Home for a time and life never seems to slow down. Brief trip to Colorado for a "family fix" now back to presentations and preparations for the future of KEC future on La Gonave.

Pastor Gesner Paul will be inaugurated as the new President of the Haitian Methodist church on August 30th and gives us hope for some new directions for ministry on the island. We will continue to serve on a regular basis but reversed, until he can issue an invitation for replacements to GBGM. Community and teacher development along with the continued water well issues will continue to be addressed with his approval. He asked us to begin recruiting to build a manse at Nan Kafe to house a full time La Gonave Circuit Superintendent. We are excited by his plans for the island and for the church on La Gonave.

Recently 16 community leaders completed intensive leadership training by AAPLAG, and organization active on North La Gonave for 25 years. Our group called Friday, grateful for the training and excited that AAPLAG had given them resources to begin building groups for agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry. This is a most positive move for sud la gonave.

We continue to seek marketing resources for the Haitian Prayer Angels and some beautiful embroidery and other art work. We have a estimate to begin a vocational school for fabric art and baking. There are no opportunities for vocational training on the south side.

As we completed a presentation Sunday evening, one of the participants sang to us. The song was about the options for building bridges that connect or walls that isolate.

Haiti, and particularly, La Gonave has a long history of isolation, not only geologically but excluded from communication and technology with the rest of the world.

There is an unrealistic idea to build a bridge from the island to the mainland, but it is realistic to think of a bridge between our church and the Haitian Methodists; between our culture and theirs; our technology, and our resources and their need.

In two years we have seen despair turn to hope, discouragement turn to plans for the future, and dreams with hope for reality. Building bridges seems to begin with sharing and caring about our neighbor more than steel and cable. We have encountered many walls but they seem to be crumbling. Thanks be to the God of Bridge builders.

peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

It's Complicated

This little girl was born over three weeks ago to a young mother who labored the better part of two days with this first child. She had not eaten for a couple of days as she has no food or source of income. The father unknown to the family or community, I was told.
Three weeks later the grandfather of the baby refuses to provide food for his daughter. The grandmother is a girlfriend of the World Vision agent for Sousafilip and she works at odd jobs but earns only enough to feed herself; not enough to share with the daughter.
The young mother, Margorie, obviously has never completed the application World Vision requires to provide food for pregnant women and nursing mothers. She has no milk to nurse the baby, and we found two small song birds tied with string to some flowers, she said would provide food for her this week.
Baby weight at 3 weeks is the same as at birth, which I assisted; just under 4 lbs. The skin is dry, baby lethargic and returned from the clinic with instructions to feed the mother and nurse the baby more. Instant replay of 2 months ago, and that baby is still only 2 lbs over birth weight!
If that narrative does not raise questions for others it certainly does for me. How can the grandmother who provides the home, eat and not share with the mother of the baby? How can she "date" the WV agent and not insist the application is filled out for a food program? How can the grandfather watch as his daughter starves and her newborn fails to thrive, when he has adequate resources to provide for all? How can the community shake their collective head, say "so sad" and excuse the situation because some "just don't trust World Vision or want to fill out forms?"
I walked on down the road yesterday and two men were sitting atop some bags of charcoal, both skeletal and asking me for food. I asked some local fishermen about them and they admitted the two lived in SaP, had no family and seldom are hired to work the charcoal boats. They have no property or livestock and sleep "in empty places." They are not "from" SaP but have been here "a long time." They have no resources or respect.
Conversation goes something like, "if it doesn't rain they may die since there will be no melons or peanuts to harvest. Lots who work the gardens will not eat and some will die." Those who speak, are themselves worried about the crops and have very low percent body fat. For those with money, meals include very small fish, flour patties fried in oil and ground corn. They eat large amounts of rice when available but that remains expensive and there is hope for cheaper melons to replace the mangoes that are now waning as the staple for the very poor.
In two years of living on the island, I discover the more questions I ask the less I understand the reasoning behind the answers. Life in a country with social programs and taxes to support education, health care for the very poor and even opportunity for the determined makes it hard to understand the hopelessness and acceptance of reality of life and death in a country where the government is not "for the people" but "above the people."
In recent conversations many are asking us if there is a possibility Haiti could become the 53rd state of the United States. Jokingly we once agreed with a mission team member that the best La Gonave could do would be to "secede" from Haiti and become a country on it's own. It is not a joke to me as I watch babies die and homeless go hungry. It isn't a joke, but it is extremely complicated. Shirley

Beyond Haiti

I'm reading a book most would not rush to Amazon to find, but interprets Second Isaiah and speaks of fantasy and hope as different than reality. The returning Jews had a dream or vision of the long remembered Jerusalem as golden city, yet the reality was a temple in ruin and a powerless society far removed from the fantasy.

As we dream for Haiti AND with the people of sud la gonave, our presence gives them a hope that we try to temper with reality. The vision and understanding of the United States is to them a fantasy that to us is a reality they don't want to acknowledge. The few hundred dollars received from family in the US is a fortune indicating life there is exceedingly lucrative.

A novice UM pastor recently visited Ansagale and mentioned to the pastor there, he planned to help them "when he got settled into his new appointment." Now I am attempting to explain the 200 students and families who have been told education costs will be paid for the coming year ($40,000.00 US) plus teacher salaries and daily meals is a dream that will not happen! The reality of a well intended promise triggered a fantasy out of desperation.

Kansas has been massing UMCOR Birthing Kits for me since I blurbed my surprising experience of delivering a baby in Sousafilip for the first time, sans the basic "nursing" supplies.

