Le Flambeau Circle of Friends Blog

Hello,

         This is the history of a man that has influenced me.  A history of the life of a person who influenced mine that I want to divide with you  in the le Flambeau Foundation .

Flaubert Phildor, was born from a family of 9 children including my mom. Thus he is my uncle. This his brothers and sisters were not likely to attend the school or to finish a good part of their primary studies. But my uncle him, the last child of the family said not a day, when it finally finished his primary studies because his father had died and its mom could not pay the expenses to allow him to return in a college or lycé.  Flaubert said one day that its life cannot pass like that of his/her big brothers and sisters because the family needs  someone which can guide the others and it made personal steps and registered with the ” College the Good Shepherd”. It managed and paid himself its studies until with philosophy. Neither his Mother nor her brothers and sisters knew how it made to pay its studies but stays makes in any event. It was the same for its studies in right to the Faculty of Law of Cayes, nobody did not know but he sought and created his activities to find to it money for all to pay.

My uncle Fleubert influenced my life with his ideas on Patience, courage, the importance of education and confidence as a God. And you know how the history of my uncle Flaubert Phildor finishes: He died on January 12, 2010 with the Haitian Law courts during the first work meeting of his life. Sometimes, my friends ask me how I doo to support all this  not to discouraige, but I don’t because this dream can’t stop like that: I will continue my way for realising my oncle dreams and hope in the family. he was the first and only person that had a profession in this family I would like to keep his place in the family you know

 Dear Friends:

We continue to move forward with the rebuilding of Haiti.  Thank you for your feedback on the Trade Not Aid perspective shared in our  earlier e-mail.  We can actually see the difference in how assistance is being provided to Haiti by the many friends we interact with each day.  Equally rewarding is the gift of seeing this same spirit in the dialogue of the students actively participating in the “The Spark  of Le Flambeau” college preparatory language exchange program and student members of the Le Flambeau Laptop Club featuring Dell computers.  These students are clearly back to school with many of them headed to the front of the class. 

Below are highlights of recent Haiti activities.  Included is a link to the Le Flambeau Circle of Friends roundtable room designed specifically for your engagement – a place where the focus is on facilitating action that will convert the dialogue into a brighter reality.  Share your comments.  As we challenge, stimulate and educate ourselves and each other so will we lead the education of a nation and the ultimate rebuilding of Haiti; for today and for our many tomorrows.  We will see you there.

Warmest Regards,

Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.

Board Members:  S. Colas-Gervais, J. Gonzalez, J. Puchner, J. St.Lot-Gervais

• Haiti Debt Relief – The Group of Seven richest countries — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States — announced in early February that they would cancel Haiti’s bilateral debt.  But that amounts to only a small portion of Haiti’s overall debt….(read more)

• Brazil Visits Haiti  – President Lula da Silva, of Brazil recently spent a day in Haiti visiting with President Rene Preval of Haiti and committed  $220 million for the development of hydroelectric and irrigation systems.  During the visit Brazil made it clear that they are committed for the long-term.

• Chile Visits Haiti – Chile President Michelle Bachelet visited Haiti, met with President Rene Preval and offered Chile’s expertise in dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes, including in reconstruction.  (Feb. 20/21, 2010)

• Haiti Visits Chile –  president Rene Preval visited the Chilean embassy to extend condolences after the earthquake.  The earthquake hit Chile on Feb 27th, a week after Chile’s president Michelle Bachelet visited Haiti. 

• Haiti Rainy Season – the rainy season in Haiti is almost here (May) and the rain is already pouring.  It’s been estimated that approximately 10,000 strong tents will be needed. (FEMA / Southcom can be contacted for more details).

• EU President in Haiti - committed $300 million euros for the long-term sustainable development.

• Israel Post Trauma Support  - In addition to full service medical teams, Israel has an added emphasis on addressing psycho-social and post-trauma support needs of the youth, providing expert counseling in order to best prepare them for going  back to school.  Other organizations are doing the same.

