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We have seen much progress on our garden projects with the local schools in Haiti. Despite the barriers faced by our partners in the country we have seen improvements in processes and communication.
The Syntropic Workshop attended by Agronomist Gedelmy is really paying off. Gedelmy is using the lessons he learned in the garden, such as doing more with less water, and maximizing water and resources usage. He is in the process of teaching this to the students and incorporating parents and families to spread the knowledge in the community.
The HHN’s Education Committee has made great progress in creating a school garden curriculum, as well as adapting it to the local needs and experiences in Haiti. Specifically, the core of the curriculum is complete, and the current focus is developing creative ways to integrate other lesson plans (math, art, science, etc.) into the garden lesson plan.
(Food, Education and Sustainability for Teens)
Orcas Island is one of the San Juan Islands located off the coast of Washington State in the USA. It’s community has formed an amazing team of young adults, educators and volunteers who are making a difference in food, farming and sustainability in their community and spreading their experiences and knowledge to kids of other nations as well. For more information, click here http://noramise.org/new-orcas-island-initiative-feast-food-education-and-sustainability-for-teens
Despite the numerous challenges and setbacks brought on by COVID 19 and political unrest, we’re happy to say that both our school gardens at(with) TeacHaiti in Port-au-Prince and St Michel de L’Atalaye are “growing”.
The garden committee in P-a-P, (comprised of InterAct members) spent most of the months working to expand the garden and improve soil quality while the school was closed.
The students alongside Agronomist Norderne Charles, worked tirelessly to beautify the garden as well. The garden provide not only worthwhile work, but also a place of solace among the chaos of 2020. The addition of chicken and rabbits to the garden gave much needed manure for the new compost bins built by the committee. Students are served eggs twice a week and the additional eggs are sold to help defray the cost of feed for the chickens. The committee also tried it’s hands at producing homemade feed as well.
We had an opportunity to hold a garden usage training session with some of the teachers. It was gratifying to see the “light bulb” go off for some as they realized the learning possibilities which the garden classroom provides.
Meanwhile in St Michel, we were able to refence the entire garden area as well as create a closed-in forage garden for the goats. With the help of parents and some of the older students, Agronomist Gedelmy, garden keepers Wiendiuela and Arnaud planted plantain, papaya corn donated by Agronomist Gedelmy himself. They also planted okra, beans, beets and various other vegetables seeds, donated by the Orcas Island Jr Garden club.
Several students from P-a-P were fortunate to travel to St Michel to meet their counter parts and share what they had been doing at their location. They also spent a day working in the St Michel garden.
The 5th grade students from Orcas sent letters to the 5th grade students in P-a-P sharing their garden activities and personal interest. This exchange has come to a standstill for now due to the fact that students on Orcas are mostly attending classes from home. We hope to continue this collaboration in due time.
Progress was also made on the construction of the new classroom building in St Michel and our new garden classroom is now ready to be furnished and can be put to use before then end of the school year. The classroom will have a full kitchen, where the students will have an opportunity to use some of the produce they grow to learn some cooking skills and good nutrition.
A grant from the San Juan Island Rotary club will provide some funding for a water catchment system and tools for the St Michel school. The grant has also afforded us the opportunity to send two H.S graduates from St Michel to a Veterinary training school in Deschapelles. Upon completion of this program, these students will have the responsibility of caring for the school goats and provide Veterinary service to the community at large.
There’s a Haitian proverb” Piti pit zwazo fe nich” “Little by little bird builds it’s nest”. With these initiatives in place both in St Michel and P-a-P our students are building a better future for themselves and their communities.
Helping Hands Noramise wishes to thank all those who donated and continue to supporters of this work, without whose help this progress would not be possible.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Naturopaths Without Borders, who had provided the fiduciary status so we may accept tax-deductible donations. Helping Hands Noramise is happy to announce we are now a stand alone registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. All donation to us are tax deductible.
Our F.E.A.S.T. Teens seek opportunities to learn in our Island community and, in turn, provide help wherever needed. They will help glean fruits and veggies, build garden beds or herb boxes, help prepare food items, learn water and farm techniques – whatever helps them better understand the workings of healthy food systems and practices.
