrival.  The children, Maxandre and a number of parents wore huge smiles.  That, in and of itself, made the trip

What followed was a ceremony that I will never forget.  We raised the Haitian flag, sang the National Anthem, had a number of celebratory songs, various traditional Haitian dances and a number of speakers.  All of these were performed to thank Schools Count Corp and Kids4Good for all that has taken place at IMN.

I also sat in on a meeting with Maxandre and his staff to assess needs and the progress being made.  More importantly I had the opportunity to mingle with the students and their parents.  To a person, they thought our assistance and trip to Haiti were a 'God Send.'

To those of you who have who have made the rebuilding of IMN a priority my words alone won't suffice.  I will be sure to share these experiences with you upon my return to the U. S.

Thanks,
Dick

Entering Haiti

We arrived in Haiti late yesterday afternoon and are able to post a few photographs prior to leaving for IMN School in Darbonne.  We will try to post video tonight.  The scene from the airport to the home of our sponsor, John Engle, is heartbreaking and there are so many ways these people need our support.

 

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

On to Haiti...

Haiti Bound in Two Days


In two short days Schools Count Corp will be on the ground in Darbonne, Haiti to get a first hand glimpse of the progress being made in the country as well as in the rebuilding of Institute Mixte Nao.

And progress abounds!  Just two nights ago Principal Maxandre Bien-Aime sent me a text that read, in part, "Yes, I finish 4 more rooms (classrooms).  Now we count 6 rooms for the students in the fundamental.  We hope to build 3 others for the kindergarten."  It is plain to see that nothing deters Maxandre and his fellow Haitians when it comes to getting the children back to school.

Not only will I visit IMN but we will be taking medical and school supplies to Maxandre compliments of Darien-based Kids4Good (http://www.kids4good.org/).  I am eager to see the work taking place on the reconstruction of IMN, chat with parents, visit with Haiti Partners, obtain Maxandre's assessment of conditions on the ground, and otherwise take in all that constitutes Haitian life.

Be sure to check our blog from April 23rd through April 26th as we hope to have some live video footage back to the states during our stay.

Thanks for your help and interest in our work in Haiti.

Dick Flesher

Monday, April 19, 2010

Four Days and Counting

That's right, just four days until I head to Haiti!! 

As I ready for the trip, not only packing my personal belongings but, taking some needed supplies from Kids4Good to the students at Institute Mixte Nao School I took a look at the upcoming weather forecast in Haiti.  The temps are suppose to range from 95 to 98 during my four day trip. 

This simply reminds me about what people on the ground are dealing with in the aftermath of the earthquake.  It one thing to deal with death, injuries, the loss of a home and job, and disease but throw in the rainy season, the upcoming hurricane season and these temperatures, it is a wonder that Haitians can even come close to forging ahead.

Sitting thousands of miles away, one can't fathom the very real hardship that Haitians are dealing with on a day to day basis.  This situation makes it all the more urgent to get to the island to assess conditions and to continue to find ways to help these people.

I continue to marvel at what Haitians and, in particular, Maxandre have done to reconstitute their lives and look forward to my visit.

Dick

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Haiti Travels in Six Days!

In six short days I will make my first trip to Haiti since the devastating earthquake ravaged the country in January.  Like everyone else, I have seen the destruction on television and read various articles about the effects of the quake on the citizens.  Until I get there, though, I really won't know for certain about the very real heartache suffered by so many.

It is for this reason, that I don't have any idea of what to expect.  That 's probably good for a number of reasons.  I don't want to assume that recovery is too slow nor do I want to judge the government for acting indecisively.  I haven't lived here these past three months so I don't know what its like to find shelter, look for a job, scramble for food and water, and to otherwise simply live life.

On the other hand, I am excited to stay with John Engle at Haiti Partners and to visit with Maxandre Bien Aime the Principal at Institute Mixte Nao School in Darbonne, Haiti.  I'm eager to see the progress being made to rebuild the school, assess future needs and to visit with such resilient people.

I will arrive in Haiti on Friday, April 23rd and will stay in the country for four days.  If all goes well, I will post some live video during my stay.  I will certainly capture daily life via photos and will be sure to share them with you when I return to the states.

Thanks for all your help in the rebuilding of IMN!
Dick

Thursday, April 8, 2010

An update on IMN rebuilding

I just received word from Maxandre Bien-Aime, the Principal at IMN, that great progress is being made in terms of rebuilding the school.

The first building has been completed and, as you can see, children are back at school.   Kids4Good and Schools Count Corp have seen to it that the students in building one have materials so that they can continue their studies.

Work has commenced on the adjacent second building.  The first phase of construction on the second building is just days away and Maxandre reports that the second and final phase of the second building will commence as soon as possible.  It may be hard to believe but in another month or so we should have word that the second building will be finished!

Down the line a third building will go up.  Obviously, the good news is this...as classrooms are added on, more students will be able to attend school.  At that point our work will continue as we want to see to it that the teachers and students have the necessary materials to be successful going forward.