• Education Priority – Education is a top priority for Haiti as the country rebuilds.  Aggressive partnerships are being formed between the government of Haiti and other nations focused on getting youth back to school as quickly as possible.  The target for school re-openings is April.

• Back-to-School with Le Flambeau Foundation – The spring semester of the Le Flambeau college preparatory language exchange blog, THE SPARK of Le Flambeau, is in session with the attendance of many students in Haiti  and in the U.S..  The virtual classroom is full as is the dialogue.  Kudos to the team at Coral Reef High School who spearheaded the building of this school for the Haitian youth, particularly  student Angie Llanos and teacher Mdme Lochet.

The spring semester of the Le Flambeau language exchange program (The Spark) was launched this past week.  High school students in Haiti and in the U.S. are sharing perpectives in their private virtual classrooms.

Discussion Topic:  If you had an opportunity to design the plan for rebuilding Haiti and you were given unlimited resources with which to do this, what would you do? What would your top three priorities be? What type of people would you put on your team?

The youth are pulling their thoughts together as they prepare for future leadership.  We are their role models.  As a role model, how would you rebuild Haiti?  Join the dialogue in a virtual boardroom set up just for you (comment now).

Road in Léogâne with large earthquake crack.

After landing in Cap-Haitien and spending a few days there, I traveled to Port-au-Prince and then to Léogâne …

 

Léogâne

Driving Out of PAP  - as I was driving along the seacoast, by the bay of Port-au-Prince, I could see all of these large ships  (military, relief, floating hospitals) trying to get into the Port of Port-au-Prince which was totally overwhelmed with congestion.  Also saw a clear presence of U.S. military personnel with their M16’s by their sides regulating a line of people so that they could get aid in an orderly manner.  People were crowded on all sides of the car.  The lines were close to 1/2 mile long.  We had to drive slowly through the sea of people up to 1 mile out of PAP.

The Roads – as we were driving on the road toward Léogâne   I started to feel the power of the earthquake as the roads were parted with huge cracks…so much so that two cars could not be on the road side-by-side in most places.  If a car was coming, you had to pull over and let them come through, or vice-versa.

Destruction from Gressier to Léogâne  - most of the structures were flattened (90%) and those that remained standing were badly damaged and unsafe.  Along the road to Léogâne  and upon arrival in Léogâne  all we saw were tent cities made up of hand-made make-shift tents using used wood, sugar cane sticks and banana leaves.  I stood there close to three weeks after the earthquake and yet saw no evidence of any help that had yet made it to this part of the destruction.  This was Léogâne, the place where my father was born.  The place was unrecognizable.  I stood there in disbelief – silent at first and then I cried. 

I later returned to PAP and then back to Cap-Haitian.  

My Haiti Travel Trail

(see pictures)

(comments from recent experience in Haiti,  Jean St.Lot-Gervais, Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.,  2/14/10)

After spending the last two and a half weeks in Haiti and experiencing the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne  and Cap-Haïtien; I reached a number of key conclusions in reference to the impact of January 12th 2010.   My trip was a painful reality check from which I emerged with an even stronger spirit of optimism, commitment and a clearer vision of action steps to be taken. 

The first conclusion states that Haiti will never be the same.  This appears to be a simple conclusion that one should immediately reach and yet for those of us born in Haiti and nurtured by her; it is an extremely difficult separation to accept until you physically see it and feel it.  The house is no longer standing, the families no longer whole and all are numb from the many found dead or who are dying slowly from the trauma of lost limbs, lost home, no medical attention, no food, no direction and no immediate light to the future.  As to whether the new Haiti will be an improved version of what we knew, that answer is up to us.

