Gena featured on the Six One news tonight on RTE 1. It will be available on the RTE Player for the next 7 days. The link is here. You need to go to about 8:04 minutes into the report to get to the Haiti report. The same report was also on the Nine O'Clock news.
Gena sent an open letter yesterday which I am going to publish here as she has such a lovely way of expressing herself and it gives a real sense of who she is as a person and also the reality of what she is going through over there. I really hope that the volunteers and staff are getting some emotional support and help too.
"One week later and still the wounded are not treated. One week later and so many dead, injured or just disappeared. Amazing how fast the world we live in can change. Kids in the orphanage still sleeping outdoors - except for my kids- they are inside since last week. All are fine and not in any way suffering from the tragedy.
I am in the hospital in Tabarre every day - helping where i can. The husband of the directrice of our special needs school is paralised from the chest down and in danger of dying if he does not get to the states so we are all working on that and hopefully he will get out tomorrow.
Lots of people helping out and everyone doiong what they can. So many people left without arms or legs and my God they are so so strong. Lying in their beds, not complaining at all and they have lost so much. One girl lost a leg when she was rescuing her younger siblings.
I dunno what to say - so many emotions and really no time to deal with them. At night when I lie down, the bed seems to be forever shaking, when I go to the loo it seems to shake and really when i talk to people they say it is the same for them.
My heart aches for Haiti and the Haitian people. My heart aches for those I have loved and lost. Some people blame God or wonder if he is even here. I do not blame God nor do I doubt his existence. My mind is logical. this was a natural disaster and it wreaked so much havoc because haiti was in a mess long before the earthquake.People in tents all over the place- makeshift ones. Are they getting help? I worry for osme cos who will find them where they are, off the beaten path?
How am I? I am ok. I am alive and happy to be alive. i am happy for all the support I know I receive, from people I know and people I do not know. I am sad- as is everyone here. We have lost a lot but we have a lot to work for still. There is no time to grieve just now. Well maybe there is but we choose not to take it cos the wounded need us to be strong if they are to survive.. So we are ok and we are people of faith and we believe we can make things just a little better. For now this is all I can bring out of my mind.Love to all.Gena"
Who We Are
We are a group of returned volunteers living in Ireland who have worked mainly with Nos Petites Freres et Soures NPFS (Our Little Brothers & Sisters - Haiti).
If you would like to donate funds directly to the Irish branch of NPFS the bank account details are below:
Account Name:
Our Little Brothers and Sisters
6 Brookwood Avenue
Artane
Dublin 5
Sort Code: 900746 Bank of Ireland, Dublin Airport
Account No: 42863621
Since our return we have all shared a hope and passion for Haiti and her people, keeping in contact with our friends and colleagues there and at home.
These past few days have shocked us all. We are so thankful for all those who are safe and well and continue to keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers.
Our Aims Are Simple
To help to keep the spirit of hope alive by offering support and encouragement to our friends and colleagues in Haiti
We wish to create a hub of communication between friends and colleagues with shared experiences working in Haiti
Background
Irish and International Aid Agencies have worked alongside many dedicated local people on sanitation, communication, health, education childcare and environmental / shelter programes.
The Irish have always been well represented working away quietly and diligently – with help of funds raised in various parishes, clubs, communities and private donations in Ireland.
Practical Things You Can Do
Send a message of support and love by posting a message on this blog or emailing it to us and we will post it for you. Our email address is : irishresponse@gmail.com
Donate money or organise a local fundraising event
Keep yourself informed
Spread the word
Donate money or organise a local fundraising event
Keep yourself informed
Spread the word
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