Haiti Earthquake Special on PBS - Tuesday, March 30

Here's a link to PBS' Frontline. 

President Clinton Continues To Push For Aid To Haiti


OMEGA MILITARY CONSULTANT


Miami Herald: Haiti Reconstruction Plan Highlights

The beat goes on but we need to continue to listen. 

Stamford Hospital's weekly Newsline features Elourde Joseph


Elourde Joseph, an Xray technician from Stamford Hospital, traveled to Carrefour, Haiti three weeks ago to train Haitian technicians at Adventist Hospital in the use of the new Xray machine donated by Fijifilm and Stamford Hospital. The article explained to Stamford staff just what her role had been and the incredible value of that Xray machine to the people of Carrefour. 

Ann Giuli raises money for tents at Stamford Hospital

Nurse Ann Giuli, who was on Team 1 with Dr. David Reed, has been raising money for tents to be sent to Haiti at the Stamford Hospital cafeteria. She set up a very graphic display--a modern camping tent in juxtaposition to a few poles with a thin cotton cloth on it. 


This, in conjunction with some of Ann's excellent photos from her time in Haiti, draws lots of attention. A bake sale table gives folks a chance to make donations. Some people buy baked goods and others just make their contribution. So far, Ann has raised about $2,500 for tents. 

2 shelters in juxtaposition

Deb Fereli & Pam Koprowski

at the bake sale table

(L-R) David Reed, Pam Koprowski,

Puck Purnell, Joanne Kimball, Ann Giuli

C.S. 211 in the Bronx - What a terrific School!

On Friday, Pam Koprowski, Danelie Millien, Joanne Kimball and I traveled to the Bronx to meet with Rick Feldman's Library students. What we got was a huge dose of a fabulous school.

School Principal Betty Gonzalez-Soto has created an energetic atmosphere of learning and growing. Every single child was well mannered and attentive. Rick had gathered volunteers to read aloud to various classes and the morning started with a large group in the Library. They then dispersed to classrooms for the reading time. One volunteer came back later and told Rick that ten kids said they wanted to check out the book she had started reading.

After the reading period, children and teachers gathered back in the Library to watch out video and to make their presentations to the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund. The pictures below tell the story. Special thanks to Maria Maldonado whose children put together big poster with lovely personalized art work.

Among the things we received were three large rolling duffle bags filled with school supplies that Rick will bring up to Stamford sometime soon. There was also a hand decorated box of notebooks and pens that was given to the children in Haiti. The biggest surprise of all, however, was a box filled with donations. When we got home and counted the dollars and coins, the total was $670.55. On behalf of the children of Carrefour who go to École le bon Samaritain, Thank You C.S. 211!

A box of notebooks & pens

Danelie Millien & Maria Maldonado

Close-up on the Haiti Poster

Principal Betty Gonzalez-Soto with Joanne Kimball,

Danelie Millien & Pam Koprowski

Puck Purnell & Rick Feldman

Mazon Seder at Capitol on Wednesday focuses on hunger


The Jewish Council for Public Affairs sponsored this special Seder to bring attention to issues of hunger in Connecticut, nationally and around the world. Several bills are before the legislature dealing with children's hunger and this was an opportunity to highlight the needs using the ancient Jewish tradition.

Mazon was founded in 1985 as a Jewish response to hunger with the core belief that in a world of plenty, hunger and malnutrition should not exist.


I was invited by Rabbi Stephen Landau of Congregation Tikvoh Chadoshoh in Bloomfield to share in the leadership of the Seder. Because of the work of the Good Samaritain Rebuilding Fund, I was also given the opportunity to explain what we have done in response to the earthquake in Haiti, especially with regards to caring for and feeding for children. I showed some slides and spoke about the plight of Haitians during these post-earthquake days.

Yale School of Nursing reports on Vic Tolentino's Haiti mission


Vic Tolentino, a nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital, traveled to Haiti with Team 3. Yale School of Nursing' News & Events chronicles Vic's work at our clinic. Here is one comment Vic made in the article. Click above to read the whole article.

