My good friends here with me in Indonesia knew before I did that I would be heading to Haiti instead of Pakistan… I just didn’t believe them at the time. Well I have just proven them right by booking one of the most ridiculous set of plane trips I have ever taken: Kuala Lumpur – London – New York – Haiti – Cape Town with a couple of side trips to Glasgow and home to Canada for 10 days each. Sorry about the carbon footprint thing.
In the end I guess I couldn’t resist the pull to head back to Haiti and help out. My motivations for previous volunteering stints have always been a bit suspect but this time around I really feel a responsibility to help out, even if just a little bit. This will be a tough one emotionally, I think. With the earthquake claiming more than 200,000 lives in such a small area, I am bound to come across endless stories of lost loved ones and grief. I’m not sure how I will cope with the whole thing but I will never know if I don’t go.
Strangely, my parents are dead set against me going back to Haiti, although somehow they were ok with Pakistan. I haven’t had a TV for months so haven’t seen any coverage of the quake and the only news reports I am getting are in print. It seems like, according to the Canadian media at least, things over there are bad with reports of rape and looting and fears of disease as the rainy season rolls in. From my personal experience I know that the media tends to make everything sound scarier than it actually is but in this case I’m not sure what to think.
I do have plenty of friends over there working in different capacities and all are safe and sounds and getting on with the work at hand. Several have been working with Medishare putting in 20 hour days in some very trying circumstances. The need for volunteers in support roles at their trauma hospital is huge and a couple of friends of mine have put out a plea for interested people to contact them. If you want their contact details, email me and I will pass them along, internet connection willing.
I will be working with Hands On for a fourth time and this time around things will be a bit different. They have already received over 5,000 inquiries about volunteering in Haiti (as a comparison, the Indonesian project I’m currently on has only received about 400 inquiries over the course of the project) and, as a result of the expected influx of volunteers they will have a capacity of 100 people at a time. If you want to volunteer with them you will have to submit your first and second choice for dates along with an application-style form. The project is due to run for a minimum of six months, check out their information page for more details. I’m locked in for March 15th until the end of May… maybe see you there?
I’m looking especially forward to seeing some of my Haitian friends from Gonaives as I imagine some of them will come up to volunteer for awhile. I’m a bit apprehensive of what I’m getting myself into but at the same time, I can’t wait to get there.
A friend of mine was recently there helping out. He’s in the Navy and was sent down there. He says it’s a complete mess. The most depressing thing for him was watching the massive bonfires, visible from well offshore, that they made of burning bodies. He says the stench is incredible. Be prepared.
Good for you. I am still bummed I was unable to get to Sumatra with HODR. Can’t wait to hear all about it. I am sure it will not be as scary as it sounds. The media love to overhype the danger when there is nothing else to say.
Congrats on making this decision Kirsty. With the media coverage it does sound like a scary place to travel to. I don’t blame your parents for being worried. When people are in desperate times they will do unimaginable things to survive.
how the heck do u afford that kind of plane ticket! woah! im cringing just thinking about the price
@kelsey Ah! That’s not what my mum wants to read… I’m not sure I will truly be prepared until I’m faced with it.
@morgan Ya too bacd you couldn’t make it, it’s been an interesting project with a lot of good work done. Maybe I will see you at one some other time.
@aluminumcase Thanks. I guess I sort of knew in the back of my mind it was what I was going to do… although if I would have been able to get a Pakistani visa in Asia then I might be there now. Who knows… it’s just how things work out. I am still thinking of Pakistan late this year.
@nomadicmatt I am cringing too! It would have cost me about $700-800 ow to Africa from Asia which is around the same as from NYC so I look at the other flights as the extra stuff which cost $1200 for three flights (ow KL to London, ow London to NYC and rt NYC to Haiti). Except for 2 nights in KL, I will be staying with family or friends the whole time and in Haiti my food and accommodation will be looked after so as long as I steer clear of rum, I won’t spend any money. It would have cost less to fly to Pakistan but living costs would have added up to be a lot more. The only real thing that sucks, as always, is not being able to work although they do have internet at the base in Haiti. We’ll see how things go… I prefer to do now and worry later!
Best of luck with your decision Kirsty, I’m sure it’s the right one for you. The benefits of a location independant life is shown here in the fact you can make this decision and change your mind to whatever you feel.
Wow, good luck and take care of yourself there. It’s noble of you to help people that need help badly, but like you said, there’s bad elements lurking too so watch out for them
Till then,
Jean
I think it’s a good call. Although Haiti way have its unrest, I think you are safer off in a strong and populous international community of volunteers rather than as a lone female in Pakistan with bombs going off every few weeks. Have fun!
haha you rock! Love your dive in attitude. The world needs more people like you. Best of luck in Haiti!
Great decision and best of luck with the trip and the service. God bless!
Very happy for you and your decision! Doing something you love, and being able to help a nation in the process, cannot be a bad decision whatsoever. Cheers
Yes I as thinking about the expense of the plane tickets! Even getting from Europe to Asia these days seems much more expensive than a few years ago.
Sounds exciting but quite scary! What kind of volunteer work will you be doing?
Haiti seems to be the most reasonable direction nowadays.
Hats off to your decision of going to Haiti. Hope things are better there now.
The people putting in the 20 hour days must be really dedicated. It’s great that so many people are helping out and volunteering.
I really salute your spirit and the decision to leave the comfort and help the people in despair. I believe things are coming on track in Haiti now. Wish the people of Haiti loads of strength and happiness in the future.
Hey, this is really heart touching post. I appreciate your efforts to visit Haiti in such circumstances. You Rock Brother.
Kk