I just returned from a week in Leogane, Haiti. The epicenter of the earthquake that leveled what was left of Haiti after the giant hurricane.
I was there with 450 other volunteers for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2011. JRCWP is an annual Habitat for Humanity International event that rotates from site to site, domestically and overseas. Two years ago I went with volunteers to Thailand.
Both trips I was invited by Women Build, part of Habitat for Humanity International, a division that was founded to encourage women to get more involved in building. Women Build teams are meant to foster a welcome environment for women of all skill levels and physical ability. They also often include men, since the goal is not to exclude anyone, but include everyone. Our team included two great guys who were invaluable. For instance, Carl, who often positioned himself in places I probably wouldn't go.
Since the week was filled with a huge number of experiences, impressions, and wonderful people, this blog will mostly be pictures. Beginning with our gathering place, Atlanta, where 450 volunteers met and received equipment and instructions.
A sea of hard hats and tool bags...
Jimmy and Rosalynn gave us an overview of Habitat's efforts in Haiti (a five year commitment at this point) and cheered us on. Despite Jimmy having two new knees (August), being 87 and Rosalynn 84, they came with us to build.
Delta Airlines provided our two charter flights.
And the pilot made sure he could see clearly as he flew us there. I didn't know they did this!
We flew 2.5 hours to Port Au Prince. Have you ever heard of "Planet Airways"? Perhaps defunct.
Then we loaded buses, and headed off to Leogane. About 25 miles, but 2 hour's drive because of poor roads and traffic. I'll just put photos here so that you can see Haiti as I saw it from the bus.
The tarps and tents are temporary, but now permanent, homes. The truck is a typical affordable taxi.
Can you balance a cooler on your head?
Amazingly, out of the rubble, there are signs of commerce here and there...
And even more amazingly, little girls get their hair done, and school kids appear every day in clean, pressed uniforms. They arrive on motorcycles, ferried by guys who pay off their bikes from the small fares they get every day.
finally...
CAMP HABITAT
We arrived to a gated community of tents, generators, outdoor cold showers, and Irish food. The Irish group Haven, who built houses before we got there, stayed on to cater the food for our week. Fortunately for all of us, they were also allowed to open a PUB. Since we couldn't go anywhere at night, we LOVED our pub.
My tent, which I shared with 13 other women...
The dining hall was air-conditioned with WIFI. I saw someone sleeping there one night.
Ummm... yum? That's mashers in the middle... and we often had jello with something for dessert... Jello with ice cream, jello with custard... but we were grateful for anything the Irish could manage for us. AND, afterwards—there's BEER!
It really did feel like we were in an episode of M*A*S*H. Including the helicopters, which brought the Carters into camp after visits to the Dominican Republic.
OK, enough for one post. Next...
THE SANTOS COMMUNITY HABITAT BUILD...complete with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. I'm not kidding.
Your photo essay is wonderful, and just proves what I've always thought--the people of this world are beautiful. Bless you and all of the others who worked so hard on this worthwhile project. We don't see enough pictures showing the true conditions in Haiti on TV anymore, and yours are straight from the heart. Thank you.
Posted by: Mary Morgan | November 15, 2011 at 08:50 PM
Jan! This is your long lost cartoonist friend, Big Al, the gal. I am so excited that you went to Haiti. It sounds like it was a really cool trip. I'm not sure if you know or not but we adopted our son from Haiti. Due to a stunning miracle, we were able to bring him home 2 months before the earthquake two years ago. His name is Luc. :oD -Al
Posted by: Allison Garwood | November 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Al!So nice to hear from you!
That is so exciting about your son. Im sure hes a gorgeous little guy.Wow, youre a mom! And I bet an amazing one. Send me pictures!
xo jan
Posted by: Jan Eliot | November 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Thank you so much for your kind words, and your appreciation of my trip to Haiti. It was hard, hot, and amazing. Ill be posting more today. I am hoping for the best from Haiti. Its quite overwhelming... but I feel really good about what Habitat (and other groups) are doing there. What they really need is a functioning, uncorrupt government. Hope for the best with the new Prez!
Posted by: Jan Eliot | November 16, 2011 at 11:36 AM