Hands of Light in Action
~Assisting People In Need~
Cholera epidemic appears to be stabilizing!
Oct 25th
Because of the swift response of all the NGOs and Haitian hospitals, the number of cases of Cholera are slowing down proportionately and continue to appear to be stabilizing. The next week should tell the story but I say–GREAT job and Keep it up–MIT, Medishare, Operation Blessing and PIH!
Camp Hope is still Cholera free! Luke with University of Chicago, Dr Scotty with HHI and all of our Haitian trained personnel totally ROCK!
Camp Hope Photos
Oct 23rd
We placed many photos on the walls of the PT tent for people to review which turned out to be the most popular event of the party. You could see people gathered in groups or individually looking intently at their photos. Many of the children and teenagers would gather together to view each other’s photos and remember the months from Jan to Oct. The adults were seen sharing their photos with the kids or sharing their photos with each other. Smiles and laughter but also tears were brought out with the photos. Even some would go off a little ways from the party, sit by themselves and view their picture when they thought no one was looking. You could see the thoughts/emotions. For me, it was a tender time for I just watched the expressions and the grouping of the people of Camp Hope as they shared with each other but also they processed their progress and life up to this point…
On my last night, I was at Camp Hope late for I had several people wanting to have their picture taken before I left. We will be sending these pictures down for handout next month. All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK YOU for the volunteers that took the time and effort to send photos to me to share! It meant the world to Camp Hope!
Cholera outbreak north of PaP
Oct 22nd
Cholera outbreak north of PAP, Haiti. It has not infected our camp at present. Any volunteers returning to Haiti–read up on preventions and the cause.
Article on CNN.com: Sick desperate to get help as Haiti cholera outbreak kills 138
Partners in Health report as the numbers rise throughout the day: Cholera in Haiti: Another Disease of Poverty in a Traumatized Land | Partners In Health
Nou Pa 2
Oct 20th
The uniforms were presented as a HOLIA gift at the party. In the typical dear fashion that our Haitian friends have, the uniforms were accepted with great joy, some awe, and thankfulness. The girls and the little ones were so excited that we had uniforms for them also! After the party, I had a discussion with Camp Hope Leader, Patrick. Back to LAC the uniforms would go until we could figure out where they would be kept safe from the weather and other concerns.
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When the earthquake happened, the Haitian people looked upon HHI, HOLIA, ARC and LAC as volunteers just trying to help them all. He said that many of the HOLIA volunteers began playing soccer with them all. At that time, Camp Hope still looked at the volunteers as volunteers playing against the Haitians.
My son, Jon came in June to volunteer for 2 weeks. At that time, the soccer coach recruited Jon to play on Camp Hope’s Soccer Team. Jon practiced every day with them and played 2 games against local competition upon which he scored the winning goal in 1 of the games. Patrick said that while watching that game—they realized that we were not separate. Suddenly all the volunteers and Camp Hope—WERE NOT 2 —WE ARE ONE!
Could Camp Hope ever give us a greater gift?
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Jessi’s photos from her trip
Oct 19th
Jessi White took these photos of her time that last week in Haiti!
(Click on the photo to see the album on Facebook).
I will say more about this incredible group in a future post but for now–enjoy her photos!
Thank you Jessi! You are a huge light that always seems to shine brightly!
Kevin’s pictures of his 2nd trip
Oct 18th
Kevin just posted his pictures of his 2nd volunteer trip to Haiti (click on the photo to see the album on Facebook).
Thanks Kevin for all the great food that last week!
“Therapist Moove” by Jean Robert Fontaine
Oct 17th
A wonderful painting was gifted to me by Nancy! I will cherish it always and remember our time in Haiti through it. Nancy requested the painting from Jean Robert Fontaine (the painter who now lives at Camp Hope). The painting is titled “Therapist Moove.” When facing the painting, the top left corner represents the earthquake; the arms, legs and body represent physical therapy; the faces represent the Haitian people; the sun and moon can be seen near the center repsenting hope; the bottom right corner in blue and represents ‘calm.’ More of Jean Robert Fontaine’s paintings can be found at www.lobey.net/Jean_robert_fontaine.html.
Reflecting
Oct 11th
As I reflect, what we all did was so massive and really great that I do not know how to put this all in words to have all 100 plus of you volunteers understand just what we all have accomplished. Also, the last week was so filled with strong emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other that I am having difficulty putting that last week down in words. Just processing it all but soon will take the time to try to express and tell the story of our last week.
Junior treating patients!
Oct 10th
Jeff took a picture of Junior, PT tech, treating patients in our absence…
Way to go, Junior! Keep up the good work!
All volunteers matter!