"We worked in Carrefour, west of Port-au-Prince, in a makeshift clinic set up in a nightclub. We saw close to 200 patients every day, whose complaints ranged from crush injuries and wounds, to respiratory illnesses following exposure to environmental irritants from collapsed buildings. Many patients showed signs of psychological trauma. Others presented with infectious diseases due to overcrowding and poor hygiene. Many patients suffered from untreated chronic conditions from a general lack of access to primary care."

Yale University - Health & Medicine International Bulletin features Dr. David Walker

A detailed article by LuAnn Bishop appears in the March 26th edition of Health & Medicine. In the piece, Dr. David Walker's role at our Good Samaritan clinic is nicely portrayed. The account is well worth a full read. Here's an excerpt.

"During its week-long stay, the team saw 200 to 250 patients a day, helping them with "what medicine and technology we had," says Walker, who admits he keenly felt the lack of much of the basic equipment available back home. "It was just me and my stethoscope and a language barrier," he notes. "We counted on the locals who served as our translators to help be our eyes and ears."

"Walker and the other caregivers offered what treatments they could, given the supplies at hand. "But sometimes," he says, "all we could do was to listen and hand out food or diapers." Of particular concern were patients with chronic ailments, such as high blood pressure, that required special medicines unavailable at the clinic, and those who, prior to the disaster, had been awaiting surgery at hospitals now overcrowded with earthquake victims. When possible, the team members referred these individuals to one of the other medical care facilities that were beginning to be established in the area."

 N. Website


Our volunteer friend Dawn has put up an incredible website. Please, check it out. All about Haiti and her time there plus much more. It's called Smiles & Hope.

United Haitian American Society & Touch a Truck

Bridgeport, Connecticut – (March 25, 2010). Preschoolers are sponsoring a fundraising event to benefit needy schoolchildren in Haiti.  St. Andrew’s Pre-K class, taught by Ms. Erin Amaral will hold its Annual ‘Touch a Truck’ event at St. Andrew School, 395 Anton Street, Bridgeport, CT on May 15, 2010 from 9:00 am to 12 noon on school grounds.  Children of all ages will be able to sit, touch and see various service vehicles and big trucks during this event.  There will be arts and crafts for the little ones, door prizes and refreshments sold.

In light of the devastating earthquake that hit the island nation of Haiti on January 12, 2010 many children were left homeless and orphaned.  Many school buildings were also devastated.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the United Haitian American Society of Norwalk, (UHAS) a nonprofit 501c3 organization who is partnered with the École le Bon Samaritain in Carrefour Haiti to help the children survivors of this earthquake.

To support this event, please send your donation to St. Andrew School, Pre-K ‘Touch a Truck’ Fundraiser. If you wish to donate your time or company vehicle (truck) to this event, you may contact Principal Maria O’Neill or Ms. Erin Amaral at (203) 373-1552 or email us at standrew@cathedralcluster.org.

How nice is this? Thanks UHAS & thank you Ms Erin Amaral and your class.

Riley's School of Dance, Enfield sends donation

Katie DaSilva, who runs Riley's School of Dance in Enfield, CT, has sent a very generous $1,000 check for the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund. Wow! She writes, "Please use this to help the kids in Haiti."


Katie, that's exactly what we'll do. Thank you.

Victoria College Belfast, Northern Ireland


Never a day a day goes by without a surprise. Today's is very pleasant. Sheelagh Schlegel, our supplies & logistics coordinator Gus Schlegel's wife, has a cousin who teaches at Victoria College Belfast, a school for 870 girls, in Northern Ireland. Janis McKnight had heard about the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund and that Sheelagh was involved.

Janis spoke about École le Bon Samaritain in Carrefour, the emergency medical effort, and our on-going work to rebuild the school. Dr D Barr, Deputy Head, writes, "Some of our older students made an appeal in Assembly after hearing about your situation and, as a result, we are able to donate £1170.50 to your school funds." Their extremely generous cheque was enclosed. Considering the current exchange rate, their donation totals $1,750.02.


Thank you Janis McKnight and the young women of Victoria College Belfast from the children and teachers of École le Bon Samaritain, Carrefour, Haiti.

