It was one of the hardest “going back home” to Haiti last July. There are no words to explain how I felt when I saw the collapsed buildings, churches, and the white house, sides of mountains – just like in a war zone. I knew that there were many family members and friends still under the rubble. The most difficult was looking at the sea of white tents and blue tarps with no end in site – under the 93 degree F tropical heat with no trees or any type of shade. Passing through the town of Bizoton, I did not want to see the destruction of the 9 homes that I had personally built for my own relatives.

In La Vallee de Jacmel, the destruction was less evident, but well hidden. Most of the homes were one room homes with an outdoor kitchen and a latrine sparsely placed in the mountainous region. The people were barely surviving, I am sure that they were rebuilt at the expense of food to feed the children. Another problem was that the average family of 5 grew to about 15 to 20 due to an exodus of refugees fleeing Port-au-Prince. We now have over 5,000 youths along with no place to live, quickly changing the social milieu, with many rapes being reported and prostitution on the rise.

The ATFT Foundation (charitable arm of the Association for Thought Field Therapy) provided a generous grant and the gracious help of a husband and wife team Dr. Howard and Nurse Phyll Robson, both TFT trainers from England, we provided a 3-day training involving 30 Haitian as teachers, nurses, community leaders, medical and nursing students, from as far as Port-au-Prince.

The training not only helped them personally but also gave them the opportunity to help relieve the trauma of as many earthquake survivors as possible. Even more importantly, trainees learned techniques on how to relieve pain, which would be beneficial in an area when medical personal and pain relief medications are scarcely available.

We also celebrated the 9th annual International Children Holiday for Peace in 10 different locations, involving 2,300 children. This special day was established in 2003 to give a holiday to the poor children throughout the 18 villages that comprise the county of La Vallee de Jacmel. It is a day when the children can paint murals; eat a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack; drink water that they did not have to fetch; dance and sing; listen to music; and recite poetry, etc involving 2,300 children.

Our main star, the 10 year old Ally Woodard, the Art Miles Mural Project Ambassador and Art Miles Shoes of Hope Ambassador, a real trooper, entertained the children, played with them and distributed shoes, T-shirts, and many toys that she collected for them.

See http://www.artmiles.org/page_ama_allyinhaiti.htm

This is a day of fun for Haitian kids that started in 2003 and they look forward to celebrate it every year. We feed them breakfast and lunch and they get to sing and dance and create art projects.

It costs $10.00 to get the food and supplies to each child.

This year, it is even more imperative that we celebrate this holiday, especially when all of them are still suffering from the devastating earthquake last January. Most victims are still terrified of sleeping inside and with their homes destroyed are sleeping outside under tarps and tents. Many are suffering ongoing medical problems while others have lost arms and legs to crush injuries. Those who have been traumatized the most the most are the children.

Ally Woodard, the beautiful 10 year old “angel for Haiti”, the youngest winner of Epic Awards, Art Miles Shoes of Hope ambassador, will be joining us this year with her parents Diane and Alan. She will be delivering shoes that she painted with her friends, as well as lots of rocket balloons and other toys.

Even as so many around the globe feel a sense of powerlessness as they watch on and hear of the events in Haiti, we were able to accomplish the impossible. Since January 17, through our established reputation and direct link to storeowners; we were able to secure enough food on credit to give to more than 200 people who have lost their homes and are presently living in the outdoors.

Depending on food availability and donations received, we will be able to feed and provide basic necessities to ensure these people – and others in surrounding areas – will be fed until further help can come. Because of this, suffering will be mitigated and many lives will be saved.

Please encourage your friends to donate. Here are the options:

1. Make a tax-deductible donation online at:  http://www.healththroughcommunications.org/

2. Send a check addressed to:

Health Through Communications Foundation
Earthquake Relief Funds
P.O. Box 2348
La Mesa, CA 91943-2348

Ensured through our local presence long established throughout Haiti, all donations are PRESENTLY going directly to aid the earthquake victims, especially in remote areas.

Love and blessings,

Dr. Carolle

Please visit my website for more information about my journey back to Haiti…
http://www.drcarolle.com/haiti.htm

The tragedy that struck my beloved country of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12th has affected me personally, as I have lost many friends, family members, and those I have helped through my Haiti Project.

I came from a very humble background and many of my relatives are very poor, especially on my mother side of the family. I never forgot where I came from.

I always felt that you could have a better chance to decency if you have a roof over your head. You could always survive even though you were unemployed, have no food, or are sick.

All of these homes came tumbling down in a 35 second shake. Fortunately, nobody was killed.

There are now 9 families in a large compound, as well as neighbors who joined them because they felt safe there.

They are all now living in their outdoor yards with no food, running water, or decent shelter.

I am devastated.