These past couple of weeks have been crazy, in a good way. Making some progress as far as working with organizations in Haiti. Next week, I'll be going to Cap Haitien, where a facility was donated to house children that have been affected, lost their parents, or parents aren't able to provide. We were able to secure staff on the ground to take care of the children, 24 of them will be coming to the facility which we are now calling 'Shalom Village' (Peace Village). 4 Kids are from Port-au-Prince, 4 from La Gonaive, and the rest from Cap Haitien. Their age range are 3-9 years old. I'm flying out on thursday and coming back on Monday. I was going to bring food down there but unfortunately its REALLY EXPENSIVE!!!! So it would be best to purchase food on the ground in Haiti. We will be flying in to Santiago, DR and driving into Haiti
I'm asking you all to help support the kids that we'll be taking care of by making a monetary donation online at http://www.changeiscomingcampaign.com/ or by mail at 320 S. Flamingo Road #298 Pembroke Pines, FL 33027 ( Make checks payable to Arts of Color Worship Arts Institute, Inc)
We need $700.00 to purchase food to last for the month.
This is going to be one of my main projects this year (to help the village become self sufficient) I maybe moving down to Haiti for a while (God willing) but nevertheless I'll be keep you updated on what's going on down there and how you can help.
P.S. Please make a donation to the website so we can purchase food for the kids.
Much thanks in advance!
Maeva
Hi Everyone,
A week ago today, I was able to travel to Port-au-Prince, Haiti and bring medical supplies, food, and tents to those in need. Words cannot truly describe my experience there but I must say that I was highly disappointed, frustrated, annoyed, and angry. When I got to my family members who were laying down on card board boxes underneath a make shift tent out of sticks and sheets, they told me that I was the first one to come to their aid.
Imagine if I had not gone, if I had not been able to raise the funds to charter a plane and bring down supplies myself to Haiti. Would my family had gotten any help? God only knows.
As I spoke to other people in the community and in Champs De Mars, I was told that they haven't been receiving any aid. I interviewed several officers in the US Army regarding the aid and they shared with me different points of views.
1. They are waiting on instructions from higher command
2. They are speaking to the people to find out their needs
3. They havent come up a structure to distribute the aid effectivelly yet
This really pissed me off, maybe I don't understand what the heck they are waiting for, but I can't just wait until "whom ever is in charge" to devise a plan to distribute. Too many people have already died. Too many people are hungry, too many people are thirsty. We have to act now!
I'm planning on going back again myself to bring more supplies and food to the people that I met. A majority of the people I met on Champs De Mars gave me their contact information and we created our own plan on how to distribute to the people who aren't connected to a major NGO. I also connected with a church, whose lot is filled with victims under makeshift tents. They definitely need food, water, and medical supplies. Something that tore me a part was watching the kids playing with sticks and rocks. One little girl named Maria asked me to bring her back a coloring book.
I'm a little weak right now, going to try to rest this weekend. But next week, I'll be back full force and keep you all posted.
Blessings,
Maeva Renaud
View My Photo Album
PS. Special thanks to Kijik Multimedia, Hollywood Unites For Haiti, Phatt Traxx Productions, and all the individuals who made donations towards this trip! Couldnt have done it without you!
1. They are waiting on instructions from higher command
2. They are speaking to the people to find out their needs
3. They havent come up a structure to distribute the aid effectivelly yet
I'm planning on going back again myself to bring more supplies and food to the people that I met. A majority of the people I met on Champs De Mars gave me their contact information and we created our own plan on how to distribute to the people who aren't connected to a major NGO. I also connected with a church, whose lot is filled with victims under makeshift tents. They definitely need food, water, and medical supplies. Something that tore me a part was watching the kids playing with sticks and rocks. One little girl named Maria asked me to bring her back a coloring book.
I'm a little weak right now, going to try to rest this weekend. But next week, I'll be back full force and keep you all posted.
Blessings,
Maeva Renaud
View My Photo Album
PS. Special thanks to Kijik Multimedia, Hollywood Unites For Haiti, Phatt Traxx Productions, and all the individuals who made donations towards this trip! Couldnt have done it without you!
After some struggle we were finally able to get people in Haiti. Our group spent one night in Cap Haitian and are now Port au Prince. More updates are to come and stories about the experience.
We would like to thank everyone who allowed this trip to occur through their contributions.This is only the beginning of the work we have to do as a united force.
Nzingah Oniwosan
Sankofa's Child, Inc
We would like to thank everyone who allowed this trip to occur through their contributions.This is only the beginning of the work we have to do as a united force.
Nzingah Oniwosan
Sankofa's Child, Inc
Okay, yes my flight was delayed again, but I'm officially leaving Wednesday morning from Ft. Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince. The plan is to 1. Find my family and represent them at the US Embassy in Haiti to try to get them out, 2. Go to Leogane and Petit Groave to set up a make shift clinic 3. Connet with other grass roots organizations in Haiti to find out their needs to see how we can help.