I will be passing out over 200 birthing kits at a Methodist Women's conference July 2nd with hopes they will make it into the hands of pregnant women to have available at delivery time. That may be a fantasy contents may be used or sold before due date.

The last few days two powerful local leaders have been at war and one old, very poor man has become the pawn in the middle of the chess board. Given permission to plant melons by one the other has pulled up half the garden, causing hysteria of the gardener and polarization of the community. Many have come to us as we represent authority (unrealistically) and are disappointed when we refuse to be drawn into the fight of these two decades old enemies.

We meet today with AAPLAG, a Haitian Agency, formerly uninvited to help with development on sud la gonave. We have planned an initial training program for leadership organization, agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing co-operative. AAPLAG is excited about being invited after 25 years to help one of the poorest areas in Haiti, and there is excitement in many communities about access to information and training long denied. The other side of the coin? Resistance by the self appointed power faction who prefer the disparity of power and poor. We pray ours is not an unrealistic vision.

The book I'm reading suggests the understanding of Jesus role or power was the result of liturgy from early Judaism, finally fused into the servant and shepard characteristics of the Messiah. Powerlessness most powerful when persistent and thinking beyond the restoration of of one nation but "all of creation."

Living and working in a poor and powerless culture creates a desire to dream or vision changes that may be based more on guilt and compassion that reality and rationalism. Tempted to offer a means of power clouds ones vision of Christ we feel we were called to mission to see.

Mother Theresa saw Christ in the face of the dying poor and abandoned. I would rather see Jesus in the face of the well fed, clothed, sitting on a nice front porch sipping safe water and having a mid day healthy snack!

Facing the reality of a world of greed that uses and abuses; of technology that creates games to play costing more than two thirds of the world lives on a year; and, the powerless, once made powerful will probably become also corrupt and greedy, I find I'm drawn to the books outlook.

It isn't power that will change or improve life but persistence. Persistent expectation that all are important but life is far more rewarding for those who serve and those who lead with gentleness and compassion. A persistent understanding that the power of God is displayed more in shared responsibility and solidarity, one with another and one with creation, and thinking beyond Haiti. Shirley

Not To Cry

When a child is hurt or sick in Haiti they are admonished "not to cry." An infant may be nursed but toddlers or older children are scolded, ignored or even hit into submisson. At funerals hysterical behavior is preferable to tears. Crying seems unacceptable at any age.

The small children of our staff are around much of the day and little Swiye, born shortly before we arrived, has been cranky and needy with a slight fever and runny nose the last few days. As I walked out yesterday he was sitting on the ground and had been crying loudly while his mother was doing laundry. I picked him up and he sniffeled as he snuggled into my neck. I sat on the step and he fiddled with my locket until he fell asleep. Missing my own grandkids it felt good but I wandered if it was a right or wrong thing to do. Others ignored us.

In a culture where all must be strong to survive, and children are frequently hit and hurt into obedience, is it wise to offer behavior different than the norm. Very small children take livestock, including onery horned cattle to the mountains, and drive laden, stubborn burros up rocky roads, while in the US we won't let our small children even walk curbside on a family outing.

Infants suck on rocks and marble size hair do dads, climb rocky slops and stairs and nap on sidewalks or rocky ground with geckos, spiders and ants crawling in and out of mouths and ears. Little girls learn to cook building small fires and making mud pies from dirt and pee. School children are sent to live with extended family and used as house slaves or worse for tuition. Parents seem proud of their children, have them in great numbers and seek help when they are ill. Parenting is not easy here.

In Kenya, I watched as small orphans crawded from under market booths each morning to build a tiny fire out of paper cups and beg a handout. My 7 year old granddaughter was not yet allowed to light a match and was tucked in at night by everyone in the house.

Yesterday, holding Swiye, I dreamed for him an education, career and maybe a world in which he will feed his children every day. I hoped for him a world in which there is justice and equity and comfort when there is pain. A world where children aren't taught "not to cry."

The Palace

Sitting on the hill above Sousafilip is what we refer
to as "the palace". The structure is concrete covered blocks and tin roof with outdoor facilities for cooking, shower and toilet. We like the added touch of the satellite dish for a modern flair.

Ten solar panels adorn the roof and provide power for 2 to 4 lights and the wire-less and computers. Ice is purchased each week and stored in an old freezer that once used propane tanks.

The large catchments that we cleaned today is used to fill one room of the large cistern during the rainy season. The well a mile on up the hill fills the other room of the cistern during the dry season.

We asked only for a private dwelling and aside from the 3 to 10 adults who gather in the back each morning and evening, and the children who play cards on the steps and run in when they think there may be something of interest on our laptop, we have as much privacy as most in Haiti. A tap on the wall announces company.

We do share the dwelling with some gray striped rats who enjoy line dancing or roller boards from early evening to about 4 am at which time they get cool and climb noisily into the dresser drawers . Other frequent guests are welcome geckos that eat the moths and flys they can catch on the window screens. An occasional tarantula comes in out of the rain. They are stealthy and are generally discovered when furniture is moved to sweep. They can jump very high. So can I.

As all chairs were very hard with rattan seats we brought some foam filled seat cushions and commissioned a carpenter to build a sofa. Later we discovered high humidity makes padding uncomfortable and it was a first ever sofa to be built by the carpenter. The arms extend about a foot beyond the seat and leave interesting bruise formations on the thigh. We did ask him to saw about 4 inches from the legs so our legs could reach the floor.

