Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe's Facebook cover picture

This is a cover page from PM Laurent Lamothe's Facebook page.  Click on the picture and you can visit his page. 

Under this picture are comments.  They range from complimentary to insulting. 

Usually I don't have much to say about things like this but as I looked at this picture, before I read the comments I had a few thoughts.

1. Wow looks pretty.

2. It looks like some houses in Europe. 

3. I wonder if the paint was paid for by the Haitian government.

4. My first thoughts about Haiti when I got there was that they needed a million gallons of paint to brighten up the place.  I was glad to see someone else had the same thought.

5. Bright colors lighten everyone's spirits. That's nice.

6. Some of my friends in Haiti live in houses that look just like this without paint. 

7. When the earthquake hit Haiti, many of these "kinds" of homes fell down the sides of the mountains.

8. My friend Annie could make these houses safe with her building methods.  How can I help her promote her building system?

9.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone that lived in these homes had running water and waste water treatment?

10. How much does one of these homes cost to buy?

11. Can I buy one of these homes?

12. Is it a positive move to brighten up the mountain side without addressing the safety issue?

13. No one must own a car because it looks to me like you must walk into that neighborhood.

14. Is this the same mountain side that I took a picture of?  And even if it wasn't doesn't it look much better than it use to?

UPDATE:

Now that I've been in Haiti for three months.  I thought maybe I'd mention that the houses you see, brightly decorated with pretty colors... don't have glass in the windows or even walls on some of the sides of the buildings. 

“All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” 
― Friedrich Nietzsche

Haiti? No... South Dakota

As any of my followers know, I've applied to Teach for America and I'm in the waiting period.  The face to face interview is in a few days.  But in the meantime, I've been teaching English to my kids in Haiti and reading everything I can about South Dakota.  So this is what I've found. Alcoholism affects 8 out of 10 families. The housing shortage is large. There are families that live for months in a tent.  An average of 17 people live in a house built for four. Approximately 49% of the households are without electricity. The houses are lacking stoves, refrigerators, beds and furniture. Water is stored in fifty gallon containers. Malnutrition is rampant. Families lack money to buy food. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, alcohol related accidents, and violence is common place.  Twelve year old children have been treated because of venereal diseases.  Early sexual activity leads to a high number of teen pregnancies. Diabetes is found in 45% of the adults. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects including abnormalities affects every aspect of the population.  Bi-polarity and manic depressive disorder lead to suicide. Teen suicide is the second leading cause of teen death rates.  The rate for abuse and neglect is double the US rate. 40% of all cases of child abuse are not reported. Sexual abuse causes changes in school performance, aggressiveness, depression and suicide attempts. 

I find it amazing how many similarities there are between the South Dakota kids and my Haiti kids.  What may be seen as a great disparity between the United States and Haiti is not so different in reality. It's time someone started shouting this from the hilltop. 

South Dakota? No.... Haiti

English Classes in Haiti

Yesterday, just when I was having what my Haiti sister and I call "Haiti withdrawals" one of the kids (maybe I should call him a young man) IM'd me on Facebook and told me that he and a group of friends got together, found a place that has a computer and Skype.  They asked if I would teach them on Monday.  So... that was today and we held class for a little over an hour.  It was great and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the class.  There were only five students but that was perfectly fine.  All the students were unknown to me before 3:00 today. So we spent just a few minutes exchanging our names then we got right to work.  My first class is always going over the a-b-c's and the sounds that the letters make.  Creole speakers have a tendency not to open their mouths when they talk and when the English words come out... often they sound like something close but not exactly.  This group of guys speak English "piti" meaning only a tiny bit.  But I'm always amazed because when I share my screen and type a word, they almost always can, what I'll call read... the words.  So to practice our sounds I typed the words, chip, ship, sheep.  We practiced and practiced until my ears could actually hear the differences between the words. Then I asked them to try using the words in a sentence.  Well, as it turns out they had no idea what any of those words meant. Now I'm smiling because sure, they can say those words but they have no idea what they are saying.  Time here for the teacher (read Vicki) to back up and do some checking.  Chip<<< what does that mean? OH no clue!  Chips, potato chip, you know fried potatoes?  No? Ok, well let's see..... (Many times in Haiti, things are called the name brand) so I tried "Frito lay" and the smiles came out!  So now we know chips!  Ship was easy to explain with a few hand movements and the word water, and sheep was easy enough it's mouton. The class ended about an hour and a few minutes later with promises to see each other again on Friday at 3:00 (central time)  

