Out of commission for a while, but I'll be back


On Monday, May 17th, I go to UConn Medical Center for a left knee replacement. Don't expect much on the blog until I'm back home and in recovery mode, probably a week or so.

Metropolitan Learning Center ROCKS for Haiti


The students at the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield have pulled out all the stops in support of rebuilding Haiti. They've held a concert with bands and choirs and put together an awesome art show. Check out some of their pieces below or go to the Festival Website to get the whole picture. 

Team 5 Rendezvous in Stamford


Joanne Kimball, Public Information Coordinator, and many members of the mighty Team Five met for a reunion dinner in Stamford, CT on May 9. Present were nurses Theresa Norris, Gertrude Plaza, Geraldine Baptiste-Anderson, Laura Maycock, Stephanie Tillman and Marleine Salomon. The Pharmacy was represented by Eric Heininger and Joanne. 

Joanne reports, "It was wonderful to be with friends we feel we've known forever (though Stephanie kept remarking in awe, "Everyone looks so clean!") and share stories of our amazing time in Haiti (though ALL concurred that the roosters had to go). We all expressed our desire and commitment to go back and continue to work with the people we came to love in our little neighborhood of Waney in Carrefour. 

"A highlight of the evening was when Geraldine and Gertrude graciously presented each of us with a lovingly prepared photo album that showcased the clinic and a field trip taken to Petion Ville. You twins rock!

Joanne Kimball reported to the group that "plans are every much underway to rebuild École le Bon Samaritain, including a healthcare clinic. And while it will take some time to complete the initial plans and raise funds, there is no doubt that we will accomplish our goal. So keep checking our blog for updates as we move forward!"

Jamie!!!!!!! 


Let me tell you what this Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund is all about. In a single word, JAMIE.


Jamie is a student at the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield. Today and next week they are hosting the 3rd annual Global Ideas Festival Haiti. Already this 7-12 school has donated thousands of dollars to the rebuilding effort not to mention packaging over 800 bags of pedialyte for the Clinic in Carrefour.


Today, Joanne Kimball and I had the pleasure of visiting the school and being the keynote speakers at the first session of the Global Ideas Festival Haiti. We began by thanking the students and faculty for all they had done to help with the Clinic. Then, we showed the Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund video and told some stories about our time in Haiti in February and March. 

When everybody had left to go to their classrooms, a single girl, Jamie, came down the aisle and asked me, "Are you collecting money today?" I said, "Sure. We can always use any gift that's offered." At which point Jamie gave me $3 in rolled up dollar bills and said, "Here. Thanks for everything you're doing." 


From one American student to a whole school of children in Carrefour, Haiti, $3. It's what Jamie had ... and she gave it from the depth of her heart. Thank you Jamie. THANK YOU!!!

Two 20' X 30' Tents Ordered for École le Bon Samaritain

Two tents have been ordered at a 45% discount for École le Bon Samaritain in Carrefour. They will be shipped to the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in the Bronx where The Rev'd Diego Dalgando-Miller is Rector. Fr. Delgado-Miller is acquiring a 40' container to fill with medical supplies for Haiti and our tents will be added to the shipment along with a donated dental suite for the clinic in Gros Morne.

These are frame tents which can be taken down reasonably easily when a hurricane approaches. They are very stable and shed water nicely. We've also purchased sides for both tents. Each tent will have two opaque sides and two with windows. We expect that most of the time, the sides will be rolled up. The best news is that the two tents are large enough to accommodate two classes each.

Special thanks to Celina Tents of Celina, Ohio and Dennis Desrochers, treasurer at Old St. Andrew's, who has shepherded this project.


Meanwhile, we continue to discuss land issues. We cannot move forward with plans to demolish the old school or to design the new building until these questions are satisfactorily answered. Both Jean-Elie and Mona Millien are doing the best they can to clarify the issues. Stay tuned.

May 16 - Remembering Haiti


A Day Of Solidarity And Prayer For Haiti’s Lost Sons And Daughters will be held on May 16, 2010 in New York. The New York memorial begins with prayers at the Grand Army Plaza Archway at noon. At 1 p.m., those gathered will march across the Brooklyn Bridge to Foley Square Park. At 4.53 p.m. there will be a moment of silence in memory of the thousands of Haitians who died in the January 12th earthquake.

For more information click here or on the link above.

Martine Volcimus receives treatment at Stamford Hospital
As you may recall, Martine Volcimus lost her leg during the earthquake saving her sister, Minouche's adopted daughter, Angelina who is now safely in the U.S. Stamford Hospital has sponsored her rehabilitation and arranged for her to have a prosthetic leg.


She is doing very well and I am told that the entire Rehab unit is reveling in helping her out. It's an awesome way to contribute to disaster relief one-to-one. Thanks again to Congressman Himes.

Trinity Church, Newtown's Extraordinary Generosity

The children of Trinity Episcopal Church hosted a Call of Hope for Haiti on Friday at the Blue Z Coffee House, 127 S. Main St. in Newtown, and then held an hour-long forum on Sunday to learn more about Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund efforts. Joanne Kimball, the Public Information Coordinator for the project, visited Trinity, spoke and answered questions. 


In a nutshell, this week we plan to order two large tents. Discussions continue about the most appropriate locale to rebuild École le Bon Samaritain. Jean-Elie Millien is still here in the States meeting with supporters and working on details. As you might imagine the task is formidable. Meanwhile, about 35 children are re-enrolled and taking classes, some in the Stamford Police Department tent and others in spaces made available to us.

Contributions continue to come in. One of the best parts of Joanne's visit to Trinity was that the children gave her a check for $1,240.60, the money raised at the Blue Z Coffee House. Even more money was raised on Sunday morning. WoW! Thank you children of Trinity and thanks to all the others who have made this awesome gift possible.


By the way, the Trinity children named their project "Haiti's Octopi" because the octopus has many arms, each doing a lot of work together. How cool  is that? Again, THANK YOU KIDS.