I am writing about this luxurious living as an enticement to any GBGM Long Term Volunteers who may be seeking an experience that will fill their life with blessings.

Each morning, early, I open the door and look out to the sea which is a beautiful teal green over the reef and then dark Caribbean blue with occasional white caps. Sometimes there are early sailboats leaving the pier and the occasional large freighter out in the deeper canal. Generally quiet there are mornings when the sea speaks a quiet thunder to the wind, and I know, I'm not in Kansas anymore.

What's Next?

This photo is 3 of the 4 from SaP Methodist School who did not have the money to pay tuition so they could take the national exam.The option was to repeat the 6th grade and try next year.

Their teacher was concerned they were each good students, would probably continue their education and parents just did not have the money needed to make the last tuition payment.

Sixth grade is the end of education for many on the island of La Gonave. More that 40% of children never make it even this far. The next step is "seconday school" for 3 years or the equivalent of our middle school. A number of secondary school students are gardeners and parents who can only continue education when they are no longer dependent on their parents who may have 10 in school.

I had the honor of paying tuition for these 3 plus 1 because those attending my 50th High School Class reunion in September donated $300.00 plus to our mission here on sud la gonave. We decided the funds should be used for education needs which have been a focus of our mission the last two years. We also selected a young father of two for a "Chaffeur Training Program" so he can accept a job offered and put his two little ones in school The interesting thing is with five scholarships we still have nearly $300.00 left for more education grants.

Because of the "system" it is most successful when money is given directly to the student's teacher who then records tuition paid and gives the money to the school director. The money must then be given to the Home Office in PaP, if Methodist or to the Administrative Office of other agencies and often it is not credited to the student.

It is difficult to pay scholarships for university and vocational schools as the registration and fees schedules that are given to prospective students never include additional fees for books and equipment. Sponsors of students frequently are asked for additional funds as are parents or students trying to pay their own support. There seems to be a mind set that if one asks for all that is needed it will be denied, but if once a student is committed it is hard to refuse further requests.

We have also learned that often students and parents have funds to pay a portion of tuition and expenses but do not volunteer that information as there are so many other areas where money is needed.

We are now offerning "grants" for portions of tuitions and have found that if the student can not provide the difference they will either select another educational option, save until they have the total amount or raise additional funds from family if they have them. In many cases we must rely on trusted leaders who know family history.

We are grateful for those who are investing in the future of young people and young adults who will eventually be responsible for needed change in the Haiti systems. We will continue to monitor the Starthrower Scholarship Program with local assistance, when our appointment ends.

Donations for Starthrower Scholarships can be made by:

Making a check payable to: Central UMC Advance #982465-6. On the memo line write "scholarship"
Mail the check to: Lawrence Central UMC, 1501 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS 66044

Thank you so very much. www.centralumclawrence.org

Holiday Traditions

A few years ago, Joe and I were in PaP for the celebration of Haitian Flag Day or the equivalent of our 4th of July. We went to the Palace and watched as what seemed like thousands of young people marched by in bright red and blue outfits. Most would stop at some point and do a very intricate about face routine then continue marching with drums and vocal cadence. We were very impressed with the color and pagentry of the event.

After watching much of the parade we wandered into the beautiful park and took photos of school children and young people who came from the countryside for the event. Kids clowned for the camera and whole families would pose just to see themselves displayed in the digital display window.

Last week, May 18th, we celebrated Flag Day, again, but this time in Sousafilip and the participants were students of one of the primary schools in SaP. It was filled with traditon and pagentry if not quite as elaborate or crowded.

This time we were allowed to make a presentation to the young people and parents. I told them no country is more important than the country one calls "home" and what makes a country great is the work of the people to make their country a "good home" of all of it's people. Pride in Country is basically pride in it's people who work to make their "home" a good place with food and water; health care and education; industry and joy available to all people.

We then went outside to watch the same marching drills we had seen before, celebrate the raising of the Haitian flag, and join the parade that marched throughout the three communities that make up Sousafilip. The whole thing lasted from 9 am to nealy 2 pm with no fire crackers!!

Observing the crowd of proud parents, there were young dads with baseball caps reversed, tank tops and shorts. Mama's coached from the sidelines as kids got out of step. One little toddler stood the entire time of raising the flag with her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and a blue cap on her head with red socks on her feet. As the flag was raised and saluted with a hand vertical above the heart, such serious looks on faces adorned with red and blue beads brought a mist to my eyes.

The song that kept playing in my head was "This Is My Song...a song of peace". I have grown to love this country that has welcomed us but more the people who have called us friend, no longer alien. Yet, on this Memorial Day, I long for "home" which is no "better" but just mine. We would be playing soft ball and eating outdoors watching the clouds. We would have attended a memorial service somewhere and I would have been misty eyed as "taps" were played. Perhaps the toddler with hands in her hip pockets would have been my Phoebe.

The third verse of the song says, "this is my prayer....that hearts united learn to live as one." As we can learn to live in other cultures, survive with less and love the same things in people who speak a different language, it seems we can learn to live as one people of God's creation. The traditions may be different, but as they touch our hearts with goodness and our actions become more alike than different, are we coming closer? That is my prayer this Memorial Day, 2009.

Zombies and Orphans

We had been in Sousafilip a little over a month when I was asked to see a young woman who was very ill. What I discovered was a paralysed, speechless, new mother who was very ill. I assumed she had suffered a stroke during the birthing and began arranging hospitalization.

Further questions revealed she had been normal and nursing the baby for 4-5 weeks following delivery. One morning she was found unresponsive and for some reason her husband and a suspected boy friend had both disappeared.

