Matthew 25 News

[bcholmes]

HAITI-MARCH 28, 2010

The medical team took the opportunity to work in another camp located about a mile from Matthew 25 on an open piece of land. The camp area looks to be many acres in size, but it was filled with tents so there was no space prespective from which to judge.

The land had been owned by the dictator Duvalier who had it laid out as a planned village, and had put in roads with curbs, but nothing else before he was deposed in 1986. No one with whom we spoke knew who has controlled this acreage, but there has been nothing built on it in all of this time.

The French Red Cross has gained control of it for the time being anyway, and it looks like it will be for quite a long time. They are building schools with two by four frames, and metal roofs. It was in one of these school frames that the medical clinic was set up using tarps for walls and ceiling

Haitians know that their time in tent camps will be of long duration, and so in all of them one can find alfresco restaurants, barber shops, hair and nail salons, all of them constructed from tarps, sheets, curtains, pieces of plastic or tents. Those fortunate enough to have their tent space along a road set out all manner of grocery, household and toiletry items for sale. Hopefully the commerce that generates for them will make up for the dustiness of such a location.

NIGHT TIME IN OUR CAMP

We really enjoy ending our day outside in the camp. We usually walk out there for a time before heading for our own tent. Last night Pat was busy so I walked out by myself. Someone had a drum, and two other people tamborines, so there was impromptu singing with about 30 or so people taking part. In other areas tent neighbors were gathered, the adults talking, while children played, and teased one another. It reminded me so much of summer nights while growing up - - at least before television, and air conditioning. We children would play and run around while our parents visited. It was very much like those memories.

I had the chance to hold a baby boy. I think he must have been about ten months old. Usually the babies cry when offered the arms of a white person, but this little guy went right to me so I enjoyed the chance to hold and cuddle him. His little sister, and her friend kept trying to take him back, but he wouldn’t go ! I just loved it ! I held him until it unfortunately started to rain so I had to bring him back to his tent.

MORE FUN AND GAMES WITH CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS)

I have to start off with the good news about CRS. There is a camp quite close to here. Most camps have a name based on their location. This one is on space owned by the Bureau of Mines. It has received food, two large community water bladders which are filled daily at CRS expense as well as some large tents. It came to the attention of the medical director of CARE who went to CRS to advocate for the camp. He is a really compassionate doctor who came to our camp early on to assist with wound care. He would come at night after working all day.

Also, Holy Angels, an orphanage for handicapped children that is close to our hearts received several tents from CRS after someone from the States advocated for them.

On the other hand however, so far, the bad news outweighs the good. Here at Matthew 25 Sr. Mary, after being put off for more than two weeks received a call early this week that our camp would be receiving not food, but money to buy food. She could not resist asking why it took so long, and was told words to the effect that her problem was small because she only has to feed one thousand whereas CRS has to feed 80,000, but they were now ready to help us, and would come on Friday with a check. I don’t know why it takes four days to cut a check, but okay, they’re busy.

We sat down, and realized that between the three of us, Sr. Mary, Pat, and myself, with input from the camp committee and friends, we could easily connect with 80,000 hungry people. Maybe they have a counting problem. I think we should have made a suggestion : "Trouble finding hungry people ? Walk outside your office, pick up a small stone, and throw it. When you hear ‘Ouch’. Count ‘One’. You’re on your way to 80,000."

Priests from two other parish areas or camps were approved by CRS via CARITAS to receive food. Each pastor was given a separate letter by the priest in charge at CARITAS to go to the warehouse to pick up food for 1,000 people. Upon arrival they were told they would each only be given food enough for 50 people. That is all they got, and the warehouse personnel kept the requisitions.

Meanwhile, Friday arrives. We need food for the camp. The phone rings, and Sr. Mary is told that she has to go to the CRS office for a meeting. She explains that we were supposed to receive our money today, and that the camp needs food. In return she is told that she must come to the meeting. The traffic being what it is in the middle of the afternoon attending a meeting is quite an undertaking, but she goes. And she is told that we will receive food money on Monday.

CELEBRATED PERSONALITIES IN HAITI

We hear of a number of celebrities coming to Haiti, and it really has been good except in the days just after the earthquake when they closed the airport, and relief supplies were held up while their private planes landed.

One person who should be mentioned though is Sean Penn. He has really been working. He transported our tents, and the only thing he asked in return was for 50 tents for the camp he assists, which was fine because the tents were meant for people who needed them. He didn’t just visit Haiti, he has been staying here working. He attends UN cluster meetings almost every day advocating for assistance. He has taken on the challenge to help, and continues to do so. No lights, or camera, just heat, rain, flys, mosquitoes, and a lot of really good people benefitting from his efforts.

These include many children whose adoptions were in process prior to the earthquake. He has transported them to the States, and their new parents. One of them was a little guy who won our hearts a couple of years ago. Cal would stay here with his adoptive grandmother as they attempted to get him adopted. He is developmentally delayed, and may have Cerebral Palsy. His grandmother worked in the south of Haiti, and his mom lives in New Hampshire. The adoption process for Cal has taken several years. He was an infant when it was begun.

Well, Cal finally made it. He flew out on Sean’s plane. His mom and grandmother (who left Haiti in December) met him in Miami. They were so used to filling out, and handing in papers, going to meetings, with lawyers, government officials, and medical personnel that when they were taken to an office upon their U.S. arrival to have their papers checked they asked if they could take Cal to a hotel for the night, and return in the morning. They were stunned when they heard the response : " He is yours, you may take him whereever you want."

Yesterday, Danny Glover visited our camp. He has been advocating for Haiti for many years since he came down many years ago as part of an effort for the arts. He wasn’t in any hurry, and was comfortable talking with people. Most of Haitians had no idea who he was, and that was good, I think. He had an opportunity to ask questions, and learn about the everyday operation of the camp. After all, the purpose is to call attention to the plight of people here, and what they’re doing to help themselves, and that is what he’s able to do.

Monica, one of the Portugese team, was on the phone speaking in Portugese. She stopped talking to be introduced, as he was on his way out, and she was really surprised when he responded in her language. He’d heard her talking, and explained that his wife is from Brasil, and so he’s learned Portugese.

I think for all of us though the most exciting thing to happen this week was when Reginette received her prosthetic leg. Reginette is the thirteen year old girl who had an amputation just below her knee. She had quite a large audience at the moment of the fitting, but handled the attention well. It was wonderful to see her stand using her new leg. She walks twice a day to get used to it, and to build up strengh in her muscles. Although she still needs the crutches it won’t long before she can leave them behind. I think that from the smile on her face when she first stood up and could balance herself she knew that someday, just as promised she will dance.

I think that Pat and Vivian were due to end their three-year trip to Haiti at the end of March, so I don't know how many more of these updates I'm gonna see.