Countdown to Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince can be 'unreliable' at times. Overcrowded and finicky, sometimes it breaks down. Every now and then, there's a coup d'etat or revolution. PAP has seen an influx of people coming from the countryside, looking for work, but finding themselves worse off than before, lost in one of PAP's many slums. If you're open-minded, patient, and look a little deeper - through the poverty and desparity, you'll be rewarded by a wonderful people, incredibly friendly and hospitable despite the conditions they live in. Haitians have a wonderful culture, vibrant and full of life. They are resourceful and intelligent, and if given a chance, without international 'help', just might be able to pull their country out of despondency and poverty. The overcrowded tap-tap (Haiti's public transportation) in the photo, with some tinkering and patience, coughs back to life. PAP hiccups and coughs and goes through periods of sickness. And like the tap-tap, PAP comes back to life - in a Haitian sort of way.
I leave Tuesday, September 26th from JFK. I haven't been to Haiti in a few months. I'm ready to go back. I'll be in Port-au-Prince for about a month (or until I run out of money) working on what I left off in June - The Restaveks-Haitian street kids and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. I'll be developing more projects and updating the blog a few times a week, giving you an on the ground perspective on the current situation in Port-au-Prince. See you in Port.
Comments
Dear Nick,
Congratulations on following your passion! You have a gift that a classroom can not develop. Compassion for the human condition is a trait that will never come from a textbook. I have returned to school at age 50...I would never trade my life experience for what I am learning in a classroom. I will happily follow your blog and your dream....you should be proud of your courage!
Sincerely,
Jolene Caresio
Posted by: Jolene Caresio | September 24, 2006 07:29 AM
Hi,I'm a nurse missionary to Haiti--I invite you to photo journal our work! We will be in Haiti, this weekend and also again in December! God Bless you--let me know if I can help you. I live in Florida when I am no in Haiti and go with a medical team.
Posted by: Charlotte Schmitt | September 24, 2006 10:37 AM
Thanks all for the support.
Charlotte, send me an email and maybe we can hook up. Eske ou Ayitian? Ou ka pale'm nan Kreyol.
Posted by: Nick Whalen | September 24, 2006 11:02 AM
Hey Nick, I was just reading the article about you online here and I think you are cool as crap for leaving high school to follow your passion as soon as possible. I am a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador from Pittsfield originally. Good luck and stay safe.
Posted by: Lisa | September 24, 2006 03:43 PM
I am an adoptive mom to 2 Haitian kids, and soon adding two more Haitian Sensations!! I work with New Life Link in PAP as well as Heritage Adoption Services in Oregon as an Adoption Coordinator for Haitian Adoption.
Congrat's on your trip back.
Once in Haiti, it is always in your blood. I will follow your blog and will probably invite my adoptive families to so the same!
Stay safe and God Bless,
LeAnne
Posted by: LeAnne The Haiti Lady | September 24, 2006 03:48 PM
good luck, I return there with you (was there twice) -- looking forward to more exquisite imageas like I saw in Uncommon Grounds where we talked briefly
lin
Posted by: lin dodge | September 24, 2006 05:31 PM
Hello from a pharmacist who volunteers on medical missions to the Jacmel area of Haiti. Our September team just returned and we are planning for our return trips in February and July of 2007. I write a blog www.whatseduptonow.blogspot.com while I am in country. I am anxious yo follow your activities.
Posted by: Ed Monroe | September 24, 2006 06:01 PM
Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Christian | September 25, 2006 11:08 AM
That's awesome you're going to Haiti! I was there from July 2 to August 18 this summer on a mission trip. As someone said earlier, Haiti really stays in the blood; I can't wait to go back!
Posted by: Erik Shelquist | September 26, 2006 08:57 PM
Hey Nick,
Just wanted to let you know that we love you and will be following your stories closely. If you run out of cash no problem I'll cover ya for a plane ticket home! Remember not to hang it out there to far!! Tomorrows always a new day.
Love ya,
Uncle George (signing in from Bazerkastan)
Posted by: George Brun | September 27, 2006 05:24 AM
Great job! I am also a regular traveler to Haiti, working with children in sponsorship, schools, churches and orphanages. My group just finished a new orphanage in the Bethesda area of PAP. I will keep checking this blog in anticipation of my next flight to Haiti on december 30th. As always, I am counting down the days until I can be with the amazing people and children.
Posted by: Matt | September 27, 2006 08:07 AM
Thanks again for all the support.
Hey George, careful what you offer! I'm pretty good with the cash right now though, and I'm going to be here for a long time ;). Thank you. Have fun on those rigs ;).
More soon. Just getting settled in.
Posted by: Nick Whalen | September 27, 2006 07:22 PM
Hey Nick,
I just clicked on to this blog. The article in Eagle was on target, which surprised me since most reporters have their own agenda and hear rather than listen especially during an interview. Looks like 6 trips beginning in Dec. I'm doing J1 forms here so I won't be headed to Haiti until Dec. to pick up the group. Don't let the calm take you off guar. Check out my new truck if you get a chance.
It's at the guest house.
"D" takes it out for a weekly spin. Stay safe.
ET
Posted by: ET | October 1, 2006 04:11 PM
Good to hear from you Eunice. I'll be down here for a while. Probably back here again in January. But I'll be around for a while. I hear you about the 'calm'. I'll take a spin over to the guest house soon.
Run into you soon.
-n
Posted by: Nick Whalen | October 1, 2006 04:17 PM
Hello Nick,
I just happened to see a link to your story on aphotoaday news, and I'd really like to talk to you about your trips to Haiti. I'm a photojournalist myself, and since I grew up in Haiti, I've always wanted to go back and document what I knew. You are doing exactly what I want to do, and I'm glad that you have a commitment to seeing positive images. My email is lmbluntz@yahoo.com. I'm sure you can take care of yourself, but I know some people there who could offer some more insights and story ideas.
Posted by: Leah Bluntschli | October 3, 2006 12:21 AM
Nick, have you heard the Haitian opera? I'm wondering what is happening with that. I want to hear some of that music here in Oklahoma.
God Bless!
Posted by: John Brun | October 3, 2006 02:57 PM
ionolsen20 I just don not have anything to say right now.www_4_2
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Posted by: topicstarter | October 17, 2006 04:56 AM