Of course this indicated a curse had been put on her and it was estimated 3 to 4 Zombies were present, becuase the symptoms that resemble brain trauma often appear after a spurned lover or cuckhold husband leaves.
Sadly, the mother died before I could arranged hospitalization and the baby and her sibling were absorbed into the family of an aunt and uncle.

The little girl is now nearly 2 years old and her sister is 4 and are lovingly cared for by Manus and his wife. There married son is a school teacher who lives with them and provides as he can for his aging parents and his own wife and child in Petite Guave.

Manus has a small garden not planted yet as all are waiting for rain, and some goats with a high percent of loss this year because of poor forage and lack of water. The children are both malnourished and will never have opportunity to attend school. A local school director does give them food whenever the school children are being fed.

We have found a sponsor who will provide $30.00US each month to help with food for the two girls and Manus is pleased. It will provide a bit of help for them all, but most of all, Manus says it is good to know others care about children on the island.

I have been involved in 3 other similar cases just in this community and many other children are ophaned with dead mothers and absent fathers. It is a way of life and a big issue of the large number of children who go without education or health care in Haiti. At least the baby did not die as the majority do when the mother dies.

Anyone interested in helping a family care for orphan children are invited to email us at sjelagonave@gmail.com for information on children and ways to help. So far that is the only way I know of getting rid of the Zombie curse on the children.

The Question of Clinic

A team from Agusta Georgia was here and we opened a free clinic for 4 days. Surprisely we had over 400 people begin arriving at 5:30 each morning. We managed to see only 50 the first day then decided to divide and conquer. One nurse did well baby assessments, I did adult assessments with Dr. Rodney for consultation and Dr. Rodney did exams and directed the pharmacy. We managed to see many people who came with entire families.

General concensus of the medical staff was that over 85% of patient complaints were related to issues of unclean water and inadequate food. That is to say, if there were good water and food to eat most would not need the clinic other than for injuries and disease.

As we attempt to determine the need and feasiblilty of opening a community clinic we must consider cause of illness and the best approach. It seems that continued efforts to provide water and purification plus finding a way to make food more affordable and available might reduce the need for another clinic may well not be sustainable.

We did see several people who were referred for follow up care. A couple of ladies with breast tumors and some with cataracts and the boy in the photo above.

This youngster is 3 years old, had been seen about a year ago yet untreated. His head measured 28 inches and he appeared somewhat mentally empared. Perhaps hydrocephalis is not easily treated in Haiti or treatable now but we plan to help the mother take him to St Joseph's Children's Hospital in PaP.

Most of the people we see and refer to hospitals never go, or only make the trip when we provide about $20.00 US for transportation. Most have a place to stay once they get to the mainland. We ask them to bring a paper from the physician with report of exam and planned treatment. We have discovered the price may go up when it is noted they have a sponsor so we offer a portion of the estimated cost and usually that is acceptible.

Anyone interested in providing some funds for travel and medical treatment for the little boy or any of the others referred may send a check to our Advance Special at Central UMC in Lawrence Kansas and it would be much appreciated.

For tax deductable support of any part of this mission:

Make a check payable to :

Central UMC Advance#982465-6

Mail to :

Lawrence Central UMC, 1501 Massachuettes, Lawrence KS 66044.

Feel free to email us at sjelagonave@yahoo.com and

check out our web page at http://www.centralumclawrence.org/

The photo is one of a garden / farm planted by a young man who has attended agronomy vocational school, sponsored by the Haitian Methodist Church. This is a typical garden on an island that is primarily mountains of coral rock and limestone. Crops are planted around and in between the rocks that can not be dug out.

There are protected trees on the island and some with valuable wood. An agency at Zabricot that is affiliated with Heifer Project gives hundreds of trees away each year for planting. Many are fruit trees that grow only in the higher elevations, but some are good sturdy trees that can survive pruning for charcoal and hold what little top soil is left.

Many gardeners use rock to terrace their gardens rather than the precious soil. Large rock walls also work to redirect water from roadbeds that become raging rivers in heavy rains. There are a couple of schools on the island that include farming and fishing in curriculum along with other practical classes. Information is not readily available to the general public without TV as 80% can not read.

Seeds are extremely expensive and sold only on the mainland. Main crops are peanuts, corn, melons, manyoke, sweet potatoes, carrots and beans of various types. Livestock must free range or they have no food and gardens are often targeted. In that event the goats are occasionally found sans head and hooves! That is the primary justice system that works.

We would like to see fenced range land as an industry but aren't smart enough to get that concept across. This year with no rain the forage is sparse, livestock are starving and dying from lack of drinking water. Our concern? Not only will livestock die if gardens do not thrive and cisterns are dry.

Haitian Prayer Angels - Industry for sud la gonav

As we look forward, as many third world countries, to a very lean year we ask for prayers for all God's hungry and thirsty. To help with that a young wood worker on sud la gonav has hand carved Haitian Prayer Angels. Others then spend many hours hand sanding them to a designed shape with each a bit unique.

The angels are made from a protected native tree that must be replaced when cut. The wood is expensive but hard and beautifully grained. Each angle takes over 6 hours to sand and are completely hand made. Workers will be paid daily for the angels completed.

Each Haitian Prayer Angel is intended to be hand held rather than hung on a wall. We ask on the tag that those who purchase one, hold the angel each day and pray for the millions who face a year of hunger and starvation. The original intent was to ask prayers for the people of south la gonave, who have no gardens, fish or water this year. Now, the famine will affect millions in Africa, Australia and so many other countries, including the US.

