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! 

Dear new Haitian Government officials,

I know you probably don't care what I think but I'm going to share anyway. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm not shy with my opinions.

The way I see this... it's going to work out one of two ways and the choice will be yours.

You can follow all of your predecessors and leave your people sitting in tents and mud hovels, pocket every extra penny you can get your hands on, feed your own egos for the moment, rub shoulders with other high up muckety mucks and go to sleep at night knowing your bank accounts are growing, your visa is good and soon enough you will be able to live comfortably somewhere else in this world.

OR

You can look into your hearts, ask for guidance from God when you say your prayers at night, stay true to your country, seek out others who truly want to see Haiti rise from the dust and turn your country around. 

One outcome will send your name down in history as just another corrupt government official, you will be cussed and dammed and a plague upon your children and grandchildren will forever haunt your family.

The second outcome will insure the world sings your praises for 500 years.  There will be statues built to commemorate your great achievements and you will go down in history as the people who accomplished what the world never thought would happen. 

The choice is yours every morning, every night, every day.  I wish you the very best and have placed my faith in you.  My students deserve a better Haiti and you have the ability to make a difference.  

God bless you and God bless Haiti.

Sincerely,

An American mother of many Haitian students

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!

The good looking young men of Haiti

Have you ever looked at a magazine and said to yourself now that's one good looking guy!  I thought I would present you with some of the best looking young men in Haiti.  All are looking for a job. 

Time for graduation!

Bengil and Elie

Jonas, Jameson and Dieuve

Milot, Elie, Ralph, Ibens

Bengil and Blaise

Milot, Jhonny, Guervins, Dieuve, Josias, Ralph

Jhonny, Benjil and Elie

The graduating class and the new students