Recent flooding in my beloved Island of Kiskeya/Hispaniola has wreaked havoc all over the island, especially in areas where I've spent considerable amounts of time over the past 15 years: the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic near Barahona, and the southeastern area of Haiti near Jacmel. In fact, many of you may know that for several years I have been building a simple concrete block house just to the east of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Three photos are posted here so that you can see what the storms have done to my village of LaHoya. And a couple of notes from the director of the school where I volunteered 12 years ago follow this message. She took the photos.
Currently, all residents of LaHoya, which include hundrends of friends of mine, are now "living" in a school building several miles away. Estimates indicate that it will be two or three weeks before waters subside enough to being cleanup efforts. In the mean time, these folks must eat good food and drink clean water, and know that the world is here to support them. So here's my question: Can you spare $20 (or more) for Dominican/Haitian relief efforts?
If you can, please mail a check made out to Kafe Kiskeya to PO Box 633, Liberty, MO 64068. I will personally Western Union the funds to those in charge of feeding and clothing those who are most in need on both sides of the island right now, as well as those responsible for assuming the overwhelming cleanup tasks in the weeks and months ahead.
Please call or email me with any questions.
Sarah Cool
816-914-5096
coolsarahs@hotmail.com
http://www.kafekiskeya.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/kafekiskeya
Sorry Sarah,
But Domingo asked me to send you a picture of your house. It is so sad here. Yes the other was Daisy's house and ramada. Not much time right now. Love, Connie
Dear Friends,
In case you have not seen or heard, we had a very unexpected storm on Sunday night. We made it through that with minimum damages, but you can imagine there were a few roofs taken off. On Monday night the rains started and never stopped. Bombita was evacuated in the early hours of Tuesday and was flooded within one hour. Two days later, La Hoya flooded. This had never happened before in La Hoya. Everyone is astounded.
The waters have subsided in Bombita and we will begin our clean up on Monday. Our losses are not as great as we first thought, thank God though there is total loss in the village.
La Hoya is a different story. We are still under water up to our roofs. (Yes, ours as I live there as well.) The school, the clinic, the volunteer’s houses, the COPA office and every house in the village is under water! The water keeps rising and has no where to go. They tell us we must simply wait. Never been one of my strong suits!
Please keep us in your prayers as we try to cope and to help others cope and then rebuild! I will attach a picture or two to help you see what is happening. Blessings, Connie
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