PREPARED BY JAFRIKAYITI (JEAN SAINT-VIL) - APRIL 12, 2010

A benefit concert held at Ottawa's Bronson Center, launched the Ayiti Vivan campaign on February 20th 2010. See www.akasan.org for previous reports and a list of generous contributions received.

On March 23, 2010, Global Research journalist Julie Levesque and I arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Port-au-Prince, around 2:30 pm. My mission as AKASAN delegate is two-fold: 1) document and supervise the distribution of donated goods from the Ayiti Vivan Campaign which includes mobility material collected in Canada by Humanitarian Mobility International (HMI) and shipped in a 20" container to Haiti on March 5, 2010 at AKASAN's expense 2) document and establish working relationships with local Haitian-led, Haitian capacity building initiatives.

15 days later, I returned to Ottawa motivated and inspired by the contacts established with survivors of the quake and their response to the initiative; Unsatisfied with the results obtained in terms of the timely distribution of the donated goods; frustrated and angered by substandard service offered by the Canadian shipping company and by the Haitian Government.

MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED::

In addition to the 20'' container, scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince on March 23, 2010, I carried with me a wheelchair and 3 bags containing donated goods collected in Ottawa prior to departure. Global Research Journalist, Julie Levesque graciously offered to carry a box containing 3 high quality tents donated by Mountain Equipment Coop. Thus, we arrived in Haiti with collected goods that are of high quality.

The AKASAN model is well received everwhere it was presented in Haiti. Whether it in Carrefour where we delivered an 8 person tent to community leader of Lamentin 54, in Leogane at the health agents meeting of Ste-Croix Hospital, or during media interviews given in Leogane and Port-au-Prince, the positive respose was overwelming.

Needless to say that the goods distributed so far are duly appreciated.

Having learned about the Ayiti Vivan campaign from the EziliDanto listserve, Jean Berthony Blantrisse contacted AKASAN by e-mail to inform us of the special need faced by Atina Joseph who is paralyzed and requires a wheelchair.

The Wheelchair provided by Humanitarianmobility International, was delivered to Atina, at her dweling in Carrefour (Brochette 99), the evening of Sunday March 26, 2010.

In Leogane, a five member committee established among the heath care agents whom we met on March 26 at Hopital Ste-Croix, begun a survey of local communities to identify amputees in need of wheelchairs and walkers.

 

Makeshift homes photographed at the Leogane soccer field.

Nurse and coodinator of the Poste d'urgence et de suivi (clinic) established within the Leogane soccer field refugee camp, receives donated digital tensiometre from AKASAN delegate.

Proud father, Predvil James and baby girl, received one of 3 tents donated by Mountain Equipment Coop.

 

UNSATISFIED

Fire trucks in Port-au-Prince look in good shape but insiders tell us that little else exists in terms of first aid and rescue equipment and personnel. An area requiring further investigation....

Cooperative bank "Fonkoze" where AKASAN opened new accounts.

Meeting community leaders in Lamentin 54 (Carrefour)

Rev. Frantz Cole introduced AKASAN delegate toLeogane health agents.

Attending Vodou memorial ceremony, Place des Nations Unies, Port-au-Prince.

The view from Hotel Oloffson is still beautiful.

Julie Levesque and AKASAN representative in Haiti, Falière Bellefleur, survey the damage in Grannkolin (on road to Bainet)

8 kilometers travelled in 90 minutes. If only a portion of the million $ spent on conferences about Haiti (including thousands of frequent flyer miles accumulated by Haitian Ministers, NGO Directors, Bill Clinton etc...) were spent building actual miles of pavement on roads such as this miserable stretch of 8 kilometers...if only!

Kay Madan Henriquez - yo sèvi bon kafe! You knockat the door saying Onè (honor) - the inevitable response is RESPÈ (respect!). We came in with due respect and were served a powerfu, tasty cup of Haitian coffee - none compare to it- absolutely none!

Ladies on the side of the road to Jacmel illustrate how elegance and dignity can thrive in the midst of utter devastation.

Listening to health agent in Leogane

Doder, employee from MHAVE (Ministry for Haitians Living Abroad) accompanies AKASAN delegate, Jean Saint-Vil to Haiti terminal (the port) on April 5, 2010. This highly dedicaded Haitian civil servant provided us with top quality assistance, while trying to find shelter for his own family whose house was destroyed by the quake.

 

FRUSTRATED AND ANGERED

It is at Haiti Terminal that we first received news that, contrary to expectations, the container had yet to arrive in Haiti.

Bill of Lading - one of a list of papers to be signed and copied during the process...which is still ongoing...

Guardians of a dysfunctional bureaucracy at Direction de la protection civile.

Donated material which remain to be distributed -other than content of the 20" container.

Leaving the Direction de la protection Civile, April 6, having delivered and signed all the requested documents...mission accomplished - almost!

Mrs. Thelusma and her children who dialed my cell number several times that evening to make sure Falière and I made it safe to Kafoufèy from Petion-Ville, as night falls.

Falière Bellfleur carries tent to Mrs. Thelusma's abode in Parc Ste-Thérèse,Petion-Ville

Ronaldo Charilus, the hero who saved people by the douzen during the 2008 school collapse, gives radio interview to Carleton University's CKCU fm. explaining why Haiti must have its own rescue team.

Donated laptop and camera used by AKASAN to connect to the web and keep you informed of progress accomplished.

TO BE CONTINUED...