Under the auspices of Helping Hands Noramise, The Orcas Island F.E.A.S.T. teens have shared their experiences with students in St. Michel de L’Atalaye, Haiti, where a new school garden/classroom has been created by Helping Hands Noramise.
Other F.E.A.S.T. programs are being created in Indiana (USA) and Taiwan, with each program sharing core values while adapting its activities to the experiences, conditions and opportunities of its community.
To learn all about our program and its association with HHN, visit our website! https://orcasfeast.org
Helping Hands Noramise has been on the ground in Haiti since 2010. We’ve worked on nutrition education, public health and sanitation initiatives and school gardens.
As a grassroots organization it has been challenging for us to provide resources for these projects, despite the great need for them.
In the interest of making the best use of our resources and making greater impact, we’ve partnered with TeahHaiti to focus on Nutrition education and school gardens in two areas. On2e school is in the capital city Port-au-Prince, the other in the rural town of St Michel de L’atalaye.
We have also partnered with the Orcas Island Farm to Classroom program, on Orcas Island, WA
These two collaborations will provide a pathway for a cultural exchange between Haitian and American students.
The students will not only share garden practices, but also hold regular video calls to discuss the various challenges they face and work together towards their solutions.
As the end of the year approaches, we at Helping Hands Noramise are taking time to reflect on 2016 and begin planning for Moving Forward in 2017
Computer Lab
We were happy to again host three members of ILAB in August for additional computer literacy training with our youths. ILAB is a youth group working out of Haiti Communitere in P-a-P, designing and producing medical clamps and other small products using two 3-D printers.
On their second visit to Team Noramise, they not only taught 2 days of basic computer skills but they also held in-depth discussions with our youths regarding the impact of their efforts on two of their team members, one of whom is now able to pay for schooling and another who is now able to contribute to his family. They stressed the fact that their computer skills are enabling them to earn a living in their own neighborhoods and reinforced the importance of developing these skills in order to gain access to local and international markets.
We currently have students at the computer lab who pay a token tuition. Part of the fee goes to pay the salary of the part-time instructor, a recent college graduate still looking for full-time employment.
Sewing Collective
Our sewing collective IMMI has seen much success this year. They have received orders for both the feminine
hygiene kits and diapers. They also filled an order of doll dresses for a new customer., building on success.
Following further sewing training and a health workshop in September, one of our members, Irose Joseph, traveled to Leogane along with a member of the Ranquitte sewing group, to teach another group of ladies to sew the hygiene kits. They also held a seminar on women’s reproduction for them. This was not only an opportunity for the ladies to share their knowledge, but they were also paid for their time.
As part of the community service requirement for all who participate in activities at Noramise Center, IMMI visited half a dozen schools in Limbe to teach young girls about female reproduction and menstruation and women’s health. These workshops were well received by the various school administrators who have asked us to continue this program. Some of the students came to the center as well for the workshops. We plan to add a few more schools to the calendar for 2017.
Rugby Team
The rugby team is still alive and well, although our numbers have shrunk. The reason for the loss of players is the reluctance on the part of some to fulfill our community service requirement. Those who have left the team do not value community service and do not view it as an important part of belonging to a community. Nevertheless, the remaining players have kept their commitment and have visited the sick in hospital, distributed food to the poor house and continue to clean
the streets and canals in the neighborhood. They also held an arts day for 40 younger neighborhood kids this summer. This is cause for celebration.
In August we were finally able to distribute goats to the eight steadfast members of the team. We will provide medical care for the goats and training for the boys in caring for them for one year. They will raise and return the first born to us, so we can continue to distribute goats to others. The parent is then theirs to do with as they wish. Others who have participated in similar programs have sold their goat to pay for school, continued to raise goats and then bought larger animals, or have chosen to slaughter the goat and feed their families.
Center Expansion
During the month of August, we ran a “Causevox” (a crowd funding source for non-profits) campaign in order to raise funds to expand our learning center. Computer classes, sewing activities and community health workshops make it necessary for us to have a bit more space. Unfortunately, the owner of the property we were hoping to rent has decided to not lease the space at this time, so we have opted instead to use the funds to rebuild the outdoor classroom in our backyard. When completed, we will be able to hold our community health and literacy classes under cover once again.