Oct 4th
Misty, Sarah, Amber, Jessi and Rikki were the last volunteers to leave after helping at Camp Hope. Josh, Betsy, Kirstin, Kevin and I are getting Junior ready to take over for the next 6 months. Betsy and Kirstin have been working non-stop to have everything organized. We will coordinate from USA and revisit every 6-8 weeks to update or change details if needed. Kevin is spoiling us all with awesome meals, and Josh does anything needed. While the time this week has been busy and great, it is very hard and emotional. One patient totally broke down today, and it was just heart-wrenching. Just know that all you volunteers are felt here this week and you mattered!
Fun Party
Oct 3rd
Everyone had fun at the party yesterday! So many people helped to make this event possible. Love A Child let us use the mobile kitchen, Dr Scottie from HHI, Luke from Univerisity of Chicago, Rikki, Jesse, Misty, Josh, Betsy, Kirstin and Junette from Camp Hope all made sandwich after sandwich. Quite an undertaking! PT tent was decorated with balloons, pictures were posted on the walls and Camp Hope former/current patients filled the PT tent. Patrick had some of the residents of Camp Hope DJ and before they arrived others were playing the drums.
New Tents Have Arrived!
Sep 28th
Here is a photo of the new tents that the American Refugee Committee (ARC) is providing for approximately 100 residences at Camp Hope. It will take a while to get them all up & to replace every one that really needs to be replaced (arguably all 320), but it is an excellent start!
Louisiana Volunteers have arrived!
Sep 27th
HOLIA’s last group of volunteers (not counting Kevin the cook and myself) have all arrived safely!!! They have arrived with 2 basketball systems, 150 pounds of ham and several suitcases full of school supplies! My hat is off to you guys!!! Thank you!!
Soul searching & an honest heart-felt letter
Sep 26th
To all volunteers and donors:
I woke up this AM with total tears and a gut wrenching sadness… I thought what are we doing? Here we had been planning a party to mark the end of many months of PT services and to show that residents how much they have meant to all of us by handing out the uniforms, volleyball net, basketball hoops, balls, family/individual photos and providing a meal different from their one meal of rice and beans. Making a difference! Leading them to a more “normal” life! Giving them JOY! This AM, a party and the gifts seemed so very trivial next to the fact that a few hundred at Camp Hope just saw their meager possessions and their housing swept away. How very wasteful I felt this AM when we could have instead bought them several tents….
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Photos: Storm Destruction at Camp Hope
Sep 26th
The storm that ripped through Haiti had devestating consequences on Camp Hope. Many people have begun to fear for their safety; they lost many of their meager belongings – over 150 tents are destroyed with Betsy reporting another 100 could easily be finished off in a subsequent storm, and there are no more tents available.
1st-hand account of the storm damage
Sep 25th
Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday afternoon, there was a large storm in Haiti. Over 1/3 of the tents at Camp Hope have been completely destroyed and people are being displaced one again. There are no tents or plastic to replace the destroyed tents. LAC and ARC are both working towards getting the things the people in the camp need, but the needs are so great and the infrastructure so screwed up already that it will take days if not weeks to get replacement items.
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Storm en route to PaP
Sep 25th
CLICK ON THIS POST TITLE for a first-hand account of the storm as Carol and Sarah were headed to the airport when it hit! I am so thankful to hear you made it safely and that our drivers are so concerned with us! Not that I doubted it, but it’s really great to hear this confirmed!!!
Wind storm damage
Sep 24th
Today we experienced a frighteningly large wind storm that ravaged Camp Hope. Camp residents were extremely frightened, remembering their world crumbling around them only 8 months ago, as their tents began to be severely mangled. There was literally no place for anyone to escape the dusty whirlwinds. We grabbed children & wrapped our arms around crying mothers, leading them away from areas where flying debris was most likely to begin to come loose in the camp. The wind storm lasted about 30 minutes, much of that a time of extreme chaos. And then we began helping residents, many of whom were patients, to return to their tents and survey the damage. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but the residents have a long weekend ahead of them repairing their tents and reorganizing their things. Here is a link to a description of the storm & the damage that it caused around Haiti’s tent cities:
AP: Haiti – Sudden Storm
It was a full day!
Sep 23rd
Things are winding down here for the night…the breeze is cool and bellies are full! It was a full day of PT clinic treatments, case management, PT treatment for Keisia after clinic hours, evaluation of her newborn sister, PT tech class for Junior…. Days seem like an eternity here and yet time is passing so quickly! Sarah and Carol head back to the US tomorrow and another awesome Sarah (Marx) arrives!
Preparing for the last hurrah!
Sep 23rd
Adult shorts and sports pennies arrived yesterday plus 2 pounds of photos from Andrea! The stuff is pouring in. Have basketball systems reserved for Amber, Misty, Ricki and Jessi to pick up at Dick’s in Baton Rouge–89 pounds times 2! Dick’s gave us 15 percent off and no tax due to 501(3)c status! Youth shorts and socks plus 30 pounds of educational books arrived today! It is like Christmas everyday! Also received a generous donation for Junior’s continued PT Tech training and salary! Thank you, Roxanna and Larry! We are gathering and bringing down 151 pounds of ham, 95 pounds of cheese and tons of Tang! Betsy and Josh have dug up 2400 eggs and 1800 slices of homemade Haitian bread for ham, egg and cheese sandwiches with Tang. Any photos that you were going to send–They need to be sent by regular mail by Saturday and express mail by Monday. I leave Thurs for the airport at 4 am. Shannon and Stephanie took pictures while they were down there last week and they said that many people commented that they did not hold hope that they would actually see the pictures for many volunteers have promised pictures and few have delivered that promise! Get those pics made and sent!!! IT MATTERS!
