Haitian luger?

[Jack Lawman]

Sorry, just wanted to get your attention.

But while on the subject, I just thought I'd mention John D.'s (Administrator & LugerForum Site Owner) charitable project in Haiti. If you've heard about the recent earthquake, you'll realize that now is a great time to get involved. If you've never donated before, now would be a great time to start. No matter how much you give, you get a great feeling. It's like buying stock in "hope".
http://www.rennwish.org/index.htm

[Jack Lawman]

Just found this:
http://pwojeespwa.blogspot.com/
Looks like they're OK... for now.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Earthquake 2
The news from Port-au-Prince is very bad. Few could get through as the cell phones are either not working or the lines are jammed with everyone attempting to call. Heard from Andy Topp who is down here with a group helping out another orphanage in the area and they are all well. The focus right now is to help our sisters and brothers in the capital. Getting in and out of Port-au-Prince may not be possible as I've heard that the road has become impassable. As all of us down south depend on food shipments (and all other commodities) from Port-au-Prince, this could become a major crisis for us. Please do what you can for the Haitians and keep us all in your prayers.

Two more tremors
Wow. Just finished with two more tremors that felt much like the first one right after the earthquake. Don't think the folks down here will sleep well tonight.

[John D.]

My thanks Jack....

P-A-P is pretty much a mess, but, like all of you - most of my news is coming from the press... I had the opportunity to get a notice from one of the folks at Pwoje Espwa - and all is OK there...

I've been trying since yesterday afternoon/evening using Internet, phone (land, cell) and some social networking sites Even my Digicel (my cell phone & # for Haiti) phone won't go through..

OK - mostly - I know nothing.. I've heard that one of the schools we built is fine - as well as the 600+ children in that orphanage (according to Marc - the "kids are a little shaken up by the whole thing" (he has a dry sense of humor ).... The other two story school, the other orphanage, the villagers and the children we are support (in our "family to child" programs) are in other districts - and as of now, I have no news about..

I suspect downtown Cayes suffered the most damage in that region, as well as some of the mountain villages in the Petite Riviere area - but, I have no way of knowing for sure?

While it's been a long night for Jen & I - I know it was a longer night for those in Haiti..

I will also add this.. I can not tell you how incredible your words and support means - not really to Jen and I and Project Rennwish - but rather, to those folks in Haiti who are "living this nightmare"... Your pledges and financial contributions - each of them - is gratefully acknowledged and most thankfully received... More than you may know...

I think it's best to keep that momentum up as, once we find out what is needed most (food, water, medical, equipment, etc. ) - then and only then can we decide how to make the largest positive impact during their time of crisis and the ensuing aftermath...

My sincerest thanks to all....

John

[John Sabato]

John D,

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the kids in Haiti...

please keep us up on any news you receive on conditions at your project.

kind regards,

John S

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by John D.

..OK - mostly - I know nothing.. I've heard that one of the schools we built is fine - as well as the 600+ children in that orphanage ......John

but John, I am not sure where my passport is?


Terry and I will pray for the kids and everyone to be safe or at least safer...

[John D.]

Hi John and Ed..!

John - I'm so sorry I missed your phone call, but it is no less appreciated - both in words and in deed.. My sincerest thanks!!

As well - Ed.. Honestly, my first reaction was to hop on a flight into PAP, but, even if I were able to get into PAP, I don't think there is a way to get to our projects in Les Cayes?? Anyway - I wouldn't drag you down to Haiti with me - unless, of course - you really want to go??

As well - I heard that the cell phone network now works into Port au Prince, and they are trying to repair the cell infra-structure, so I may have real news later.. If I do - I will post it here, OK?

My sincerest thanks for your thoughts and prayers for all the people in Haiti right now...

John

[John D.]

Finally - Adrien (one of the Rennwish folks in Haiti) was able to grab an internet connection... His area has no phones (and since my Haiti number is tied to that same area - I have no phone into Haiti...)... So - here are snippets of his long e-mail - but, in short - all our kids are OK..!!! Thank you - thank you... Thank you.... OK - I'll share my thoughts I sent to him when he has a chance to reply about what we need to do to assist those in Haiti...

Thank you all who posted in thies read, or read this thread, or have supported Rennwish...

"Dear Brother

How are you doing? By our side we are fine but yesterday in Haiti we had an earthquake by 5 pm and it lasted for 1 minute , it did not make a lot of damage in les Cayes but in port-au-prince it broke a lot of buildings, a lot of people die. People that leave in les Cayes are victim because they have their family leave at port-au-price.

