BRCC SIFE

Hello all in cyber world. Today’s topic of interest is one that has given our college and community even more of a reason to be proud of BRCC SIFE. This week the competition team of SIFE (and a few irreplaceable people) went to Charlotte North Carolina and competed to win a spot at regional’s to defend our National Championship. When we got there only two of our veteran team members new what was to be expected, however, for the rest of us our journey as competitive SIFE members had only begun. We arrived in Charlotte in one piece, after running over our presentation and identifying a thorough understanding of all of our zodiac signs; we piled out of the white van and embarked on our much anticipated journey. The hotel was lovely, the rooms were magnificent and everyone found something to keep themselves occupied until our 7:00pm meeting time. Our group then proceeded to go to the “Olive Garden” a staple feature of our team’s diets, to celebrate the birthday of one of our most treasured members, shout out to Tina! After filling our bellies and singing Tina two rounds of the birthday classic “Happy Birthday To You” the group piled into the awkward un-parkable white van and headed back to the hotel with an air of anxiety waiting for the next day to begin.Tuesday went on without a glitch. Our team had a “prime” spot to do our presentation; we were going on at 11:30, right before lunch. Ten o’clock rolled around and we were practicing again, when time was drawing near we decided we had time for maybe one more run through…our brilliant SIFE adviosr Randy Lilly suggested we do the presentation one last time but this time we do it like we were being fast-forwarded by an invisible remote. This proved to be fun and effective, most of all fun because we laughed at one another till all of our jitters were non-existent. We headed down to the competition room and preened each other before we were about to go on. Making sure SIFE pins were in place and that our scarves were in order. They gave us a one minute warning before we would enter the room and our amazing SIFE advisor Rebecca Evans came through the line and gave each one of us a hug and whispered “Good Luck-you’ll do great” in everyone’s ears. We proceeded through those heavy oak doors and took our place in the back as our brilliant A.V. techs, Ryan, and Rebecca set up our equipment. By that time I felt as though I had swallowed an entire cotton pillow so I clamored for a glass of water…then we were on.The presentation went beautifully, the PowerPoint was flawless and all of us were focused and on top of their game. We smiled, listened, watched, held our hands in the right stance, we had energy- but we weren’t fake, we liked each other, we had flow, we meshed and most of all we had fun. Twenty-two minutes passed by in a flash and questions went-well- they were okay. But we all walked out of there with a relieved since of accomplishment and we were awaiting the results.I could go in to the entire story of the awards ceremony but that seemed to not be as important. Yes we won, and yes we are so very proud of the flawless glass trophy we received but we are still not out of the woods. Are hearts and souls went into that presentation to make it as best as we possibly could, and now there is still one more obstacle we must face: Nationals. To defend a national championship like striking gold twice in a row-but you can bet that our team will be there with shovels and picks ready for the challenge.Thank you for reading,Genelle Smith

I miss La Gonave! I was unsure what to really expect before leaving, but knowing what I know now I’d go back in a heartbeat and fully plan to in the future. I feel so very fortunate to have been able to be part of this project and feel it will be a success more than it already is! In reviewing the posted comments by Rebecca, Tina, and Gail I was able to reflect on everything we did this past week. It has been an experience for sure! I can honestly say it was not an average week for me I loved it all though! There were so many wonderful people we were able to meet - friends I will miss and remember, but hope will work hard to have this cooperative continue. All the women from the Cooperative were very receptive to our coming and I feel know we care for them by setting up this opportunity for them, and many others in the future, to better their lives and have a means to live and eat by. This project has been very rewarding and I can’t wait to receive updates in the future weeks and months on how things turn out. Thank you all who have helped out in making this project work out! I ate up the chance to speak Creole more than English for a week. Each different activity we participated in during the week was very fulfilling. There is so many other things that can be done to help Haiti, and especially the island of La Gonave… my hopes for this and future projects is that it will improve lives and present better opportunities for others - which it will. Bondye beni w! Pase bon joune : )

