ake it...This week went by rather quickly. Starting on Monday, my team and I went back to the Villa Rosa community to try again to have a charrette to find out the wants and needs of the area. Enough people showed, somewhere in the 50-60 number, so we split them up in five groups and gave them maps (which I drew myself), some stickers with icons on them to represent vital additions to the area (electrical posts, water locations, etc.), and surveys for them to fill out to help us configure some data on their living situation. It lasted about three hours in this stuffy church and when we left it was getting dark. I take every opportunity I can now to ride in the back of the TaTa pick up truck, one of the three vehicles we have here. It is just really nice to be able to see and hear everything around me and take it all in, like this soccer game being played off the road. 
The next couple days I spent compiling the data, digitising the maps, and uploading photos and videos from the charrette. Meanwhile, a good group of everyone else worked diligently through the week to get graphics together for the Santo ground breaking set for Thursday in Leogane, an area about two hours from here. My roommate, Sven, was working two weeks solid on getting the site plan rendering together, adding texture, color, trees, and graphics to make it really pop. Since it looked as if he still was not going to be able to get it done in time, I was asked to step up and help him finish it. So, starting Tuesday night, I grabbed some of the files and started making all the roof lines nice and pretty, for both the schools and all 500 houses and latrines. It took awhile and but I had fun working in Photoshop learning some new tricks. The site plan includes community homes, two schools (primary and secondary), a market and sports complex. Habitat for Humanity is building and funding the homes, while the other portions are TBD in terms of funding and construction.
The next couple days I spent compiling the data, digitising the maps, and uploading photos and videos from the charrette. Meanwhile, a good group of everyone else worked diligently through the week to get graphics together for the Santo ground breaking set for Thursday in Leogane, an area about two hours from here. My roommate, Sven, was working two weeks solid on getting the site plan rendering together, adding texture, color, trees, and graphics to make it really pop. Since it looked as if he still was not going to be able to get it done in time, I was asked to step up and help him finish it. So, starting Tuesday night, I grabbed some of the files and started making all the roof lines nice and pretty, for both the schools and all 500 houses and latrines. It took awhile and but I had fun working in Photoshop learning some new tricks. The site plan includes community homes, two schools (primary and secondary), a market and sports complex. Habitat for Humanity is building and funding the homes, while the other portions are TBD in terms of funding and construction.
Everyone worked like madmen into the night Wednesday to plot and get everything together for Thursday morning. I threw my name in the hat, requesting to tag along to the ground breaking. Since there was space, I was able to squeeze in the back area of the 4Runner and go to Leogane. The President of Haiti, Michelle Martelly was supposed to attend, and both Clinton and Carter were invited, but all three didn't come. The drive to Leogane was a bit bumpy and long. It ran parallel to the water, so there were some nice views here and there, but for the most part the amount of trash, pollution and road work going on took away from that. Plus being in the back of the car, with no seat sitting next to Ben, it got a bit uncomfy at times. In the photo is Burtland fro
m NY, Lisa from Ireland, Sven and Ben. There were a total of eleven of us that went to the event. When we got there, there were armed guards checking cars in, so it had the feel of an important event. The downside was there were a ton of community people lining the outskirts of the fences, not allowed to come in, which was a bit odd considering this was FOR the community. I found out later that these people were protesting, claiming the houses were too small for their needs (each home is only the size of most of our living rooms-for 5-6 people). Was a bit sad.
m NY, Lisa from Ireland, Sven and Ben. There were a total of eleven of us that went to the event. When we got there, there were armed guards checking cars in, so it had the feel of an important event. The downside was there were a ton of community people lining the outskirts of the fences, not allowed to come in, which was a bit odd considering this was FOR the community. I found out later that these people were protesting, claiming the houses were too small for their needs (each home is only the size of most of our living rooms-for 5-6 people). Was a bit sad. The speeches were in Creole and translated to English and were very 'pad on the back' style for Habitat for Humanity, a bit self absorbed, but they all deserved credit. It lasted about an hour and a half, then all the important people did the symbolic shovel dig and fli
pped the dirt to the side. Included in the group was Darren, the team leader (guy in blue with glasses). I also helped move some dirt, as you can see. We waited around after the event concluded so Darren and Nancy could number crunch and get a calendar together with some of the Habitat folks, so by the time we left, Ben and I were starving, as well as the others in the car. We stopped by a gas station on the way back and got a cold beverage and some chips (all they had) and finally got back to the office around 3:30pm. Tired and still hungry, I finished the report from the surveys a few days prior and the day was done. Most of us had mixed feelings about the event. It was kind just a show, and the crowd was only a few locals with just a bunch of organizations. It was not as 'community involved' as it should have been, but that is how these things go it seems.
pped the dirt to the side. Included in the group was Darren, the team leader (guy in blue with glasses). I also helped move some dirt, as you can see. We waited around after the event concluded so Darren and Nancy could number crunch and get a calendar together with some of the Habitat folks, so by the time we left, Ben and I were starving, as well as the others in the car. We stopped by a gas station on the way back and got a cold beverage and some chips (all they had) and finally got back to the office around 3:30pm. Tired and still hungry, I finished the report from the surveys a few days prior and the day was done. Most of us had mixed feelings about the event. It was kind just a show, and the crowd was only a few locals with just a bunch of organizations. It was not as 'community involved' as it should have been, but that is how these things go it seems.Yesterday and today I did some preliminary sketches for the Villa Rosa site, so it has been pretty relaxing at the office. Last night the whole house went out for the first time, even some of us home bodies went out, which was rare. We went to a cool bar that had an outdoor patio and live music, so it was fun to see some of the people I live and work with in a different environment other than the house and the office. There really isn't anyone I don't get along with, which is key. Everyone is pretty cool, it really has worked out nicely. Had a couple beers and a couple rum sours (specialty here) and conversed over the music till about midnight. Was nice to finally go somewhere out and about, important to have these moments so I don't look like I do not want to socialize and hang out.
After half day today, went to the market, got some food for lunch, ate and napped. Ahhhhh. So nice to have mid day naps after a long week. I have also been reading a lot in the evenings, which is a habit I hope to bring back with me when I come home. We are trying to get a group to go to the beach tomorrow which is quite a trip, averaging two hours each way to most nice ones. And they all cost money since the resorts own the beaches, which is shitty, but I have to go once while here...I'm on and island on the damn Caribbean! Have to see it. So that should be fun. I also found out the NFL Game Pass is giving a free preview this weekend, so I am going to be able to watch the Chargers game archived from earlier when we get back. Nice.
Hope everyone is well. Can't believe it has now been 3 1/2 weeks! Almost half over, nuts.
Love - Brandon
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