Feeding 1700 hopefuls!
Sep 22nd
One of the challenges of preparing for Haiti–I really want to feed the 1700 residents 1 meal so I thought that we could have scrambled eggs, cheese, and ham and that I could make monkey bread. Well, I figured out that we would need to bring 225 cans of Pilsbury biscuits, 40 lbs white sugar, 30 lbs brown sugar, 25 lbs butter, and the list went on….
Basketball system is covered
Sep 21st
The basketball system is covered! Just received that last pledge of $100 needed! You guys just so totally ROCK!! HOLIA, Camp Hope and I am so very BLESSED to know each and everyone of you!
Money raised!
Sep 21st
$900.00 raised so far for basketball system from 4 very generous people, including my Mom and Dad! In order to buy the basketball system, we need just $600 more. To get them down to Haiti via volunteers, I need to know that the $600 is pledged no later than this Thurs. If you can help, please please do. Small pledges add up to big ones!
DOGGEDLY Determined
Sep 20th
I am DOGGEDLY determined!! $1500.00 NEEDED!!! PLEASE HELP JUST ONE MORE TIME for Camp Hope! American Air has lifted its embargo which means that we could bring down basketball hoops and poles. I have raised enough money to buy uniforms for soccer, basketball and volleyball including shorts and socks plus a volleyball net with pole set up BUT they need 2 basketball hoops and poles. We can bring them down this weekend so I need pledges fast!
Only 3 MORE WEEKS!
Sep 18th
…until the PT tent closes. WE NEED PHOTOS! Please send photos to Nancy Malone, 46902 Mornington Road, Canton, MI 48188. We plan to hand out photos, uniforms, volleyball net, and other items including balloons during first week of Oct. Kevin and I are the last volunteers to go to Haiti–I am leaving on Sept 30 so photos must be at my house before then. Give Camp Hope an ability to have your photos as lasting memories!
Fond Parisien Field Hospital![Haiti [HQ] (by Amber Thorne)](http://handsoflightinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/51163_1648092565655_1648074165195_56418_1835_t.jpg)
Haiti [HQ] (by Amber Thorne)
Haitian Hope: Field Hospital
Hallejuhah- HAITI (photo montage by HOLIA volunteer Diana Lamsis, PT)
In Post-Quake Haiti, 1.5 Million Remain Homeless
Need for PTs in Haiti![Trip to Haiti [HQ] (by Laura Jacks)](http://handsoflightinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/50920_640657460701_640647415831_54772_1454_t.jpg)
Trip to Haiti [HQ] (by Laura Jacks)
Camp Hope July 2010
CAMP HOPE, Haiti June 2010
Haiti (by Diana Lamsis)
Haiti (by Jen Roberts)
Haiti (by Roxanna Watts)
Haiti 2010 (by Megan Brock)
Haiti 2010 (by Sarah Kolp)
Haiti 2010 February
Haiti extended edition! (by Shana Weaver)
Haiti Highlights (by Krysten Salla)
Haiti July 2010 (by Andrea Nissley)
Haiti Slideshow (by Brad Rewold)
Haiti-September 2010 (by Andrea Nissley)
Awesome Volunteers
bonjour Haiti (by Jessi White)
Camp HOPE
Camp Hope Request Photos Oct 2010
Faces of Haiti (by Shannon Hannon)
Haiti (by Amber Thorne)
Haiti (by Catherine Bevilacqua)
Haiti (by Laura Jacks)
Haiti (by Megan Herrmann)
Haiti (by Nicole Lamb)
Haiti (by Rikki Hudson)
Haiti (by Sarah Marx)
haiti 2010 (by Angela Standefer)
Haiti 2010 (by Misty Smith)
Haiti 2010 (by Sarah Benn)
Haiti 2nd Trip – Oct 2010 (by Kevin Martin)
Haiti : Vitality (by Stephanie Hansen)
Haiti =) (by Diana Lamsis)
Haiti Facebook Album (by Donna Corb)
Haiti Medical Mission Trip (by Nicki Sessions)
Haiti Trip (by Gary Standefer)
Haiti Trip, May 2010 (by Emily Nantz)
Haiti ~Surprise love affair of my lifetime~ (by Jana Lynn Gottino)
HOLIA – Hurricane Katrina
HOLIA February Trip
HOPE for Haiti (by Beth Melborne)
Joshua's Haiti Pics
Nou Pa 2