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

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