Wednesday, 28 July 2010 15:17

A little afraid of a new experience, a little afraid of a new land, a little afraid for my life even, according to international reports on the scene in Haiti.  But alas, even though there was much chaos and destruction to be seen this morning when I arrived in Port Au Prince, the kindness of the people are as beautiful as the mountainous landscape I am settling into tonight here at Wynne Farms with our amazing host, Jane Wynne (www.wynnefarm.org).

Up at 5AM to catch my flight from Miami, I arrived in POP by 10.  Straight into the crazy traffic and hustle that is the way of life in the crumbled capitol, by 4 we had found all the supplies we needed to get started on the first Barrels Of Hope earthbag shelter in Haiti for tomorrow.  As "foreman" of the project it was a challenge to find the items we might take for granted in the US like barbed wire, 5 gallon buckets and some lumber.

Hoping to salvage most of the materials, we vetoed trying to rip rebar from crumbled buildings for the corner supports and lumber for the door and window frames  for the sake of expediency and bought them both at the local "corner" hardware shop.  Instead, we plan on using the plenty available bamboo for the bond beam and lots of rich soil for the bags.

Although the rain is starting tonight, I'm looking forward to sleeping in the tent tonight.  Hoping for good weather tomorrow and lots of happy hands to help, stay tuned for tomorrow's blog entry direct from Haiti.  Bon' nwi!