Now in Haiti there are a lot people crying for their close family they are lose and until now we don’t know the number of death and Injured people we have. They searchers and the investigators keep seeking for the death and injured people.

The mothers and the children are doing okay but there is one of the mother’s has a cousin died in Port –au-prince at that event.

We have many relatives and friends in Port-au-prince so, We don’t know how many victims we have because we don’t have any way to communicate, phone does not work.

In our area, there are some wall of some houses that failed down.

There are some deaths in les cayes and a lot of injured people in hospital in les cayes and there is not enough bed for them.

It is a very sad situation for Haiti.

I love you my brother.

Your brother,

Adrien"

[BogeyB]

John,

I can't imagine the living Hell that must be going on in Hatii right now. I hope the prez has the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coasties, UPS, FedEx..whtever, mobilized and going there!!The military is the only help that get there fast to help those people!! May GOD help them!!

Mike & Ruthie

[Douglas Jr.]

The Brazilian Army suffered 14 fatal casualties (including a Colonel) and has four soldiers missing up to now.
The Brazilian Force forms the main core of the UN Peace Force that is kept there since 2004.
Let's pray for them, that died in a peacekeeping mission.

Meanwhile, the remaining force is trying to give the locals some help, and supplies has been sent from Brazil through the Air Force, in order to mitigate so much suffering. In the picture below, Brazilian soldiers look at a UN building that collapsed during the quake.

Douglas.

[John D.]

Actually, I met a few of the fellows from Brazil with the UN Peacekeeping Mission last year. I want to tell you how sad I am to read your post. The Peacekeeping troops in Haiti have had a very difficult assignment over the years - and I think the fellows I met said that their tour ended in the fall of this year (2010, I think?)...

If you are from Brazil - you and your countrymen have my thanks and my prayers...

As well. I just had a conversation with Adrien (he stood in line for 3 hours for three hours to use a temporary phone that was set up to call family/friends in the USA). He mentioned the following:

There are vast amounts of people leaving Les Cayes to Port-au-Prince to check on family and friends. However, there is only primary road, which, as he understands is not open. There are several back routes at twice the distance, but he is unsure whether those are open either either.

The hospital in Les Cayes is desperate need of food, medicine, beds, dressings and basic supplies. Many remain on the street waiting for any medical attention at all. I'm sure this pales by comparison to Port-au-Prince.

The next two to three weeks will be critical. As food, water, medical supplies are already in short supply - we can further expect a displacement of people from Port-au-Prince as an influx into Les Cayes and other outlying cities. This will tax an already over-stressed region, and given the condition of the infra-structure in Haiti today, I'm not certain International Assistance will be able to reach these cities in time with adequate basic supplies.

My thanks to all of you,

John

[lugerholsterrepair]

John, I was talking with a Friend, George Fortier..a Forum Member when he brought up a subject I should have thought of and hadn't. There are sure to be MANY more orphans now.

I think the immediate help that is being generated right now is obviously good and hopefully will meet the great needs of those who are hurting..at least as much as can be funneled into the small airport at the time.

What must be considered is the longer term affects of this social upheaval. This is sure to last for a generation or more...
Do you have any thoughts on the needs of your Rennwish orginazation for the years to come?

Jerry Burney

[Jack Lawman]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

What must be considered is the longer term affects of this social upheaval. This is sure to last for a generation or more...
Do you have any thoughts on the needs of your Rennwish orginazation for the years to come?

The situation parallels the "good hearted naturalist" phenomena of the North country. Well intentioned persons buy a big sack of bird food in October and feed the friends 'til the bag runs out in January. By now, some migratory species have resisted their urge to fly South because of a ready food supply. The naturalist doesn't buy another bag, so the birds may starve or not survive a migration begun too late.

John D. would know better, but like Jerry suggests... "fire and forget" assistance may not be in order (although better than nothing at all). A more helpful approach may be to give less initially, but resolve to dribble in a few bucks every year or so for the foreseeable future (or perhaps for the rest of your life).

[Edward Tinker]

I think the biggest problem is getting supplies to the people. In many cases the supplies of food and medical gets to the ports, but the infrastructure can't take it inward. So hopefully many HUMVEEs, all terrains or the like and heavy equipment is part of the pasckage being sent.....


Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

Jack, As I see it that is what John's orphanage does..tries to make a difference long term. This disaster will change the lives of many millions. The difference will be if we are still willing to help a year from now, ten years from now.

Jerry Burney

[John D.]