Again, thanks for all of your interest and support
Dick Flesher

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

From Where I See It

As Schools Count Corp continues to aid schools, largely within urban landscapes, I continue to find the general tone of the conversation about schools facing blight, poverty, and overcoming other obstacles resulting from hurricanes and earthquakes to be demeaning.  The dialogue goes something like this..."if they aren't performing, too bad."  Another refrain goes along the lines of..."why should we help them if they can't help themselves."  These are but just a few of the negative comments I hear about schools facing all sorts of hurdles.

Let me put it bluntly, our non-profit wouldn't help schools if we thought they were wasting our money.  We wouldn't take supplies to students if we thought they were abusing them or that they didn't make a difference.  Likewise, if we thought that schools were abusing the idea of getting free supplies by merely stockpiling them or asking for resources that weren't really needed then we'd exit in a heartbeat.

What I have found to be true is that students, teachers and administrators use our donated (free) supplies to maximum use.  I see no signs of waste in the schools we serve.  When the supplies are delivered they are put to immediate use.  And to a person, whether in Galveston, TX, New Orleans or Haiti, folks are truly, truly appreciative of what they receive.

No, a school in crisis doesn't need less, doesn't need to be shuttered and left for naught.  On the contrary we need to dig in and do more.  As long as we have the resources, volunteers and donors and the schools served use the supplies wisely then we will step up our efforts to do more, not less.

Many thanks for your assistance,
Dick Flesher

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Helping Hands Wristbands

Schools Count Corp is making a concerted effort to raise $10,000 to aid in the reconstruction of Institute Mixte Nao in Haiti.  School is back in session and part of the building has been reconstituted but more construction remains to be done in the coming weeks.

In order to meet our goal of raising $10,000, Schools Count is engaged in a number of activities to raise the needed cash. 

To aid this effort you can get your very own wristband that is red and blue like the Haitian flag.  The red part of the wristband says "Hands Helping Haiti" and the blue portion has the Schools Count Corp. website.  By the way, the blue portion of the flag represents the colored population and that with an African connection while the red part of the flag signifies the multi ethnic composition of the country.

To get your own wristband, for a mere $2, simply contact me at rich219@comcast.net and I'll get it in the mail today!  Don't wait, join the cause!

Thanks for your support!
Dick Flesher

Monday, April 5, 2010

New Orleans Helps Haiti!

With far too many people in this country espousing  what students are and aren't achieving, too much is lost on much of the public when it comes to the enormous good so many of them do for others.  Many schools have organizations such as Student Council, ACE, Student Government, Key Club, Let's Help Out, and others which aid the elderly, shut-ins, and those who simply need a helping hand.

Speaking of helping, Schools Count Corp couldn't function without the assistance of schools in our 'Go Green' recycling program.  I'll have much more to report on regarding our recycling program in the coming days.  Suffice it to say, it is a fundamental aspect of getting children desperately needed school supplies.

Recently, we undertook an initiative to rebuild Institute Mixte Nao School in Haiti.  To our sheer amazement we have had a number of Chicago area schools run fundraisers to assist us in raising the needed cash to construct IMN.  Included among them are Downers Grove South High School, Hinsdale Central High School, Lockport Township High School, and Orland Center School.  One other school has jumped aboard with a donation of funds, Benjamin Banneker Elementary in New Orleans.

Many of the people at Banneker; teachers, students, administrators and parents suffered greatly at the hands of Hurricane Katrina.  And for many of them, they are still recovering from the staggering economic and emotional toll of the storm.  I know that for a fact.  For this school to take the time to gather the funds for IMN is wonderful.  For them to gather the enormous sum of cash they have donated to Schools Count and, in turn, to provide them to IMN, is remarkable.  Remarkable, in that they care for others and remarkable in light of their own ongoing needs.

What an amazing story, one school almost destroyed in a hurricane coming to the aid of one destroyed in another land!

Dick Flesher

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Aid Arrives to IMN

Not only has Schools Count Corp, along with Kids4Good, helped to rebuild Institute Mixte Nao in Haiti, we have also been busy getting the children needed supplies.

Erik Badger, of Haiti Partners, has sent along this photo which shows the children with zip lock bags of supplies.  Between Kids4Good and Schools Count we were able to get the children folders, paper, pens and pencils and Erik took them to Darbonne last week.

Our goal with IMN continues to be one of comprehensive assistance.  We will continue to aid the school director/principal, Maxandre, with funds for further construction, pay for the teachers, money for books and various resources for classroom use.  Now is no time to let up.  Now that the students are back in class we want to help the children, and their parents, get the best education possible!

Thanks to one and all for getting the students back to school so soon!

Dick Flesher

Girls Singing at IMN

Classes Singing at IMN

IMN School Opens

Driving into Port Au Prince

IMN School Welcome

Tour of IMN School

IMN School