Jon’s update from Haiti, May 19

My experiences in Haiti have taught me a boatload of things, but one of the more unexpected byproducts has been a new-found understanding and appreciation for the global military community. In the first month after the quake I worked closely with the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and was blown away day in and day out by their incredible discipline and stark efficiency. They were such a great group of guys that genuinely enjoyed helping the local people through such a rough time.

Fast forward – I’ve spent the last two days living with the Chilean battalion of the UN Minustah Military (Minustah is the name for the UN’s Haiti operation). The Chileans are in charge of patrolling and securing the North section of Haiti. My stay here is part of a preliminary mission to start laying the foundation for a collaboration/partnership between the UN Minustah operation here and my water program. The idea is to utilize the Minustah Military’s knowledge of this area to help us establish and operate our program. It is an exciting step towards our goal of getting everyone in Haiti clean water; this kind of support is the very backbone of such a goal. The Chilean soldiers are hospitible and genuine people. They have let me in to their world and I will never forget it. Especially their cook, who insists on calling me “California!”

It’s been nice to be away from the intensity of PAP. However, the day before I came up here to the North I visited two camps in Cite Soleil – Haiti’s most desperate and crime-ridden area. There is a project going on there, spearheaded by Patricia Arquette, that involves our filtration systems. She has created a testing facility in one of the tent camps to try a few different sustainability concepts. Patricia and her team have mainly been addressing the sanitation challenges of this area – human waste, trash, etc., all of which are on the verge of creating a secondary disease-driven epidemic. She is incorporating our filter model into her program to combat the potable water challenges, but her main focues have been on composting, recycling, and bio-digesting. It was an incredible project to see and I’m honored to be a part of it.

I really believe that there is such enormous opportunity in Haiti right now. We have a chance not only as foreigners, but as humans, to try aggressive solutions here, solutions that in the future could end up being benchmarks for the global community. There are amazing people here doing amazing things, and once again I feel confident in our ability, as a species, to collectively change our destiny.

More to come…

Humbled and grateful,
Jon

Jon’s update from Haiti, May 13

Where do I begin? I’m sweaty and sleep deprived but the work is good. I’ve had a 13 hr day yesterday with Fritz in Leogane. Like I said in my last update my networks have been exceeding all of my expectations. Mainly in their organization and persistent work ethic. Coordinating and operating a filter distribution is HARD work and they are not getting paid. They have truly embraced the empowerment aspect of this program.

Yesterday I went to some villages only accessible by a 4 wheel drive up a riverbed. In each mud/stick hut there was our filter systems… Operating perfectly! One mother said that her baby had severe diarrhea and now with the filter, it has stopped. It really is that black and white…. They say the differences in their health are nothing short of extreme.

There has been more civil unrest in PAP. Organized crime is getting more organized… And there are more and more reports of kidnappings and killings. Some aid workers have now been victimized. Which, is unsettling since I have been out in the thick of it almost everyday. I am relying on trust and quick wit… Psychologically, that’s all I have.

About to crack into my trusty Jack Daniels stash. I’m banking on it to make the bags under my eyes feel less heavy.

Signing off cause this update is now making me sweat more….

Jon

Jon’s update from Haiti, May 10

Good morning!

Been here for 2 days now and finally starting to adjust. Its a weird sensation for me to be back. On some levels I feel more comfortable than ever but there’s also been a lot of change. Mostly good changes – debris removal, better structures in the tent camps, and definitely a resumed sense of commerce and low level economic growth. But there has also been a vibrational shift within the people that is very noticeable. The sense of emergency has subsided and with that comes two things – most feel gracious for what seems to be a return towards normalcy… But for others, that normalcy is a return to a very unpleasant reality. The quake brought so much destruction and loss but it also brought people together… and in some ways, served as a distraction from what was already an incredibly hard life. It put a freeze on a lot of the existing problems because everything was about basic survival. Plus the amount of international attention and support. Now that the dust has settled the old issues are resurfacing in a sobering fashion.

For me, The experience this time is completely different. My sadness for their situation is the same except it’s not as specifically focused on quake victims, but rather the bigger picture – jobs, upcoming election, and corruption.

The focus, with my work, has shifted in he same manner. Less disaster relief — i.e. “band-aid” type solutions — and more long term ideas such as rain harvesting or potential well digging sites. Also looking into natural spring sources in the hills that could be contained and then piped down to villages.

