Never a dull moment

I made it to Haiti! It is amazing how much destruction is still here.  I`ll write more about it later, but I wanted to put up a quick update about the hurricane that is expected to hit Haiti this week.  (And calm some anxieties...)

The base has been tracking the hurricane and has a great emergency plan in place.  If the hurricane hits us as we think it might, we will be locked down in safe structures.  Supplies will be available for us and teams are in place to make sure everything is taken care of and the volunteers and staff here are kept safe.  I have volunteered to be on one of the teams since I have knowledge in this area and because I know it`s a big deal and things will need to run smoothly.

While it isn`t a good thing that Haiti is about to be hit with a hurricane on top of everything else, it is a good thing that we will already be on the ground if it does hit.  All Hands has the preparation, tools, people, and knowledge to react and help out immediately after.  This is, of course, if the hurricane hits us.  Please know that I am safe and will be safe and that I will likely not have access to email or internet for awhile this week.  My mom will get an email from All Hands after the hurricane, once communications can be put back up (we`ll have to take the satellite dish down so it doesn't fly away or hurt someone.)

I'll try to update you all about other things later...I have to get off the computer I'm borrowing. Things are good. :)

One day to lift off!!

I leave in just over one day to spend a month in Haiti.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind as I have prepared for this trip.  I have had so many people support me in this venture and I am very thankful for all of the well wishes, support, thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement.  The outpouring of support has been amazing - from my employer allowing me to take a month of leave to strangers contributing to my trip.  Then there is the constant support of my friends and family.  It's awesome. :)  Thanks to all of you!

All of my bags are ready, although I will likely do one more round of re-packing (I'm not quite satisfied with how things are fitting yet).  I'll get a few small items tomorrow (perhaps grab some more bug spray for my fellow volunteers) and then I'll be off to the airport and Haiti before the sun rises on Saturday. 

I am really excited!  Although I don't know yet what I will be doing while in Leogane, I am psyched to find out what program I will be working on when I arrive.  I'm going to ask them where I am most needed because I could help in any number of the programs they are currently running in Haiti.  (You can learn more about the organization I will be working with and the programs they are running here: www.hands.org).

Since my internet access will be limited, I can't make any promises as to how often I will be able to update this blog.  However, I will do my best to provide an update once a week.  Pictures will likely have to wait until I am back in the US.

Countdown to Haiti

I leave in a week!

I've been getting gear and making sure I have all my bases covered...

• Up to date on my shots?  Check.

• Prescription for anti malarials?  Check. (Those pills are EXPENSIVE - even with insurance...holy cow.)

• Lots of DEET to keep away those pesky mosquitoes?  Check. (I'm bringing extra for the base - you can never have enough DEET in malaria and dengue fever country.)

• Sunscreen to keep my pasty white skin from becoming bright red?  Check.

• Entertainment options for the plane and down-time?  Check. (While I now see how a Kindle or Nook could be a good thing for traveling, I have to say that paperbacks still win - they can be left and enjoyed by others...one can't do that with a e-reader.)

• Mosquito net & other sleeping gear?  Check.

• Emergency medical insurance?  Working on it...(it will be purchased by the end of the day)

Now I just need to make sure that all of my clothes and such is treated with more chemicals to keep the biting bugs away.  Good times.

7 days and counting...