My second conclusion is that rebuilding Haiti must be a culture of Trade Not Aid.  I cannot help but cringe every time I hear individuals and/or organizations highlight their effectiveness in Haiti based on how many meals are given away.  My mind automatically calculates how much money is spent with entities outside of Haiti to supply this food and then I wonder why we cannot seem to spend at least an equal amount, ideally more,  on developing Agriculture in Haiti so that her people can eventually  feed themselves…and maybe even have enough production to export to other countries.  Trade not Aid means that if you are giving something away now for free, what is your transition plan for reducing what you give away free and for building and increasing the size of a self-sufficient population.   Sustainability must be in the formula – education, training, ownership, jobs.  Haiti is a place where Pride, Dignity, Determination and Work Ethic are at the heart of the culture; historically driving the success of many Haitians throughout the world.  The aim is to treasure and keep these valuable assets as it will benefit all of us.  I am focused on Trade not Aid.

The third states that accountability is a requirement for true relief and rebuilding in Haiti.   Over the past few weeks while in Haiti I traveled to a number of areas where international assistance had arrived.  I saw many tent cities including a significant number of the type not seen on television.  Pulled together by the many families lost in the rubble were cities of hand-made tents made up of sugarcane poles, banana leaves, plastic, vine or rope and whatever else they could find to provide shelter.  Medical care, food and water were scarce.  In the end I saw more of the untouched destroyed neighborhoods, collapsed schools (with children crushed in them) and self-made tent cities.  Life goes on and yet this is a particularly disturbing reality when one considers the millions of dollars donated by individuals, corporations and governments; with the intention of financing immediate emergency recovery needs in Haiti.   I found myself wanting to get a better handle on how the funds are working…if not here, where?…if not now, when?   if not enough, how much?…etc.  Clearly the spirit of support is with us but without imposed accountability anything goes…or can go.  Accountability is a requirement for the true relief and rebuilding of a healthier stronger Haiti – we must activate.

The fourth is simple but extremely important.  It states that I can’t do everything but I can, and must, do something.  Although tempting, I recognize that one person and one organization cannot do everything.  The Le Flambeau Foundation will continue to do what we do well; impacting the young people in Haiti we see, feel and know are benefiting directly from the support and donations received.  Thus I will be spending more time in Haiti to personally play a role in making a tangible life-long difference for those we touch.  If each one of us decided to do something, the combination of each of our “somethings” will ultimately deliver “everything”. 

Together we will rebuild a Haiti that is strong, healthy and self-sustaining.  Join me in doing something.  The Torch is lit – Pass it On.  The future for Haiti is bright! 

Jean St.Lot-Gervais

President, Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.

www.leflambeau-foundation.org

(highlights of 2.5 week trip, by Jean St.Lot-Gervais, 2/12/10)

I’ve been in Haiti for the past two and a half weeks in the midst of the Haiti earthquake aftermath in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne  and Cap-Haïtien.  Following are highlights of my personal experiences as a child of Haiti who went back home.

