From Haiti

To support our work, Please contact me at WHYnotnews@gmail.com

This playlist is an interview between WHYNotnews Kevin Berends in Washington, D.C. and Tyler Westbrook in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, recorded via telephone on March 4, 2010. Scroll through for all 4 videos.

Tyler has been in Haiti for a month and is currently aiding Father Bordeau, a catholic priest who cares for roughly 60 orphans in a rural area outside Port au Prince. While not nearly a decimated as Port au Prince, Croix-des-Bouquets is in dire need of food, shelter, clothing, and every necessity. Tyler describes his experiences, the challenges, and what everyday people can do to help.

Please visit:  Sustainable Orphanages for Haitian Youth

Electricity is scarce & the internet, when available,
is slower than walking back to the states would be. 

I'll be getting some footage out eventually but for now here are some images of the disaster ravaged people & landscapes
of Haiti.

Check out Elaine Brower's YouTube Channel for some short raw video clips from our group.

Jean-Robert Lafortune, President of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition, provides an historical perspective on Haiti and discusses the present situation there. He points out that Haiti needs to be rebuilt by Haitians and comments on the so called "American interests" in Haiti.

2/6/10  Download  58 min.

Folks,

Our good friend, a fellow artist and an HLLN colleague, Carl Thelemaque, just called from Haiti. His number is (o11 509) 3711 - 1771. But I don't know if he will have resources on his phone for long. But he needs HELP now. If you're not in Haiti, you can help by asking someone you know who is in Haiti to go lend a hand. Or, you can send a money donation directly to Carl through Western Union, et al.

Zili, he said, I'm taking care of 1500 children in Croix-des-Bouquets at zone Li Lavoix along with their families since the earthquake. We need help. We need food, water, medicine, tents and, and flashlights.

Yesterday Haiti suffered a massive earthquake, which registered a 7.3 on the Richter scale, just outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Initial reports are beginning to pour in on the devastation to both people and property. Grassroots International has set up an “Earthquake Relief Fund for Haiti” to support our partners and meet the urgent needs of the population

“We are in the process of reaching our partners on the ground,” said Grassroots International’s Executive Director Nikhil Aziz. “Clearly everyone is deeply affected, and the full extent of the loss may not be known for some time. As in the past, Grassroots and our network of supporters are poised to respond as quickly as we can to address the immediate and long-term needs of our partners.”