Now you might be wondering why I'm talking about this when my last couple of posts have been about Teach for America.  This is why.  My heart lives in Haiti but a side trip to South Dakota is what God has planned for me. (I think)  I've already begun a blog that will be used to connect the kids in Haiti to the kids in South Dakota. I think they will find they have more in common than either one of them will believe.  I've been spending hours researching the kids in South Dakota and found they have a low graduation rate and something like every 26 seconds a kid (across the US) drops out of school.  I think pairing up kids in Haiti with kids in South Dakota will be a good thing. The kids in Haiti would give anything to have the chance to go to school, maybe they can encourage the kids in SD to stay in school.  Just thinking about Skyping with the two classes at the same time makes me excited!  

If this doesn't work out with Teach for America I'm sure there is a reason. I'm trusting that God always knows that what ever He has planned for me, is ok with me. But until TFA tells me to pack my bag, you can find me teaching English to students at 4:00 (Haiti time) Look for us on Skype.  We'll conference you in! 

"Pay it Forward" is launched!

The "Pay it Forward" plan has begun. My students have received money to pay travel expense to go to the Bio-Medical class. When they finally get a paying job they will "Pay it Forward" to the next students. I believe it's the first student loans in Haiti, sponsored by a few generous people. If you would like to be a part of the VERY FIRST "Pay it Forward" plan, please let me know. We could really use your help. Going to school in Haiti is a challenge all its own. Paying for it is an impossible task without people like you who are willing to give them a hand up. They are committed, will you commit to add to the "Pay it Forward" plan?

Future Bio-medical equipment technicians

I would like to announce the acceptance of four of the future leaders of Haiti into the Rotary Bio-medical equipment technician program. The students each received a full scholarship for a two year program where they will learn how to install and repair medical equipment. The Rotary Tech program has also committed to accepting more of my students in 2013 when the next class begins. I would like to congratulate Elie Francois, Mackenzy Désir, Jivenson Joseph and Jhonny Lindor for their commitment to furthering their education, learning English and helping their country. If you would like to help pay for their transportation by bus to the city about 60 miles from where they live, (not included in the scholarship) please let me know. I am one proud mom and teacher!

Elie

MacKenzy

Jhonny

Jivenson

Laurent Lamothe

"Fok Pep La Jwenn"

@vickisvision thank you

— Laurent Lamothe (@LaurentLamothe) July 8, 2012

Long Term Development

I sit here day after day contemplating how to best help my students. I've come to the realization the best way is not to ask someone to give them money, send them some clothes or even pay for the food they eat. Sure, all of those things make us feel great about ourselves and usually those things are a pretty easy sell, but they aren't really focused on what my students need most which is skills to use for long term development of themselves and their country. They need to be connected to a whole sphere of networks that are working towards productivity and change. Then need tuned into people like Teach the World Online, that teaches them free English. They need to be hooked up with Global Panel Solutions-Haiti which offers them classroom instruction on construction skills and then takes them from the classroom to the building site for hands on learning. Once they've accomplished those goals they need an introduction to entrepreneurs around the world who want to take an accomplished construction worker to the next step by providing him micro financing and personal guidance. Finally they need the support of their government to allow them to make the changes they know so well that their country needs. Then and only then will we have focused on what my students need the most - long term development of themselves and their country.

I am reaching out to those of you that can provide the support my students need. Step up to the plate, support Teach the World Online and Global Panel Solutions-Haiti. If you are a successful business person offer to take one of my students under your wing, provide them the necessary guidance that they need to become successful. If you are a member of their government, reach out to them, call them, send them a letter express your appreciation for their steadfast desire to achieve long term development of themselves and their country.