• Devastating - Never seen such devastation before in my life.  Being in Port-au-Prince, seeing the streets that I grew up in was devastating for me – everything was destroyed. 
• Incredible Courage – The courage revealed by everyone was, and continues to be, incredible. Day after day I experienced everyone coming together to pull people out of the rubble with their bare hands and shovels.  This once again  highlighted the sheer power of Haiti’s people when united.  The image of that day will forever be with me.
• Barriers Broken / People Helping Each Other – The barriers that previously existed between the haves and have-nots were eliminated.  The common cause of survival and human compassion brought people together as they worked side-by-side with respect for each other, with compassion for each other and with a determination to overcome together.  An example – I witnessed a man of means standing and conversing with a man who had very little.  Both men found themselves post-earthquake with nothing as both stood in line to get a hand-out of water – they then shared the one case of water provided.  For me this was a site rarely seen in Haiti and is a site that I hope to see more of in its rebuilding.  This is at the root of where I see hope for Haiti – as the initiatives for rebuilding Haiti move forward these two gentleman may go their separate ways.  The experience and the connection made will always be with them and will likely impact the decisions they each make, favorably.  It leaves us with much hope.
• Childhood Monuments Destroyed – as we were driving from Petionville through PAP to get to Léogâne we all had to wear a mask to handle the foul smell of death.  At that moment tears came to my eyes as I remembered the beauty of my beloved city and looked at the people and the condition all were in today.  I grew up near Sacré Coeur, where I was an altar boy and a choir boy – the church was completely destroyed and a certain part of me felt destroyed as well.  My mother and I used to go to church there together – She use to go to church at 6am and would make sure that I made it there for 8am mass.  I thought to myself that if she were here to see this today she might have died heartbroken at that moment from the shock of what was before her. 
• Schools Collapsed / Children Crushed – as we went through the areas where I once knew as the quartier where a majority of the schools stood, I saw that most had collapsed and most had all the students in them when they collapsed.  No one has yet removed the rubble to recover the dead and provide a proper burial – a painful load that I know many parents will carry with them for the rest of their lives. 
• The Palace / Broken Spirit – I felt broken when I saw the palace – seeing it in front of me (instead of on TV) was traumatic.  The Palace, no matter what one’s impression of the government, is the heartbeat of Haiti.  It symbolizes the pride of a nation that fought and became the second independent country in the Western Hemisphere, second to the United States, and the only black country to go from slavery to freedom overnight.   A dear price was paid back then but never to the level of what I saw and experienced in Haiti today.
• Government  Buildings Gone – The Justice/Supreme Court building, Minister of Finance, Tax Agency, etc. – all gone.  Recognizing that Haiti is a paper-based system, what will happen now that most of the records have been destroyed and lost forever?  Who will govern the land disputes…based on what documentation?….how will students get their records to apply for scholarships?…jobs?…etc.
• Hotel Montana – I went by the hotel where so many of our friends and guests had stayed.  It’s hard to believe that we were just there with students for The Spark of Le Flambeau language exchange recognition ceremonies, as well as the group we brought in from the University of Chicago.  We had just seen the owner of the Montana during our last trip and complimented her on the new additions, recently constructed…she always remembered our daughter and once again asked about her.  The memories of the Montana will stay with me.  I miss the Montana.

• Brother’s House Flat – I went by my brother’s house in Bourdon and when I saw the condition of it I was amazed in knowing that he and family made it out alive – a blessing.  Unfortunately the  house of our very close friends across the street, Mr and Mrs Delatour, had been destroyed and they were killed.  I remembered how during my last trip, a few weeks prior to the earthquake, I had spent time with Mrs. Carmel Delatour, had something to eat and had commented on her wonderful art collection in her shop, The Rainbow Art Display.  May they rest in peace.
• Went to Léogâne  - I then traveled to Léogâne,  the place where my father was born and at the epicenter of the earthquake.  Details on this portion of my trip in next week’s mail.

Following are highlights of pieces provided by members of  our youth language exchange program called THE SPARK of Le Flambeau – a roundtable discussion between young people in Haiti and young people in the U.S.  The dialogue takes place over the internet in a blog format.  The  students in Haiti are required to write in English to assist them in reaching language and technology fluency.   Thank you to those of you who contributed ESL and TOEFL preparatory books and CD’s recently – this will be most helpful.  Keep them coming.  A special Haiti Earthquake discussion is in session now until the end of next week.  This is the Haiti Earthquake experience Through Their Eyes.

Discussion Topic:  What is your reaction to the recent earthquake and the devastation it brought upon Haiti? How do you feel this will affect your role as a leader in the future?

Word of the Week (must be used) – cataclysm (noun)- an event resulting in great loss and misfortune.

Response by Ruchama (Port-au-Prince)

This earthquake that happened on January 12, was a disastrous catastrophe. No one could expect to it, it has devastated almost all institutions(public and private) we have in Haiti.  This cataclysm has made Haiti goes back, and has brought sorrow in every heart. No one in Haiti can say this cataclysm does not touch him. Even if a person did not lose a family member , anyway he had a friend.