In April of 2017, with the help of Engineers Without Borders from Seattle University, we will finally be able to set up a small aquaponics project at the center. The
project will be completed by a visiting Rugby team from Olympia, Wa in partnership with the Limbe Rugby club.
HURRICANE MATTHEW
In keeping with our mission to empower rather than enable local Haitians, we will be purchasing seeds and goats to distribute to families on La Gonave who were effected by hurricane Matthew. Thank you to those who made donations for this.
In summary, we have had some successes and some failures along the way. Lessons have been learned that will be used to chart our course for the coming year.
Team Noramise wishes to thank all of you who have supported us through your donations, advice and time spent with our members.
Wishing you Happy Holidays and a New Year filled with good health and surrounded by loved ones.
In Unity,
Team Noramise
Hello,
Previously, I sent out an email discussing how Budd Bay would be working with Helping Hands Noramise to bring about some positive changes in Haiti. Today, I’m pleased to formally announce that Budd Bay Rugby will be working to sponsor a Rugby team in Haiti.
We will be kicking off this effort tomorrow night (Fri, 2/17) at the Jammin’ for Haiti event at Traditions Cafe.
Why are we doing this?
When Budd Bay RFC was founded, one of its principle tenants was to give back – supporting community outreach efforts throughout the Puget Sound. Rugby provides a strong foundation for our players to join a community and grow, both physically and mentally. Encouraging our players to give back helps us ensure that we are giving our players the best possible chance to develop into quality human beings, as well as quality ruggers.
This sense of community, of support, of reliance on one another is an essential principle of rugby, and is an area that Haiti needs to continue to develop.
So bringing Rugby to Haiti seems the only logical next step! In a country where the sport is all but non-existant, we can help grow the game we all love, instill rugby values into the Haitian community, and foster an atmosphere of global awareness and giving within our own organization.
What is Jammin’ For Haiti?
A small group of Haitian women formed a collective to make and sell jars of jam. They were working together – as a team – to succeed. Unfortunately, they were robbed (by their own treasurer no less). This left the women without any income, and further entrenched a belief that teams cannot succeed – that everyone must think about themselves.
This event on Friday is intended to raise money for these women. The money will not be a handout to replace what they’ve lost, but rather, a chance to help them continue to develop a strong business model that will allow themselves to be successful in the long run.
Budd Bay Rugby will be there in force – Traditions Cafe will be closed so we’re providing refreshments (there will be snacks as well), some silent auction items, and some logistical support. There will be other organizations donating items, along with music and fun people.
Come on out, support these women, and help us start our effort to create a global rugby club!
What does it mean to sponsor a rugby team?
Budd Bay will be working on several different approaches. Ultimately the goal is to provide equipment – balls and boots – for youth in Haiti who are interested in participating. Currently, players play barefoot, or share sneakers. Other goals include providing meals for players, and educational materials.
This is intended to be a long term project – we don’t expect to have full teams up and running in Haiti in a few weeks. But the options are endless – who knows – one day we might send a squad of players to Haiti to play against our international partners!
This sounds fun, how can I help?
Join us on Friday! Talk about ideas, meet the people involved, help us plan!
Used cleats are great – have gear that’s a size too small? We’re going to be collecting it over the next few months.
Financial donations are always appreciated, you can do so now at http://noramise.org/donate. We’ll be working on getting our website set up so you can donate through our page too.
And let us know how you’d like to be involved! Got an idea? Want to throw your hand in? There’s so much potential here – it will just take a few interested individuals to turn this into a phenomenal success!
-Kyle
The following post is a detailed summary just received from Rosedanie regarding her activities since arriving in Limbé on November 2nd, focused on Cholera-prevention, including outreach, education and other related topics.
PLEASE DONATE IN SUPPORT OF THESE ACTIVITIES AND BE PART OF THIS SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO STEM THE TIDE OF CHOLERA IN THE LIMBE’ AREA OF HAITI. THANK YOU!