On my way to Saint Marc with my bro/driver/comedian, Sylla. So great to see him. He’s been taking me to some of the regions he’s distributed filters to and I’ve been seeing firsthand the evolution of this program. He has done a fantastic job! The filter systems are in people’s huts and working great! These are all people I never demonstrated for and that is exactly the point. Sylla has taken the knowledge and started empowering his communities… Just as I’d hoped.

Please continue to spread the word. It DOES make a difference.
Much love!
Jon

Waves for Water partners with Hurley

We can now announce something that’s been in the works recently,  which you can read all about over at Shop-Eat-Surf.com: Hurley putting stake in ground on water. Here are the highlights, emphasis ours:

Rob Machado and Bob Hurley

Hurley has decided to take on the issue of water as a major focus of the company, right up there with its support and concentration on surf and art.

“We are putting our stake in the ground,” Bob Hurley said. “Water is so important, we as a company are setting out on a journey to do something about it.”

Many other companies in the industry also work on environmental and humanitarian causes, including Sole Technology, which is working to become carbon neutral by 2020, and Volcom, which banned single use water bottles at the company and recently collected 5,000 pairs of jeans for the homeless, among other efforts.

On the water issue, Hurley is working with Rob [Machado], Hurley’s marquee surfer who has worked to raise awareness about water issues for years, and partnering with two groups that are also focused on water: Waves For Water, which brings water filters to those around the world that need clean drinking water, and The Ecology Center, a San Juan Capistrano nonprofit that teaches the public about sustainable living.

The partnerships will go beyond writing a check. Hurley will collaborate with the organizations to raise awareness and help on specific future projects by speaking to its audience about the issue.

“This is our effort to get behind something that matters as part of the fabric of our company,” Roger said.

Evan Marks, the executive director of The Ecology Center, said his group had decided separately to take on water as a major focus. Then he met Roger at the center, and they later decided to team up.

Evan said the commitment he’s seen from Hurley is “exponentially higher” than what he has experienced from other nonprofits and companies involved in the center.

“It’s not about a donation,” he said. “It’s about a partnership where we can be empowered by each other. … Together, we’ll have a loud voice that is inspiring and energizing to youth as a primary target.”

Waves For Water founder Jon Rose said the Hurley partnership will help take his efforts to a new level.

“They can use their existing platforms within their brand to help market and promote our program,” said Jon, whose group recently distributed 4,000 filters in Haiti. Getting the word out to more people will allow the group to raise more money to buy and distribute more filters.

“In my mind it’s a great marriage,” Jon said. “They have the desire and the resources and I have the desire and the program.”

Hurley will also continue to build on its previous efforts, such as eliminating 90% of plastic bottles at the Hurley Pro at Trestles by having water dispensers and steel bottles available on the beach.

“We really feel that should be the standard at every event,” Rob said.

And expect a big message and push at the Hurley U.S. Open.

The statistic that really got Roger and Bob thinking about doing more is one out of six people in the world do not have access to clean water, according to the World Health Organization, and that number could soon be one in four.

“It’s really weird to think that that many people don’t have access to clean water,” Bob said.

Bob said Rob has been ahead on this for years, helping to dig a well for a village in Sumba and speaking to kids about the water issue and other environmental concerns through his foundation.

“This is our issue on a long term basis,” Roger said. “By working with good partners with the same vision, who knows what we can do.”

Thanks to Hurley for joining our efforts to bring clean water to a thirsty world!

J/P HRO has a new website

J/P HRO (Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization) has a great new website to help promote and expand the awesome work they are doing in Haiti. Currently in the image banner atop their About page, you can see a photo of Waves For Water’s founder Jon Rose (arms akimbo).

OC surfers bring clean water to devastated regions

New post today on the Orange County Register blog, OC surfers bring clean water to devastated regions, about Jon Rose, Greg Long, and the efforts of Waves For Water and Save the Waves to bring clean water to Sumatra, Chile and Haiti.

Friday in Haiti

Update # 6 -  Jon Rose on the front lines in Haiti.