I am about to make this public announcement:

"Buy a Bandage"

What is "Buy a Bandage"? It's a Rennwish (a 501C3) partnership with Pwoje Espwa, based in Les Cayes, Haiti, to subsidize the Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti for emergency medical care, supplies, food, and basic necessities for its operation and relief of earthquake victims. As of today - all those items are depleted.

To help - please visit http://rennwish.org

Summary: Again - I wanted to thank all of you for your words, ideas, support and encouragement. As you know, many of your comments I've shared with some of our friends in Haiti. They are more appreciated thank you may know - or, maybe you do know?

Over the past several days - I've been trying to understand exactly "how" Rennwish can make the greatest impact given our limited exposure and, well - to be frank - limited resources. From our previous projects, we have selected programs, which are guaranteed to directly impact and influence the lives and education of children within Haiti. We believe we have been successful with our "partners" in those efforts - namely the children themselves, the villages, and our more formal partners, such as Pwoje Espwa.

The current crisis and disaster has only strengthened our commitment to the same credo - do as much as we possibly can to effect immediate improvement to those children, women, and men who, as I write this - are suffering unimaginable injuries and trauma.

Therefore, after communicating with Fr. Marc Boisvert - we believe, that together - you, Rennwish and Pwoje Espwa - can assist those injured children, women and men who might be otherwise overlooked immediately by the tremendous International Aid effort underway in Port-au-Prince, Petionville, Jacmel and some additional regions

The Goal: Immediate Requirement: $75,000 ($21,000 Medical/Supplies and $54,000 Emergency food/relief).

In the last few days, Rennwish has received exactly $5,042.00 in contributions earmarked for relief, with another $4,550 committed. All of those monies will be released for their intended purpose specified below. The remaining roughly $65,000 we hope to raise in the next few days - and with your help - by gosh - we can and will do it.

Mission - short term: To subsidize the Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti for emergency medical supplies, food, and basic necessities for its operation and relief of victims. As of today - all those items are depleted. In short, we will buy and distribute Medical supplies for the Les Cayes Hospital, re-stock Pwoje Espwa's medical clinic and provide medicine, food an comfort for many of the injured children, women and men who are strewn throughout the Les Cayes hospital grounds awaiting any relief whatsoever.

The Purpose: All monies will be wired to Fr. Marc Boisvert at Pwoje Espwa directly into Haiti. As well - that is the same orphanage we partnered with to construct one of several planned Technical Schools. I trust Marc and his staff implicitly and since they are "on site" in the Cayes region - represent our partnership locally for this huge effort.

As well, Marc assures us that if he had the money to acquire the medical supplies and food - he has access to them. So - let's get Marc that money so he can do his part to assist those most in need.

So - here is the deal….

As true to Rennwish's and Pwoje Espwa's legacy - we believe that getting your donations directly into the hands of those most in need sends a powerful message. While we could purchase the items outside of Haiti, pay for packing, pay for shipping, pay for delivery into Haiti and pay more to get them into Les Cayes - that option becomes both cost prohibitive and doesn't allow the emergency supplies to get into the hands that need them most - when they are needed most… Further, it also dilutes your donations with unnecessary packing/shipping/delivery charges. Our intention has always been - and will always be - 100% of what you donate goes to the programs. This program. "Buy a Bandage" is "one of those programs.

You may also ask that isn't this program outside what Rennwish has traditionally undertaken? Yes, it is. As you know, in the past - we have succeeded at building infrastructure in the care and education of children who can go on and change their own community as they mature. However, Rennwish has always responded to where there is the greatest need - which is why we have a legacy of programs in Haiti today. Today's need in Haiti is both acute and life threatening.

We are obligated to respond to those same needs today. Working directly with Fr. Marc, his staff, Pwoje Espwa and the hospital in Les Cayes as they struggle to make a difference in basic human life isn't an option. It's a requirement of "life" for us, the living.

We must not fail.

It really is that simple.

Our thanks,

John Dunkle
Rennwish.org

Fr. Marc Boisvert
Pwoje Espwa - Haiti

[Edward Tinker]

John, it sounds like being down there is less helping than doing what yer doing my friend.

Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

We are obligated to respond to those same needs today. Working directly with Fr. Marc, his staff, Pwoje Espwa and the hospital in Les Cayes as they struggle to make a difference in basic human life isn't an option. It's a requirement of "life" for us, the living.