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Hello everyone,
Following is a brief summary of my time in Limbé:
Arrived here on the evening of November 2nd, following a day in Santo Domingo, at Sister Island’s representative Nina Hernandez’ home.
Had hoped to spend a week or so getting reacquainted with the committee and family members in Limbe’. Unfortunately, the cholera epidemic made it necessary to put those plans aside.
With the help of several Tambour Creole members, I scheduled our first cholera prevention education outreach for the Camp Coq area, not far from where the Masabiel farmers cooperative wants to build its Tilapia ponds. We were able to mobilize some 60 residents, Inform them on the cause and main transmission source of cholera, methods of proper hygiene practices, water purification and food preparation to help with prevention. Gave out fliers which included the formula for the vital re hydration fluid needed to keep one with cholera alive on the long journey to the nearest medical center. Distributed soap, bleach and some re hydration packets provided by Danise Abel, president of the HHN Haiti committee. Since then we have given 15 such presentations in at least 10 areas in and outside of Limbé proper. Visited a hundred homes or so, 5 schools, distributing the same fliers and were invited to speak on 2 radio stations to give out the information.
I have connected with another organization, Haiti Village Health, which has a small clinic in Bas Limbé. Dr Tiffany Keenan, its founder and director invited us to the clinic three weeks ago and had her volunteers teach ours to make a low grade chlorine using salt, water and a very simple device. Robin has all the specs on this machine for those who want to know more. She then donated 3 of them to us as well as $500 with which to pay our volunteers who are now distributing this chlorine door to door throughout Limbé.. A cap full of this chlorine can be used to treat a five gallon bucket of water. Met another volunteer from England through the same organization, who came to Haiti with a water purification system(www.cleanwaterkits.com) using a ceramic filter and 2- 5 gallon buckets. This means of water purification is the easiest and safest to use we’ve seen to date. It requires no power source, delivers treated water at a rate of 5 liters per hour and removes 99.99% of bacteria and cysts. I traveled to St. Michel village with some Haiti Village volunteers and set up four purification centers there. This is an area where cholera victims were being transported via rowboat to Bas Limbé for medical care. Several of them never made it to the clinic alive. We hope to obtain more of these filters for distribution.
Our volunteer base is all Haitian, and as each member learns a new technique, they then have to teach it to the next person, ensuring that each member of the team really understands the new process and empowering them. This approach has been working very well and frees me to focus on other aspects of my time here.
The other item that has been taking up a good chunk of time is trying to get our committee moving forward with the charter so we can be recognized as a legal NGO in Haiti. We have had several meetings to review the charter and hope to have the final version completed at out next meeting on the 28th. In the interest of building better relation between the committee members and Tambour Creole, I hosted our first potluck last night, which was a huge success. At the end of the evening Daniel Desronvil our secretary, suggested we make this a regular practice and we will have another potluck next week, which will also have a secret santa component.
Charlot Kily the coordinator of Tambour Creole and I had discussed holding an all day celebration event for Independence day on January 1st. This idea was also well received by both committee members. The young artists and writers that Tambour Creole have been working with, will be asked to create some works to commemorate our independence, and I’m hoping HHN will be able to finance the purchase of some small prizes for the participants.
I have started a pilot ESL program at the Bethesda school, which will provide employment for a local man living across from the HHN center. Have also been teaching nutrition education to Lunise our cook/housekeeper and invite several local children here for an after school meal daily.
On a personal note, I have started coaching rugby to some of the kids on Saturday afternoons. Look out All Blacks, here comes the Haitian national rugby team. Haven’t been able to get any female players yet.
Well, I must get to bed now. Will send a more detailed year end report next week.
Go Team GO!!!
Coach Cadet
Immediately upon arrival in Limbe in November, Rosedanie Cadet has been focused on a variety of projects all related to the Cholera outbreak which has spread across Haiti including in Limbe and the surrounding region.
The range of projects fall into 3 main categories:
- Clean/purified-water production and distribution
- Sanitation and related outreach and education including general info on Cholera and how it spreads
- Education on nutrition as a means to reduce susceptibility to falling sick
Click HERE for some more details from Rosedanie’s last blog entry summarizing her efforts on Cholera Prevention.
