The Good News

The good news is that for every group here to proselytize and do fluff work, there is a group here doing serious helpful activism with long-term goals and commitments. The best, of course, have a strong relationship with Haitian groups that will make sure the work is sustainable and effective. Today we met with the Mercy Corps group in Haiti to go over the trip to Petit Trou (2 of them will be going with us for the week to help translate, especially when we break the audience into small discussion groups). We met with Mercy Corps workers all afternoon today. They also took us to a really unique place: the Dominical Republic (traditionally there is tension between DR and Haiti) has donated a bunch of buses that are now essentially classrooms for all the children living in the nearby tent camps (which are everywhere). One bus is for pottery (many of the kids built houses with their clay), one bus is the library, a tent is for language lessons, another bus is for singing. THe kids sang us a welcome song that was really amazing! Furthermore, the kids are sent home everyday with a meal- not just for themselves, but for their whole family. There were kids waiting at the gates- at first we were concerned that there were not enough resources and those were kids who had been turned away, but it turned out that they were the afternoon kids who showed up early, eager for their session to begin. The first picture is of our new friends in Mercy Corps, the rest are of the unique school. (I'm pretty sure you can click on an image to enlarge it) -Mike.