This morning was quite productive-something that is a real feat here! Bourdo, Patrick, and I were able to meet with the laboratory at DINEPA about trying to test the water quality before and after using the Biosand filter. We plan to do the testing next monday and bring it in to find out the results. So let me break this down for you folks- DINEPA is similar to United States' EPA- in other words this is "the" water quality organization in Haiti and we were able to call them up and come right into the office to meet with the laboratory staff today. I doubt that kind of thing could happen in the US without having to explain at length why you wanted to meet with the lab staff and then having to meet with various people first. Haiti is amazing in that way; if you know who you want to meet with you can (practically) (sometimes very easily) just go right to the office of that person/organization and have a meeting or set one up. On the other hand this can be incredibly impractical as I have seen because the person you want to meet with could be in the middle of lunch/ a meeting/ or any number of other things. However, I have found people generally veer on the positive side of things and assume the person/ organization will be around and available to have a conversation. Today I definitely saw the positive side of this let's-just-drop-by-system.
Unlike the relatively carefree nature of meetings in Haiti, I would like to point out the importance of careful planning in terms of giving aid to Haiti. I have witnessed groups of people (americans) who come here to play with orphans and "teach" them things like coloring and playing the drums on buckets. I believe the Americans who come to do this kind of volunteer work believe that they are making a difference in the lives of Haitians. I see something different- the actions of these people are not truly helpful and can actually be harmful; these kinds of "projects" do not create beneficial change and may perpetuate the state of poverty the Haitian children are in. Long term projects that seek to educate people, to create job opportunities for people, and positively affect people's health are the kinds of projects that can actually make a difference. If you support charities, wherever they may be, I encourage you to educate yourself about where your money is going and how it is being used. Follow up on these projects and ask questions about the advances in society your money has helped create.
Ok enough of that- but really it is important. Yesterday was laundry day: Haitian style is similar to Cramer style except that we only use fresh water. After trying to clean my clothes by soaking them in water and rubbing each item together like I had seen other family members do, my host mom, Polene, jumped in to help me. Apparently I was doing nothing (Brian and Cara from Cramer have also witnessed my apparent lack of laundry skill) and she showed me how to really get the dirt out. I honestly don't know how she did it but my clothes are perfectly clean and the white shirt that I had thought was done for is ridiculously white. I am definitely going to have to learn their secrets.
In my free time at the house I have been studying my MCAT cards and GRE words steadily. Haiti could be the ticket in to graduate school if I keep this up! About two days ago I gave in to something I never thought possible. I picked up the Twilight book that must have been left in my room by a previous traveler. MK Durk has been trying to get me to read the book for years now and I am embarrassed to admit that I read all 450 something pages in approximately two and a half days.In many ways, Haiti is a better study environment than Colorado College! Ha!
Alright well today marks the halfway point of this trip so I hope the next half of the trip teaches me just as much as the first half has!
Katie
mountains mountains everywhere
We have been interviewing many people these last few days, but we spend most of our time walking to each house. Today we went to Petionville to interview a few people and I was amazed by the huge hills that we needed to climb to get to each house. There is a staircase in my neighborhood and the joke is that I like to do the stairs because I'm trying to stay in shape for the Ritt trip later this summer. Anyway, the stairs that I saw today have put the stairs in my neighborhood to shame. For you colorado folk- think the incline in 96 degree weather more than once. That was my morning. In a book about Haiti that I'm reading I learned that the french described the landscape of Haiti by crumpling a piece of paper and declaring : that is the landscape of Haiti. Needless to say if I keep this routine up I will be in perfect shape for the Ritt trip!
We also visited a friend of a friend who is living here and we got to swim in his pool. It was quite a nice break from the day. Now we are continuing on the never ending journey to find a map of desab and a map of duchity, two towns that we will be visiting and interviewing people in soon. Wish us luck as it seems next to impossible to find a good map here.
Also, today is apparently a holidy " jour de dieu" but it seems akin to Cashimir Polaski day in Chicago: all of the kids have the day off from school but nobody seems to know why. Regardless we are enjoying the day for sure!
Katie
We also visited a friend of a friend who is living here and we got to swim in his pool. It was quite a nice break from the day. Now we are continuing on the never ending journey to find a map of desab and a map of duchity, two towns that we will be visiting and interviewing people in soon. Wish us luck as it seems next to impossible to find a good map here.
