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We took a break from working on the Water Missions compound to check on a school orphanage where they have a water system. The school had very little under roof, just some walls and tarps. They had water and the beginning of a septic system. The kids and people were beautiful. Lots of big smiles. Their system can filter and chlorinate 2000 gallons per day. They work them for a year, train and educate, and then it is self sustaining. So far WMI has installed 250 all over Haiti. The trip there showed how widespread the devastation. It will take generations to recover. We have lots of pics to post when we get back. Peace, John
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We arrived in Haiti without problems although the layovers at the airports made the trip 20 hours long. It is 94 during the heat of the day and 75 at night. Water Missions International sent Phillip to meet us at the airport and it went well except one of the tools that I brought was stolen out of my suitcase. No problems at customs. They have a very nice walled-in and guarded compound here. Their water is very safe since they treat it. Julio and Elsa Paulo run the place and have about 10 full-time employees. They have devotions every morning before going to work with bible readings, discussion, songs and prayer in both English and Creole. Everyone is super nice. They are moving their compound to save rent money and that is a lot of work that we are helping with. They have space for guests that is very nice, but their main mission is installing water treatment systems. They already have put out 250 here in Haiti all over the place. It takes a week or two to install and they can make as much as 2000 gallons per day, but usually only 500. They train the locals to service and run them, and they tell them to charge about 10 cents a gallon to pay for the chlorine and someone to run the machine. It therefore becomes community run and sustainable. The training and help from WMI lasts about a year. They feel that this is the best way to share Christ’s love. They all work really hard. Julio and Elsa have worked all over the globe from Sri Lanka to Azer Baijan to Indonesia, and are very good at keeping it all running. There has been a lot of help from donors, as you can imagine, but the city of Port au Prince is still in shambles. But yet, we don’t feel that it is totally lawless. People, at least during the day, are friendly and peaceful. There was just an election and a young guy (late 40′s), who is a rock star, won the presidency. Hopefully his charisma will help, but these guys think he is not serious enough…like electing Jim Morrison. One can only hope and pray because the little work that we do seems like a drop in the ocean of need. Tent cities are everywhere, and garbage and sewage also. They need huge reconstruction projects. But still, clean water is essential and a good thing, the need is just so overwhelming it is heart breaking. The internet is so bad here I won’t even try to post pictures. Later, love to all, John
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I am leaving for Haiti on March 18 and will be there through the 27th. The Solar Habitat has arrived at the Water Missions International facility in Port-au-Prince. I will write about our progress and will post pictures. In the meantime, I am posting a picture of the container and WMI’s personnel and volunteers who received the unit in Charleston, SC last June. Thanks to all who helped with the creation and shipment of the Solar Habitat.
WMI's personnel and volunteers, Charleston, SC