Hello everyone,
Update on the cholera situation in Limbe’: According to the head of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), we haven’t seen the ‘tsunami’ of cholera that will hit Haiti.
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1733-haiti-cholera-epidemic-an-apocalypse-scenario.html
This prediction, which seems a rather dark view of the situation to me, makes the work of prevention, outreach, and education even more important than any other projects HHN has on the table. If we can get to areas that have not yet been affected, I believe there is a good chance the predicted ‘tsunami’ will not arrive.
I have connected with a group called Clean the World (www.cleantheworld.org) who are working in a seaside region called Bas Limbe’. They have a simple chlorine water purification unit which they will teach us to make and use. We’ll then place volunteers at the water sources — streams, wells, etc. and train others.
THE DOCTOR IN CHARGE HAS A CONTACT WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES IN MIAMI WHO WILL SHIP SUPPLIES TO US. WE’RE LOOKING FOR FRIENDS IN MIAMI WHO CAN PICK UP THE 5 GAL. BUCKETS, WHICH ARE THE BASIS FOR THE SYSTEM, AND DELIVER THEM TO THE CRUISE LINE OFFICE. Details to follow.
Let’s prevent this tsunami.
In unity,
Rosedanie
Following are excerpts from messages sent by Rosedanie since arriving in Haiti November 2, 2010. They closely follow the horrific trajectory of the cholera epidemic in the region of Limbé. The good news is that door-door outreach efforts have most recently been happening and have been well received (noted in the most recent posting at the very bottom).
We are desperately in need of funds to support Rosedanie and the HHN Committee in their efforts to provide supplies and prevention information to the people in the area. Please make a contribution now by clicking on the DONATE link on the left. We greatly thank you.
04 November 2010: Hi there. Am still trying to resolve network issues. In need of emergency supplies. 30+ cases cholera at Good Samaritan Hospital. Need ivs, more rehydrating salts, headlamps. Patients housed in yard away from others. Please send call out for help. Trying to find economical way to receive supplies. Thanks, Danie.
05 November 2010: Good morning. On my way to Cap Haitien for $ and supplies.
07 November 2010: PC-Relief-Haiti ALERT: Blue Plastic Water Bags – infected – Water distributed in Haiti as purified. Director General of Haiti’s Health Department, Mr. Gabriel Thimote, warms that blue plastic bags of water labeled “purified” should not be trusted because they are filled with untreated Artibonite River water.
08 November 2010: Good Morning. Have images from yesterday’s cholera prevention gathering. Will send soon as am able. Thank you. In unity, Rosedanie.
10 November 2010: Good morning everyone, Hope you are all well. I got the modem yesterday and now have internet at the house. It’s a little slow but it works. Life here in Limbe’ is so so. We had no electricity for 3 days, and it’s been raining heavily on and off for the past week. The roof leaks and our kitchen draining system is plugged. There are now 5 people other than myself living at the house putting a strain on the food budget. As for the cholera outbreak, cases are increasing. I am going to visit the Good Samaritan Hospital later and see how the additional patients are being housed. I spoke with the Director of Public Health in Cap Haitien yesterday. He informed me he had run out of ORS (oral rehydrating salts) and ivs and was trying to procure more. When asked what we could do to help besides community outreach, he expressed the need for surgical gowns, gloves, and face masks. Many people have died because their families and hospital staff are afraid to touch them fearing they might contract cholera, even though they’ve been told it is not transmitted through touch. I’ve yet to see any MSF (Doctors Without Borders) staff working in this area. I suspect that much of the supplies they are bringing will not get to those in need but will be sold by the people responsible for distribution. This was the case with the many food supplies sent after the earthquake.
I’ve called a meeting of the HHN Limbe’ Committee on Saturday in order for us to decide how we will get information to people in the rural areas. On Monday I hope to meet the Chief of Staff at the General Hospital in Okap who will be able to introduce me to a representative of MSF in order to obtain more supplies. In the meantime I am continuing with the purchase of soap and bleach to distribute, as well as making copies of prevention materials.
The bottom line is that this crisis is not yet under control, and I’m not sure what more we can do other than what is being done. Please do what you can to get the word out regarding what is going on and to obtain funds and/or the above mentioned supplies.
