This video was shot while driving just outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on February 6, 2011. The voice you hear is Pastor Drex Stuart. He picked us up from the airport and was driving us to Grand Goave to help with various projects.
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These pictures show the work we were able to help accomplish while visiting Grand Goave and Cyvadier (Jacmel), Haiti February 6 – 12, 2011. Pictures show a well and water purification platform where we relocated building blocks and constructed a ramp to allow a well rig to reach the well that had been damaged during the earthquake. Now that the well has been repaired and with the help of the purification system donated by Samaritin’s Purse we will be able to provide clean, safe water for 5,000 people a day. We also helped start a foundation for a new building that will house a machine to make concrete blocks for building creating jobs for the local economy. We also helped install some solar lighting at the beach house we stayed in near Grand Goave. There is no electricity in that area and a generator is used just three hours a day for lights, etc. in the evening hours. Now the solar lights will offer lighting into the night. We spent five days in the Grand Goave area working on the above projects then traveled to the Hands and Feet Project Children’s Village in Cyvadier (near Jacmel). Here we sanded down and painted bunk beds for the older boys. If you want to learn even more about Hands and Feet please visit their Web site at www.handsandfeetproject.org or send me an email at todd@fairsalvage.com – Thanks!
Pictures of the children at Hands and Feet Project Children’s Village in Cyvadier (Jacmel) Haiti from out trip there Feb 5 – 12, 2011.
Please keep our team of five in your prayers and thoughts as we again travel to Haiti to work in the orphanages we sponsor. Steve Fair, Jim Teall, Tammy Teall, Bill Couturier and Charles Robinson will be leaving at 8:30am Friday January 14th and returning January 22nd.
Just in case you were curious how it was done – here is a picture of scrap being hauled in Haiti.
Hot, busy and in need of supplies is the best way to describe everyone’s thoughts as we entered the Port-au-Prince airport for our post earthquake trip. Twelve of us left the Detroit Airport in the early morning hours of June 5th, 2010. The mission was to take needed supplies to our supported orphanages, continue the construction efforts and of course, work with each of the kids as much as possible.
The Port-au-Prince airport had sustained extensive damage in the earthquake, which provided us the opportunity to be bused with the other 150 passengers to a warehouse located near the runway. We first completed all of the immigration requirements and then set out for the ever demanding job of finding all of the 24 big black bags of supplies for the kids. So many individuals and groups such as Fair Salvage employee’s , various church groups and especially individuals contributed to the overwhelming demand for clothing, shoes and personal items such as toothpaste and antibiotic ointments.
All 24 bags made the trip with only a few casualties with a couple cartons of oatmeal to an opened syrup container. With all of the bags accounted for, we located our contact person that was waiting to take us to our first location in Grand Goave. This orphanage experienced extensive damage to both the children’s housing to the school buildings located nearby. All of the children and mission staff were excited to see us with all of the so badly needed supplies. Tents were our first home away from home and the main stable was beans and rice fixed differently every meal.
Sunday morning worship service was an experience that will always stay in my heart as a precious memory. Singing, preaching as well as the passionate testimonies clearly came from the heart. We recognized the tune to many of the songs and participated in so many of the activities of the morning. From the vary youngest in their mothers arms to the very old that needed help in standing, all were raising their hands and singing with all of their might, to praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
That afternoon we traveled several hours across paved, gravel and roads that followed the mountainous terrain to reach Jacmel, our second orphanage. Jacmel is located on the southern boundaries of Haiti and even though farther in miles away from the epi center of the earthquake, extensive damage could be seen in almost every direction.
The next 5 days brought lots of heat, 100 degrees plus, high humidity, yet a wonderful atmosphere as each of the group members was excited to begin work with the kids and many construction areas that needed our help. Digging in the rocky red clay with picks, shovels and sledge hammers to working on the septic fields to three of the houses to scrapping, and painting another. It amazes me the amount of paint that one can manage to put on themselves instead of the wall. Doors needed staining and gates needed painting helped round out the challenges for each of the days.
We managed to experience the crashing waves of the Caribbean ocean to the slightly quieter or subdued nature of the cove. Haitian food or better described as Creole flavoring was so good with so many different taste that the meals provided by the Haitians was one of many highlights of the trip.