Well as Tina has already reported we made it back to Virginia. What a grueling trip….just the process of traveling back was exhausting. My arms are killing me from bracing myself for the sink holes in the road across LaGonave. What struck me the most coming back to the USA yesterday was the difference between the island of LaGonave and the main island of Haiti. When we first arrived in Haiti on Monday we all looked at Port-au-Prince and we thought “wow how impoverished”! I know this because we all have had the same reactions when we returned from our four days on LaGonave to Haiti and traveled back across the main island to the airport. In comparison to LaGonave the main island of Haiti is a paradise. They have streets that are paved, they have running water, they have electricity and commerce – LaGonave has none of these things. It’s like the country of Haiti just doesn’t do anything for the people on that island – they are forgotten - and the maps found in Haiti attest to that fact. As I looked for a Haitian map to bring home I noticed most didn’t even have LaGonave on the map…only one did – I bought that one.
As I went into Subway today to buy a 6 inch sub for lunch I felt guilty at the ease of “getting” food. The hot water in my shower feels almost decadent – a luxury. I hope we can all keep working to help the people on LaGonave develop their “economy”. As basic as our efforts are they are major changes for the island. Our hope is to send wood working tools to the island – these will be used to teach the skill of wood working to the young. We plan to monitor and expand the rabbit cooperative and have played with the thought of teaching effective farming methods (example crop rotation) to the island residents to maximize what they currently have. There are so many ways we can all help. And all these efforts can help bring these people closer to a “decent” life. I have thought about our rabbits several times today. Several are already bred and will be “multiplying” in less than a month. This farm has the potential of increasing the cooperative member’s income by over 800% annually. With growth will come the introduction of additional cooperative members. Cooperation for Change is our motto for this project – and we know that this farm can become a model for other ventures across LaGonave. We will keep posting updates as we get them from Constanell and Father Roosevelt.

Well we’re back and it’s back to reality, well what is reality to us anyways.  We really came together as a group, and got done with what we went there to do.  We accomplished so much in just five days.  Yesterday was definately crazy though; 2 hour truck ride, then a two hour boat ride, then a 2 hour cab ride followed by a 2 hour plane ride, and a 5 and a half hour lay over, followed by another 2 hour flight, and finally the not quite 2 hour drive home.  This being the case I know that today is definately going to be a sleep day for everyone who was involved.  All in all I know that it will be a success, and I hope to go back one day.  Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Here are pictures we want to share…..the group outside the church is our cooperative members, our SIFE Team, Linda, and Father Roosevelt The village pictures will give you a peek at what life is like on LaGonave….and then there are a few of some very memorable moments. I think everyone should come to LaGonave or a place like it. It will change you.

Enjoy!!! Rebecca

The cooperative of Zabricot!

A typical Haitian home

The village market

The village bank

 Tina with children from Zabricot - Angelina Jolie move over!!

A farewell drink from the “tiki bar”……real coconut juice poured from coconuts!!!!�

Never before have I fallen so completely in love with a people and their culture.  I had one of my favorite experiances so far tonight sitting around with the Jean Daniel (the crippled boy who can out swim me), Jo Jo (this guy who was obsessed with me helping him with his english, it was great), and Constanel (the man who’s going to continue to work with the women after we are gone).  We sat around talking three different languages, they would tell me the Creole for something and I would tell them the Spanish (if I know it)/English.  They are the most patient people that I have ever met.  A Haitian told me when we got here, “They don’t teach patience in American schools.”  Now seeing their patience I see where he’s coming from.  This has been a wonderful opportunity that I am eternally greatful for.  Not only has this changed the way that I view the world, but I think it might have even changed my major.  But then again, I am 18 and couldn’t possibly take myself seriously ;-).  Merci to Blue Ridge Community College and BRCC SIFE.

Hey Guys,

I hope you have those spare rooms ready!! There are a lot of adorable children here. Which do you prefer boy or girl? If I don’t hear from you soon I will just pick out one for you.

