Election Update - we are still waiting for the results to be confirmed for the "Mayor" of Grand Goave... we hope to hear within the next 48 hours.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Happy Birthday Jendsay Trace
Jendsay Trace is Pastor Luc & Elna's little girl... her birthday was a few weeks ago and they had a birthday party for her with all the little kids at H2H:
Election Update - we are still waiting for the results to be confirmed for the "Mayor" of Grand Goave... we hope to hear within the next 48 hours.
Election Update - we are still waiting for the results to be confirmed for the "Mayor" of Grand Goave... we hope to hear within the next 48 hours.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Election Fraud
This election is a mess! The rumors that the "final results" were tampered with have been confirmed - the radio, tv & internet are littered with reports of fraud & they will likely revert to the original (preliminary) results... but you never know in Haiti! This will put Grand Goave back into political chaos. If they switch the winner again the current winning party (UNITE) will likely return to the streets. We have just had 2 peaceful days and we were hoping school would be reopened on Tuesday... school has been closed for over a month now in Grand Goave because of the election riots.
Here are some pictures of the the winning party celebrating their victory:
Just after I took these pictures the mob became violent and smashed a passing car that contained a Senate member... one that didn't approve of the "final results"... I'm making Renel nervous with my picture taking... I hope you guys appreciate it :)
Here are some pictures of the the winning party celebrating their victory:
Just after I took these pictures the mob became violent and smashed a passing car that contained a Senate member... one that didn't approve of the "final results"... I'm making Renel nervous with my picture taking... I hope you guys appreciate it :)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Our miracle boy
As soon as Junior started feeling better he asked to see some of his friends so Tuesday night we took some visitors with us to see him... Fritson, Louison, Eliyou & Boben.
When I told Junior the boys came with me he literally "popped" up (luckily they had just removed the IV & cathidor!) and turned to the door - I barely got my camera out in time... I'm so glad I did because I never want to forget this moment.
The doctors let Junior take a walk outside and sit with his friends - they were so impressed with his progress that they told him he could go home Wednesday if his sudden progress was permanent. Junior took the challenge seriously and came home yesterday afternoon - the doctors were stunned... his healing is truly a miracle. Thank you for your prayers!
On the election front...
The final elections results were announced last night just before midnight. For the most part they were the same as the preliminary results except for the Mayor of Grand Goave (& some other local villages) - where the candidates from INITE replaced the original winning candidates... which seems to confirm the bribe rumors that have been floating around. Since the final results have been announced the supporters of the new Mayor have been roaming the city picking fights with the opposing party. It doesn't make much sense... these supporters fought when they lost the preliminary round and now they're fighting when they won the final round. I'm tired of the gun shots, burning tires & machetes... hopefully things will calm down quickly now that it's final. My house is still full of people "hiding" and I'm running out of banked sleep... not to mention groceries :)
Here's an article if you're interested in reading more:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2783-haiti-social-post-result-violence-one-death-and-significant-damage.html
When I told Junior the boys came with me he literally "popped" up (luckily they had just removed the IV & cathidor!) and turned to the door - I barely got my camera out in time... I'm so glad I did because I never want to forget this moment.
The doctors let Junior take a walk outside and sit with his friends - they were so impressed with his progress that they told him he could go home Wednesday if his sudden progress was permanent. Junior took the challenge seriously and came home yesterday afternoon - the doctors were stunned... his healing is truly a miracle. Thank you for your prayers!
On the election front...
The final elections results were announced last night just before midnight. For the most part they were the same as the preliminary results except for the Mayor of Grand Goave (& some other local villages) - where the candidates from INITE replaced the original winning candidates... which seems to confirm the bribe rumors that have been floating around. Since the final results have been announced the supporters of the new Mayor have been roaming the city picking fights with the opposing party. It doesn't make much sense... these supporters fought when they lost the preliminary round and now they're fighting when they won the final round. I'm tired of the gun shots, burning tires & machetes... hopefully things will calm down quickly now that it's final. My house is still full of people "hiding" and I'm running out of banked sleep... not to mention groceries :)
Here's an article if you're interested in reading more:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2783-haiti-social-post-result-violence-one-death-and-significant-damage.html
Friday, April 15, 2011
An update on Junior
I spent the night at the hospital with Junior and we had a rough night (convulsions, vomitting, etc) but he is starting to respond to the medicine and there were a few bright moments when he came to and looked into my eyes. Elna took my place this morning and I am at home resting and will return shortly.
The doctors said he is still very sick but they are expecting him to continue to respond to the medicine and they believe he will gradually improve. Please continue to pray.