The cost per angel is $20.00 and we ask $5.00 postage fees if they need to be mailed. Any donation above that amount will be used for food for the poorest and unable to work.

As orders increase for angels we will expand the work opportunity along the south side of the island to involve as many workers as possible.

A voluteer will return to the US late May with angels to be distributed to churches and individuals. Another order of angels will be available for a Kansas team to take to the US in late June.

Any church that would like to take orders and collect money is invited to send us the number of angels needed and the money can be mailed to our Advance Special with "angel" on the memo line of the check.

Make checks payable to : Central UMC Advance #982465-6

Mail the check to: Lawrence Central UMC, 1501 Massachuettes, Lawrence KS, 66044

Email us at sjelagonave@yahoo.com to order if not ordering through your church.

No Steeple

Here is the church as it looked over a year ago. Before the storms. We didn't get photo's this year as we attended the Harvest Festival but the ceiling in still damaged from the storms and precarious for the many children who meet for school each day. Of course if the singing and preaching of Sunday didn't bring it down...probably nothing will!!

This community far to the west end of La Gonave is served by a young pastor who has compassion and charisma enough to serve a mega-church in the US! All at one time he is leading a rousing hymn, picking up money and paper that has blown off the make shilft pulpit/table, listening to the lay leader trying to speak in his ear and picking up his adorable 18 month old who is fasinated by the two blans in the congregation.

This community waits for the first water well to be drilled on the west end of LG; waits for some miracle to repair the collapsed roof from last years storms; and, waits for a team to rebuild the wall on the left "that left" during the storms. While they wait they praise God with drums, guitars and great rhythmic harmonies, joyful prayers and upraised hands!

Sunday we dedicated 5 young children, one reformed young man and his new wife, 9 new church leaders, and gave thanks for an offerning of $65 H dolas, 2 goats, 3 cabbages, one bag of cement and the presence of 14 visitors and the Holy Spirit! What an experience.

We welcome any team or sponsor who would like to help this delightful young pentacostal pastor and his church, repair their house of worship and learning institution, plus share the joy of living "high" on La Gonave. Send us an email for more information!
sjelagonave@gmail.com Peace, Shirley

Starthrower Scholarships

The Haitian Methodist Church offers a scholarship program but generally for children of ordained clergy..of which there are not very many. For most Haitian young people education beyond sixth grade is nearly impossible. Only about53 percent on the island of La Gonave even attend primary classes. This year the numbers are way down because money is so scarse following the storms of September.

The young woman pictured, is the daugter of a former mariner who died at sea when she and her older sister were still in primary grades. The older sister, Weslene was the nurse here when we came and Kathia was completing her High School classes. Kathia wanted medical school but her mother who had worked so hard to get them both through school could not swing that.

Kathia paid the first semester of a diploma nursing program but the hours were long she was traveling late at night in Port au Prince. She dropped out and came home, discouraged. We were introduced to her by a young man who asked for help to attend English school. He plans to work through university as a translator. We interviewed Kathia and she happily enrolled in a 5 year university nursing program. She says she will be happy to deliver babies.

We have sponsors for eight students in university and vocational school the last two years. University costs have risen in Haiti but compared to the US are very small. Schools offer only academic studies and science, medical and engineering students must work while in school. The study is intense.

There are a variety of vocational schools with programs 3 months to 3 years and cost $100.00 for 3 months to $325.00 a year for a 3 year technical program such as diesel mechanics training. University courses cost $500.00 per year to 1500.00 per year for science courses. There are book expenses on top of the tuition for some but most are covered by the tuition.

We have named this project the Starthrower Scholarship Program. It is a big committment of those who chose to help a university student. The students who actually jump through the hoops we set before we try to find a sponsor are the Haitians of the future we feel will touch more lives than we ever will. Now there are many children longing just for primary school and can't have it. These educated young people will understand the critical importance of education in this country, we believe.

We and the young people like Kathia, are grateful to all who support the scholarship program. When we leave the program will continue through a partnership program between participants in the US and a couple of scholarship recipients in Haiti. To participate in some way just email us at sjelagonave@gmail.com.

This is a recent shot of the windmill that was put up at Dent Grien in 2002 and damaged within a year, then suffered severe damage in a hurricane later. This well will stand as we pull the pump from the first well and replace with a solar pumping system and small wind generator to pump at night.

The west end of sud lagonav has no wells but hopefully one will sprout near Picqua-maby, very far west. Many communities will be served by a good well as the 4 storms of last year damaged most cisterns.There are some spring fed wells in the mountains but most are dependent on generators and / or hand pumps if shallow enough. Water is a precious resource since the dry season is brutal.

A major commodity is health care. The nearly 100,000 thousand on lagonav are served by one small hospital and a half dozen clinics, mostly in the northern district. The many have been waiting many years for surgery to repair hernias or remove tumors. Most clinics charge small amounts for examinations and a bit more for medications that are difficult to procure on the island. Travel to the mainland and cost of surgery prohibits most from ever being treated if it is other than a sim;le treatment. The lady pictured here waited 19 years with a large goiter that obstructded her breathing before surgery was made possible by a South Dakota team.

She was prepared at one time then her husband died leaving her with 7 children to raise on her small garden. Many trips to clinics became an issue as she could not read and repeated testing was done rather than simply removing the tumor. Several scholarships were spent before the tumor was finally removed and she could breath easily.