N. is at it again


Dawn is planning another Pedialyte Party. See below for details.

_________________________________________________________

  

Here’s the reminder for Saturday’s Pedialyte Party,  1pm - 4 pm in Bristol, CT.

1.   Please REPLY to this email and confirm if you WILL attend. No need to reply if you will not attend - I just need a count to coordinate supplies for the day.

2.   Please DO NOT “Reply All” unless you really want everyone to read your message.

3.   Please forward this email to anyone that might have interest so they can contact me too!!

I’ve also included a link for directions to the house – look for the map below.

Thanks everyone!!   Email any questions!!

See some of you on Saturday!!   WooHoo!!  Pedialyte Parrrr-tttyyy!!  

Always, Dawn   email:  haiti@dawnsmiles.com  web:  www.dawnsmiles.com

C.S. 211 prepares for our visit on Friday


Rick Feldman and his students in the Bronx are collecting school supplies to give to École le Bon Samaritain. On Friday, several volunteers who have been working on the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund will travel to the Bronx to meet with Rick and some of his students. There, we will show the 9 minute video we've just producesd and chat with the students about Haiti, damage to the school in Carrefour, and how they can continue to help.


Thanks Rick. See you Friday. Here's what Rick sent to his 188 email address this morning.

Read a Loud this Friday. Guests will be available for classes during the second period.Please ask students to bring in one school supply that they would like to donate to our school friends at Ecole Le Bon Samaritain. This could be pencils, paper, markers, erasers, glue, folders, pens, notebooks,etc. Thank you.

Join our partners at Common Cents! Bring in school supplies to send to Ecole Le Bon Samaritain. Thank You

Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund - THE VIDEO

We now have a nice 9 minute video showing what the Good Samaritan Rebuilding project has been all about. The clip was inspired by Sue Vogelman, Youth Director at Trinity, Newtown, when she put together an outstanding short PowerPoint presentation. She took pictures and quotes from the Blog and website and crafted a nice piece.


When I talked with a few people about using Sue's work, I was advised to do a voice-over instead of having the viewers read words and look at photos. The impact, I came to understand, of the pictures is most important and the spoken word can augment those images.


Joanne Kimball used Sue's start and wrote an excellent script. I did the voice-over yesterday afternoon and the home sound studio of our friend musician Cory Gabel. Old St. Andrew's parishioner, Chris Fisher, served, as usual, as media advisor. And so, the video is on the website and here. I'm trying to get it added to the template of the Blog so it's always on top.


This week alone, I'll be presenting it in three different venues: on Tuesday evening with a united Haitian American Society group of architects and engineers, at a Seder with my friend Rabbi Stephen Landau at the Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., and with the children at C.S. 211 in the Bronx on Friday. 


Anybody who wants a copy can download it from my MobileMe Gallery: http://gallery.me.com/puckpurnell#100247


Please use this Video to tell our story to all your friends. Remember, we're just beginning. This will be a long haul. With your support, École le Bon Samaritain in Carrefour will be rebuilt.

Final Team 5 Pictures Arrive


Stephanie Tillman sent the pics this morning. The entire collection is terrific. Unfortunately there's not enough room here for 280 photos. This is a representative batch with captions. Enjoy. Thanks Stephanie.

The clinic door just before 9 a.m.

He is why we are there.

Stephanie & Ribert Pierre, a translator &

the person our friend Amy Arutt saved.

Marleine Solomon & Eric Heininger

making pedialyte using our purified water system.

L'Hopital Sainte Croix in Léogâne

was badly damaged.

A destroyed house in Léogâne.

Total destruction of another house

in Léogâne.

Léogâne refugee camp.

View of Port-au-Prince with the 

Hospital Ship Comfort in the background.

Volunteers Stephanie Tillman & Eric Heininger.

(Go Michigan!)

C.S. 211's participates in Penny Harvest

Our friends at C.S. 211 in the Bronx, led by Library teacher Rick Feldman, are participating in Penny Harvest, a Program of Common Cents. The premise of the program is that adults are not the only ones who can serve, students can, too. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Common Cents created Global Relief Fund: Haiti Recover and Rebuild. Rick sent The Action Guide for Student Leaders which is well worth your time.

