Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Washington Raise $1,000 for Haiti

(l to r: RPCVs Bryan Schaaf of Haiti Innovation and Lenny Teh, President of Friends of Haiti, speak at last night's RPCV Happy Hour/Haiti Fundraiser in Washington DC)

In his remarks to an overflow crowd at the monthly Happy Hour hosted by the RPCVs of Washington DC, Bryan Schaaf (Haiti 00-02) referred to a proverb he learned as a volunteer: “Haiti has teeth.  It bites onto you.  It doesn’t let you go.”

That connection and commitment to the country was in evidence as numerous Haiti RPCVs, including Leslie Koo (00-02), Josh Kunin-Goldsmith (01-04), Christine Fontecchio (03-04) and Lenny Teh (97-00) turned out as the Happy Hour was quickly transformed into a Haiti relief fundraiser that collected $1,023 for the Red Cross.

Teh, who serves as President of the Friends of Haiti RPCV Group, fought back tears as he told the audience one-third of the country’s population was impacted by the massive earthquake that struck on Tuesday.  Those affected included Teh's sponsor family in Port-au-Prince.  While all are safe, children in Teh's family were in a house that collapsed during the quake.  “They are now living in the street, and they are scared.”

The Haiti RPCVs we spoke with shared common thoughts and reactions to the crisis.  There is worry as they seek to learn the fate of friends.  There is frustration over the distance and limits they face in responding to the crisis.   There is unanimity in the need for an infusion of cash donations to support established organizations moving in to offer relief.  And they say there will be the need over the long term for skilled RPCVs to stay engaged and volunteer for Haiti after the immediate crisis has stabilized.

There is also a belief in the resilience of the Haitian people. Schaaf is one of the founders of Haiti Innovation, an organization created by RPCVs to bring attention to the many positive initiatives and developments in Haiti.  Saddened because the earthquake is a massive setback after a year of positive economic and social development, Schaaf noted there is tremendous suffering.  But, he added, “I worry that the (media) footage makes Haitians look helpless.  They are not.”  As is the case with citizens elsewhere, “It is the local communities and local people that are first in responding to the crisis.”

Comments

[Erica Burman]

Thanks for that update, Ann!

[Ann Bozick]

The Pittsburgh Area RPCVs volunteered at Global Links sorting, cleaning and packaging crutches and wheelchairs to be sent to Haiti.

[Maureen Shanley]

Connecticut Returned Peace Corps Volunteers donated $2,000 to assist those in need in Haiti. Last April we earned the monies for our Community Service Grant Program at our “Peaced Together” fiesta and silent auction. $1,000 was donated to the Haitian Ministries for the Diocese of Norwich, 1595 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382. The second grant of $1,000 was awarded to Save the Children, 54 Wilton Rd., Westport, CT 06880. CTRPCV is very familiar with the work done by both groups because CTRPCV members are personally involved with these two Connecticut based non-profit organizations.

[Alex Clerfond]

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for pointing out that many (not all) media reports paint Haiti in such a negative light, leaving the viewer with the impression that Haiti and Haitians are so helpless. While it is true they are in a bit of a spot right now, and have been for a long time, there is also a lot of grit and determination among Haitians and they deserve our respect. I think real development/aid comes in the form of partnership and collaboration. It's time we stop seeing Haiti as "unfortunate" instead of full of interesting and determined folks who need our support to make it to their full potential.

[Erica Burman]

Hi Susan,

Be sure you are in our database. Visit http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/membership

[susan ely]

please include me in your DC activities. I served in haiti in the late 80's... [email protected]