She is now grateful to be breathing and finished with a problem she thought would never go away.

foo foo fish

At long last the wind is down to a nice breeze. Some have even shed one layer of clothing!

Yesterday afternoon we wandered to the beach to see what was happening just as a fishing boat arrived with a rather strange variety of fish.

The fellow in the photo is a foo foo fish and someone bought both and said they are very good to eat. To me they seemed very large but apparently they get much bigger. Everyone was careful to stay away from the pointy things all over the body.

The rest of the "catch" was very impressive and much appreciated as many have not eaten much this week. People were purchasing anywhere from one to 10 fish of various sizes for very small amounts of money. Some tiny fish were sold by the pan full to be deep fried and eaten head, tail, insides and all!! I haven't mastered that yet.

It is still calm today with a balmy temp of about 91 degrees and light breeze. We will walk to Port a Bonheur after our breakfast of bread and lobster.

We are in search of a location for a clinic where we can provide nurses, doctor, lab, health education and local management. The clinic will be available to 10,000 plus people in more that 7-10 communities who now walk many miles for health care. Three have died because they could not reach a health facility in time.

Well, balmy days, foo foo fish and work to do on the second Sunday of Lent. Shirley

Huddle Together

The wind is blowing as a hurricane without the rain and thunder stuff!
Has been bending trees, rattling the seed pods and roaring until you can't hear!

Our metal doors are wired back but occasionally a strong blast comes along and rips the door loose and the explosion causes ones heart to skip a beat or two. Fun to watch the dogs jump straight in the air and run for cover. Goats must be deaf.

The children are all of course in t-shirts only (naked and exposed from belly button down) and hunker down to keep warm. I have some sweat shirts for little ones but there are more timoun than sweat shirts and I don't know how to handle that. So far I just give one to any kid that happens to be freezing and alone. They play then pull their t-shirt down to their toes and make themselves as small as possible and huddle together.
Adults are wearing multiple layers and
stoking caps with long pants many
with legs turned up 6 to 8 inches.
Who cares? It's freti!!
Went to take my bucket bath, with all
the little critters wiggling in the
water. Wind in the window is a bit
refreshing.


Not sure how long the wind will blow and neither is anyone else. Some boats go fast across the bay!

Photos don't do justice to the way the palms look twisting and flapping. At least cooking is now in doors or between buildings...to keep the fire going. This, I'm told is just another bit of Haiti to be endured. I wish I had a few more sweatshirts. All the kids could be in blue!

On The Boat

Friday the 28th we went to PaP with our translator and chauffeur to claim the 2007 Toyota Pickup and Honda motorcycle we were given for use by UMCOR/GBGM when the PaP office closed in December. The Haitian Methodist Church took care of the titles and tagged the pickup and provided insurance. We had some minor repairs done to the pickup and loaded the motorcycle in preparation for and early morning trip to Achiayes port for a boat transfer to La Gonave.

Villian, a skilled driver on La Gonave "non-road" roads only managed to get lost one time leaving Petion-Ville.When we arrived at the port it only cost $7.00 US to get the gate open to the place they would load the pickup. Villien negotiated the cost of port taxes down half, to $137.50 US and he had already arranged the boat for $385.00 US.

We had no idea how the pickup was going to get from the pier to the huge sailboat and watched in awe as it "happened." The nearly empty boat slowly came long side the dock which was significantly lower than the rear deck of the boat. Once the boat was securly tied to the dock they swung the giant mast over the side above the pier which tilted the boat level with the dock and a mariner drove the pickup onto the boat..with no room to spare!

The boat then went back to the loading dock where at least 100 tons of rice, beans, flour, and corn were loaded along with hundreds of bags of produce, soda pop, beer and oil. At least 50 large drums of gasoline was also put aboard before they loaded over 200 passengers. (Joe will not allow my normal hyperbole for this blog - and it isn't needed!) I was in shock as we loaded and every possible inch of the boat was covered before we pulled away from the dock.

As soon as we were at sea with two large boat motors they raised the tall mast and put out a huge sail that caught the strong wind and pushed that very large, heavy boat smoothly acrossthe bay to Anse a Galets. Less than 2 hours crossing left us wandering just how the truck would make the 4 foot leap "up" the the dock at AAG.

We waited as the entire boat was unloaded including the bilge water, then amazed watched as the boat was secured to the pier, the large mast an sail swung out to the side, tilting the boat until it was even with the pier. The same mariner skillfully if ungracefully drove the truck ashore!

What is lacking most in Haiti is technology and natural resources, BUT the Haitian ingenuity is a thing of wander and delight. I think that boat could carry 3 semi's and half of Kansas! What an adventure! Special thanks to Villien and Feguiere for making it happen for us. And sadly to GBGM and UMCOR who are so badly needed in Haiti.

Hooray! Water day!

Wahooo! Today is water day after over 2 weeks and one church seminar without water to bath or drink. The generator has needed expensive repair three times in the last several weeks and some of the
committee are calling the technician "slick". They believe he gets it running but
leaves things that will break soon so he can charge more.

There has been no water at Sousafilip, Port a Bonheur or Non Sema for over
4 weeks and people just go on about their business and don't drink, bath in a
cup or glass of water and shake clothing hard to get the dust out before
wearing for the third, forth or 6th day.

Joe swatted a fly on his leg today and a cloud of dust made us both sneeze!

Water has been an issue in Haiti forever! I can't count the number of NGO's who drill wells and either go through the crust or leave to return to broken or damaged equipment or stolen or poorly maintained generators.