Also, today is apparently a holidy " jour de dieu" but it seems akin to Cashimir Polaski day in Chicago: all of the kids have the day off from school but nobody seems to know why. Regardless we are enjoying the day for sure!
Katie
Monday June 20
So much has happened since my last post. This weekend my host family brought me to two graduations- one was for a cousin who was studying information technology and the other was for a cousin who graduated from seminary school. My family took me to church yesterday as well. Luckily we arrived around 7:45 whereas the service actually starts at 6:30 and goes until 9:00. The church service and both of the graduations had wonderful singing. Some of these people can really belt it out!
Patrick, Bourdo, and I started to conduct interviews. We interviewed three houses on saturday and today we will continue to do some more. We ask people about their water usage, where they get their water from, and how they use the Biosand filters among other things. It has been difficult to locate the houses on my map because of the way the houses are connected and scattered throughout the neighborhood but we have been doing our best. Today we were able to meet with representatives from Pure water for Haiti which is an organization that distributes Biosand filters and teaches hygiene classes. The Vermont Haiti Project buys filters from Pure water and it was great to learn more about this organization.
In other news, I learned how to pound breadfruit to make tom tom, which is a kind of potato/starch/bread dough like substance. It was really good and I learned how to swallow it without chewing they way the rest of my host family does. I also helped cut up an entire chicken for dinner yesterday and I improved my anatomical french in the process.
OWEVWA
Katie
Patrick, Bourdo, and I started to conduct interviews. We interviewed three houses on saturday and today we will continue to do some more. We ask people about their water usage, where they get their water from, and how they use the Biosand filters among other things. It has been difficult to locate the houses on my map because of the way the houses are connected and scattered throughout the neighborhood but we have been doing our best. Today we were able to meet with representatives from Pure water for Haiti which is an organization that distributes Biosand filters and teaches hygiene classes. The Vermont Haiti Project buys filters from Pure water and it was great to learn more about this organization.
In other news, I learned how to pound breadfruit to make tom tom, which is a kind of potato/starch/bread dough like substance. It was really good and I learned how to swallow it without chewing they way the rest of my host family does. I also helped cut up an entire chicken for dinner yesterday and I improved my anatomical french in the process.
OWEVWA
Katie
The first day (Le premier jour)
Yesterday, I woke up at 0300 to get to the airport on time. Although I thought I had plenty of time, I quickly realized there were long lines and people had an absolutely absurd number of bags which really slowed down the check in line. The poky puppies in the lines were also going to Haiti. There were a few groups that had matching shirts with slogans such as " Mission Haiti" or "Bless the Children" and many of them had no fewer than 4 or 5 bags each as it is less expensive to bring bags than to send them from the US.Needless to say the check in took an extraordinary amount of time because of all of these bags. These groups were all astonished that I was travelling to Haiti alone and without a bright colored t shirt. Also, I had only one bag. The long and the short of it is that I was able to catch the plane to Port au Prince from Miami but it was a close call. When I arrived it took a little while to find my bag as the luggage gets lined up in a separate area from the conveyor belt if it hasn't been claimed right away. After this I stuck with my newfound friends from the plane ride so that I wouldn't appear alone as I left the airport. When I walked outside Boudo was waiting with a sign so it was really easy to find him and then we drove home.
Boudo and I have been working on the Biosand project together. I would not be able to ask the right questions or talk to the right people without his input and ideas. This is definetely a joint effort. Yesterday we went over the questions we will ask when we are interviewing people. We have come up with a good list and today we are going to print these and photocopy these as my translations from home were not quite perfect.
The house I am staying in is quite lovely and my room is beautiful. It has yellow walls and there is a bathroom with a shower for me to use. I also have a Biosand filter right outside of my room. Yesterday I learned where to gather the water from to put it in the filter. There is a well right next to the kitchen so it is very convenient to collect the water.
The children are wonderful and we have been reading some books and coloring pictures. This morning I had bread soup and coffee. Polene is a great cook and I can't wait to try some more Haitian cuisine!
time to go!