It takes a village to build a country!

Let's think outside the box!

I've been saying that we need to change how the kids are taught in Haiti since I started teaching there.  They have thousands of kids from 5 to 25 who are at so many different levels. Some have never attended school, some have gone to school for a year or two or maybe only a few months.  We need to gather them up and teach them at their level regardless of their age. We need to teach vocations to the kids who are 12 and older.  Skip the well rounded education, help them get skills that they can use to get a job. If we can't teach them skills that will help them get a job... 10 years from now Haiti will be full of young adults that have never been to school and have no employable skills.  What will be left for them? Begging or thieving.  Annie and I have hatched a plan!  GPSI-Haiti is on it's way kids! 

Here's where the money went

Many times my friends ask me where the money went after the earthquake in Haiti. 


Here is a summary.


Money from the United States: Of the $1.4 billion promised to Haiti, $655 million in funds was reimbursed to the Department of Defense.



$220 million went to repay the US Department of Health and Human Services for "stuff" for the people right after the earthquake.


$350 million went to disaster assistance-medical care and sanitation.


$150 million to the US Department of Agriculture for more rice.


$15 million to the Department of Homeland Security for Immigration fees and aircraft fares for the lucky few injured Haitian refugees brought to the United States.


It gets worse.


There was $2.4 Billion pledged by all the other people in the United Nations.


34 percent or $864 million of those funds were given back.


28 percent or $672 million was given to UN and non-governmental humanitarian projects such as housing and health-care. Only $184 million has been actually “obligated to projects”. The rest is still unspent and not many house have been built thus far.


26 percent or $624 million was given to contractors for things like road-building and infrastructure. I didn't see any new roads when I was there and infrastructure is almost non existent.


5 percent $120 million was given to various international Red Cross/Red Crescent societies.


According to a professor of foreign affairs at the University of Virginia. REAL Haitian people got LESS THAN ONE percent of the money. 99% went back to the countries including the USA that promised the money for the services they provided. Yes, the Haitians benefited from the services of all of the above, but you can clearly see that the money does not stay in Haiti. Nor did it drill any wells so they would have water or fix many roads. The the last time I was there I saw the people still carrying rubble away by hand.

It's time we quit wondering why our money isn't doing any good to help the people of Haiti. 

Vicki in Haiti

My student Jhonny (yes Jh...) loves JFK and expecially loves the quote, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".  Well Jhonny, let me tell you...we promise we are going to do for your country!

On November 29, 2011 President Martelly and President Clinton were at the IDB Forum in Port au Prince.  I was fortunate enough to be at the same forum.  During this forum President Martelly announced, "Haiti is open for business."  Indeed it is!  In this picture President Clinton and I had just talked and he was signing some papers so I took the moment to take his picture. (It's kind of hard to take a picture of someone WHILE you are talking to them!) 

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I was also lucky enough to meet Vicente Fox the former President of Mexico. Mexico is supporting the growth of Haiti!  Thank you President Fox!

This is the reason Haiti is working so hard to invite investors-the children.  The kids in this picture are living next to the property where my team is hoping to build 204 houses.  During the site visit the kids were gathered around and I asked another team member (Ricardo) to take our picture.  In Haiti learning English is important.  If we are awarded the 204 house contract from USAID, I'll go to Haiti to teach English.  We plan to teach to build while learning English and.... we know it can be done!  The next picture is of my students who have learned English in less than a year, one hour a day via Skype with me.  These guys have changed my life!

They are the future leaders of Haiti!
 

This is Nadège Robertson Tippenhauer and Hans Tippenhauer. Nadège and I spent several hours chatting about all of the great things that women can do in Haiti. She's a really cool lady all on her own. Executive Director of http://foundationhopeforhaiti.org/ she's devoted to helping the kids of Haiti. She's my kind of woman! Her husband Hans is an advisor to President Martelly. Together they are going to do good things for Haiti and I love their energy and commmitment!