My father sent me his notes, unfortunately he got sick and will be leaving Haiti tomorrow, so I'll be on my own down there, not really but my dad won't be with me :-(
Here's what he said:
Notes from the field
As of January 24, the death toll from Jan 12 earthquake: 112250 deaths and 194,000 injured
Expect a country with thousands of amputated young adults
More than 235000 people have left Port-au-Prince. The largest influx to GONAIVES
The number of people living in temporary shelter could be as high 800,000
The NGO and humanitarian community have only 3500 tents in Haiti!
People need TENT, TENTS, and sleeping bags!
There was a tsunami in Petit Paradis in the Nord West of Haiti.
Frustation Frustation Frustation
There is no Emergency Operation Center in Haiti.
Not one EOC for the entire country
The Haitian governement is not directly involved in food distribution
Let's pray GOD:. NO RAIN please! Everybody is sleeping under the stars
Good news, I found an organization who is willing to ship goods to the southern ports of Haiti to avoid the bottle neck in Port-au-Prince.
I'm also trying to work on a centralized shelter in Cap Haitien, but I'll let you all know more details later. Wanna help please donate to the cause at www.changeiscomingcampaign.com want to volunteer visit www.haitirelieftaskforce.org want to bring goods to our warehouse? it's located at 7230 NW Miami Court, Miami FL 33150
Together we will!
Maeva
My father sent me his notes, unfortunately he got sick and will be leaving Haiti tomorrow, so I'll be on my own down there, not really but my dad won't be with me :-(
Here's what he said:
Notes from the field
As of January 24, the death toll from Jan 12 earthquake: 112250 deaths and 194,000 injured
Expect a country with thousands of amputated young adults
More than 235000 people have left Port-au-Prince. The largest influx to GONAIVES
The number of people living in temporary shelter could be as high 800,000
The NGO and humanitarian community have only 3500 tents in Haiti!
People need TENT, TENTS, and sleeping bags!
There was a tsunami in Petit Paradis in the Nord West of Haiti.
Frustation Frustation Frustation
There is no Emergency Operation Center in Haiti.
Not one EOC for the entire country
The Haitian governement is not directly involved in food distribution
Let's pray GOD:. NO RAIN please! Everybody is sleeping under the stars
Good news, I found an organization who is willing to ship goods to the southern ports of Haiti to avoid the bottle neck in Port-au-Prince.
I'm also trying to work on a centralized shelter in Cap Haitien, but I'll let you all know more details later. Wanna help please donate to the cause at www.changeiscomingcampaign.com want to volunteer visit www.haitirelieftaskforce.org want to bring goods to our warehouse? it's located at 7230 NW Miami Court, Miami FL 33150
Together we will!
Maeva
My father has been in Haiti for a week now trying to establish a shelter. I've been corresponding with him to find out the needs of the people. I was suppose to bring him medical supplies so we can go over to Leogane to help areas that haven't been helped yet. So far my flight arrangements have been DELAYED DUE TO FUEL ISSUES! Gas in Haiti is now $100 per gallon. And most planes are getting their fuel from other countries. So right now I may be leaving on Tuesday- God willing.
I spoke with my father, who went down to Haiti with the Haitian Medical Association, and this is what he reported to me:
"Status report
From the field
Frustation
My biggest effort was to create a shelter.
We have a location
We want to create a shelter for 10,000 people
I had meetings on Saturday with NGO and Humanitarian group
No distribution of tents in Port-au-Prince.
People are improving their tent with clothes and linen
Water is distributed in the ad hoc shelter
Food distribution is poorly organized"
People NEED
1.-Shelter
2.-Sleeping bag
3.-Money
4.-Food
5. Baby food
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
The Government has declared the search and rescue phase over. There were 132 live rescues by international search and rescue teams.But
Humanitarian relief efforts continue to scale up in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane and other affected areas.
The number of people leaving Port-au-Prince is increasing daily. More than 130,000 people have taken advantage of the Government’s offer of free transportation to cities in the north and southwest.
FAO estimates that the number of people leaving cities for rural areas could reach one million,putting pressure on already vulnerable communities.
WHO reports that despite difficult conditions, there are no reported outbreaks of communicable diseases including cholera, measles and rubella.
There was a tsunami in Petit Paradis.
PLEASE HELP US GET IMMEDIATE AID TO HAITI THROUGH GRASSROOTS EFFORTS. Make aa donation today!
Together we will!
Maeva
I spoke with my father, who went down to Haiti with the Haitian Medical Association, and this is what he reported to me:
"Status report
From the field
Frustation
My biggest effort was to create a shelter.
