The Haitian Project

Archived Earthquake Updates

HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 1/23/2010

From Patrick Moynihan, THP President

Today, the volunteers and most of the staff celebrated the Sabbath a day early, so to speak, by taking a day for personal restoration. This may be the most important restoration to complete. I was encouraged to hear a volunteer to say that boredom [with all respect to the family and friends who have departed] almost occurred. Believe me, work still went on today and much was done--but the pace and urgency slowed for our areas of responsibility.

I am proud to share with you this reflection from our amazing Lead Volunteer, Elissa Kergosien:

Its so wonderful to hear the sounds of laughter and busyness returning to daily life at LCS. In all of my classes, I am initiating discussions with the students about finding the positive amidst this tragedy. My students have lots of questions. They want to know all about earthquakes, are curious about the thousands of foreign aide workers pouring into the country, and apprehensive about the future. These children are so resilient. The strength, courage, and selflessness I have seen displayed in our students has been such a powerful motivator for me to continue to serve here. In my first Philo class after the earthquake, I spoke for a while on how proud I was of these upperclassmen who have helped to lead the school and calm younger students. One Philo girl, in response, said to me, We have learned so much of this at LCS. We just get to put into action now.

The students, who now weather the lessening aftershocks with amazing calm and courage, took advantage of the change in tempo. Many went home for the weekend, leaving us with many fewer students [about 67 at midday] than last weekend--a good sign; we look forward to their return on Sunday.

We did have a vigil Mass celebrated by a priest from Mother Teresa's order. Having Mass our own chapel was wonderful.

I have titled today's update Moved forward, emphasis on the past tense, because we have. Thanks to the hard work of staff, volunteers, students, Board Members, THP community members and the special return assistance of Christina Crow and in-country help of Elizabeth O'Connell, we have not only survived, we have accomplished several crucial steps toward operation stability:

In Haiti:

  1. Secured food support
  2. Cleared essential buildings officially for use [two independent certified sources]
  3. Restored our perimeter wall with appropriate temporary fencing
  4. Secured cash lines [Banks have also reopened today!]
  5. Increased student and staff confidence--many have chosen to reenter dorms; are in from the soccer field
  6. Located medical support
  7. Connected with new relief efforts based on our experience and operational success in past crisis times

In the US:

  1. Mastered the new way of getting there in terms of logistics
  2. Increased annual fund support activity [Thanks to the efforts of all of our support community!]
  3. Organized our Public Relations effort
  4. Developed support for crucial relief work in the Zone
  5. Connected ourselves to the general appeal for Haiti
  6. Identified ourselves as a willing and capable partner to new efforts
  7. Maintained normal accounting and other organizational activity

Patrick Brun and I, although we see each other daily, have a specific meeting tomorrow to debrief on the past 11 days and make plans for how to adjust THP/LCS operation to the new circumstance for the maximum benefit of the country and continued success of the mission.

Unless the necessity arises, there will be no update tomorrow. Let's take the opportunity to assume going forward that no news is good news.

Thank you as always for your loyal support.

Peace,

Patrick


Donations can be made online at:

www.haitianproject.org/donate.htm

or by check mailed to:

The Haitian Project
PO Box 6891
Providence, RI 02940

Archived Earthquake Updates