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

Update # 5, Trip 2 – ‘INTENSE’

Sometimes experiences are difficult to put into words. The ones so rich, that you can actually feel yourself changing right then and there. I guess the best word to describe yesterday is INTENSE. Each day seems to get more and more enhanced. Maybe its because I’m getting more in rhythm, or maybe because I’m pushing a little harder – probably a combo of both.

I went back to Delmas 31, with Sylla, first thing in the morning. We brought another local with us to drive, so that Sylla could focus on translating. Dr. Raul Ruiz, our chief staff doctor, decided to tag along as well. Once again, we had no real plan other than giving goods to the 2 or 3 other camps located near the one we did the previous night (Syla’s family’s camp).

We packed a bunch of product into the back of the truck. It’s a little pick-up, with a metal cage welded over the bed, but still open entry to the back. I felt a little weary about going into the thick of it with so much product exposed and really no manpower. When we do food drops to areas like this we have security, etc.  Once again I had to trust my gut and charge onward.

There was one thing that we were unaware of though – word had gotten out from the previous night. People from Sylla’s family’s camp had already started using the systems and word was spreading like wildfire about how clean their water was. Apparently one woman said her baby had diarrhea for two weeks and it finally stopped with only one nights worth of filtered water. Coincidence? Maybe. Although, clean water will do wonders for just about anybody, especially a baby. Whatever the case, the local word-of-mouth news network certainly messed up our strategy  to fly under the radar.

We arrived at the first camp and as soon as I pulled out some materials to do a demo, Dr. Ruiz and I found ourselves pinned against a wall … on the INSIDE of the compound! The truck was parked outside and Sylla was trying to organize the crowd. Everyone was hustling to form a line because they thought I was going to give stuff out one by one. All of the merch was still in the truck and Sylla had asked some guys he knew from the neighborhood to help with crowd control while we did the demonstration. I felt claustrophobic and trapped.

Whenever I’m in situations like this though, somebody random always comes out of nowhere to help … like an angel of sorts. In this case it was a man named Jean Paul. Right away he started organizing the crowd, and they listened to him. I found out later that he is a community organizer for that area and not only did he obviously have the respect of the people, he also had an office with a lockable door next to the camp. I knew I could give him all of our filters & buckets and he would then get names to distribute them at a later time. It was the only option. Had we tried to give stuff out from the back of the truck, it would have started a riot – no doubt in my mind!

People were already agitated and once again we didn’t have enough for everyone, and there never is – the numbers are just mind boggling, so there’s just never enough.

After my demo, Jean Paul and his crew somehow got about half of our stock unloaded, through the crowd, and into his office. I exchanged info with him and he said he would update me once the filters had been distributed. Dr. Ruiz and I climbed into the back of the truck with the rest of our goods AND, the guys who watched it for us.

As we pulled away, someone came out of nowhere, reached through the cage, and stole a filter right out of the box.

I realized that they weren’t getting out. Sylla said that he promised to give the guys who did security for us some filters, in return for their efforts. Of course I was more than happy to do so. So we stopped a little ways down the road and I quickly pulled out some stock for them.

Instantly the truck was mobbed again. I banged on the tailgate for the driver to move. As we moved away from the growing crowd a man, in a beanie, started yelling at me in English – “Why  do they get some and not me? Huh bro? What about me?!” I could see the desperation in his eyes and frankly, I couldn’t blame him for. He started running after us and since we were going so slow, he got within a few feet from my leg, which was hanging over the tailgate. He yelled some more and began to lunge towards me. The driver accelerated just in time. The guy stood in the middle of the street with his arms raised. As we got further and further away, I watched closely at his shrinking silhouette.

Lesson Learned! And thankfully, not at the cost of anyone’s safety. What happened there, was exactly the reason why I only try to work with the bigger local networks to help organize and get our supplies out. But, I have always loved the intimacy of a grassroots, street level drop. I’ve done them many times in villages, all over the world, and it always works great. But this is a completely different scenario. The urgency that accompanies catastrophes completely changes the whole dynamic.

Sylla and I agreed that he and Jean Paul would meet at a later time to coordinate a covert drop for the rest of the goods I had allocated for that area.

In retrospect, I can clearly see we were only one click away from a serious predicament. I’ve said it before, but I really do believe that in doing this work, from the heart, I am protected. I have to trust that … or else I have nothing.