We have a location
We want to create a shelter for 10,000 people
I had meetings on Saturday with NGO and Humanitarian group
No distribution of tents in Port-au-Prince.
People are improving their tent with clothes and linen
Water is distributed in the ad hoc shelter
Food distribution is poorly organized"
People NEED
1.-Shelter
2.-Sleeping bag
3.-Money
4.-Food
5. Baby food
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
The Government has declared the search and rescue phase over. There were 132 live rescues by international search and rescue teams.But
Humanitarian relief efforts continue to scale up in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane and other affected areas.
The number of people leaving Port-au-Prince is increasing daily. More than 130,000 people have taken advantage of the Government’s offer of free transportation to cities in the north and southwest.
FAO estimates that the number of people leaving cities for rural areas could reach one million,putting pressure on already vulnerable communities.
WHO reports that despite difficult conditions, there are no reported outbreaks of communicable diseases including cholera, measles and rubella.
There was a tsunami in Petit Paradis.
PLEASE HELP US GET IMMEDIATE AID TO HAITI THROUGH GRASSROOTS EFFORTS. Make aa donation today!
Together we will!
Maeva
www.iwant2help.org Operation Helping Hands, a joint community
project of The Miami Herald and United Way-Miami, will be collecting
donations to support the relief effort in Haiti.
The Archdiocese of Miami is accepting financial donations to assist
with recovery efforts for the earthquake victims in Haiti. People may
send their donations to Catholic Charities, 1505 NE 26th St. Wilton
Manors, FL 33305, Attention Earthquake Victims.
www.mercycorps.org Mercy Corps established a Haiti Earthquake Fund,
PO Box 2669,Portland, OR 97208, , 1-888-256-1900
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Text “HAITI” to “90999″ to make a $10 donation.
2025 East Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 (800) REDCROSS (733-2767)
Resources:
State Department’s Hotline for Americans Concerned about their family members in Haiti 1-888-407-4747
Haitian Citizens in the U.S.
Haitian citizens in the U.S. should call the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., 202-332-4090, or the Haitian Consulate in New York City, 305-859-2003. I have not received additional guidance on other resources available to Haitian citizens living in the U.S. who have earthquake-related queries, but if I will pass on if I do.
Volunteer Opportunities
Additionally, persons who wish to provide assistance or expertise in Haiti are asked to contact the Center for International Disaster Information. The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/
Contributions/Donations
If you receive calls from constituents about how they can make contributions and donations to disaster relief, the following web links can be provided:
U.S. citizens who wish to contribute to the relief effort for Haiti after the earthquake, either online or by text message, can visit www.WhiteHouse.gov.
Below you will find the links to the Center for International Disaster Information's (CIDI) Guidelines and FAQ, which will be helpful in answering questions from constituents around the country. That website also has the Guidelines available in French and Kreyol, if you should need them.
Please be aware that CIDI will also be reaching out to US representatives on the Hill with constituents from the Haitian diaspora, as well as various diaspora groups and the embassy/consulates.
http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm
http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm
project of The Miami Herald and United Way-Miami, will be collecting
donations to support the relief effort in Haiti.
The Archdiocese of Miami is accepting financial donations to assist
with recovery efforts for the earthquake victims in Haiti. People may
send their donations to Catholic Charities, 1505 NE 26th St. Wilton
Manors, FL 33305, Attention Earthquake Victims.
www.mercycorps.org Mercy Corps established a Haiti Earthquake Fund,
PO Box 2669,Portland, OR 97208, , 1-888-256-1900
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Text “HAITI” to “90999″ to make a $10 donation.
2025 East Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 (800) REDCROSS (733-2767)
Resources:
State Department’s Hotline for Americans Concerned about their family members in Haiti 1-888-407-4747
Haitian Citizens in the U.S.
Haitian citizens in the U.S. should call the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., 202-332-4090, or the Haitian Consulate in New York City, 305-859-2003. I have not received additional guidance on other resources available to Haitian citizens living in the U.S. who have earthquake-related queries, but if I will pass on if I do.
Volunteer Opportunities
Additionally, persons who wish to provide assistance or expertise in Haiti are asked to contact the Center for International Disaster Information. The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/
Contributions/Donations
If you receive calls from constituents about how they can make contributions and donations to disaster relief, the following web links can be provided:
U.S. citizens who wish to contribute to the relief effort for Haiti after the earthquake, either online or by text message, can visit www.WhiteHouse.gov.
Below you will find the links to the Center for International Disaster Information's (CIDI) Guidelines and FAQ, which will be helpful in answering questions from constituents around the country. That website also has the Guidelines available in French and Kreyol, if you should need them.
Please be aware that CIDI will also be reaching out to US representatives on the Hill with constituents from the Haitian diaspora, as well as various diaspora groups and the embassy/consulates.
http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm
http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm