November 9, 2011 Part Three

I am at the Miami airport. It feels good to be back in the US. Just like last time, I couldn't wait to leave and now can't wait to go back.

Here are some interesting and quirky notables from the trip:

So, on my way to the airport, there was a woman with a basket full of goat legs and parts on the side of the street. She had arranged its head neatly in the center for decoration. Made me think of my basket of gourds I had for Halloween on my dining room table.... A mere 5 feet away from her was a live goat munching on some trash. Poor thing had no idea how his day was going to end up :)

There are men with large baskets on their heads full of prescription drugs that wander the streets. Apparently they are mobile pharmacists. All you need to do is tell them what ails you and voila! Out comes a packet of pills. It is an interesting approach to healthcare!

There are no "lanes" on the roads. I wouldn't even call them roads. They are paths made by vehicles. It's every person for themselves and there are pedestrians everywhere. Every drive, everywhere was a white knuckle experience. If there is rubble or trash, just drive over it.

That's it for now. It's funny what sticks out in my head! Looking forward to being home later tonight.

November 9, 2011 Part Two

I arrived safely at the port au prince airport this morning. Things were a bit unnerving getting into the airport. Everyone wants to carry your suitcase for $1. Problem is that you don't know who will actually carry it and who will take it and run. I just hung on to mine as tightly as I could and said no thank you more than I have ever said before!
The drive to the airport took me through some less than desirable areas. It is still so hard to believe that there are still close to a million people still living in tents, and yet in 2 short hours I will be in Miami enjoying the blessings of American soil. It makes me feel guilty for all the things I take for granted.

I will be less heavy hearted later, I promise.

More from Miami later.

November 9, 2011

Last night in Haiti. I am in my room feeling melancholy. There is much to digest and reflect on. My day is long tomorrow. I leave Haiti at 9:30 a.m., with a long layover in Miami and then to Chicago. Drive home after that which should put me home around 10:00 p.m. Off to Poplar Bluff first thing Thursday. Leaving the hotel at 5:30 a.m. sharp.

Our generators are doing so much good here. I will be back in January. We are going to be shooting a documentary for the Discovery channel. Good things we are doing. More reflection and details on my layover tomorrow. Time to sleep.

November 8, 2011 Part Two

It has been a productive day. We had a Haiti Partners committee meeting and board meeting most of the day. Such great partners here running schools and programs. Their continued work WILL make a difference. They and I believe that education is the foundation for change in Haiti. Without it, it will continue as it has. Did you know that only 1% if Haitians graduate from high school as opposed to the 85+% in the US? I believe we can make a difference.


My travels this trip have taken me to different parts of Haiti that were less affected by the earthquake. It has given me a somewhat different perspective, although conditions are still dire. What I have noticed the most is that there is less pain in Haitians eyes. We keep hearing about "the new normal" in the U.S. post recession, but there is a very real "new normal" here in Haiti. I don't know if that's good, bad or nothing at all, but it is something to think about...

Oh, by the way, on a lighter note, I think I ate goat on this trip......I was trying to be polite, but in hindsight, that probably did not serve to my advantage :). Good news is that I am still here!

November 8

It was a somewhat restful night, although smells and sounds are different than home. Today our Haiti Partners board is meeting this morning and then I will be visiting some of the recipients of our generators. I am really looking forward to that. It is always rewarding to see the help that we provided the Haitians.
I am reflective of the many blessings that we have in the U.S. and the the simple things we take for granted. I have said it before but it's worth saying again. I am proud to work for a great company like Briggs & Stratton and serve in a small capacity to help Haiti.

Progress Part Two

Sorry for the short note earlier. I am trying to minimize my data roaming charges.

So upon arrival at the airport, I was pleased to see that there is now an arriving terminal. Much improved since last time. Things seemed to be more civilized around the airport. For that I was thankful.

Our day was at a new school just outside Port Au Prince. Pictures are coming. It is beautiful and 135 attend. It is for theological studies. We met so many amazing students and professors. I am so glad to see education as a priority.

Our travels from the school to my hotel was 9 miles....it took 2.5 hours. The roads are still awful, but I did see some new construction going on, which made me smile. Once at the hotel, I was thrilled to find out that I had a door that locked and warm water. What a treat. Tonight we are having dinner at the beautiful home of John Engle and his beautiful wife Merline in Petionville. What a treat.

Early meetings tomorrow. More later !!

Progress

Long day in Port au Prince. I was pleased to see significant improvement at the airport; however, I still found my suitcase in a pile in the corner where I had to climb to get it out. I do see progress, although it has been slow. I met some amazing people today. I am so blessed.


I don't have much time right now but will write more later. Just wanted you to know I am safe. Thanks for all the well wishes.

November 6

At the Miami airport awaiting departure to Port au Prince. I didn't sleep well last night as my mind was racing with thoughts of my last visit. The reality is that it is not a safe place to travel to, although I know I will be with good people who will keep me safe. I just need to be alert and aware of my surroundings. I know very little about the hotel I will be staying at. It is different than my last visit and there was nothing on the web...go figure. I hope for a few things...a door that locks, electricity and most importantl,y no critters! I did pack Power Bars just in case :)


My next post will be from Haiti, where I hope there has been progress and improvement. I need to remind myself that the wins are small, but frequent. It's all about expectation setting. More to come.

Welcome Back

It's been a while since I updated this blog. I have been busy supporting Briggs & Stratton's efforts in Haiti by serving on the Board of Directors of Haiti Partners. It is such a great organization run by my new, dear friends, co-directors Kent Annan and John Engle. Since the earthquake, Haiti Partners has built 15 new schools. What an accomplishment. I hope that my role is somehow able to make a difference, but I know the support of Briggs & Stratton employees through individual donations and plant fundraisers has made a huge difference.

It's been 17 months since my visit to Haiti, but yet I can close my eyes and feel like it was yesterday...the sights, smells and sounds are still so clear to me. The needs pause me. The honor of representing Briggs & Stratton overwhelms me.

And so I sit tonight in Washington, D.C., working on legislative matters for the company, but my thoughts go to this Sunday, when I leave for Haiti for a second time. I am filled with anxiety and emotion, and much excitement. I hope there's been progress, but I am skeptical. Did our generators make a difference? In my heart I know they did, but I also know how big the needs are.

More to come.