Gauvreau en Haiti

Dear friends, this our blog for the month of September. Enjoy!

Saturday, August 28

Today, we have no water because the pump does not bring the water up when we still have 6 inches (15 cm) left. Georges goes down and fetch water in our reservoir with a pail. We can say that it is very practical to have running water. In Canada, we are spoiled to have so much water that’s coming out of the tap when we need it. Here, we must be careful with our water and when the water tower is empty, we pump the water from the reservoir. We must pump for about 15 minutes and we must watch that the water tower does not overflow.

We are supposed to receive water from the town, but in reality many Haitians unscrew the pipes and take the water for themselves. They do not have current water and must buy it, but they have no money to buy... And we must pay for the city water each year even if it does not flow through your pipe. Sometimes, we must buy water, a truck delivers water in our reservoir and it costs $50 US.

We were invited at Miss Vicky birthday party, that is today, Saturday; at the main house at GLA, in Thomassin 32. All the staff was there with their spouse, theirs children and grand-children, around 100 persons. There was food for 200 and after the meal, there were games. Georges participated in two of them. (see photos – Birthday Miss Vicky) Unfortunately, we left at 6:00 pm, because we have a long road in the dark to go back home. It is in the mountains, the road is very twisty and the cars that are going up are very often blinding us. The tap-taps (group taxi) are often without lights and they stopped often and without warning. When it is late, many big trucks return to their home and the traffic becomes very slow and dangerous, since many want to pass them. The road is not large and very tortuous.

Week of August 29

Monday at Fort-Jacques, we were supposed to receive two containers, but the crane was broken and we do not know when it will be repaired. But we hope that by Wednesday we will have them. During that time, Georges is doing some maintenance at Toddler’s House. This house need a lot of loving care, there is no one there full time to help for the maintenance.

Tuesday August 31

Finally, we have our water back. The caretaker wanted to wash the reservoir before we fill it with water. It was done last night. Haitians have very good eyes in the dark; they often work with little or no light at all. Yesterday, we went to André and Sylvie for supper and we brought some food for the baby that they keep at their place with the mother. Also, we brought them sheets, blankets, shoes, towels, etc. This was what was left in the warehouse at Fort-Jacques; we needed room for the other two containers. God had left what they needed, and He left sheets for twin bed and towels for us.

Wednesday, September 1^st

We help GLA to empty two containers coming from Canada. Because there is not volunteers (1 group cancelled, re: afraid of the hurricane), all the personnel of the orphanage, of which we are officially part of, and some young Haitian men helped to empty 4 huge trucks. This was done on the same day. (see photos September 2010)

Thursday, September 2

Georges caught the 24 hour virus that many had. We stayed at home and I was able to do the laundry. It is not very spiritual, but we need clean clothes.

Friday, September 3

What a day! For the ones who know me, you must believe me; I was in a UTV on the road to go to Fort-Jacques. What a sight we must have been: 2 young white persons and an older lady holding in her arms a little black dog. All the folks, on the side of the road, were looking at us and saying “ti chien noir” (little black dog). I loved my ride of 10 to 15 km (8 to 12 miles), with an Australian, an American and me a Canadian. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture because when we arrived, there was nobody to take a picture.

Georges has almost finished the shelf at Toddler’s House, they waited five years for someone to build them. The two persons responsible for this house are two girls, Molly and Joyce. They do a wonderful job with the children and the nannies.

Saturday, September 4

Today, we have a girl coming to stay at our place long term. God had put her on our heart before we left for Canada. When, Losita told us that she must go and live in a tent city, we offered her to stay with us. She will work with us at the orphanage.

Next week, we will go to the Minister of Interior, with Wadson from GLA (because he knows someone and it will go faster, to obtain our long term visa. Glory to God, Mrs. Dixie the director of the orphanage wrote a letter for it because we are now part of the staff (no pay). We needed this letter in order not to have to put in guarantee $10,000 US each, in a Haitian bank. We thank God for his help and support. He is so faithful and good with us in spite of our difficulties.

Week of September 5

This week, we emptied 2 containers and we received the help of 2 couples and 2 girls, all volunteers. Also, some young adults, from the area, came to help. Until November, there is no other team coming. So all the personnel must help on top of doing their own work at the orphanage. Losita came with us and enjoyed it even if it is hard work. She found two new friends, Vivian and Magaly.

Tuesday, September 7

Georges and Losita went to Kenscoff with the staff to give 400 bags (clothes, hygiene, shoes, etc.) to families who are in need and many still living in tents. (see photos September 2010)

Thursday, September 9

We went to the Ministry of Immigration with Wadson (who works at the orphanage) to apply for our long term visa. We had all the necessary documents, but there was one missing, the letter of certification from our bank. This means that we have an account with a bank in Haiti. At the bank, after waiting for 20 minutes to talk to someone, we had a 30 minutes discussion to be able to understand what the other side was saying. Imagine we have the best bank because it is Canadian, Scotia Bank! We do not want to know what we will go through at another bank. Even if you talk the same language, like French, it does not mean that we are thinking the same way.

Friday

We got an appointment at the bank for noon, so we can add my name on the account and finally have our letter of certification. After, Wadson went at the immigration to finalize the application. This time, it went well.

Saturday September 10

With Losita we try to adjust to one another and when something is not quite right, I pray and after I talk to her. We are glad that she is teachable.

We visited a new store that opened its doors about 3 weeks ago. It is a three story store that sells a little bit of everything. We visited only 2 floors, next time we will visit the third one. The prices are good and the variety too. We hope that the prices will stay that way.

Sunday, September 12

In the morning, we went to GLA house church, the attendance is about 25 to 30 persons per Sunday. After the service, the group of 23 went in the mountain at Kenskoff in a very chic restaurant “Floriville”. We ate very well and the bill was paid by a couple of the Bahamas that came to help at GLA. God is marvellous.

After that, Bas for Sebastian, a Dutchmen that we had met last November at the orphanage came to our house. Losita made the supper it was cabri (goat) with vegetables and rice. It was delicious. Bas stayed overnight, because to drive him back in the dark is dangerous. The road is windy, narrow and full of potholes; so we can meet someone who drives in the middle of the road and it is a frontal collision. It is better to stay home at night.

We added some pictures of animals (see animals or fauna) and plants (see vegetation) in Haiti, and some pictures of us working at Fort-Jacques on the future land for the orphanage.

Much love!

Jocelyne et Georges