Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your generous gifts of money, school and medical supplies for the poorest of the poor, and the many prayers and blessings for my safe journey.

There were eight of us in the women’s delegation - three In their 40s, three over 60 years young and our bright and industrious leaders, ages 24 and 28. Often one of our leaders, because of emergency calls and meetings, was unable to be with us. We traveled in two vans with our skilled and daring Haitian drivers, one who doubled as a translator.

We stayed for five nights at Ron Voss’s Visitation House, one of the niceties of the trip. We considered how very fortunate we were as we listened to gunshots in the night and during the day visited the Popular Neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince (known to us as slums). We were always home before dark and in areas like Citi` Soleil, never left the car except within gated property. 300,000 people live in that one square mile. The jarring streets and broken sidewalks were teeming with people and small market stalls, which were taken down as dusk arrived to appear again the next morning. No small job for those with no transportation except Tap Taps. ( Generally, pickup trucks with side benches and colorful covered tops ) Driving was wild and fast on the rough roads. In bumper to bumper traffic we flew around, into and beyond the horde of cars, honking and hand signals waving us through. Amazing that we caused no deaths, injuries or smashed cars. And I witnessed no road rage, only smiles and friendly greetings.

Thanks to generous and loving friends and family, I brought nearly 70 lb.. of school and medical supplies. We visited two hospitals; Port-au-Prince General and l’Hopital Saint Catherine. Neither was in service. The doctors from General are on strike as they are underpaid and have no medical equipment. This is the only hospital for the desperately poor. Even when in operation the patients must bring in their own bedding and rubber gloves for exams. There were seven women who had been waiting for surgery for three to seven months in an unattended ward. Their families or friends bring in food and other necessities. The Pediatrics ward had about nine children. A student nurse gave us a tour and told us about each child. Mothers stay with the young ones. Again, no food nor doctors. I left simple gifts, stuffed animals, treats, etc.. for each.

St. Catherine’s has a new director/doctor who is trying to raise funds to reopen the hospital. An organization from Canada has financed the lab.. We found two women in what would have been the OB-GYN ward; one in labor, surrounded by her family (no doctor) the other had just delivered. No one was caring for them..no food, no sheets. I left our medical supplies with Immacula Klinik, an Antwan Izmery Project at Visitation House where four doctors are servicing the deprived neighborhood. We met several medical delegations/missions while we were at Ron Voss’s Visitation House. Some have been coming for years, taking their vacations to treat the poor, mostly in the country side or other cities. We met a group from the Twin Cities, at least one doctor was from Edina. There is a great need for medical volunteers, including psychologists. I’m told that Creole is not difficult to learn. Our two young leaders were good examples, seeming to speak fluently with everyone.

We also visited three schools. Supplies went to SOPUDEP, a school that serves those able to pay 30 Haitian dollars per month, and also, to a school founded by victims of rape, which for security reasons I cannot name, but did visit. With thanks to you, a gift of money was given to keep the school in service for two months. When classes are dismissed in the afternoon, the streets are crowded with beautiful children in attractive uniforms. A joyful sight unless you have a hint of what goes on behind the scenes, i.e... thousands too poor to attend school. Those without shoes, are those left behind. Shoes are so, so important. In some families, only one child can attend school.

After two days of delays for approval, we visited the women’s prison. Horrible conditions! No windows or electricity in their dark cells. One meal a day, unless food is brought by a relative or friend. We interviewed two groups of women who were brought to a harsh, all cement room. A few were deportees from Florida and Texas who spoke English. For deportees, jail time in the states is followed by jail time in Haiti. Others in our group spoke Creole and/or French and were able to gather the stories of many. Sadly, the prisoners assured me that they would never receive the lotions and soaps I brought for them.

We spent many hours with victims of rape. As I listened to their stories, tears would flow and I found myself being comforted by these warm and beautiful women. Poor women are in a desperate situation. They are seen as the backbone of Haiti, but they have no rights, no justice for crimes committed against them and no security. There is constant violence, including shooting, burning of homes and merchandise, and rapes. While much violence has been political, used against members or supporters of the Fanmi Lavalas Party (Aristide), there are also gangs of hooded thugs that are out to terrorize and destroy. I’m told that the judges are corrupt and those that pay, gets.

Our itinerary was vast and varied, all contributing to the report that should be ready by mid-February. Besides the above mentioned, we met with FOPEP Women’s Union (part of the Confederation of Haitian Workers, CTH); Josette Perard, Director of Lambi Fund for grassroots development; Carli, The Committee of Lawyers for the Respect of Individual Liberties; M.L. Jocelyn-Lassegue, the director of The Ministry of Women, originally formed under Aristide; Dr. Renald Clerisme, former ambassador to Geneva under Aristide; Evel Fanfan, President of A.M.O.H.D.,lawyers for human rights; Four other Grass Roots organizations will remain unnamed for security reasons.

We also met with Ann Hastings, Director of Fonkoze Bank, a micro-finance institution for Haiti’s poor. Their clients are the "ti machann" (women street vendors), peasant cooperatives, and small business owners. It is truly the bank of the poor with 20 branches covering every region of Haiti. They provide literacy and health programs and teach essential life skills. The clients are overwhelmingly women and predominantly rural. Portfolio overdue for more than one day was less than one percent by year’s end. Fonkoze has formed a partnership with Partners In Health, working with Dr. Paul Farmer, the founder of Zanmi Lasante the astounding health complex for the poor in Cange.

There were some incredibly joyous times. We stayed at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys the last four days of our trip. It was founded by a former Missionary of Charity Brother to provide a home for street boys rather than only a night shelter. The boys attend a neighborhood school, have an opportunity for dance, music and art, learn life skills, earn wages for duties and can stay until age 21. The Resurrection Dance Theater, formed there and now professional, gives them a chance to share their talent and stories all over the world. We were fortunate to attend a performance while staying there. We also enjoyed a performance of the Union Brother Singers. They will perform in Minnesota in March. The food we enjoyed at Visitation House, St. Joseph’s and on the road was delicious beyond my highest expectations. The weather was comfortable, cool at night especially in the mountains. Of course, it is now winter there. And our cars had air. Although we shivered under cold showers, we did have water most of the time, proving that we indeed were among the privileged few.

The trip to Haiti was strenuous, sad, joyous and fulfilling. The people are warm and so beautiful. I want to again thank my donors, those who gave gifts of money and supplies, those who encouraged me to go, those who were afraid for my safety and those who sent me off with prayers and blessings. I love and appreciate each of you. I should add, donations went for a reforesting project, three schools, a clinic, an emergency fund for rape victims and their children and outreach programs for Visitation House. I believe that I was discerning in the choices I made. Thank you for believing in and trusting me. In the future I would hope to add my support to Fonkoze Bank, to l’Hoital Saint Catherine in Citi’ Soleil and for whatever can be done to solve the most overriding problem, the lack of potable water.

I want to add a thank you to Paul Miller, who helped prepare me and was and continues to be an inspiring mentor. Also to those of his former group who encouraged me to follow in their foot prints.

Your Friend in Justice and in Peace and always Love,

Marlys Weber