Haiti Day 3: Design Challenges

There exist numerous challenges to building in Haiti. Haiti began using concrete and cement blocks as the base building material to withstand the yearly hurricanes that sweep through the country. Floor upon floor, level upon level, buildings were constructed using a very heavy and non malleable material, concrete. The usage of concrete as the main building material only compounded the effects of the earthquake on January 12th. The result was 230,000 people dead, and many more injured. I personally saw for myself the devastation that a lone cement block can cause.

Immediately after the earthquake I joined a group of 6 teachers providing first aid just minutes after the disaster. The injuries we saw rivaled and surpassed any one might see in the emergency room. We saw 6 inch long deep gashes on heads, arms that had been almost cut off, and legs disfigured, all from one falling cement block. Now imagine an entire floor of concrete falling on you, survival was not possible.

As a result, many in Haiti are talking about alternative building methods. Yes, if built correctly concrete structures can be earthquake proof, but it is expensive. What about wood buildings? Haiti has been largely deforested and only 20% of the original trees remain. Imported wood as an alternative would also be costly. The question I present to you tonight, then, is what are suggestions for building low-cost earthquake and hurricane proof homes? If the people of Haiti are to rebuild their homes they must be safe, sound, and low-cost. The modern world must have a solution for this country, please help us find it.

Haiti Day 2: What About Education?

Today I had the opportunity of meeting several people that are initiating various projects, all related to bettering the lives of children. Some focus on the day to day care of orphans, while others are planning to provide long-term education opportunities with goals of getting kids to college. I was so amazed at the many groups coming together for Haiti and the education of its children. BUT . . . .
There is NO REAL conversation in Haiti about providing a FREE education to ALL CHILDREN. In Haiti 90% of the schools are private, and the public schools that do operate face inadequate schools and classrooms, and a teaching force – very professional I must say – that does not get paid on a regular basis by the government. Why isn’t USAID touting educational initiatives? Why aren’t Bill and Hillary Clinton saying that Education is the future? What are the UN and Red Cross doing, except putting band aids on a century old problem?
Yes, I have the perspective of an educator. But THE ONLY true means of lifting a country out of poverty is through an educated populace. Only 70% of the population attends school, and of those, LESS THAN HALF finish primary school! At some point, the Haitian Government, USAID, UNICEF, Save the Children, the Red Cross, Bill and Hillary, and ALL the other stakeholders MUST put education first. We are all in this for the LONG RUN, not a short term solution that will only wreak more havoc.
So today I want to start a conversation. I want you in your dialogues and actions to reach out to our leaders, to our friends, and our colleagues and discuss the importance of Haiti having a system of education that will provide the opportunity for ALL children to learn. Please support our cause as we continue on this mission to help the most disenfranchised population in the world, our children.

Haiti Day 1

Good Evening Everyone! Michele Deardorff (H.E.R.O. Secretary) and I arrived safely into Port-Au-Prince at 3:00 PM this afternoon. The plane parked at the new American Airlines jet way, where we were directed to take a bus to the new immigration and baggage claim area. Immigration went rather smoothly, but getting the bags was a free for all. Regardless, all of our bags and belongings arrived safely. Exiting the terminal we were enthusiastically greeted by Samuel, a driver for Union School. We were very happy to see him upon immediately exiting the terminal, because there were hundreds of other people waiting for their passengers as well. It was a great way to come back to Haiti. Haiti has returned to practical normalcy. If by normal you mean the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Rental car companies are asking $750 dollars a week for a car, popular upscale nightclubs and restaurants are booming, while hundreds of thousands of poverty stricken Haitians continue to live under tarps, or if lucky, in a tent. When in Haiti, poverty is everywhere. Even before leaving the airport our van was surrounded by individuals seeking money, some with amputated arms and legs, others young children. Yes, Haiti has always had this problem for many years. It seems, however, that the earthquake has only exacerbated the divide, not closed it. Michele and I are settling into our apartment. I want to personally thank Union School for arranging our airport pickup but also providing housing for us. Without their support, our trip during this month would not have been possible. Thank you. Attached is just a brief video of Michele explaining some of our plans while in Haiti. Please take a moment to follow our blog, comment on our progress, and support our efforts to help the most disenfranchised population in Haiti, the children. SK H.E.R.O. President haitihero.blogspot.com

Prepared for Haiti

I want to first say thank you to everyone that contributed both financially and in materials for our trip to Haiti. We have been in contact with Rea Dol, director of SOPUDEP, and she reports that they have begun building temporary housing and providing educational services for children on their new land. She asked that we bring down tents because there were still many teachers that were either sleeping in their cars or under poorly constructed tarp houses. It only takes $32 to buy a family tent from Wal-Mart, a temporary shelter that can be passed down as permanent shelter is found. On another note, our website is set to go Live this week. So look for my announcement as we provide another vehicle for you to keep in contact with us, and updated on our progress towards helping the most disenfranchised population in the world, our children. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Steven K.

2 more days until I go to Haiti. Please join me virtually as I volunteer with disaster relief services.

Returning to Haiti: More Focused Than Ever

Dear Bloggers,

It has been a very long time since I have posted. My last post stated that H.E.R.O. was taking a break to regroup and recover from the earthquake in Haiti. Not only have we regrouped, but H.E.R.O. is forging ahead with plans to construct a residence for street children and create a pathway for success for Haiti's most vulnerable population, the children.

H.E.R.O. became officially incorporated in the State of Tennessee on February 12th, 2010. We are submitting our application for Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) status and hope that the U.S. government finds our program worth exempting for tax purposes. Regardless of the outcome, H.E.R.O. has great plans for the future.

Meet the Board of Directors! Natacha Constant, Michele Deardorff, Paula Poag, and myself are working diligently to move forward with the development of the residence for street children. A plot of land has been generously donated to H.E.R.O., and the Board of Directors is planning a month long trip to Haiti from March 30th to April 30th. During this trip we will be providing disaster relief services alongside Rea Dol, Director of SOPUDEP, and also assessing the potential for the donated land.

Your help is needed now more than ever! We want to begin construction on the street residence by December of this year, and can only accomplish our goal with your help. Please contact us with any ideas, support, or contributions you may have towards this goal. Additionally, you can visit us on our web-site at www.haitihero.org. We are committed to the development of Haiti and its people, and hope that you will join us on the journey.

God Bless,

Steven Kirby