Friday, October 29, 2010

Trip #3!!


Just wanted to check in with those of you who follow me on here. Things in Haiti seem to be settling down (optimistic maybe...) but groups continue to remain cautious..With hurricane Tomas expected to hit (being a Category 1 storm as opposed to Cat3 which was predicted does make me feel that optimism???)

And when people are living in the conditions that they are with poor sanitation and insufficient clean water sources diseases like cholera have a ideal breeding ground.. With the potential floods that come with storms like Tomas, the possibility for cholera to spread is increased exponentially...Teams on the ground have done an amazing job of educating the population and providing clean drinking water...to help in keeping the outbreak at hand. But of course with a tropical storm, that is expected to increase into a Hurricane in the very near future (with expectations of coming ashore in the next week), proper shelter becomes another issue and one not new to the Haitian people..


I can hear you now asking where is all the AID money..why are people STILL living in tents without access to proper sanitation and clean water....good question and that is a blog for another time but as for right now I am preparing to leave on my 3rd trip in 8 months to this little nation to do what I can. Funny, I don't think there's anyplace I've been to 3 times on a trip in my life..especially not in the span of a year! But as those of you who know me and have spoken to me about Haiti you will know that I have grown to appreciate it and all that it brings into my life... a sense of humility, feelings of gratefulness for my life here and Canada and a sense of purpose..


This trip, and the supplies I need for it will be mostly to address the immediate needs of a country in the grips of a disease not seen there since the 1960's (therefore leaving the majority of the population with no immunity to it), a disease that can kill a healthy adult in a matter of hours...let alone a malnourished adult, child, infant...


I know that I seem to be asking all the time for donations and I am working to reconcile that in me, because I like to think I am not a person who asks for much in life.But maybe in this case I am..and I think that's alright. A friend told me tonight "All people can say is no, so ask till they do!"

Many of you have already donated to me and this cause in the past..I do know there are many other causes out there that are worthy of your time and money. So maybe this time if you have a few dollars to spare think of me and my colleagues working there on behalf of the larger community of humanity.


I love what I do, I love that I have the skills that can help me help others..as most of you know given the opportunity I would do this on a full-time basis (but alas banks seem to have another idea for my life!) and I thank you again for your support in this, in every form that it comes!


If you would like to donate please msg me here or at lbudreo@hotmail.com and I will let you know how!


Oh and I promise to get back to writing, actually writing not just putting up updates on my life soon! So more to come from Haiti soon!


Love you...


Saturday, October 23, 2010

updates...

Cholera now in Port Au Prince..sad day but busy day connecting with so many wonderful, helpful, ingenious people! I love being surrounded by such people, all working towards a common goal for humanity...will update more later but in the meantime check this out..

http://haitiismyheart.chipin.com/cholera-outbreak-in-haiti-lets-help

help us get clean water to the people of Haiti next week.

I will also be collecting supplies (zinc tabs, Oral rehydration salts, salt and sugar packets..)

Thanks everyone!
Love Lise

Friday, October 22, 2010

cholera updates

Here are a few updates on the cholera outbreak in Haiti. My thoughts have been on Haiti and all the people there...

http://projectmedishare.wordpress.com/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130759193

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/10/22/130749034/cholera-blamed-for-at-least-138-deaths-in-haiti-so-far

http://www.pih.org/news/entry/cholera-in-haiti-another-disease-of-poverty-in-a-traumatized-land/

The last post is very interesting. Speaks about the possible lead ups to why this outbreak has occured...

Food for thought...

Cholera Outbreak

There has been a cholera outbreak in Haiti... deadly within hours in healthy people.. I will be sending money to Florida for a reputable source to buy needed supplies there as I don't have enough time to get supplies together and put there by Monday. If anyone wants to help message me here, email:lbudreo@hotmail.com or via text 780-278-7186.

Cholera is...
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated

Effective control measures rely on prevention, preparedness and response

About 75% of people infected with V. cholerae do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 7–14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.

People with low immunity – such as malnourished children or people living with HIV – are at a greater risk of death if infected
(WHO, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/index.html)

As of right now the outbreak has not hit Port Au Prince but its just a matter of time as a person can be infected and not know it, travel to a different region and infect people there...

I wish I was in Haiti right now...so badly..but I cannot be so I will do what I can from here...

Thanks for your support!
Lise

Friday, October 15, 2010

World Food Day

Recently I was reading a blog that I follow daily. The blog is by a couple who make Haiti their home (although they have been living in the States since the EQ). They are a neat couple (I have only met Tara once briefly in Haiti when I was there but was lucky enough to stay in their home while I was there), they have 7 children and work for a few different groups in Port Au Prince.

The particular blog post by Tara that got me thinking today was about how to advocate for a cause without coming off as judgemental or arrogant (you can read it here.. http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/10/advocacy.html One part stands out for me more then the others..its the part where Tara talks about how things exist even if we don't think about them..that we all have choices and basically those choices are to ..