John,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help - even in the critical financial situation that the US finds itself in this year, we are still the richest country, much luckier than any individual in Haiti. Such a situation is overwhelming - hard to imagine even with all the photos & news, it seems surreal. Ask and you shall receive. Each small amount will hopefully total up to what is needed - Jerry and I thank you for what you do. $200 is not much, but it will add up!
Best & Prayers, Ellie
PS: I am sending your Rennwish link to family & friends -

[BogeyB]

Hello John,

My wife and I don't have alot, but I just sent a contribution to Rennwish. I challange all Forum members to do the same!

Mike & Ruthie Bohannon

[John D.]

I just posted this on the P38 Forum - and a warning - this is a difficult post to read... But....

Again, my thanks to all of you..... I'd almost run out of words.. However - I just received this note from Adrien in Port-au-Prince.. I asked him to go to PAP to check on our friends and his family. This e-mail from him is NOT EDITED.... It is what it is - and why we are doing all this.. As you read his note, he has NO IDEA I would post his comments - and please know this is one of my guys - who I trust without question.

My dear brother,

The situation in Haiti is very complicated today. Port-au-prince is broken down and the town should be repaired

Most of the buildings that are broken are the state’s building, like The palace, laws court and some of the Government representative are died during a meeting they had at Montana hotel some of our artist died in Le Flambroyant hotel they had a meeting for the carnival next February, most of the universities are collapsed with student who made an examination at that time and most of them still alive under the ground and they send message text to their family and close friends. Some die because they can’t breathe and others because they had hurt.

Now Port-au-Prince is very smell bad because the deaths are everywhere in the streets they the obliged to dug holes to bury the deaths, they put them in a dumbstruck to throw them in holes. And a lot of crying everywhere in Haiti.

What which is hard for some people is because they may be lost a close and they will not see them anymore.

There is no communication, the way is broken the circulation to go there is not good.

I have some of my cousins who hurt but not to bad and their houses are broken.

The people live in the street because they are houseless some who have houses sleep outside because they are afraid of the houses even the people in les cayes they sleep in the street for the same reason.

Even the strangers who come to the country for help, it is true they help but they more focus on the hotel of Montana where they have some their own nation as representative in Haiti.

The people in Port-au-Prince are waterless and foodless. Most of them leave the Capital to go to different places. Now in Les cayes all the hospital are full with people and we don’t have enough doctor or medical assistant to take care of them. The representing we have in les cayes to ameliorate the situation and to welcome the new comers let the people leave in the soccer field and ask to every people to come with their help, like to bring water, food, clothes because some of them escape from the Capital with only one clothe and most of them are not from in les cayes so, they don’t have any one here they know they come because they find only the opportunity to escape the Capital and they profit to leave. Most of them are died by painful. The situation is very sad.

Now everything is very expensive like thought, like food, gas, even clothes and for the electricity they only give us power for some hours and all the institutions is closed like bank, school, university and all the state’s institution. Now the situation is very hard, sad and complicated in Haiti.

For the money I could not take it from western union but I borrowed it from a friend that I used to buy cement and Iron,when I get the money,I will pay it back.I went to Port-au-prince,I bought waters,juice,breads and some snacks and brought them to the people and then I share the rest of the money to them and their neighbors.They were very happy,they told me thank you and I told them to thank God and my brother John Dunkle and his wife.

My brother it is very Sad.I took some pictures,the internet conection is not very good now,I will send you them next time.

I love you Jen and my brother very very much.

Adrien.

[John D.]

My Reply to Adrien's note was:

Hello Brother....

You are not alone - I cry with you for all Haiti is today, after the earthquake. I cry for the people too. What Jen and I and all of Rennwish do is so small compared to the hurt of the people there. I am so sad also to read about what the international community try to save - but, as I say to you another time, I know they try to save their own first. that makes me sad...

Today, I start a new program to save the hospital in Cayes. We try to raise money - and then have Fr. Mark at Espwa buy medical supplies , food, beds for the Haitians at the hospital in Cayes - not for our use - BUT for the use for the people of Haiti - the children especially and those people who are like those who you mention. Your people, family and friends. I think "our" people.

I think we can do all that - just for the people. Not for the USA or for the Chinese or for all the countries, alone - but - more importantly - only for the people in Haiti...

It is OK my brother to cry about all that happens in PAP and Haiti - and all that you see. All that you live through. It is all OK..

You - and the people in Haiti do not cry alone.

We cry with you.

You are not alone. We are with you. All who support Rennwish... Please tell people in Haiti who want to give us a hug - all of us hug them back even more.

And please tell them they are not alone either...

I love you,

Your Brother,

John