Personally, when that happened, i had just crossed a street and had about ten minutes that i had left Tortug’Air. I was next to a big house, it shook like a branch of a tree. I thought i would die. After that, i was in a hurry to go home. However all people in the neighborhood stood in the street.  This cataclysm has brought sadness, fear and also has brought charity, and fraternity. Now in some places, people live like brothers and sisters. Specifically in my area, we sleep in the same place, sit and share ideas, everybody has afraid of his house. We pray together in the morning and at night. The situation is fatal, disastrous, and deplorable. That made us cried. This cataclysm has striked us. However, i have a long road to go ahead, comfort myself in order to comfort other people.

It’s a heavy blow for Haiti, i know however, me first and all Haitian people who love Haiti have to put their hands together to rebuild our native country. I have to fight all my force and all Haitian people have to do the same to rebuild it, because that’s here we will find our pride and dignity.  The work is much, i know, I do not discourage, and i will never. Because i have already known “life is a struggle”. If i was born, i have to fight. That is like a mountaineer’s vision. How high is the mountain, we have to reach the peak.

As a future leader, this cataclysm has an impact upon all people who have great visions for Haiti. A leader has to have in mind that he will always have some situations to defy.  May Haiti rebuild again!

Response by Hernice (Camp-Perrin)

Recently, a terrible earthquake was happened in Haiti and produced a terrible cataclysm which devasted the country specially Port-Au-Prince. Much people die and continue dying now. All big institutions, politicals, economics, social, religious, scholastic, university was destroyed with much of our talent, leaders and intelligent young students who could and would be able to change Haiti’s image. Ten we loose everything important to advance you know. This situation is not good for Haiti specially me because i am young and i love my country. But, it open my eyes about much point of view and problems of the country. and bring me some lessons which will affect my role as leader in the future. For example, Haiti must have logistic of sauveguarde and specialists to struggle against whatever natural catastrophe existed, the country known a large decentralisation because all important Institution are at P.A.P, it couldn’t be like that. The way on we use to construct is not good and we have to change it and the government must survey it actively. The way on we live and consider other is not good also, in Haiti when someone have a lot of money he thinks that he is the most important and doesn’t consider other like poor like persons like human, but this cataclysm prove us that money is not the best thing in the life because rich men and poor have been killed and in the same position and condition they were entered. This cataclysm destroyed the country but not my idea for Haiti, you know. it bring me some lessons to be more hard, great, more courage to continue the way of success for Haiti because we are not much now.  I know that i am the future and my role is more hard and important, i must work very hard to change Haiti’s face and reconstruct a country of leadership, peace and love and i must begin now.

Top performers of THE SPARK of Le Flambeau language exchange program were honored with recognition certificates for their contributions during the recent fall 2009 semester program. The ceremonies were held in the U.S. and in Haiti. The recognition program held in Haiti took place at the Montana Hotel a few weeks prior to the earthquake which completely destroyed the hotel. The purpose, place and time of both ceremonies left a permanent impression on those honored, and on those soon to be recognized as a result of their leadership. They are strong, bright, and committed. They will rebuild Haiti.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Top Performers for Semester

• Ruchama Charles, PAP Haiti
• Angie Llanos, US

Presentations in Haiti made by Le Flambeau president J. St.Lot-Gervais and board officer S. Colas-Gervais. Presentations in U.S. made by board officer S. Colas-Gervais and Coral Reef High School French Teacher D. Lochet.

A special note to Hernice, Rose and their teacher from Camp-Perrin who took the bus at 1am on Saturday morning in order to attend the ceremony at 9am in Port-au-Prince, then returned on the bus the same day. Exceptional commitment and leadership. You are the future. The future is bright!

To see more pictures of winners click here.

Earthquake discussion in session now. Spring semester program will launch February 15th.

To Our Young People

With the challenges of the earthquake behind and before us your role is most important. Each of us carries a torch within. In each case Le Flambeau must be lit and then it must be passed forward to light another. This spirit is required in order to make a true difference in rebuilding a brighter future. This spirit is in you every time you put forth your best. Remember to always be – THE SPARK!