When it rains, which is much less often on the island of la gonave than the mainland, it pours!! Cisterns overfill, especially during the hurricanes that come every year, then either leak or just explode! Last 4 storms were helped by a small earthquake (I am told) so every private cistern now leaks and everyone is asking for "just need 4 bags of cement, that's all" to repair cracks. When it is dry, as now, the wind blows hard. From the north it is the Norde that makes everyone sick and sucks the moisture from everything, including skin. At least NO MOQUITOES! Plenty of other bugs as replacements, including scorpions that seek shelter in rotting wood out of the wind..like our latrine!

Soon we begin work on the well at Dent Grien that has not worked since the second well was drilled in 2002. The windmill will be replaced by solar panels that will pump the well during the day and a small wind generator to pump, more slowly at night. It will provide water for at least four communities. AND it will have a committee with a plan! A plan to sell water and provide regular care and maintanence on all equipment. The agreement is, if the plan is not followed, after a couple of warnings the solar equipment will be removed. Harsh? We really want people to have water, year after year after year.

After Dent Griern we will move west to the forgotten high place, where burros die carrying many gallons of water up the mountains on very hot days. Haiti Outreach will drill a well as far west as we can find water and if 200 ft a hand pump will suffice. If it is necessary to go deeper we will again consider solar or wind, or perhaps a generator. Same plan, same requirement, same reason.

A grant from GBGM is providing most of the funding for the two wells with significant matching funds from Kansas East Conference. IF .. big word, there are by chance any remaining funds we would address the repair of broken cisterns that sit dry in every community. AND if there is even more funds "left over" the critical water issue of sanitation will be addressed.

Most communities have no latrines...toilets!! None! Zip! Cistern water is not only contaminated by goat poop but human waste is found near every wall or fence or bush. Latrines are hard to dig in rock! In communities where markets are held every week, a thousand people or more leave behind a lot of trash and some contaminate for the water supply.

Hooray! Today we are selling water in Sousafilip and at the well to Dent Griern! Soon, we pray, it will be everyday, some way, someplace.

Shirley, Sousafilip

I sit on a log by the shore and watch a restless sea.  Beyond the reef high white rolling waves  and above the reef the surf sparkles as if a million diamonds are floating to shore.  It is Ash Wednesday and time to consider my mortality and the things I value in life.  

For 17 months we have lived with people who have little food to feed their families and children have red hair, dry skin and constant colds. 

Island teachers have received no salary for 6 months.  They can't feed families or pay tuition that would pay teachers. The child of a teacher is now at the hospital unable to breath and his wife called for money to be sent by boat.

Our clinic is closed as people have no money for medicine, and we have no doctor.

There is no water.  The generator works overtime and gets tired and lays down like the overburdened burros coming from the well or market.  Clothing and bodies smell, and strange things cook in pots over little wood fires.

Yet, the sun shines and makes diamonds on the sea.  Children laugh and play between naps and people do the best they can. 

As I sit and listen the sea reminds me there is pain everywhere.  From dust we come and our return is simply to once again be dust.  What has value is the time between.

A borrowed paryer says: Gracious God, when we would make much of that which cannot matter much to you, forgive us.  Amen

People Die Fast

Perhaps not the best day we have had in Haiti. Early this morning we were trying to catch up on emails and some work when two guys came to the door. They said they had someone "malade" ...I invited them to step in and asked a couple of questions but with little English and no Kreyol I could understand I explained our clinic is closed. We have no physician or medicine and they would need to go to Point a Rocquette. They didn't seem too upset and left, neither looking very ill.

Around noon our translater returned from Abamang, the other half of Sousafilip, the poorer half...if possible, and asked if someone had come earlier to the clinic. I told him of the two guys and then he told me they had a young woman with them who died about 8 am. They had been going to the clinic in PaR when she got much worse and died shortly after they took her from the boat.

Within a few minutes a couple came to ask for a ride across the island. They had been in the boat coming here to head to Anse a Galets in another fishing boat, but it was now taking the body back to Grande Vide.

That is the only part of the story that makes any sense. With the help of the translator I attempted to ask questions and got a jumble of answers. She was complaining of "gas" but sitting up eating peanuts. She had not been ill long and had a baby 3 months old. Her husband was with her. She probably was dead by the time the two men came to the house. They did not take her to the clinic in Grande Vide or to a closer one at Tamerin because she was not that sick. Huh? From there it got more confusing.

Yes, today I learned a very hard lesson. No matter how casual they act, when someone tells me another is sick...gas, splinter or broken toenail, I'm going to go look! AND..even though or because our clinic is closed, it is critical to respond. Point a Racquette is too far away and looking answers more questions.

When the crying could be heard over the wind, I pledged to do whatever I can to get this clinic reopened: with physician, nurses, lab, emergency meds and supplies. I can no longer sit with my hands over my eyes and wish for miracles. People die quickly here.

This is the school director and teacher/preacher in Trou Jacques. This village is accessible by sea only unless one wishes to take a burro straight up the mountain four hours. The community is on the very east end of the island and sits in a triangle where the rain pours into the village and washes animals, children and homes into the sea frequently.

Most people with resourses on the mainland have moved but more than 40 families are forced to stay and sleep in fear the rain will come before they can go high in the mountain or at least climb on a building.

There are 80 primary students in the school which is dark and damaged from many rains and storms. WE visited before the 4 storms then afterward to find the village 2 to 4 foot deep in rocks washed down from the mountain. Both cisterns now unusable. Fortunately boats can carry water from Picmy where there is good water...but also accessible by boat only.

