Scratching the Surface...

"Tap-tap" ride from the airport

It’s been quite the couple of weeks since leaving San Francisco and embarking on our journey. It has been emotionally overwhelming in ways I could never have prepared myself for, and there has been so much to process that it’s been tough to get to the blogging. We’ve been busy since our arrival in Port au Prince and have had so many amazing opportunities to get to know the area around where we are staying and connect with the community members. I am grateful to be involved with EDV, as they are well respected by the locals and their projects often begin from direct requests and ideas from people in the community.  

Around the corner from our place

Typical Haitian Bus

We’ve been involved in a wide array of EDV’s projects, which have included two rebuilding projects. Early on in the trip, we helped finish the construction of security walls at a nearby orphanage and school. We mixed our own cement and fixed discarded broken bottles from the street to the top of the walls for protection. It was an awesome learning experience not only in minimal-resource construction, but also Creole! A handful of Haitian men pitched in and assisted us until we finished up at the end of the day. It was really neat to make some friends and learn some helpful phrases right off the bat.

Note the lovely security wall behind us

The most recent rebuilding effort has been a project for Rebuild Globally constructing a new workshop that will employ 40 Haitian women who make beautiful sandals out of scrap tires, which are then sold internationally. Take a look at the EDV facebook page to check out pics of us workin’! Tra and Leah are the true heroes though—they were out there EVERY DAY last week in the heat working their butts off. Chelsea and I have been put to work on helping with volunteer coordination and restructuring EDV’s volunteer management procedures (putting my VISTA skills to good use :) back at the base, so I've spent less time on site.

Walk to the work site

We’ve also had the opportunity to spend time at a few different orphanages in the community, which has been very emotional. Many of the children either have no parents/caretakers or their families do not have the means to support them. The children come to the orphanage in varying ways—some are found on the streets fending for themselves. It is so fun and joyful to hug, tickle and laugh with them, but incredibly heart-breaking to witness such a deeply unfair reality, see their awful living conditions and wave good-bye when it's time to leave. It is impossible for me to try to find words for this type of tragedy and all of my reactions to it.

La Main Tendre Orphanage

Yesterday, Tra, Leah and I met with three leaders of a local women’s group to start planning an event for International Women’s Day (March 8). They identified the theme to be ending violence against women in Haiti. It will also include a sexual health education workshop, music, storytelling and performances. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect opportunity, and I am beyond grateful to be working with these strong and powerful Haitian women. Excited to get busy on the details this week!
 

Experiencing Port au Prince has been overwhelming. Never in my life have I witnessed human resilience to this degree. The Haitian people have endured such extreme and profound pain, but are carrying on, working to improve the lives of their families and communities. EDV has a number of Haitian staff and volunteers whose commitment to the recovery is incredibly inspiring. I have learned so much from them and all of the Haitian people I’ve met so far, and I look forward to what more is to come.

I hope all is going well on the homefront! Love to you all!

Emily