Yesterday was gritty. We received a new shipment of medical supplies and food the night before. It was going to be our first attempt at doing a food drop in one of the tent cities, called San Teresa. We tried to drum up some ideas that might help us organize the distribution prior to getting there. Something like a number system, etc…because if you don’t have a handle on things it will turn into a riot in the blink of an eye. Most of these people are surviving on one meal, every 3 days, and under circumstances such as these, people will do almost anything for that meal…and unfortunately, we came very close to seeing just that. We had people line up in specific lines — such as pregnant women, or elderly, etc. But as soon as we’d start to pass out food to one line all the people from the other lines would rush towards it, stampeding everything in their path. We had a lot of food to pass out but not enough for the entire tent city. So we wanted to make sure that the pregnant woman, children, an elderly got the first rations.

At one point, we had to make a wall with our bodies, standing side by side and locking our arms together, so that the pregnant woman could grab food and get through the crowd safely. It took every bit of strength to hold my position as we got pushed and pushed by the massive crowd. There were a few times where we all got neverous because of fights almost breaking out. We were severly outnumbered and would have had no way to truly protect ourselves. We did the best we could and got food into the hands of thousands of people, but as we headed back to camp we all agreed that our system could be refined for next time. The whole thing was a gut check for me because it clearly reconfirmed the fact that just surviving the quake won’t be enough for some of these people. The fight to stay alive now and over the coming months is an even bigger challenge.

I’m writing this post from the floor of a army cargo plane. I had to wait at the airport for 6 hrs but finally found a spot on this plane, along with 180 other people. Most of the poeple are Haitian/Americans that were checking on family, etc. Everyone had the same look on their face — one of utter disbelief. I’m headed back to the US to regroup and recharge the batteries. I’ll be going back sometime in the next couple weeks to manage our next shipment of filters. It’s crucial that the distribution networks I set up actually get everything I have promised them. So much is happening down there that aid shipments can get lost or stolen very easily. You really have to walk it through every stage until it is in the hands of those in need…something which I am more than proud to do.

It’s surreal sitting on the floor of a giant cargo plane with no windows. Especially under these circumstances. None of it feels real.

I want to say one more thing. These posts have been my theraputic platform to process what I’ve experienced. I’ve looked to them as a way to exhale from one day to the next. If the byproduct is such that you have been inspired to contribute, in your own way, then great! But, know this: I’m honored to share this with you, and I am humbled by the good nature of humanity. I witnessed it, in its purest form, and it warms my soul. The people of Haiti have an incredibly hard road ahead and I feel like my heart was left behind with them. I’m dedicated to this cause and will be working with this country for months, if not years, to come. If anyone has questions or input please feel free to reach out. This whole thing is symbolic, in so many ways. But if there was one thing that consistantly cried truth, it was this — We… as a people… are not alone.

This is not my last post….

Thank you! Jon
Sent from my iPhone

Sunday in Haiti

Update # 1  -  Jon Rose on the front lines in Haiti.

Here’s the latest from ground zero.

Day one we felt two more decent sized aftershocks. Everyone in this country is sleeping outside. Most buildings that were left standing are still considered hazardous and will probably collapse within the next few weeks. Most businesses are closed and there is still no electricity in most areas. Our base camp is running off one generator and the entire team is sleeping outside in a yard. No showers since I got here. The devastation is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It looks like the structures were blown up by dynamite. I really question what the ultimate rebuilding solution will be. There’s almost no choice but to relocate everyone and just scrap the city. We’ll see…

I linked up with rev. Andre Louis yesterday and gave him an in depth demonstration on the water filtration systems. He is a sweet man in his 70′s. He’s in charge of 30+ churches and we developed a distribution plan for the filters with that network. It was great! I gave him a bunch of inventory to get his operation going. Today, I broke away from the crew and  am in route to some of the more out of the way villages with an American pastor named Scott Bonnell*. He has a network of 115 churches that he’s been working with for 3 yrs. We are hoping to use his network to distribute 3000 filters and raincatchers amongst the entire country. I’ll know a lot more after today. The people are great here. I feel safe and completely greatful about having this opportunity to help them.

People at home need to know that their support is making a difference. As fellow humans, it is our duty to help facilitate in their recovery. They are beautiful people!

Keep you updated… Thanks, Jon

* Scott is the founder of Hope To Haiti, which has been bringing needed relief to Haiti since 2007.