The Director/Preacher has been in Trou Jacques many years as no one else will agree to live in a community so ravaged by water that is not usable. He, like all other teachers recieve pay only about two times a year. At this point it has been over 5 months since payday. As a pastor he receives only a gratuity at Christmas and perhaps a special day.

Following the storms no one from the government in Anse a Galets came to look at damage and church officials visit when Volunteers pay for a boat. Not just a teacher/preacher, he holds the frightened people together and makes phone calls.

The community is in need of teams to repair cisterns and some engineering skills to help redirect the rain away from the village rather than straight through the town. People are poor and tuition is high, but he stays, and cares. $50.00 is all he makes a month! And he hasn't seen that for 5 months. What a wonder it would be if salary PLUS could ease him into the rapidly approaching rainy season.

This little two year old is an orphan who just happens to be in love with Joe. Her family includes and aunt and uncle, cousin who is a school teacher who provides for her, his parents, a wife and one child and another orphan 4 year old. Not unusual in Sousafilip.

We aren't sure how adoptions are done on the island. We know some orphanages keep children several years and have adoptive parents support them and visit for long periods of time. Others are just a call away and I'm honestly not sure who to contact. I have asked several and all give different answers.

This child is cared for but is a real hardship that is just accepted by an old couple who can't support themselves. She sqeals plays and is miss obnoxious personallity!

When I first arrived she was a newborn and I was asked to visit her mother who had 3 voudou zombies on her and was paralyzed and unable to speak. In reality she was so brain injured she was near death. After a long hospital stay she could sit up but not much else. Pastor Abner managed to get her to a healer in AAG...where she eventually died.

In our 16 months we have become aware of many like this little doll, some bigger, but all joyful and half naked. Joe and I are just wandering how hard it will be to get through customs when we finally go home. I don't think we will be the only ones on the plane with giggling carry ons.

The Day the Captain Died

Guess I'll call this "the day the captain died. In Haiti tradition is very important but some things are much more simple. The family had no money so the church he belonged to and worked for for years took responsibility for building the crypt. The wind was blowing so hard family could not come from the mainland so the burial was the next afternoon. No embalming and no funeral homes, so a casket was borrowed for the visitation and church service. People had to wash cloths so the community sold water and a boat ower offered to sell since he wasn't otherwise involved. A retailers booth did good business as people and goats huddled to keep warm. A young neighbor got busy and gave him a shave when they saw me coming to take photos for the family who would not make it. Death isn'n death, it's "passing over" and honoring the person is very important. So important it becomes a community event. The funeral progresses pretty traditonally until the final song when the "keening and wailing" begins in earnest. Close relatives threw themselves on the concrete floor, and how they come out without a concussion is beyond me. This continues to the cemetary as they carry the casket up the hill, remove the body and put the final concrete on the top. For some reason I don't understand, there was no rum and dancing. Think maybe the family was too poor and spent all the money given on food. It is an honorable tradition. There is some laughter and normal daily routines but there is also an entire community involved and respectful. There is a little food, friends sitting around the table playing dominos and an air of surprise. The family, who has nothing, will miss the one who usually did the begging and scrounging for handouts. But he was honored. And I will always remember the waves and wind, and the conversations of "the day the captain died." Shirley

Well it has been a time of life and death in Sousafilip. We now have water as the generator has been fixed after a week of extreme conservation. It is a wonderful social time as people gather with every imaginable kind of container to receive the life giving water. I can't balance an empty bucket and walk two steps but the ladies lift the 6 gallons as if they weigh nothing and take off up the hill.

Late yesterday we were notified the old church boat captain had died. I must have been the only one in town anticipating it but he has been living a slow death since we arrived. Today was "community day" as the horrible Norde churns the sea so much the family from the mainland can not come. Two daughters depend on the church and community for finding a "borrowed" casket (Mm Connel keeps her's in the living room for her time to pass over. The church members also gather the rock, gravel and sand, beg, borrow or take cement from somewhere and build all but the top of the crypt.

Market day and in the quiet we should get things done. Ha! Yesterday, Joe managed to set up the office and it is nice to work at a real desk. Naturally, everyone likes to sit in the "excutive" chair. We can't use it in front of the computer as the floor slops and it tends to want to roll across the floor and out the door!

I usually "blurb" rather than blog but as we move into the new year we will try new things. Joe and I signed up for a 2 year appointment and that ends in October this year. We have some wells to repair and drill and a clinic that is now closed but "trying" to reopen. The clinic will serve about 8 to 10 communities that now are walking long distances for simple health care.

We have a sponsor to provide salary for a nurse and community health worker. We have a discount pharmacy that will provide some meds at cost from the US. We need a church sponsor that could provide $150.00 US each month for supplies and general expenses then we would be IN BUSINESS!

So many sick, hungry and no industry on the south side of La Gonave and we have so little time. We have been her 15 months and received teams to do roofing, repair guest house, paint clinic, repair cistern and one medical team.

Living is "rustic", travel to sousafilip is grueling, the sea is beautiful and food for teams is grand Haitian cooking. Teams help us employ many locals for short periods. We are attempting to develop cooperative groups in fishing and train community leaders in development and management of resources.

The Haitian Methodist Church now has new leadership and we look forward to more interested from the church in the project on La Gonave.

We did a food distribution, using some GBGM funds and UMCOR following the storms and fed families in 12 communities on sud la gonave.

With industry and NGO's all over the nord and in the mountains we hope to make some progress in livestock and farming to improve education, health and general living conditions.