I am off to the Bethesda School in a while where I will be substituting for Sister Irose on Thursdays so she can have a day off.
Well, that’s all for now. Thank you all again for your work.
In Unity, Rosedanie.
10 November 2010: I am also in need of some food supplies. Prices have gone up for everything and with the additional mouths to feed, what I had budgeted for food will not be sufficient. Once we are able to establish an economical shipping route, we could use some cereal, bags of tuna fish, and other sources of protein. Still trying to get hold of the shipping company to see about getting a discounted rate. Must now dash and get trained as a substitute teacher. Thank you, Rosedanie. P.S. Still trying to attach photos to send.
“10 November 2010: Hello, I visited the hospital and spoke with the administrator. Besides the supplies mentioned earlier there is a great need for medical personnel. There are 12-15 new cases admitted daily, and they are short on staff. Please update the website and add this to the volunteer page. Anyone available can of course be housed here. Have arranged to return in a few days and do some outreach with the patients and their families. Also made contact with a UNICEF worker who came to find out what the hospital needed. He and a colleague will be here Saturday, and we are planning to meet. The boys came home from school today with a water purifying straw from waterislife.com. Can someone check to see who they are and if we can somehow connect with them. As electricity supply is short at the moment, I can’t spend any time searching online.
That’s all for today. Must get ready for my first day of school.
In unity, Rosedanie.
15 November 2010: Update from Haiti: According to Bureau of Public Health, Limbé is 2nd in area most affected by cholera. Team Noramise visited the town of Bas-Limbé & held 2 community outreach gatherings, giving info on symptoms and means of prevention for cholera, plus instruction on how to prepare an electrolyte fluid to give to those affected to drink while they are being rushed to health care. Photos to follow.
16 November 2010: Hi there, Had a meeting last night to plan our door-to-door cholera prevention outreach. Due to unrest yesterday, most schools are closed today and people are still apprehensive about leaving their homes. We are starting the visits in our neighborhood and working our way outward in the direction of areas we’ve already covered. Several community members have been invited to join us. We’ll have to wait and see who actually shows up.
In unity, Rosedanie
17 November 2010: continuing our door to door outreach on cholera prevention. it’s going well, as each day a few more LOCAL RESIDENTS join our team in the work. Hoping to see a decrease in the # of people needing medical care soon. the hospitals are once again running out of supplies. the road to Cap-Haitien has been blocked for several days due to the riots. things were slightly calmer in Limbé today.
Dear Supporters,
On November 12th it will be 10 months since the devastating earthquake shook my country, and I sent out a call for help. The myriad ways in which this call has been answered continues to amaze and inspire me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all with all my heart.
Recently my young friend Samantha celebrated her birthday in Seattle, by having a fundraising party for Helping Hands Noramise (HHN). She and her friends raised over $300 and collected school supplies for students in Limbé. This kind of grassroots effort is the driving force behind HHN.
Your generous contributions of funds and time have enabled us to install gardens, provide school supplies for over 50 students, host the first of what I hope to be many Arts and Sports camps in which Haitian and American students participated. We were also able to provide tools and some work to a fledging woodworkers collective. The many projects which we have undertaken are vital to the sustainable economic and educational growth of Limbé, and of Haiti in general.
We will keep you informed and involved every step of the way.
I know how hard we all work and how limited some of our resources are. My promise to you is that your efforts will not be wasted. HHN is determined to help the Haitian people reach a point where they will be able to help themselves and will only need supplemental support from us to accomplish their own growth and development. As I head back to Haiti to continue the work, I hold in my heart your warm thoughts and generous words. Again, thank you for your continued support.
In Unity,
Rosedanie Cadet, Director
Helping Hands Noramise
Support the need in Haiti through art! Noramise has brought back a collection of Haitian Art by local artists of the Tambour Creole Artists’ Cooperative. Paintings are available for sale at this art auction fundraising event on Orcas Island, WA, Sunday, August 29th from 1-5pm, or contact Rosedanie if you’re interested in buying some art. All proceeds go directly to the artists in Haiti.