Today our tans and burn marks from the intense sun is quickly fading, yet the memories and mental pictures that are stored will always be there.
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Please pray for Haiti. Hurricane Gustav pounded the southern coast of Haiti Monday and Tuesday, and heavy rains continue today. Thank God all of our children and staff are safe. However we have had major damage to our property (see photos above) even worse than when Noel hit last November. Two of our children’s houses on the lower floor have 3-4 feet of water in them. Many of our perimeter walls have been destroyed. Larry, one of our new US staff, cannot get his truck out because it is covered in boulders. We are so thankful that Larry and Michelle are there caring for our kids. Please pray for them as they try to figure out how to begin the overwhelming cleanup process. Please also pray for our neighbors as most of them have lost quite a bit. One of our neighbors’ tin roof flew off forcing the family to stay with another neighbor. We know God is in control but we definitely need your prayers and support during this crazy time. The internet is down in Haiti right now, so we will post updates on our website as soon as we have them.
On another note, T-Bone’s parents are in Nicaragua right now for a short trip to help get things set up for the children’s village. We are still in the legal process of getting approved to house orphans by the government, and are optimistic that it will be ready soon.
We have also been involved with another organization in Haiti who has done amazing work caring for 32 orphans that were in really poor health before they got involved. We will keep you posted on that as well, but ask you to pray for them and us as we seek to partner to help these children.
If you are interested in helping with specific gifts for Hurricane relief, Nicaragua or the other Haiti project, please just designate that with your gift. Thanks for caring for these children.
Second day we flew from Miami to Haiti and every flight went well. That has to be my first! On our flight they had no Visa cards for immigration so we had to fill them out once we hit the ground. This always makes things faster – not really. It was good to be back in Haiti and yes it was warm. We got are bags and went right through customs with ease. I was thinking this was too easy. Then out of the airport and only a couple hundred spectators wanting to help or watch us. Pastor Drex (who over sees the orphanage) was there with Frantz (our cab driver we use) just like I’d hope he would be. From there we went and got four pizzas and some pop and had a late lunch. Most with me on this trip had never driven through the mountains and they found out it was just a little different than some had expected. The smells and the sights as I like to call it! Then when we got to the mountains the zig and zaging for an hour and a half, OH WHAT FUN! It would be more fun on a bike! Some found out that there stomach didn’t care much for it. Once we got there the kids had to come and check for Steve and find out who he brought with him this time. Most everything we took made it in only a couple things broke and made a mess. We ate and got things put away for the day and checked things out.
Third day was church day and swimming with the older kids at the ocean. I always look forward to the time at the ocean. Some of the kids like to be tossed in the water and others want nothing to do with it.
Fourth day we went to work moving some rocks for a septic pit wall. Others went to painting and doing other jobs around the orphanage. We spent most of the day doing projects like this. We also went to the beach for about an hour to cool down after the day. Did I tell you Haiti is rather warm! As normal we had supper and time to down load from the day. As you set out on the porch it doesn’t take long for the little ones to spot you and you have about twenty kids all over you. I sure do enjoy watching kids laugh and having fun with the group. When I think of some of these little ones and from what they looked like when they first came it does a persons heart good.
Fifth day some stayed and painted and did chores around the orphanage. Three of us with Pastor Drex went and spent the morning checking on some other orphans. It is really sad to see how some of these kids in Haiti are treated. These 32 kids are in better place than they were two weeks earlier. The three of us are trying to see if there is some way we need to be involved. These are not the kids at Hands and Feet Project, our kids are taken care of well. It was an interesting morning and early afternoon. We just finished the day playing with kids and some of us worked on digging the pit. Have I told you it’s warm in Haiti in the afternoon!
Day six was another special day for the group. We met some Compassion kids that some of the youth sponsor and that my family sponsors also. There were 10 kids in all. Some of the kids brought a parent and it was a special day. Compassion is an organization that helps kids throughout the 3rd world receives an education and at least a meal a day. We take so much for granted here in this country. School is something that wouldn’t happen for these kids otherwise and if you could see these schools. They basic block building and tin roof. Did I tell you how hot it would be in one of those schools!
Day seven, we went back to painting the depot and apartment which is a two story building. We put screens in the windows which took most of the day to do. Always a little time to relax here and there but not much this day, but we always time for the kids! You have to find time to stop and a get something to drink, did I tell you it’s hot in Haiti!
