Prayers for Haiti
We have arrived in Port-au-Prince … and anxious to see what awaits. Flexibility is the name of the game. We are in a third world country, where corruption runs deep, and time is nothing of the essence. 🙂
The first order of business was to be a visit to Customs regarding the “Peace Packs”. However, they were closed by the time we arrived (12 noon). You see, the Haitian government is still charging duties and taxes on any items brought into the country. Since Ruthie & I sent “Peace Packs” via my discount at Federal Express ten days ago, the cargo still has not been delivered. We are hoping and praying for resolution as promised in the lengthy hours I have spent on the phone with Customs in Haiti the past few days. The last communication was the statement “all you have to do is show up, Robin” from Customs Officials. Too bad the employees didn’t get the memo … haha
It amazes me how the Haitian government is charging duties and taxes on items to help THEIR people. As I have experienced in many other countries where I have traveled, it is not what you know, it is who you know. We are hoping that my prior connections in humanitarian work will assist us to get this particular shipment released without further incident.
The “Peace Packs” are small back packs that Ruthie organized and had filled with kind donations of school supplies and hygiene / toiletries for the children. There are 230 of them, which Eric has coordinated for us to deliver and disperse to orphanages in Haiti. This will be one of the “missions” we will be involved with in the next few days.
Ruthie and I have a little competition going, to see which one of us can get the most in donations (to help with our individual expenses) … my expenses will mostly be hotel and petrol to get us from point A to point B while we are in Haiti. My goal is to get enough in donations to enable me to stay until 1May (when my vacation time ends). If you can help in any big or small way, please make a donation to https://secure.can-do.org/ (be sure to put Robin Schmidt in the comments).
Please know we are safe and have met up with Eric and the remainder of the CAN DO team on the ground. It’s going to be an experience of a life-time, and one I am very thankful to be able to make a difference for those in need. Thank you in advance for your kind donations … and of course, for your encouragement and unwavering support.
Always,
Robin
Tags: can-do.org, donations, Haiti, humanitarian, volunteering
If you would like more information on how to volunteer or assit in humanitarian mssions in Haiti, or anywhere in the world, please go to http://airlineamb.org/ . You can also make donations towards my friend, Eric Klein’s disaster relief organization at http://secure.can-do.org/ . My blog is updated as needs arise for specific projects I am involved with, including care packages to the troops I send care packages to on a regular basis.