I’m in my tent and though it’s a crystal clear evening,  I put my rain-fly on so I can have some time to myself … I need it!

Much love,
Jon

update # 4, Trip 2 -’Everybody Needs Everything’

Yesterday was flat out awesome! It’s so great to have such a big stockpile of filters to work with. In the morning, Paula (from David Belle’s network in Jacmel), came with a huge truck and picked up the 1500 filters I promised to the Crose Network. It feels so good to follow through on my word. Paula is a dread-headed Rasta woman with honest eyes and a calming presence. When I was coordinating with her on the phone she told me she was a little surprised to hear from me again so soon. Paula was there for my filter workshop in Jacmel a couple weeks ago and heard that I had flown back to the states. Now, when she heard from me again so soon, she said to me on the phone (while chuckling) “yes I, back so soon… What are you doing? You crazy mon!”. I guess since this is a place where every one is trying their hardest to leave, she was shocked to see me returning to the front lines.

But here I am handing off thousands of filters to Paula – and have already received an email from her telling me about her amazing distribution process and the clean water it’s providing. Already I am filthy dirty, and smiling. I know we will be working with this group for a long time to come.

After Paula left, I went to a meeting with Sean and Oscar (operations guy at our camp), to see the pastor who helps govern the tent camp we have directly below us – now at 50k in population. Since I first arrived on the scene, I’ve been trying to find a way to distribute filters in this camp, but can’t come up with a civil and just way to decide who gets what. Everybody needs everything and they all deserve it, but because we have a limited amount, it has to be planned out or riots will erupt. Our strategy meeting went well. I could see that the pastor really does care about his people and wants to work out a fair protocol to distribute our filters through the camp.

Later in the day I ventured out with enough materials for 30 systems to a district of 3-4 tent camps in an area called Delmas 31. This area is where Sylla’s family is now living. I wanted to use the camp with his family as a test-run for the area. I had no real distribution plan other than letting Sylla coordinate once we got there. Plus this particular camp only has about 50 people in it so it would be more manageable. Just Sylla and I on this outing, so if things got out of hand we could be in real trouble…very fast.

It was awesome… as grass roots as it gets. I did a demonstration at the entrance to the camp with about 30 people. Men women and children all crowded around. They watched with curious eyes and as soon as they GOT IT, things went from casual, to everyone wanting one. We were able to manage it but I don’t have to speak creole to know that there were some bad f%#@ing words being thrown back and forth. We were able to give the stock to the camp organizer so he could get a list of names and pass them out the next day. If you don’t have some kind of order, then people on the street will rock up and crash lines and start grabbing stuff, because they see the crowd.

By days end, I felt damn good about our efforts. This whole thing feels like I’m constantly swimming upstream… and that’s to be expected. But days like yesterday make the currents feel less strong… and made of beer. Why not?
Adios!  Jon.

Update # 3, Trip 2 – “You Ready?”

There’s really no substitute for putting in the hours. The only way to have an even semi effective operation down here is to personally oversee every stage. Simply put, it just comes down to time spent … There’s so much chaotic energy that it’s so easy for good intentions to slip through the cracks a fall apart.Yesterday was a good day. I was finally able to return to the northern region and deliver the filters I had promised Scott Bonnell’s group. When we arrived to the church the main pastor, Albert, who manages 130 churches, greeted us. It was Sunday morning, so church was still in session. Because Albert wasn’t able to attend my filter demonstration a couple weeks ago, it was crucial that he was here today. We unloaded the goods and he said – “You ready?” I replied “sure”, not really knowing what he was talking about. I followed him and all of a sudden I was standing at the podium with the local pastor in front of everyone. He said, “You ready to teach?”. I was planning on just dropping the stuff off, but since the entire community was there for Sunday service, why not use the opportunity to demonstrate. It was classic! – with a PA system and everything. Was such a moment. To truly connect on a grass roots level with the community is what this whole thing is about. I felt so damn good to deliver on my word. Everyone really had a look of surprise on their faces when I returned.On the way home my driver/translator, Sylla proceeded to give me a history lesson on the tremendous violence that has plagued his country for generations, and has only recently (past 3-4 years) slowed down. We drove through an area that he said is (still) considered the most dangerous part of Haiti. I might add that the prison was ruined in the quake as well, and 4000 inmates lived through it and were able to escape. Sylla mentioned that most of them would certainly be hiding in this area, as they have always claimed it to be theirs. He said that four years ago he wouldn’t have dared drive through there, but it has since gotten better… And,with the earthquake, things have slowed down even more. It sounded much like the violence we Southern Californians are so aware of in Baja. This area is on the outskirts of PAP and no police ever go there. He said they used to hide in caves in the neighboring hills and would set up road blocks for ambushes on passing cars. Kidnapping was the primary business. A little unsettling since we were passing directly through it. However, I have still yet to feel unsafe. I really believe that in doing this work, I am protected. and everything will work out for the best. It’s just a feeling… hard to describe.

