U.N. Project

Everyday Jon sends me updates & images from the front lines. Upon reading today’s story I replied, You are reaching the ‘unreachables’, being shown the ‘invisibles’ and solving the ‘unsolvable’ . . . JR

Jon Rose returns to Haiti

“UN chopper flights never get old,  especially on these classic Russian military birds, with Russian pilots to boot. Yet another day here right out of an Indiana Jones flick. The flight to and from Port-au-Prince & Cap Hatien (on the north coast) takes about 50 min and we get to fly real low to the ground – same journey by road is a challenging, full day trek. These missions are pure adventure, reigniting my long running desire to become a heli-pilot.

I just got back from 3 days up in Cap which marked the official kick-off of our UN Minustah* pilot project. We split the load of filters between two prospective networks (hospital & youth group) – and next, CIMIC officers from the Chilean Battalion will follow- up with the two groups in a few weeks to see who has really embraced the program. Then, based on that intel, we will send more filters and the soldiers will reinforce the proven networks. This distribution strategy is designed to continue indefinitely, eventually bringing safe, and independent, sources of drinking water to everyone who needs it.

At the local org that the general hospital works with for all their community based aid programs, Konbit Sante. I gave my clean water demonstration. The entire group ‘got it’ and were completely on board within minutes. Next, the CIMIC officers and I were taken to the area in which they’ planned to be giving these first filters out. They explained to us that this place, called Petite Anse, was one of the poorest and deprived regions around.

What they didn’t mention was that the area used to be (and still is) a trash dump site. It’s also a brackish lowland that floods with every rain. The people build shanty’s literally on or beside the sea of trash. In this environment, with the standing water, it becomes a toxic breeding ground for disease and sickness. The site is fill with children walking around half clothed and usually with some sort of open wounds. It’s amazing that they are surviving at all.

I am glad that we hooked up with Konbit Sante because, otherwise, we would have never known about places like this that are completely under the radar. This is the very reason why I have always partnered with local leaders/organizers. It’s THEIR area, not mine. They know the need and have the means to delegate the aid far better than outsiders. Our job is to bring the tools & training for making clean water. They then get these into the hands of those who most need them.

The second prospective network was a youth group in Melot that I had visited on my previous trip. They had organized a clinic for our arrival and by the end of our visit people were walking back to their houses with fully assembled filter systems in hand. It’s a good feeling to be driving away and pass someone walking home with their new system and a GIANT smile.

We accomplished everything we set out to – and the Chilean UN soldiers are AMAZING partners. I am eager to continue with this project. There are 9 other Minustah Military units stationed across the country and we will be doing what we did in Cap Hatien with all of them.

I’m tired (as usual) but completely content. Life is good…

Much love!     JR

* to learn more about UN Minustah : http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah

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