We are also still having protests over the election results - there was a fight outside the hospital just minutes after we made "the switch". The final election results will be announced on Monday... which will probably means some more riots before the new Mayor gains control.
The doctors said he is still very sick but they are expecting him to continue to respond to the medicine and they believe he will gradually improve. Please continue to pray.
We are also still having protests over the election results - there was a fight outside the hospital just minutes after we made "the switch". The final election results will be announced on Monday... which will probably means some more riots before the new Mayor gains control.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Junior
Please help me pray for Junior (aka Alcat, Mango)...
Junior's fever started last night and by the morning he was having seizures - he is now in a coma in the local hospital, here in Grand Goave. He has been diagnosed with a type of malaria that is quick acting and went to his brain almost immediately. We believe he is in God's hands and we ask that you help us pray for him.
Please also pray for some extra energy for those of us caring for Junior - hospitals in Haiti don't provide the same services as those in Canada... most of the 'nursing' is done by family or friends.
Junior's fever started last night and by the morning he was having seizures - he is now in a coma in the local hospital, here in Grand Goave. He has been diagnosed with a type of malaria that is quick acting and went to his brain almost immediately. We believe he is in God's hands and we ask that you help us pray for him.
Please also pray for some extra energy for those of us caring for Junior - hospitals in Haiti don't provide the same services as those in Canada... most of the 'nursing' is done by family or friends.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Election Results
Yesterday the preliminary election results were announced and "Tet Kale" (Michel Martelly) is Haiti's new President.
Here is a translation of his acceptance speech:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2685-haiti-elections-speech-of-michel-martelly.html
The results were well received in most of the country... but not in our little town of Grand Goave....
Yesterday they also announced the new Mayor of Grand Goave and the losing political party is not taking the loss well. The past 24 hours have been filled with gun fire and burning tires. Our gates are locked and we're thankful for our high walls and independent resources.
Against my better judgment I made a dash outside to take a few pictures this afternoon... I returned safely but Renel has tightened my leash to say the least.
To put things into perspective, I took these pictures just a stones throw from the front gate of our compound...
In typical H2H fashion our kids are taking the events in stride and the boys even had a lively soccer game this afternoon... the fires burning just outside the walls.
To be honest, it feels a bit like after the earthquake... my house is so full of neighbors that there is barely enough room to walk around.
The final results will be announced April 16th... hopefully things will calm down before that.
Here is a translation of his acceptance speech:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2685-haiti-elections-speech-of-michel-martelly.html
The results were well received in most of the country... but not in our little town of Grand Goave....
Yesterday they also announced the new Mayor of Grand Goave and the losing political party is not taking the loss well. The past 24 hours have been filled with gun fire and burning tires. Our gates are locked and we're thankful for our high walls and independent resources.
Against my better judgment I made a dash outside to take a few pictures this afternoon... I returned safely but Renel has tightened my leash to say the least.
To put things into perspective, I took these pictures just a stones throw from the front gate of our compound...
In typical H2H fashion our kids are taking the events in stride and the boys even had a lively soccer game this afternoon... the fires burning just outside the walls.
To be honest, it feels a bit like after the earthquake... my house is so full of neighbors that there is barely enough room to walk around.
The final results will be announced April 16th... hopefully things will calm down before that.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
MEI Team
A team from MEI School arrived at H2H yesterday after spending a few days up north. Last night they did some drama and singing in church and today they started their painting project... painting the kids bedrooms!!
Drama:
Singing:
Painting:
Some of the older boys helped out... thankfully, because we didn't have enough ladders:
Drama:
Singing:
Painting:
Some of the older boys helped out... thankfully, because we didn't have enough ladders:
Monday, March 21, 2011
Elections
The past 2 weeks have been consumed with talk of the elections, especially with Aristide's return. To be honest, I'm now avoiding the obsessed adults & spending as much time as possible with the little ones... who are just as tired of the speculation as I am :)
It has resulted in some great pictures....
Jendsay Trace (Luc & Elna's daughter) learning to wash clothes:
Fritzon cruising around the compound... unfortunately this picture was taken just before he ran into a wall - he had a bloody nose but was still proud of himself:
Jean Eli proving he just ate 2 helpings of rice & beans:
Junior showing off with his "girl" shampoo:
Eliyou pretending to have a reason to climb the forbidden ironwork:
As frustrated as I am at trying to sift through the Election rumors and guess what is motivating the return of the past Presidents, I really do care and am anticipating the results as much as everyone else. The second round of the Election was held on Sunday and the results should be announced next week. Things are fairly calm but there is enough fighting between the parties that most people are staying close to home.