1. We can find something to do
2. We can close our eyes and plug our ears and pretend there's no problem...

Sounding arrogant yet?

I have always thought that by my actions I could "lead" others, or help them in finding ways to help others. But the thing is, lately I am finding myself being more judgemental and and impatient with people and this world. I know its wrong and there are times that I need to pull myself back and realize that not everyone thinks the way I do..and that I am not an angel

How about now...

I guess for me right now I am choosing to not close my eyes...oh at times I wish that I could but like Tara said...just because I do that it doesn't mean that the thing I am closing them too will somehow stop, get better or cease to exist!

When I was last in Haiti, I visited the Real Hope for Haiti group in Cazale. I had never seen malnutrition up close till my visit there.. This past week Licia wrote a blog post about how she had to turn away children from the feeding center, how she has had to hire more nannies to care for the influx of children and how they were having to fix beds on the floor of the center to accommodate. you can read the blog post here...
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/helped-needed/

I have thought a lot over the last week about how Licia must feel, beaten down, trudging up hill all the time, ...How can I/we make a difference instead of just putting band aids on a cracking dam.

I don't know the answers to that question but just because I don't have the answer doesn't mean I should close my eyes too it, that I shouldn't find something to do about it..that I should stop advocating for the people and things that are unjust in this world like..childhood malnutrition in developing countries, lack of education for children (especially girls), lack of access to clean water..

And I guess until we come up with the answers to the hard questions I will keep trying to find the ways to help...

Today October 16 is World Food Day... All I ask is that wherever you are your aware of the fact that there are so many in this world that are without the basic requirments for survival, that 195 million children suffer from malnutrition each year, and I could go on..but I think I'm getting to the arrogant part quickly...!

http://www.actioncontrelafaim.ca/

http://www.msf.ca/news-media/news/2010/10/world-food-day-fighting-global-childhood-malnutrition/

http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/

lise

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

9 months on...

It has been 9 months since the Earthquake in Haiti..little progress is being made on the big scale but small/grassroots organizations like Heartline and Real Hope For Haiti continue to make life better for the people of Haiti. Thank you for your continued support... Check out the following videos for just a glimpse into everyday life for the people of Haiti.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7cIBQvKCUc
This first video, although made before the Earthquake is an organization that continues to do amazing work in the mountains of Haiti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-u0117h8k


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-u0117h8k

http://vimeo.com/13472351
The last video highlights a patient from the Heartline clinic...

Please don't forget!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Shoe Drive: Day one

Day One:

Two great videos by Soles for Souls...I love what this group is doing and am glad to be a part of it!! Check out the videos!

http://www.youtube.com/user/soles4souls#p/u/0/eVf7jMdsA5A

http://www.youtube.com/user/soles4souls#p/u/17/oLuWPNBmPyU

Friday, October 1, 2010

Shoe Drive!!



Hello Strangers,

So I have not written much in the past few months..probably because I am no longer in Haiti (although would argue that that is exactly where I want to be!) However, this life can be difficult in that it doesn't always let us be where we want to be most of all.


So that being said I am still trying to work on good things for Haiti (and hopefully I will learn to sew in the next few months..but that's another project for another time).

In trying to still help out those in need I came across this group called Soles for Souls and fell in love with the idea of gathering shoes for those less fortunate (not just in Haiti but all over the world!) I mean what a great idea..think about it, how many of us have shoes sitting in our closets that we don't and will never wear! Now think about the fact that for many in this world shoes are a luxury!

When I was in Haiti our Dr. Jen answered an email that she thought said we would receive 90 pairs of CROCS. Boy was she surprised when she got the call asking her where they should put the 90 BOXES of CROCS?! The sad thing is I think we ended up giving away almost all the pairs (even tho most were sizes 8-12 mens and bright pink, purple and yellow to boot!) It was pretty crazy to see the tough guys of Cite Soleil wearing bright pruple CROCS but I guess when its all you've got....

So this coming week I am launching my own shoe drive and am asking you to look into those closets for new and gently worn shoes..all sizes and all types (yes even heels..)

"Soles4Souls accepts all types of shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals,pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, just as long as they are new or gently worn"

"We define gently worn as shoes that you would still wear. They should have solid soles with no holes, laces if applicable, clean (no mud). We never like to see anything thrown away, so please, if there is any question, send the shoes along and we will sort and utilize the best possible way."

I do not unfortunatly have a lot of drop off locations (primarily The Cross Inpatient units) but if people are willing to collect for a bit I can come by and pick the shoes up! Also if you don't have any shoes you can donate and want to help out I am also taking donations to help with the shipping of the shoes after the drive (to the States)

Thanks again everyone for your support...

Check out Soles for Souls website

http://www.soles4souls.org/