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!

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

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/

Microburst..Please don't forget...

As many of you may or may not have heard Port Au Prince was hit by what's called a "microburst" yesterday. I will write more later but for now our Dr. Jen Halverson's account will give you an idea of another hurdle that the people of Haiti will have to overcome.

Please don't forget...

http://sleepydoctor.blogspot.com/2010/09/haiti-storm.html

Lise

heartline...

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick post. Heartline is reopenning the clinic in the next few weeks as there is a surgeon coming back to do follow-up and revisions. I won't be going back cause I cannot get the time off but my friend Jessica is going back and of course there is still a need for a few things. If any of you have some of this stuff and want to help out she is leaving next thursday (and I am away this coming weekend till tuesday but will make pick-ups work etc...) so here's the list..Thanks again!
twin sheets,
flat and fitted (new or gently used)
towels,
all sizes (new or gently used)
light blankets (new or gently used)
pillows (new or gently used)
antibacterial wipes (for surfaces, not hands)
baby powder
deoderant for men and women
bars of soap
manila file folders
Sharpie markers
duct tape and masking tape
good quality Ziploc bags (quart and gallon size)

Also a quick note about a project upcoming for me..check out the following website and start digging in your closets for those shoes you don't wear...More info to follow!

http://www.soles4souls.org/

Oh you can reach me here or call me at 780-278-7186

Love Lise

Thankful.

A while ago I wrote about a little boy at the Real Hope For Haiti Rescue center who was dying because of a lack of something that most of us consume too much of each day...food. Although there are still many children dying all over the world because of malnutrition I am happy to show you all the link of 3 children (including the little boy) who are alive because of the work of people like those at the Real Hope For Haiti...

like the little boy I saw at the rescue center we have to try and hold on to that little bit of sunshine in hard times...

http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/these-3-kids-are-alive/

Love Lise

Updates!

Its been a while since I have written. Life carries on and seems to deviate from my focus...but for me that focus has never been too clear. I just wanted to do a quick update to let you know what's happening at Heartline, to say a few "Thank you's" and to let you in on a new project that I am thinking of undertaking...

I'm just going to post a link to Heartline's website..more specifically John's blog where he updates on the things happening there. Heartline has bought a parcel of land and is planning on opening a permanent clinic there which is very exciting (read Beth's stories about patient transfers and see why such a clinic is needed!). As for the houses, a number have gone up and there are great stories about little E and his family getting a new start in life along with another young girl named Marjory...Rose and grandma are still working on getting a piece of land to put their house on which is a lot more difficult then it sounds! But one day it will happen I just know it!

http://heartlineministries.org/Blog20.aspx


I wanted to once again extend a thank you to all of you who have supported me...my little condo is still accumulating donations from people! I have just sent off a box of dressing supplies and clothes to the group at the Real Hope For Haiti

http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/

Have a look at the website...it makes me cry every time but more then that it makes me so grateful for all I have. Thank you Lori and Licia for all you do. I am planning on going to RHFH in the near future so keep the donations coming in ;-)

In the box for RHFH I was able to send "pillowcase dresses" made by my friend Elaine Porter (the pictures at the top are of my best friend Sherri's daughter modeling them...) Thank you so much Elaine! For any of you seamstresses (?) out there feel free to make some and send them my way! They are perfect for Haiti weather, easy to wash and put on and so beautiful and loved by the little girls who receive them!

And last but not least I know that most of you are either heading back to school yourself or are sending children off to school and in doing so you probably bought at least on pair of shoes...am I right? Well, although I am still wanting to support Heartline and Real Hope for Haiti I am going to be (soon) asking you to dig into your closets (and for me I don't have to dig far!) for new or gently used shoes! Soon...more details soon...just wanted to plant the seed!

Talk to you all soon!
Love Lise