Best,

Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.
www.leflambeau-foundation.org

Board Members: S. Colas-Gervais, J. Gonzalez, K. Kodousek, J. Puchner, J. St.Lot-Gervais

“When the shepherd protecting the sheep turns out to be the wolf a new group of leaders must step up, challenge, engage and create a new and just society. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes so must Haiti. Le Flambeau shines bright in rebuilding an educated, proud and prosperous Haiti. The Torch is lit. Pass it on!”

Jean St.Lot-Gervais
President, Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.
(quote from recent interview)

Dear Friends,

We have all been touched by your calls, e-mails and support which continue to come to us in many forms. The news on our family, students and friends in Haiti is generally positive. The challenges in Haiti continue as the recent 6.1 aftershock made an already harsh reality even more clear. With every day comes a bit of sunshine as we hear the stories of survival that bring tears to our eyes and warmth to our hearts. These stories of triumph will continue to come.

Updates on our Haiti Earthquake page are on-going reflecting topics of interest and activity -

• Haiti Kids Adoption – updated sources
• People Find – links added
• How to Help Rebuild Haiti Schools
• Le Flambeau Language Exchange High School Kids Drive for Haiti
• Solutions – dialogue on the blog

Go to the Le Flambeau Haiti Earthquake Information page

The road ahead is a long one. We continue the journey. Stay abreast of developments as we shift to phase 2 of the Haiti Earthquake recovery – the Rebuild phase. A number of projects are unfolding thanks to your contributions and the work of our members in Haiti, the U.S., China, the Netherlands, and France. Thank you for staying the course and keeping it coming. The future is indeed bright.

Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.
www.leflambeau-foundation.org

Board Members: S. Colas-Gervais, J. Gonzalez, K. Kodousek, J. Puchner, J. St.Lot-Gervais

To make a donation for the Haiti Earthquake Rebuild click here
100% of the donations made to the Le Flambeau Foundation for the Haiti Earthquake Initiative go directly to relief and rebuilding initiatives in Haiti.

Dear THE SPARK of Le Flambeau Students, Teachers and Friends,

We have all been impacted by the Haiti earthquake.  As you know my family connections are throughout Haiti with a good portion being in Port-au-Prince.  The past six months of dialogue with each other via THE SPARK of Le Flambeau language exchange blog brings our connections to each other even closer. We are experiencing the Haiti earthquake together thus I am sure that the following good news will touch all of us.

Good News

Our two active blog discussion members from Port-au-Prince were found and are unharmed.

• Ruchama Charles called the Le Flambeau Foundation office via phone – she and her family are OK.>
• Adma Momplaisir sent a text to Alina Lebron while she was in class – Alina was happy to read that her THE SPARK of Le Flambeau language exchange partner in Haiti is OK – true partnership.

This is great news and brings welcome sunshine to the recent dark and cloudy days since the earthquake in Haiti.   In the midst of this we found that a close bond has been developed within THE SPARK of Le Flambeau team members.  We care. 

More Good News

It is with this in mind that I am particularly pleased to announce that the U.S. students on their own initiative are pulling together a special recovery effort focused on raising school study materials and supplies for our student partners in Haiti.   The details will be announced next week.  Kudos to the team! 

With optimism in our hearts and perseverance in our spirit we brace ourselves and each other as we prepare for each day.  We continue to know that the future for Haiti is bright.  The Spark of Le Flambeau team is a shinning example of this.  Thank you.

Warmest,

Ms. Colas-Gervais
Board Officer
Le Flambeau Foundation Inc.
www.leflambeau-foundation.org

If you are still looking for family members or friends, or are helping your partner find someone, I urge you to try one of the links listed on the Le Flambeau Foundation Haiti Eartquake site.  We recently used one of the people-find links provided and were able to find 4 family members – it may work for you.

• FamilyLinks – from the American Red Cross – checks status of loves ones in Haiti
• koneksyon.com  - checks status of loved ones in Haiti
• CNN iReport – CNN site to help find loved ones in Haiti.
• Person Finder: Haiti Earthquake - Google, checks status of loved ones in Haiti.