École le Bon Samaritain is one of the four recipients of the fund raising. The others are Konbit Pou Edikasyon, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, & Clean Water for Haiti. What an incredible honor to be selected by Common Cents and to share this opportunity to teach American children about Haiti, the Haitian people and the challenges facing Haiti. 


Next Friday, March 26th, some of the Good Samaritan coordinators and volunteers plan to attend the Power Library and Reading Aloud Project at the school. It will give us a chance to meet and thank the students and teachers of C.S. 211.


Here are some folks from Rick Feldman's school.

Old St. Andrew's Behind-the-Scenes Support

None of what has happened in the past 2 months could have been accomplished without the incredible support of the hometown staff. I'm speaking specifically of the parish administrator at OSA, Karen Antonucci, bookkeeper Brian Spooner, and Treasurer, Dennis Desrochers. 


All of the accounting for contributions has passed through this office and the OSA bookkeeping system on PowerChurch. A separate accounting track was set up to manage the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund and all gifts have been recorded in it.


We have tried to acknowledge donations in a timely manner. That said, please know that we have a parish to manage on a day-to-day basis, too. I apologize for some tardiness in acknowledging gifts. If you have not heard from us, I promise you will. Please be patient.

Clinic Planning Group Meets In Stamford

Last night, 11 Good Samaritan Rebuilding volunteers gathered in Stamford to discuss how best to consider establishing a permanent health & wellness clinic in Carrefour. The conversation was wide ranging.


Jens Haerter, the husband of Dr. Patty Jorquera, began the evening by explaining the good, the bad, and the ugly when opening a medical facility in a third world country. He and Patty started a clinic in rural Ecuador about 10 years ago. In that time, they have learned what to do and what not to do. Jens' careful explanations were incredibly helpful. He had also put together several handouts for us summarizing his thoughts. 


Dr. David Reed emphasized that a permanent clinic needs to provide basic medical care--immunizations, physical exams, pre-natal care, etc.--plus health education, especially for women. The clinic would refer serious cases to the hospital or other local medical facilities.


Dr. Patty, Jens, and Dr. Reed all emphasized the importance of local ownership, staffing, and operation of the clinic. American doctors and nurses could augment and train Haitians in certain procedures and come to Haiti to deal with conditions needing advanced intervention. In addition, it was universally agreed that a small fee would be charged. Payment for service gives value to the care, supports the dignity of the patient, and contributes to the cost of running the clinic. 

There is much to be done. Quoting Jens, "I can promise you right now, that it will be twice as long, and twice as hard to do a lot of things, involving the community this way.  But, from everything that we have seen and heard, this is the only approach that will work over the long term."


The group will continue to meet and work on details of opening a permanet clinic in the Waney neighborhood of Carrefour. Thanks for their leadership.


In time, École le bon Samaritain will be rebuilt and, hopefully, space for the clinic will be included. At that time the two initiatives will come together to serve the community in education, healthcare, and community wellness.

Puck Purnell, Gus Schlegel & Pam Koprowski

Ann Giuli, Joanne Kimball & Sheelagh Murphy-Jones

Dr. Patty, Danelie Millien, Dr. Reed & Pam Koprowski

All volunteers are home

After 8 weeks of sending volunteers to Carrefour, all are now back home. The last of Team 5, plus Luc Louisgene, who arrived with Team 1, arrived at JFK early this morning. 


Mona and Jean-Elie Millien continue to operate the clinic with Haitian nurses. The await word from the Education Minister about when Haitian schools will re-open. Please hold them in your hearts and prayers. Who they are and what they have done is extraordinary.

President Obama & President Préval in White House Rose Garden


Barack Obama and Rene Préval met in Washington for private talks on March 10. Here is both the transcript of their public statements and a video of the same. 

We pray that the international community not only continues to keep the plight of the Haitian people in sight but works tirelessly in the coming months and years to build a Haiti that is self-sustaining in education, food, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, housing and transportation. 


It is not enough to talk about the needs of Haiti. Only concerted effort, time, money, and vision will make the difference. The Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund is pledged to do all we can in our small neighborhood of Waney in Carrefour.

