Early yesterday morning we headed to PaP, to the Canadian Embassy, with the fantastic workteam from NS and BC that had been here for two weeks. They certainly had more than they bargained for on this trip. We had the group of 13 Canadians, Luckner, two Haitian police armed, and myself (half Canadian and half Haitian now). We made it to the Embassy, through the mass of people outside, and inside the Embassy compound. I was extremely relieved and very thankful to see them all safely inside. At the same time I was very sad to see them leave. I wanted to hold unto the leader, Gerry, especially. He was a tower of strength for me in many ways during their time here. Knowing I was coming back to face it all alone was difficult.
Thank you to everyone who came with Gerry to work at HATS. You are a fantastic group of people who worked hard, gave my kids a lot of attention, supported each other, and me. You ended up with a lot more than you bargained for when signing up to come for this two week period. The way you all handled the disaster, and the way you jumped in to help because of it, touched me. I am very proud of all of you.
I saw bodies on the road both going and returning yesterday. On the way home I cried when I saw a payloader dumping bodies into a mass grave outside PaP. The radio said that 70,000 bodies had been picked up and put there. They had to be removed so they would not cause disease for those who had survived. Between Thursday, when we went to PaP to help, and yesterday, Monday, I saw more road damage, and more buildings had fallen. The radio stations say damaged businesses and houses are continuing to fall.
Speaking of damaged buildings – we have lots of problems here at HATS. We have a lot more problems than originally thought. Gerry and I assessed the damage done to this mission compound. We saw problems and knew funds were needed quickly. Today, however, I did another thorough assessment and things are much worse than before.
The house that had been used for storage, and was in the process of being prepared to house our boys, is of extreme danger. The damage is beyond repair. The cement is not only cracking but is splitting open now – walls and roof. We can no longer allow the children to play near it, or anyone to sit near it. It has to come down before it falls. I need to build another house for the boys on that land. My house is also showing more problems which means there is more danger here as well. I no longer allow any of my children to come play inside with Ti Luc. I am trying to have him stay outside all day. I must be inside to get any work done but we will continue to sleep outside until this place is really safe. The water tanks must be removed, which means a water tower must be built to support them. I am looking at getting it built behind my house. A water tower and repairs to this place must be done as soon as possible. I decided today to use plywood and put a temporary wall in the meeting/devotion room to use half of that space for storage. I must get everything still stored in that other Children’s Home out by tomorrow.
Sections of the cement block wall which encloses the compound must be replaced as well. We will not know how much until later on, but the wall directly behind my kitchen must be replaced quickly as it could fall down.
I have been contacted today by several people asking for help. The needs are overwhelming. I must get things safe here so I can stay and take care of my children and help others throughout this area as well.
Thank you to all who are praying for Haiti. Thank you to all who have contacted me with encouragement, all who have already donated, all who plan to donate, all who are working hard at fundraising. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I have wet eyes when I think of the love and concern in the hearts of the people outside. I know you want to help. The way to help right now is financially. Funds are desperately needed. There is no way to send anything to Haiti at the moment, besides money. Even that will take longer due to banks in PaP being damaged or demolished.
Prices have skyrocketed, supplies have dwindled greatly already. Line ups for gas are enormously long and the price of diesel (that we use for generator and truck) is now four times the cost per gallon as before the quake. I am using the diesel we have on hand very sparingly. There is no ice to purchase in the area now. Thus, my refrigerator and freezer are operating as cupboards only.
The people in this area are facing yet another problem. We could have a water shortage. The Pelig dam was damaged in the quake and the gates to the dam cannot be opened at this time. For HATS, when the water level in the canal is low our water supply is low as well.
I am alone on the front lines at HATS-Haiti right now, but I am not alone. I am holding tightly to the hand of God. Too, I am holding unto the knowledge that I have lots of people who are praying and who are working hard to help the desperate situation in Haiti.
Despair in the eyes of young people who have lost everything.
There are so many people seeking help that the weak and the young get left out.
Heading for the embassy
Mass exodus from Port-au-Prince to the outlying areas
Saying goodbye to the Nova Scotia team
Thank you. Thank you. God bless each and every one of you.
~Karen
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