And last but not least, this is Annie getting a hug from President Clinton.  She's the team leader and I'm proud to be on her team!  Together two housewives from America are going to help change Haiti!  Please join us!  Send me an email at vickisvision@gmail.com and offer something... thoughts, suggestions, money, your time.... anything.  I promise that I will be able to use your skills to help Haiti rise from the dust!

Hurricane Irene

As hurricane Irene sets her site on my students in Port au Prince. These are the messages I recieve from my students.  There are an estimated 600,000 people still living in tents, some of them are my students.

Jhonny Lindor listen mom haiti is still in the bad situation don't you know you are our mom in haiti do not leave us alone mom please we need your help haiti mom all i know one day can help my self and others i love you mom

 

 

Please Jesus do something because "HAITI" is still under tents.

Jameson Ostine

That's me!

Yes, I'm proud to say I was a featured member of Rebuild Haiti Better!

I'm proud to be among many who are dedicated to rebuilding Haiti!

Artists for Hope

One of my favorite places to shop.  Artists for Hope.

I am your friend

This is for my 4:00 students... I'm missing them.

Cholera-a quick needless death

Question: What causes cholera?
Answer: Exposure to contaminated or untreated drinking water

Question: Is there a treatment?
Answer:Treatment is to replace fluid and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Depending on the condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein (intravenous). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill.

Question: Can I die from cholera?
Answer: YES-Expecially if you are in Haiti.

Question: Does anyone care?
Answer: Yes, Lori and Licia @ Real Hope for Haiti

Question: Do you care?
Answer: Click here to find the answer.

Plezime

Cholera Update

Mourning cholera victims Partners In Health

Pick one... anyone....

I have had several readers ask about how they can help my students in Delmas 33. Although Teach the World Online provides free English lessons to all students, there are some students who are still living in tents and in less than desirable conditions.  They are working very hard to go to school in addition to attending my English classes.  School supplies are almost inaccessible to most students.  The luxury of a spiral notebook and a pen that works is beyond the reach of some. Without a piece of paper and a pen, it's pretty hard to take notes, practice, do homework and share your knowledge with someone else.  I have opened an account which will allow me to transfer money to the students and although I am not a "nonprofit" you can be assured every penny you send, will be given directly to the students.  I will personally pay the transfer fee.  If you would like to gift any amount to the Delmas 33 students you may do so by sending it to Paypal.  Upon receipt of your money, I will transfer it to the student who is in the most need at the moment.  You can expect a thank you letter from that student, via e-mail within three days.  If they can find a camera, they'll also take a picture and send it to you. 

By sponsoring a student you can help fight poverty in Haiti by helping them have a pen and paper on which to write their homework. 

I can assure you, there is nothing more important that you can do than to help a person who desires something as simple as "a chance".

Here is a picture of my class.  Pick one.... anyone....

Vicki's Vision is shared by Jurate

Thank you Jurate

for the

 wonderful party in

Delmas 33

My First Moments in Haiti - with new my students

There is very little to say, I believe after you watch this movie you will know there are no words that could ever describe how we are feeling.

I have a question.

I am all for the United States Navy. They are my heros in so many ways. All around the world our men (including my two sons) and women serve our country and provide support to so many other contries. On April 6 the HSV 2 Swift finally delivered nearly $1 million worth of relief supplies to Haiti. However, the Navy’s program Project Handclasp spokesperson said because of various transport difficulties the bulk of the food had passed its expiration date and had to be thrown away.

Now I know most food has an expiration date of a “long time” which tells me that the food either was old to begin with or it’s been sitting in a warehouse for a “long time”. Which is it?

If it was old to begin with, why did Project Handclasp accept it in the first place? If it has been sitting in a warehouse that long, why is that? Someone needs to be doing their job a little better. It is not only wasteful, it is heartbreaking.

Commander Lewis Preddy, said sending the food on a ship earlier would have meant drawing down resources from humanitarian missions elsewhere and I wouldn’t want that to happen either. But I would like to know who didn’t check the expiration dates before it was loaded on that ship.

We are the United States, we make things happen in a timely fashion. Commander Preddy, you need to check the expiration dates a little closer.