If you're interested, here is an article about Aristide's return... there are other articles on this website about the Election:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2555-haiti-politic-first-speech-of-aristide.html
It has resulted in some great pictures....
Jendsay Trace (Luc & Elna's daughter) learning to wash clothes:
Fritzon cruising around the compound... unfortunately this picture was taken just before he ran into a wall - he had a bloody nose but was still proud of himself:
Jean Eli proving he just ate 2 helpings of rice & beans:
Junior showing off with his "girl" shampoo:
Eliyou pretending to have a reason to climb the forbidden ironwork:
As frustrated as I am at trying to sift through the Election rumors and guess what is motivating the return of the past Presidents, I really do care and am anticipating the results as much as everyone else. The second round of the Election was held on Sunday and the results should be announced next week. Things are fairly calm but there is enough fighting between the parties that most people are staying close to home.
If you're interested, here is an article about Aristide's return... there are other articles on this website about the Election:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2555-haiti-politic-first-speech-of-aristide.html
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Daihatsu
H2H bought this truck just weeks after the earthquake and Roger & Albert drove it over the border from the DR with a load of much needed supplies. Because of the pressure to get aid supplies to Haiti, the DR border rushed them through and we didn't get the proper paperwork... which has resulted in us having to use a police escort every time we drove it.
The paperwork has now been sorted out and we are free to drive our beloved Diahatsu!!
Renel and some of his welding buddies have worked from sunrise to sunset for almost 2 weeks to build a canopy for it and it is now finished - just waiting for the wooden benches and a final paint job.
Everyone is very excited... Pastor Luc wants his congregation to visit other churches together, the band wants to travel, I want to pick up teams from the airport with ease and most importantly... the kids want to go to the beach!
The paperwork has now been sorted out and we are free to drive our beloved Diahatsu!!
Renel and some of his welding buddies have worked from sunrise to sunset for almost 2 weeks to build a canopy for it and it is now finished - just waiting for the wooden benches and a final paint job.
Everyone is very excited... Pastor Luc wants his congregation to visit other churches together, the band wants to travel, I want to pick up teams from the airport with ease and most importantly... the kids want to go to the beach!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Pouring cement
Last week we poured the cement roof on the new kitchen/dining hall/food depot complex. It took 2 LONG days.
The calm before the storm...
The storm...
Despite being tired, everyone is excited to see the progress... although we're not looking forward to laundry day :)
The calm before the storm...
The storm...
Despite being tired, everyone is excited to see the progress... although we're not looking forward to laundry day :)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Professional Development for the Teachers
Bruce & Stan, in partnership with H2H, have created and implemented a 4 year program to reinforce sound teaching practices... focusing on "It's all about the kids!"
They were to arrive in Haiti on January 13th, 2010 to conduct evaluations following the first year of the program but their trip was delayed due to the earthquake. They returned in July to hold "Year 2" with the teachers and this month they were able to come and do the evaluation for both years.
Morning prayer & singing of the nation anthem:
Raising the flag:
Rushing in to get the good seats:
Bruce & Stan visited each of the classrooms and were pleased to see how the teachers were applying the new techniques... they were even more pleased to see how the kids were responding - they are becoming more involved in the lessons and being held responsible for their learning.
The highlight of their trip was getting the news that their program will be endorsed by the Haitian Ministry of Education... meaning after completing the 4 year program the teachers will have earned a Certificate that will be signed & recognized by their Government!
Bruce and Stan will return again this summer for "Year 3" with the H2H teachers and start "Year 1" with a new set of teachers selected by the Haitian Ministry of Education. Expanding the program was always the plan but it's exciting to see it actually happen... as things don't often go as planned in Haiti!
They were to arrive in Haiti on January 13th, 2010 to conduct evaluations following the first year of the program but their trip was delayed due to the earthquake. They returned in July to hold "Year 2" with the teachers and this month they were able to come and do the evaluation for both years.
Morning prayer & singing of the nation anthem:
Raising the flag:
Rushing in to get the good seats:
Bruce & Stan visited each of the classrooms and were pleased to see how the teachers were applying the new techniques... they were even more pleased to see how the kids were responding - they are becoming more involved in the lessons and being held responsible for their learning.
The highlight of their trip was getting the news that their program will be endorsed by the Haitian Ministry of Education... meaning after completing the 4 year program the teachers will have earned a Certificate that will be signed & recognized by their Government!
Bruce and Stan will return again this summer for "Year 3" with the H2H teachers and start "Year 1" with a new set of teachers selected by the Haitian Ministry of Education. Expanding the program was always the plan but it's exciting to see it actually happen... as things don't often go as planned in Haiti!
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