Miami Conference on the Caribbean kicks off with focus on Haiti
Haiti’s new prime minister will be the keynote speaker Tuesday night at the annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean, which gives special attention this year to the distressed nation recovering from back-to-back hurricanes.
Farmville farmers raise $700,000 for Haiti
Farmville proves that digital goods could well be the most powerful tool for nonprofit funding.
Blessing Health Service nursing director returning to Haiti on third medical mission
Mike Vansteel says it is opportunities like a mission trip to Haiti in January that reaffirm his decision to be part of the medical profession.
A gathering storm
Something very important happened this Friday in Haiti, Oxfam published a report with the title: “A gathering storm, climate change and poverty in Haiti”. It tells the story of a country deeply affected by hurricanes and tropical storms, which are predicted to get worse in the coming years. It is likely that hurricane’s intensity could increase by 5 – 10% by around 2050, and it is predicted that rainy days will decrease.
Lawrence University students to put Haiti music programs in spotlight with documentary
When cellist Carolyn Armstrong wanted to educate people about the music programs in Haiti where she volunteers, she arranged a slide show of sights.
Ayiti Cheri ?
QUESTION:
Anyone coming to Haiti that would be willing to be a mule for the Livesay Family? I have a lost, now found, ten pound package sitting in Waco Texas that I need to get here as soon as possible. We would come meet you at the airport exit to take it off your hands. If you are willing please leave a comment or email. We hope to find someone coming this weekend. Britt can ship it to you tomorrow.
World Aids Day
I admit that the global problem is too big for me to wrap my mind around, I admit that statistics simply overwhelm me. I confess that fighting AIDS seems daunting and difficult – and things that big make me want to look the other way. I admit that at one point it was something I brushed aside – even thinking, ‘that is their problem’.
In the last 18 months we’ve been working more and more with people affected by the disease. We’ve seen some harsh realities of the disease. It has a human face. That cured me of thinking it is their problem alone.
Now, when I think HIV/AIDS – I see the faces of seven women we have come to love, respect, and understand. Their stories are heartbreaking. They did not ask for the disease and they do NOT control the circumstances that caused them to contract the disease. There are underlying social and structural issues that increase their vulnerability – most of which I cannot possibly understand coming from my American paradigm.
They are people with hopes and dreams and hurts just like you and I. The statistics don’t tell the human stories. Every.single.one. of these millions is known by name by the GOD of the Universe … and if He cares – I darn well better care too.
- 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide
- 31.3 million adults
- 15.7 million women
- 2.1 million children under 15
Praying for them and caring about them on World Aids Day and the days to follow.
tara
TIH
We never stop learning how the culture works … sometimes the lessons are amusing, other times they are annoying … and lots of times they are just sad – but either way, we keep learning. 
About four months ago Tipap moved over to the Guest House to sort of keep an eye on things there. We did not have enough work for him at our house, and we needed eyes and ears over there.
We have a much more steady supply of sugar at our house since his departure … man did he enjoy a sugary juice now and again and again and again. 
But, he is still a bit of a hero at our house and the boys and little girls are happy to see him when he stops over. He is in his second and final year of mechanics school, and takes care of the yard and does odd jobs at the WWV house.
There is a cook that comes in when teams are in. The other position at the guest house is a cleaning position. We have not had such great luck in filling the position.
At first we hired Tipap’s sister. There were some really good cultural reasons to hire his relative. We truly thought it out beforehand, convinced it was an excellent plan. She lasted about 7 or 8 weeks. As it turned out she was mad anytime she had to work. Troy finally told her (in the form of a list) what needed to happen daily, weekly, and monthly. She got very mad. She thought if she had to work – then the pay, shelter, and food allowance she was receiving was not enough. All of that was apparently her reward for breathing.
Even when you’re annoyed, firing someone stinks. Troy hates it. It has not gotten easier. As it turned out she was HAPPY to be fired. She practically skipped out of Port au Prince. Tipap seems happier without her too. We were wrong on that hire.
The next person we interviewed was mad when she showed up. She had some anger toward someone and something that had nothing to do with us. Troy got up and walked out of the interview and told her it was obvious they were wasting time.
The next person we hired was AMAZING at cleaning. She was nice, smiley and friendly and knew how to clean very well. But she stole Vivien’s clothes, guests toiletries, and food. So, today Troy fired her. She did not ask why or get mad. Obviously, she knows why.
The weird cultural lesson came when I asked Tipap on Saturday if he liked the new cleaning person and if he thought she was doing a good job. (I only asked to practice Kreyol.) He hesitated and then looked down and shook his head no. I pushed him on it. Finally, with my cajoling, he shared that she has been stealing. He told me she had taken some things from his kitchen (an outdoor Haitian style kitchen) and that he had seen her take other things. He had no plans of telling me but I bugged him until he did. When Troy talked to him he told Troy that he wanted to wait and watch her and see if she took other things … sort of give her a chance to get worse or better while he decided what to do. He and the cook had talked it through and had a plan for observation and control of theft.
This is a very typical response. Tipap hated to see her lose her job and wanted to protect her. It is very normal for us (as the outsiders) to be the last to know. Tipap was ticked off at her and did not like her but he did not want to be responsible for ratting her out and therefore “causing” her to lose her job. Even though in our minds it is HER fault for choosing to steal — in Tipap’s mind it is his fault for telling.
We have teams for 20 days straight starting this week. We have no cleaning person. TIH!
