Kansans Pack Food for Haitian Schoolchildren

The United Nations estimates 25,000 people die from starvation every day. That’s the equivalent of 71 full 747 airplanes crashing daily.

Republic of Haiti Independence Day

On behalf of President Obama and the people of United States, I congratulate the people of the Republic of Haiti as they celebrate their 206th anniversary of independence on January 1, 2010.

Roslindale’s Hebrew Rehab donates 120 beds to Haitian hospital

Children rights activist Marian Wright Edelman said it best by telling the world, “Service is the rent each of us pays for living.

Working Together: Partnerships move Haiti forward

Relationships are about give and take. One side receives as much as the other. When Americans go to help in Haiti, they take goods.

Dominican Troops Exchange Fire with Haitian Rustlers on Border

DAJABON, Dominican Republic – Dominican soldiers stationed on the Dominican-Haitian border in the northwestern province of Dajabon traded shots with Haitian rustlers who were transporting to their own country 43 cattle stolen from Dominican ranchers, the Cesfront border security agency said.

Power & Responsibility

I really need to be better at recording some of the funny and cute things the boys are saying lately. I don’t have baby-books for my kids so I need to record their lives via blog-baby-book.

Today …

Noah- We were going to the PAP airport to get Paige. Noah had already thrown himself on the ground declaring that, “Moooommm, fifteen minutes until Paige lands is too stinkin long!” After we got there the boys were trying hard to see her walking toward us from across a parking lot. Noah said, “Mom, What color shirt is Paige wearing, do you know?” I said, “No, I don’t know … but I think you’ll be able to pick her out.” He said, “No Ma, call her and ask her about her shirt.”

As it turned out the white skin and bright blond hair proved to be enough of a tip off and Noah saw her without knowing her shirt was black.

Isaac- As many of you know, the things you hear about Haiti are usually the worst things. Statistics are tossed around freely … some of them accurate and some of them not so accurate. Isaac speaks in a jubilant and joyful voice most of the time. So, in that joyful voice he said, “Mom Mom – Most Haitian children die before they are 15. Will I die before then too?!?!?” I just about choked on the lump in my throat. I told him that “most” is maybe not totally accurate and that the reasons they die are not reasons that apply to him. That led to a deep discussion about why they are poor and without money for doctors and why he gets to have parents and money to eat and receive care when needed. (sniff) And really, that is not an answer I can easily package. It was pretty heavy stuff for an eight year old. Then Noah piped in with his thoughts about original sin and if only Adam and Eve had not so royally screwed up the whole plan things would be better for Haitian kids and then maybe they would not die before the age of fifteen.

They may not clean up after themselves worth a darn – but these little men are thinkers. Maybe tomorrow we’ll tell Jeronne to put her feet up and we’ll discuss the complexities of Old Testament exegesis while cleaning toilets.

Here they are earlier this year discussing Super Hero stuff with Troy on a drive through Port au Prince … (turn it up)

Let’s Review:
With great power comes great responsibility.

Foreclosure strands a family of 14

More than 100,000 foreclosures in South Florida this year have wrenched families into chaos, none more so than Keitleir Pierre-Louis and his extended clan.

UN blue helmets bring Christmas cheer to Haitian orphans

United Nations peacekeepers have been playing the role of Santa Claus in Haiti during this holiday season, bringing gifts, warm meals and a little cheer to the least privileged children in orphanages and schools in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Metaphorically, if not literally, exchanging their blue helmets for Santa’s red cap, members of the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) deployed in various regions from Port-au-Prince, the capital, to Cap-Haïtien in the north-east and Les Cayes in the south-west with dances, songs and general merriment.

Fresh year, fresh water in Haiti | HamptonRoads.com

Remember that water project in Baptiste, Haiti I told you about months ago? Well, it’s done. The people in this mountaintop village no longer have to walk miles to fill their containers with water of questionable cleanliness.

Projects lead the way in efforts to connect schools

Megan Samples and Mike Aronoff didn’t know what to expect when they checked the solar oven they’d placed in a field near Blue Ridge Community College on a mid-December afternoon.