Email me, Gail

Well five days on LaGonave are coming quickly to a close. Its amazing…..I survived! I have to admit I am an “American” and love the luxury of the little things….hot water, flushing toilets, electricity not generated from a gasoline generator (as I am now sitting in the dark typing this because we have no power). What I find so amazing is that on an island where NO ONE has hot water in their homes (unless you boil it) I can still blog on the Internet by wireless network availability. As I stood in the cold shower tonight it actually felt good. I could do this again and they are already working on me to come again with our students. I love the children – they are endearing and they are amazingly receptive to us. I really believe that this rabbit cooperative will make a difference. I have never seen so much excitement in our projects before and I know that the people of this very forgotten island know we mean the best and are happy we are here. I know all four of us have been changed by what we have seen here. I understand how Americans can be viewed as spoiled…..because we are. You need to watch people walking to the village well every day with containers to get water or fighting over the last can of rice to understand what we have and they do not. They have a hard life but they find joy in the simple things. They are always there to help whether it be carrying things, cutting trees, or simply - anything.
I feel what we have done in Zabricot can change hundreds of lives. We have offered opportunity to people who would most definitely never have had this opportunity - we have empowered them. Now we sit back and watch. Wednesday the rabbits will move to their permanent space in Zabricot and the women will be in full swing. Stay tuned we will post as news comes in! Hey does anyone have a 75 horsepower boat motor you are looking to get rid of (and actually works)? Let me know the church here really needs it to ferry patients to the mainland when the clinic here cannot handle a medical emergency. They have no way to do it now and it costs a serious amount of money everytime they need to move a patient. This happened the second night we were here. The Haiti Outreach Foundation will ship it for us. They also need wood working tools to help train young people how to make furniture and simple hand tools.
Well enough for now……we need to be up at 4:00am to start our journey back to the U.S.A

I can not believe that our trip is nearing the end.  We have seen so much in the few days that we have been here.  I love this beautiful island with donkeys, horses, chickens, ducks, turkeys, dogs, etc. just roaming the streets. I always believed I was born 200 years to late and now I believe it.

The people have been wonderful!  The children are beautiful!  Today we got to go to the school and watch as the children got their pictures taken in the hope of gaining sponsors for the coming year.  Did you know that you can sponsor a child for 20.00 a month? This includes school fees, 1 meal a day, and medical care.  The children here do not drink milk.  The children at the school get supplemented with milk.

We got to walk around the town today and see what life is really like in LaGonave.    Even though we have not been staying at a resort hotel we are staying in the best that Lagonave has  (we have all seen roaches, rats, and numerous other vermon, no hot water, no paved roads) but it is hundreds times better than what the average family lives like.

I am not looking forward to the road trip to the dock.  Out of everthing that we have endured (building rabbit cages at midnight, being scratched up with barbed wire while building fences,  the heat, making rope from twigs, not having any hand tools, the language barrier, etc.) the road trips have been the most taxing on my body.  THE ROADS ARE HORRIBLE!!!!!  After the road trip across the island we will be taking a sail boat to the mainland.  Then onto customs (oh yeah) then to the plane.  I will miss LaGonave but not the trip here.

See you guys tomorrow! I can not wait to have a hot shower.  Oh yeah will someone call my chiropracter and make an appointment for me?

Gail

It would appear that one of the rabbits has fallen ill.  He won’t stop sneezing, and seeing as how we have no medication yet there is only one logical option…  Slaughter it.  Father and Gail have taken Constanople over to look at it, and discuss the process of killing it in order to ensure the safety and health of the other “lapen” (rabbits).Tommy is helping Linda to take pictures of the 175 school children right now, and I have been assigned the duty of watching the supplies for a few minutes while they go and grab the rabbit.On a lighter note Tommy, this crippled Haitian and I went swimming today.  We swam all the way out to the second boat.  I know the distance means nothing to you, but it looked a lot closer than it was, haha.  I would have simply hated myself if I hadn’t taken an hour to do this.  Jean only has a functioning upper body so it was really impressive to watch him get around in the water.  Especially when you consider that most of the Haitian population hates to swim, or further more just refuses.  I don’t know why but they have definitely made themselves clear.I have company, time to attempt some level of communication.  Looks like rabbit for dinner tonight folks.  I’ll try and write more later.Tina

P.S.  There was a rooster that was going off all night last night, and that’s lunch ;-)  Looks like he work up the wrong person.  Sucks to be him.