Haiti Assessment Team Report #1
The team arrived safely but tired exactly 24 hours after our journey began in Jacksonville on Thursday at 6:30am. Once we arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic we took a local taxi to a section of town known as Duarte. We had asked the taxi driver to help us secure a bus to Jimani, the border town between DR and Haiti. He evidently called ahead and warned them about the number of bags we had, because an empty trailer was hooked up and waiting for us when we arrived. What followed was something out of a movie; a six hour ride in a crowded bus; filled with Dominicans going to Jimani and Haitians trying to get into Haiti to check on family; traveling through tiny towns not on the tourists maps; assisted by friendly travelers happy to share advice and the stories of why they were on this journey. The only thing missing were live chickens.
The problem came when we arrived at Jimani, the buses terminal stop and I did not see any familiar faces to greet us. I insisted that the bus continue on to the actual border, thinking that our staff would be on the Haiti side waiting for us. Once we were dropped off and the bus left, we realized that that may not have been the best choice. Two hours later our staff found us (they had been waiting for us at the last stop). Hugs were shared and we were finally going to get on our way . . . or maybe not. It seemed that the border was closed and even though several others had been let through, our group was not permitted to pass. After a lot of discussion about missions, medicine, and money, it was decided that we would have to wait until morning to have our bags checked by customs. Five hours later, after trying our best to sleep in the van, we were allowed to pass into Haiti without any trouble. We arrived at the Cabaret Baptist Children’s Home at 6:30am on Friday.
Friday was filled with trying to sleep, unpack, organize, nap, greet workers, hug children, check out the damage, cook, and nap. We did find out that all the children were now sleeping inside the orphanage building. The school is meeting in three of the rooms at the school and under a tree by the church. Many of the parents and teachers are reluctant to have the children in the more damaged rooms of the school building with aftershocks still occurring (for the record, aftershocks were happening daily, especially in Port-au-Prince, but since we arrived we have felt no aftershocks at all where we are). We also found out that some of the earthquake victims stayed in our front yard for the first week, but have gone back to the homes – most of them sleeping outside beside their homes in makeshift tents.
Saturday Kim did a mini “don’t call it a medical clinic” clinic. It was just her and Herby and they saw 30 patients throughout the day. Most of the patients had the usual complaints and symptoms (headache, fever, stomach issues, etc). However, she did encounter one earthquake victim from our area – a young man who had a wall fall on him, injuring his leg. Mike and I did a closer inspection of all of our buildings and found that there did seem to more damage than we originally thought, but still not as bad as others buildings in the community and none that appeared unsafe for use at this time. Mike prepared a report of the damages and suggested repairs needed. We also had to order a tanker truck of water for the orphanage, because it had not rained, much water had been used to help the victims, and the cistern was empty.
Sunday morning brought a special time of worship and a chance to brag on the church and assure them that the churches of JBA and the many friends of Haiti were lifting them up in prayer. I was also able to tell them that mission teams were on their way to work with the church in helping the community. Sunday lunch was interrupted by a phone call stating that a military helicopter filled with supplies was on the way to the local soccer field and that we had to get there immediately to keep order and get the supplies we needed. After a mad dash to the soccer field and a quick meeting with our staff about crowd control, Necker, our chief of security, announced what was happening to the group that gathered. One hour later, after the chopper never showed, we had to apologize to the crowd and slip away quickly. Another hour later, a chopper circles over our orphanage and everyone runs out to see what was going on. The chopper doesn’t land, but instead flies back toward Port-au-Prince. Later that afternoon, we journeyed into the community to assess the health and building needs. We were accompanied by a few members of the church’s relief committee and we were able to add to their list of who needs help in the community. We found one lady injured by the earthquake and approximately 17 damaged homes in the community. We determined that one of the largest needs in our community is the economic stress being placed on households who are taking in friends and family who are victims of the earthquake (whether they were in Port-au-Prince or in the Cabaret area). This is why feeding the people in our area is so important and why we are seeking to be a distribution point for the humanitarian aid in our area. Sunday evening, our staff surprised us with a wonderful Haitian meal. A short planning meeting took place over the table, followed by a phone call to the medical team firming up last minute plans for their arrival and subsequent work on Tuesday.
At the time of this writing, we have been unable to repair the bus, we have cut down two trees to prepare the landing area inside our compound and we are waiting on the helicopter to bring the supplies. Kim is also doing check ups on her mini-clinic from Saturday and another earthquake victim was discovered and her injury has been treated. I have also been in touch with two ministry contacts in Port-au-Prince about utilizing our medical team when they arrive. Neither one could use them this week, but both provided other contacts who may need them. Kim was able to check with the local Cabaret clinic and another clinic in Titanyen, a community nearby.
My overall impression is that the real devastation the earthquake caused in Haiti, beyond the destruction of buildings and loss of life, is the added stress it is placing on already overstressed systems, whether they be the government, businesses, ministries, or families. Our recommendation at this time is to repair the exterior security wall, which will allow our complex to be used as a secure distribution site. A plan is being developed through the church to rebuild houses in the community, while adding a trade school class to our academy to teach block laying. We have been approached by families, groups and pastors about taking in 18 different children as a result of the earthquake. We are prayerfully examining each situation.
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Just read your first blog, thanks for all your work David.
Thank you for keeping this update going.
Praying daily for wisdom and strength to do what you need to do.
Mike,
If you get my email, please let me know the status. Let me know what we can do. Fred and his crew are willing to help in any way.
Claudia Davis
David and Donnie, Bless you both for your work in Haiti. It seems a world away from home, until I read your messages.
God bless you all for what you are doing. You will remain in my prayers and I look forward to your safe return even though I know that you would like to remain and continue doing what you are doing.
Haiti may not be in our newspapers anymore but they are still in our hearts and prayers. Thanks you for going and updating. love ya!