The commune of La Vallee de Jacmel is situated in the Southeastern portion of Haiti and is comprised of 18 townships dispersed throughout the territory. The area was within the epicenter of the devastating earthquake of January 12 and its deadly aftershock on the 16th. There are about 4,500 homes that had an average of 3 to 5 members. The majority of these homes were badly damaged or completely destroyed.
Following the earthquake, they have become overloaded with relatives – young and old, who had emigrated to Port-au-Prince or Jacmel, survived the earthquake… but have lost everything. The average household is now 15 to 20.
Many who survived the earthquake are now dying of sadness, heart attacks, or just “going crazy.” I guess that it is a way for them to “check out” because there is no hope.
We are elated about the idea of offering a 2-day training that will help alleviate the suffering of our people. Little help have reach them since the earthquake last January the majority of the population is living under tarps and few tents with no hope in site.
Godfroy (Gody) Boursiquot , is the leader of a NGO CODEHA – Corde Enfant Haitiens a member of the Angels For Haiti . CODEHA’s headquarters is in area called Au-Tuff, not too far from the main town of Ridore, where the hospital where I usually provided free medical care is located.
Gody will be the one coordinating the training and will gladly keep tract of whatever information that you need regarding the effect of TFT on the population of La Vallee de Jacmel and its surrounding areas. I am sure that with time, trainees will eventually return to other areas of Haiti armed with an excellent tool for healing. This is truly a great – win-win opportunity for all involved. TFT could not have a better opportunity to be introduced in a country and be recognized for its healing values.
We are contemplating offering the two-day training to people in position to affect many others such as teachers, nurses, community leaders, medical and nursing students (the only medical school in Haiti was destroyed killing most of the doctors, patients and medical students), etc. Imagine all these people living under tents or tarps themselves. I would also be a great opportunity FOR THEM TO HEAL WHILE LEARNING!
We plan to give a certificate of completion to each participant. We will extend the training to those in the county of La Vallee as well as those who can make it from Port-au-Prince and other areas devastated by the earthquake.
We feel that training 60 people would be a good number. It will cost us $100 per person. This would include providing food, lodging and arranging for transportation from the remote villages, for a total of $6,000. This may also include having them stay an extra day and arrange for people to come for treatment – this of course would increase the cost.
In view of the threat and the acuity of the mental health deterioration, I have already told my medical team that I would not spend time delivering medical care, but be with Guy, for whatever time it takes during our stay to make this a success.
Thank you so much for offering this opportunity to the earthquake victims. I am confident that it will create a lasting impact in their lives, as well as given them a tool for healing others as well.
Love and blessings,
Dr. Carolle
If you would like to contribute to this very worthwhile cause, please email us and we’ll provide you with more details.