Katie
Boudo and I have been working on the Biosand project together. I would not be able to ask the right questions or talk to the right people without his input and ideas. This is definetely a joint effort. Yesterday we went over the questions we will ask when we are interviewing people. We have come up with a good list and today we are going to print these and photocopy these as my translations from home were not quite perfect.
The house I am staying in is quite lovely and my room is beautiful. It has yellow walls and there is a bathroom with a shower for me to use. I also have a Biosand filter right outside of my room. Yesterday I learned where to gather the water from to put it in the filter. There is a well right next to the kitchen so it is very convenient to collect the water.
The children are wonderful and we have been reading some books and coloring pictures. This morning I had bread soup and coffee. Polene is a great cook and I can't wait to try some more Haitian cuisine!
time to go!
Katie
My last day in the USA
I have decided to make a blog of my trip to Haiti as suggested by Captain Beth from SEA. A big thanks goes out to Maggie for coming up with the name of the blog and winning the contest (your prize will be mailed to you in roughly a month). GREAT JOB!
I am travelling to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti for one month to research BioSand water filtration systems and how they are used in the home. Furthermore, I will be mapping the locations of the houses that use these systems and where they collect their water to use in the filter. I will see if people have been able to cut down on the amount of time needed to collect their water now that they have the BioSand water filter, thereby, not needing to collect filtered water. The plan is to map this information in a program called GIS when I return. This research will be used for my undergraduate thesis in the major of Global Health at Colorado College.
I have been packing and preparing for this trip for quite some time now. Here are a few things I needed to do before going:
1. I received all of my booster shots
2. I am now on Malaria medication
3. I had maps made of the country as it is very difficult to find detailed maps of PAP.
4. I have been taking Creole lessons ( I also speak French)
5. I recently learned about the triangle of life and the different methods of surviving an
earthquake.
6. I have iodine for purifying water
7. And rehydration salts in case I get terribly sick
Many of the above things will be incredibly useful during my trip. Moreover, what these things accomplish is peace of mind not only for myself but also for my parents. Do I expect to be in an earthquake or get terribly sick? No, but if they do happen I will be prepared. During my time in the backcountry and on the boat at SEA I have learned that being prepared for anything and being attentive to your surroundings is the best way to stay safe. Safety is the precursor to having fun and learning so now I am ready to do both!
I am staying with a family that works with the Vermont Haiti Project and I wil be travelling with two men who also work with VHP when we go to conduct interviews. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity and to have these people to stay with and travel with.
I will try to fill you in with updates about my travels and if you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them!
If you would like to learn more about the Vermont Haiti Project, or to donate money to this great cause please visit:
www.vermonthaitiproject.org
Katie
I am travelling to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti for one month to research BioSand water filtration systems and how they are used in the home. Furthermore, I will be mapping the locations of the houses that use these systems and where they collect their water to use in the filter. I will see if people have been able to cut down on the amount of time needed to collect their water now that they have the BioSand water filter, thereby, not needing to collect filtered water. The plan is to map this information in a program called GIS when I return. This research will be used for my undergraduate thesis in the major of Global Health at Colorado College.
I have been packing and preparing for this trip for quite some time now. Here are a few things I needed to do before going:
1. I received all of my booster shots
2. I am now on Malaria medication
3. I had maps made of the country as it is very difficult to find detailed maps of PAP.
4. I have been taking Creole lessons ( I also speak French)
5. I recently learned about the triangle of life and the different methods of surviving an
earthquake.
6. I have iodine for purifying water
7. And rehydration salts in case I get terribly sick
Many of the above things will be incredibly useful during my trip. Moreover, what these things accomplish is peace of mind not only for myself but also for my parents. Do I expect to be in an earthquake or get terribly sick? No, but if they do happen I will be prepared. During my time in the backcountry and on the boat at SEA I have learned that being prepared for anything and being attentive to your surroundings is the best way to stay safe. Safety is the precursor to having fun and learning so now I am ready to do both!
I am staying with a family that works with the Vermont Haiti Project and I wil be travelling with two men who also work with VHP when we go to conduct interviews. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity and to have these people to stay with and travel with.
I will try to fill you in with updates about my travels and if you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them!
If you would like to learn more about the Vermont Haiti Project, or to donate money to this great cause please visit:
www.vermonthaitiproject.org
Katie
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