We have it so good. Haiti trip accentuates perspective.

I just returned from 9 days in Haiti on a relief mission. Very powerful experience. Here's a short news interview:
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=135429&catid=188

Pictures can be seen here: https://picasaweb.google.com/Bill.Douglas.CO/HaitiMarch2010ShortListPhotosDouglas?authkey=Gv1sRgCOG4_t2SzNm94AE&feat=email#

Below are my daily snippets. I sent these briefs out to family every day from Haiti.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and likely will next time with one or both of my sons. It was a powerful, game-changing journey for me, and I feel that we made a difference for many people there.

We have it so good. We’ve all hit the lottery by being born in this country. Only 3.5% of the world gets to do that, and I’d taken it for granted.

Thank you again for all your support. --- Bill
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Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 7:55 PM
Subject: Haiti - brief from bill

Saturday night, haiti day 1 done.
hot here. Aroma is strong; even sickening in places.
People so nice & so grateful.
Bldgs flat or badly damaged. I mean pancaked flat.
Been to a field hospital twice, a lot to take in in 1 day.
Eating well so far. Get to sleep in a bed. So much work here to do.
The children are amazing.
We have so much more than this ... So much. I am grateful to be American and proud so many are giving.
--- Bill

Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 3:20 PM
Subject: From haiti on sun.

Today i held a 3 yr old orphan until she fell asleep on me for an hr.
Visited the poorest neighborhood in the western hemisphere. Atrocious.
Saw the haiti capital bldg that’s falling in on itself - arrogant dictatorial wealth amidst horrible living conditions in surrounding neighborhoods.
Helped planning for organization’s growth. Tomorrow we start the physical labor. Eager to start real work.

--- Bill

Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 1:28 PM
Subject: Haiti Monday

When they say "It's hotter than Hades", I think they meant Haiti! Scorcher here and only March. Can't imagine July.

Today we're working on the field hospital, the boy's home, and the women's home. As much as I crave physical work, I've been tasked with fixing internet connections, LAN networks, PC's, websites, and operating systems software. That's why I can actually type a better update today instead of thumb from a smartphone. Adoptions and hospitals require a lot of documentation and process control, and nothing much works around here right now. Getting a lot done today despite decrepit equip and connectivity.

The rest of the gang is doing electrical, plumbing, structural, and culinary. Tomorrow we'll be doing major repair to two buildings with the hopes of making them habitable. Again, looking forward to physical work. Most of the locals won't go in to many of the buildings.... understandable after what I saw yesterday in the multi-story buildings. Wed or Fri I'll be travelling on a makeshift ambulance downtown with Dr. and nurse to help the injured.

I am absolutely fine. Having an indescribable time here; emotions have run the full gamut.
Actually got a shower last night. Being fed very well.
I wouldn't venture out around here at night without 7 of my closest friends, though!

Cheers to all. Thx to all for the notes. I enjoyed your encouragements.
You are right... I meant physical work yesterday, not that helping orphans didn't count.
-Bill

Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:02 PM
Subject: Haiti Tues
Today I held a 5 month old baby.... that was barely 4 pounds. And that weight is normal here. Tiny and cute. Last night I went by the field hospital to hang with some kids. Smiling & singing & and asking "what your name is", despite pins and crude hardware holding their arms & legs straight.
Looking out the window watching two men, each with a 3 lb ball peen hammer, working on demolishing the concrete roof on a home.
I wonder how long, if ever, this place will take to repair. One day, one person, one family at a time is all I can comprehend contributing to. The bigger picture is daunting.
The Haitian people are very generous, always smiling, very content. They don't hurry and have little to no stress.
There's a woman upstairs right now having a baby in the bedroom I got to sleep in last night. Obviously, I lost my room (lol); there's a big family awaiting the birth of their newest addition. No power, no A/C.... doesn't matter. I guess you can get used to that.
I will never again take for granted things like clean water, power, sewer, garbage service, grocery stores, and streetlights!

I met with the board of this organization trying to help plan for its future.
We fixed the leaking roof at boys' home. Rained last night, which cooled things off, but have to fix leaks before the real rainy season starts soon.
Repairing damaged walls at the women's center. Fixed an inverter (there's often no power here so most places have battery banks and generators) at the girls' home.
These men I'm with aren't afraid to take on anything. Fun to work with a group of people that left their pride at home and came to get stuff done.
Tonight we're being served Haitian food prepared by some of the staff at the hospital.... dunno exactly what that is but I look forward to it.
Cheers to all,
-b
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:56 AM
Subject: haiti wed
jasen and i went with the medical team into pele wed to treat patients. absolute slums; i'd hv been terrified if the guy guiding us wasn't from there... and packing a shotgun. treated about 20 patients, mostly severe breaks with exterior positioners. the kids loved having big guys to play with, and i enjoyed it just as much. indescribable..... pics and words won't do it.

worked in the field hospital today to. rosemond, hospital patient, 8, made me a gift. patched crumbled concrete walls and fixed some solar panels.
busy day. tired, but very glad i came here.

oh yeah... another woman had a baby in my room last night. i'm moving rooms tonight. and, btw, we're 10 minutes north of port-au-prince airport.... right in the city, not out in the skirts.
cheers from here,
-b
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 8:24 PM
Subject: Haiti Thur

Tonight the rains came. Hospital flooding, as was the house we had dinner at.
My today much the same as yesterday without the medical run.
Lots of work done, lots of water consumed.
I'm tired. Crashing early again.
Nice to hear the sound of warm rain; reminds me of Florida... but I think of all the people living in tents out there. No douubt they're not liking the rain right now. When a hurricane hits the place, there's no telling how many lives will be lost.
I am well. Thanks for all the kind notes, prayers, and good wishes.
-b

Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 8:17 PM
Subject: Haiti fri
Built a rooftop garden today so the boys hm can grow more fresh veggies. Big upgrade from 5 gal pails.
Got all systems up n running.
Shored up a cracked wall covering a classroom at the ladies hm. Tomorrow we,ll finish it w a coat of paint. They are grateful to be able to move back in.
Researching quick build housing options..... 300 sq ft is a modest hm here, for a family.
Tomorrow we,ll finish all our projects n get ready to trek hm. Jeremy is making fajitas for us tonight; he knows we,re all very hungry!
Great day of work today..... Feel like we got stuff done today!
My young friend rosemond had a procedure done on his wrist today at merlin hospital , so I,m on my way to visit him before dinner.
Cheers,

--- Bill

Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 4:43 PM
Subject: Haiti Sat.

Today we completed most of our open projects: walls completely repaired and painted in the women's center; it can now be occupied. Garden done at the boys' home. Some electrical work finishing up now. I chose to quit a bit early to get a shower while the power is still on - even though it's not a hot shower, it's a treat!

Not unlike America, Haiti has a many enterprising people, some lazy people, and corruption in government. I put the latter two out of my mind this week and focused on helping enterprising Haitians who want a better life. What a rewarding experience for me, and presumably a good one as well for those I encountered. My thoughts and emotions have run the gamut this week. Suffice it to say this trip was powerful.

Recovery here should only be thought of as a generation-long process. It will not be months or even years. The earthquake was the latest shake up here, but certainly not the most severe.

Keep this place in your thoughts and prayers. It can be beautiful, and it has so many wonderful people.

There won't be any more daily Haiti updates. I continue to journal about this, but won't burden/bore you with that.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and support. We head out at noon tomorrow for flights home with a layover in Miami.
-b


Bill Douglas bdouglas@essentialink.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/billdouglas

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