Day eight we moved some of the staff from the top floor apartment and moved them to another second floor apartment. Then we moved another staff from down stars room to the upstairs apartment. Yes and it was Hot! We spent our last afternoon and night with the kids as much as possible. I always hate the last night I just don’t like saying goodbye. The oldest girl there and I have built a little relationship and she has learned to speak English. I told her that I would be leaving tomorrow and she jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug. That face always makes me want to go back and see her again. I love them all; anyone who knows me knows that babies aren’t my favorite age. It’s always more fun with two year olds. Yes I’m nuts! But that’s when they become the challenge and enjoy every age after that. But the girls and ladies know that was always the first place they seemed to head. If you could look at the twins from the first time I saw them until now, what a miracle! That night we also found out that tropical storm Fay was on a track for Haiti. See now I’ve always joked about wanting to go through a hurricane. Really it’s not a joke I would like to experience it once. Now everyone else didn’t feel exactly the same as I do. I told them they were wimps and to suck it up. Anyways the storm from my perspective wasn’t bad, the rivers rose and the rain did come down. We got up on Saturday and left about 6:30am and headed to Port Au Prince (the capital of Haiti) and after getting almost all the way we found out they were cancelling the flights. So we still drove to the airport and found out our flight was delayed. After hanging out in the airport for two hours they said our flight wouldn’t leave until 2pm. We thought well we still can fly to Miami and still catch are flight to Detroit, remember we are in Haiti yet. We got out of Haiti 7:30pm Miami time so guess what we got out but no flight home that night! We got tickets for the next day and three airports later and two and half hours of driving we were home. Of course 4 bags were not with us once we landed and collected our luggage. But we got the last one on Thursday.
Over all it was a great trip and traveled with a good group. Much work got done and if you get a chance ask some of them how the trip was. I’m taking a few of the people here back with me in Jan. So there will be more in the months to come. Did I tell you it was hot in Haiti! Ha ha!
Thank you again for support of Fair Salvage which in turn allows our support of the orphanage in Haiti! Steve Fair.
Here it is . . . only two days before we leave again for Haiti! As I sit here thinking of all the reasons NOT to go I find myself returning to the 36 reasons TO go – the kids! I think of the kids at our orphanage there as if they were my very own. I would protect them the same and miss them when they are not with me just as I do my own children. It has been a journey and sometimes I wonder how I even got to this place. Don’t you find life is a journey and are not sure of what’s coming next? I thank God for helping me on this journey!
None of these trips nor the support I’m able to share would be possible if not for you, my customers. And my employee’s who are more like family to me than simply employees. I’m also thankful for all the companies that work with Fair Salvage. Thank you all very much. Tim’s son T.J. (Tim is part of my Non-ferrous department family) is going for the first time. Joe, Duane’s son (Duane is my General Manager and Joe is part of my Non-ferrous family) will be returning with Tanya, Rick’s daughter (Rick is my Logistics Manager). When you are visting Fair Salvage please feel free to ask any of these people how the trips affect them.
At the top of this posting are some pictures of the group packing food and other supplies to take with us to Haiti. Getting food in Haiti is nothing like going to the store in the United States. I was hoping to be able to send daily updates to post here while in Haiti this time but the satellite link that the orphanage uses for Internet access is down. So it may be a couple weeks before I’m able to share information for Todd to post here.
Again, I cannot thank all of you enough for your support and for taking time to read the posts on our blog. Please take a moment to visit the Hands and Feet Project Web Site to learn more. www.handsandfeetproject.org
In Christ,
Steve Fair.
We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of benevolent compassion we have been receiving from friends of the Hands and Feet Project regarding the current devastation as a result of the recent earthquake. Many of you are asking how you can help, even expressing the desire to pack your bags and head down to Haiti to start relief efforts today. Because of the poor infrastructure of Haiti even before this catastrophe, it has been difficult to even get information on what the specific needs are at this time. In addition, the logistics of transporting workers and supplies to the affected areas are extremely complex. Roads have been damaged, and the Jacmel airport is currently closed. However, we are unyielding in our efforts to gather information and will be coordinating a relief and support effort as swiftly as possible. We need your help now more than ever. 
I’ll write a more detailed note for whoever is interested, while we still have some electricity in our batteries to run the internet. 