January 13th, 2010:

Last email that Benaja sent was this morning at 1:48 am. After I explained that there was the earthquake and now there would be smaller tremors that could last for days, but the earthquake itself was done. “Chris most of the people here are afraid to go to sleep because the tremors have not yet stopped. They feel that there will be a big earthquake again. I must tell you that around midnight we had a tremor that felt almost as big a the earthquake itself. We will see if we can calm their tensions nevertheless, even though every so often there are short tremors that shake them a lot.

Thanks
B”

While the large rescue organizations are  focusing  where they need to most, in the  Port Au Prince area, please do not forget the population that is isolated on the island of Lagonave and especially our communities in the mountains far from any rescue missions.

If you would like to organize a fundraiser, or donate personally  please see our donation page. Designate the funds to “Matenwa earthquake relief”. We will use the money to assure that families will not go hungry during these next weeks/months and homes get repaired out here. Thank you for all your humanitarian efforts. The people in Matènwa truly feel your support and concern. I had been communicating your emails to them yesterday. Unfortunately communications have been cut off since this morning but I will keep you informed when I hear from them again. Read my previous post from this morning, “To all our supporters”.

Humbly,
Chris

First off, thank you for your calls of support. In the coming days we will need money for the breakfast program and damaged homes. What got us through the crisis two years ago was the fact that we could afford to buy food stored at high prices in the depos. Market ladies will not be crossing into Port Au Prince to buy food for the open markets here. Prices will rise. We want to be prepared to feed the community and keep them from the elements. They are continuing to report tremors and fears for their loved ones in Port Au Prince. Many of our graduates are living  in Port Au Prince to go to school.

The earthquake reached Lagonav as well. The school is standing but neighboring homes have been damaged. Only one of our teachers, Enel, has been hurt while in Port Au Prince. He was in a school building and was pulled out. He called Lagonav on an Haitel phone and said that he has no broken bones, but feels he was hit badly on his legs and back. found himself outside the buildingm but doesn’t know how he got there. He assumes he had been unconscious and someone pulled him out.

Benaja wrote several times in the internet over our satellite connection:

” 7:16 pm:  Until now everything is ok around here, I mean Matènwa, Plèn Mapou, Nan Kafe, Grande Source.  You know, people are yelling everywhere, because it’s the first time this has happened in Haiti like this.  There are a lot of houses broken everywhere, thank God we are safe here.  But almost every 10 to 20 mn, we feel the earthquake.  But in Port au Prince there is a lot of damage.”

8:20: Up to now the tremors are still intense. You know that people are not used to this kind of thing, it is really difficult. People are running around, they are trying to get in contak with their families, there is shouting everywhere. You know that many people in Matènwa have children in Port Au Prince, which is worrying everyone. The cement roof is shaking tremendously.

8:34 Chris one just passed now. It had a lot of force. I would say almost as bad as the first one, if not the same.

9:10:  The school yard is filled with people now. Bernise went to get Anita [her Mother, known for her coffee] and even she is here in the lakou. SHe is lying down in the yard where the children usually play ball. It is like a huge funeral in the yard tonight. It is totally filled with people. Thank you for this big meeting place that is equipped with light. No one wants to go inside anyone’s house to sleep.

After midnight there was another one that felt just as harsh as the first one.”