Good Samaritain Rebuilding Fund Interim Report


Over the weekend, I wrote an Interim Report which attempts to summarize what has happened and what we have done since the January 12th earthquake in Haiti. While I could have sung the praises of countless people, I decided to keep to the facts.


That said, the team of coordinators has been fantastic. I just want to remind everybody who they are:

Gia Card - Travel

Coulette Lioce - Volunteers

Dave Desmarais - Building

Danelie Millien - Ambassador-at-Large

Joanne Kimball - Public Information

Pam Koprowski - Medical

Gus Schlegel - Supplies & Logistics

Luc Louisgene - Carrefour

They, of course, could not have accomplished as much as they have without YOU--our volunteer team members, people who helped collect, organize, and pack supplies, scores of donors, and others. You know who you are. I hope each person who contributed understands how very important she or he has been to this relief effort.


As I say in the Interim Report, the easy part is over. Now is the hard part--rebuilding the school and setting up a permanent clinic. Please stay with us. Stay in touch and consider making an on-going financial commitment to the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund. Thanks. 

Team 5 on the way home


Although I haven't gotten a phone call yet, Team 5 should be in or on their way to Santa Domingo. unfortunately, the weather in the northeast has been terrible, closing both JFK & LaGuardia last night. There could be quite a back-up today. I just hope everybody makes it back by tonight.

Clinic / School ; School / Clinic


Jean-Elie & Mona have decided that they will keep the clinic operating at a reduced capacity with Haitian nurses as long as school is not open. The Haitian Minister of Education is supposed to set a date for the re-opening of school but nothing has been announced yet.


Once the clinic is closed, the meds, other supplies, the water purification system and electrical system will be moved into the shed. 


By 10:30 this morning, 2 Haitian nurses at the clinic had already seen 30 paitients, including a pregnant woman who is having contractions. She has gone to the hospital.

Jean-Elie is looking for two large tents like the one donated and set up by the Stamford Police Department volunteers on Team 4. Jean-Elie has a friend who has given him space in his yard to use the tents for classrooms.


Is there anybody who can help make these tents appear? Please let me know. 

Isaac Jean-Pierre & George Momplaisir

from the Stamford Police Department

Photos compliments of

Rebecca Newman, creedible.com

Progress on the new shed


Dave Desmarais and Luc Louisgene have both reported that the new shed is coming along. There was one problem with a footing too close to the outside wall, but that was remedied and work goes on. Here are a few pictures of what's been done so far just in case concrete block construction is your thing.

Can't wait to see the finished shed.

Fund Raiser in Stamford at St. John's on Saturday

Quick Reminder!

 

Spectacular Children's Event to Benefit the Rebuilding Fund for Ecole le Bon Samaritain

in Carrefour Haiti  

 

Kids Dance 4 a Change!

Fundraising Ball for Haiti

Sponsored by: The Haitian Women Association of Connecticut, Sosyete Koukouy CT, Organisation Communautaire de Beraud, Eglise de l’Epiphanie, Connecticut Haitian Voice- Newspaper, Haitian-American Professional Association of CT, and the United Haitian American Society of Norwalk, CT

Saturday, March 13, 2010

5:30pm - 8:00pm

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church

(Parish Hall)

628 Main Street

Stamford, CT 06901

 

 

Kids ages up to 13 years old

Dress to Impress for Evening Ball

Your Night to Shine!

Dinner, Music, Dance Contest,

Prizes, and more!

Suggested Donation: $10 per person

Please make checks payable to:

Ecole Le Bon Samaritain

Parents and volunteers Are Welcome!!!

Proceeds will go to

Good Samaritan School

Carrefour, Haiti

Donation Box will be available to collect school materials for Haiti.

More Sponsors Needed

For information contact:

Marike Louis:  203-919-2190  203-919-2190

marikejalouis@hotmail.com

Pascale Millien-Faustin:  203-520-6763  203-520-6763pascalemillien@yahoo.com

Reine C. Boyer: 203-667-6530   203-332-5900 

boyerlaw@yahoo.com