Looking up right now, my mind is adrift … Nothing but stars!!

Jon   It’s a new day… and productive one at that!

Update # 2, Trip 2 – Tents,Rice,Water

Happy superbowl… I think it’s today? Who am I kidding, I don’t even know who’s playing!
Made another food drop yesterday. Six bags of rice – to a tent community that has seen little to no support. There were only four of us so we had to be smart. You absolutely can not just rock up and start passing stuff out at random. The plan was to 1 – follow up a lead we had for a particular representative that the community would listen to, 2 – give him the bags as quickly as possible, and 3 – get out. We found him, and though his trustworthiness was questionable, we stuck to the plan.

The main topic of conversation between all of us was – what are all the people going to do when it starts to rain? This particular camp is located along a hillside, with clusters of encampments in a gulley below. Rainy season starts in a month or so. Makeshift tents held up by sticks and separated, mostly by thin bed sheets - the issue is not only sanitation, but the high possibility of all the tents simply washing away. There has to be a solution … I am just unable to think of one. I do have faith that people who specialize in stuff like this are working tirelessly to help remedy this intense situation.

There’s just so much devastation … It really is hard to feel like you’re making a dent. Over the past two days I’ve been all over the city, and even in the bordering provinces. It doesn’t matter what street we walk down, they’re all thrashed. I keep hoping to turn down just one alley and find some unaffected pocket, but haven’t yet. If I sound a bit somber it’s probably more exhaustion than anything.

Here’s the deal – I’ve said since the beginning that it has been real hard to ever feel satisfied with our efforts, simply because of the numbers. For example, we may save two lives, but that’s instantly overshadowed by all the ones in front of us that we couldn’t help. But then today I had some new perspective creep in – How much do I cherish my life? How much do each of us value our individual lives? A LOT!! Right? Most people I know won’t argue with that. So if we each represent just a single life, then saving even a few lives starts to feel a lot more significant. I keep reminding myself of this … I have to.
Much love!  Jon

Update # 1, Trip 2 – “We Need Help”

It’s Friday! …Feb 5th, 9pm EST. I’m in a cargo plane somewhere between Florida and the Caribbean. What a trip! Red-eye from LAX to Miami last night. I was only home for 5 days, which really wasn’t enough time to process the experience from the week before. There were a couple days where I really wasn’t present and felt as if I was literally standing outside myself … almost like watching my body go through everday life, from afar.

It’s not surprising that I feel so much comfort in the idea of going back. I’m definitely a little rattled and it’s been such a short time being home that my heart still feels like it’s in Haiti. Going back to the front lines almost feels like the most natural thing to do.

I spent the entire day helping to coordinate the next J/P HRO shipment, which included 3000 more of our filters. Was a great experience helping the freight company and getting to know the system. We were scheduled to load and fly out on a DC 4 – a beautiful 60+ yr old. The plane is nothing short of badass!! We packed it to the brim and climbed up a step latter to get in. There’s no rules, just cargo and some random jump seats. The plane is not pressurized so we are only traveling at about 7000 ft. Throughout the flight I was able to chat with the pilots, who by the way, are a few of the most interesting cats I’ve ever met. They were telling me stories of landing in random countries, at night (w/ no lights), on a strip of grass. Hardcore… old school… Legends!

I’m sitting now, in the very back of the plane … It’s loud as hell and my ears are popping like crazy. I’m looking directly at the tons of filters we’re hauling, with a big grin, and I think to myself … what an amazing position to be in.

I’m very excited to see all of the people I promised filters to, with the goods in hand. This return trip really is a gesture of good faith more than anything. Yes, the filters we’re bringing in will help thousands of people, but I really want them to know that we’re serious and that our program is committed to Haiti for the long haul.

Landing soon…
Jon              Sent from  my iPhone

Jon’s First Trip to Haiti

The following posts include Jon’s updates from the front lines.

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