As I lay awake last night trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but have a heavy heart as I listened to the rain pitter patter on my roof. This past week while I was in Haiti, the rainy season began. At first, it's a welcome relief to the stifling heat and humidity and then you realize how many thousands of families are lying in dirty puddles of rainwater and trash beneath their tarps in a tent city.
There are so many thoughts and images that I have to share with you all. I decided to create a blog post for each day that I was in Haiti, so today is day 1-the day that we landed in Port au Prince and met our medical team. I cannot say enough about our team...I was able to photograph, document and work with some of the most talented doctors, nurses and surgeons, ever. I didn't expect to come away with so much medical knowledge and I also didn't expect to come away with some amazing relationships. By day two, we all became fast friends and were in them midst of learning each others' life stories...because, well, that happens when you're out of your comfort zone in a third world country.
Several people have approached me asking how they can help in any way with Haiti...and the first thing that comes to my mind is TENTS! Haitians need tents. Most of the tent cities are composed of sticks in the ground with tarp or a bed sheet stretched across the top. The group I flew to Haiti with, New Reality International, is coordinating more trips to Haiti and they are more than happy to take as many tents as they can. Also, another quick thing you can do to help Haiti is to donate your old eye glasses. Feel free to contact me for my mailing address...just send them on. So many of us wear contacts and/or eye glasses and it seems like such a basic necessity...a basic necessity that most Haitians do not have. It's been exactly three months today since the earthquake and I can assure you that the Haitians are not receiving the care that they should be...so please consider asking for donations, such as tents, tylenol and basic humanitarian needs such as soap and toothpaste.
Over the next week, I plan on sharing about eight blog posts for each day, but I will have most of the images on my Haiti website in the next week, so be sure to check there as well for images not posted on my blog.
Thank you again for visiting-
Right after we landed in Port au Prince, we all scrambled for our medicine-laden suitcases...
Haitian police...you really don't want to mess with them!
A snapshot of a street vendor on our wild bus ride to Fonds Parisien
One of the first of several tent cities we saw between Port au Prince and Fonds Parisien
Haiti is a very beautiful country-a bit rough around the edges, but could really become a great caribbean tourist destination one day.
All this young man needed was to have someone to listen to his story. He was an Accounting student in college and his college was destroyed during the earthquake. He has such a passion for learning that I have never seen despite my infamous foray into several different majors. I was impressed with his fluency in English, French, Spanish and Creole and was brought to tears when he said to me, "Knowledge is power...I study everyday, I find something to read everyday."
Patrick was one of the Haitian doctors at the clinic...I think it's safe to say that he learned a lot from our North American medical team and we learned a lot from him...
I know that every single one of us is guilty for complaining about waiting to see a doctor while we're crunched for time during our lunch break or in between soccer practices...but can you imagine waking at 3am to walk two hours to the nearest clinic to then wait until 2-3pm in the afternoon to see a doctor? I used to think waiting rooms and doctors offices were so ugly and bland, but after seeing this, I've changed my mind.
It was not uncommon to see clothes and shoes strewn about yards and piles of rocks...
Please CLICK HERE for a quick slideshow...there are several more blog posts and slideshows to come.
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi
Image photographed in Fonds Parisien, Haiti, 2010
**I arrived late last night from Haiti and am still processing everything, sorting out my feelings and will begin sifting through all my images. Can't wait to share them this week!!! Thank you again everyone for your continued support :)**
Heidi says:
Welcome home, Whit! I can't wait to hear about your experience and see some of your photos. I know it was a trip of a lifetime, but that you're glad to be home with your little family. I am sure Mike and Bear missed you!
(04.11.10 @ 03:49 PM)
Carol says:
So glad that you are back safe and sound and look forward to hearing about all your experiences! I know that you captured some awesome images and can't wait to see them!! Thank you for being the eyes, ears and hands for those of us unable to go........
(04.12.10 @ 04:46 AM)
alice Park says:
love that quote.... i'm sure these past 10 days have allowed you look at life so differently. we can't wait to hear all about it. welcome home!
(04.12.10 @ 07:43 AM)
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For your support and encouragement as I leave first thing tomorrow for my trip to Haiti. I couldn't do it without all of you and I really appreciate the donations and prayers :)
I've made a few updates to my Haiti website so feel free to take a peek. I will be sure to announce when I've updated the site with Haiti images!
In the meantime, there may or may not be some guest blog posts, but check back just in case! Hope everyone has a fantastic Easter.
And because a post just isn't the same without photos...
I've been putting together some basic essentials for families who still do not have these everyday items such as soap, washcloths, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste three months after the earthquake...
Bear was more interested in going outside to play fetch than helping me pack :)
Carol says:
Whitney - you are so totally awesome!! May God bless you every step of the way and keep you in His care. We can't wait to hear all about your trip when you return!!
(04.01.10 @ 07:45 AM)
Julia says:
Whitney, you have an amazing journey ahead of you! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
(04.01.10 @ 12:29 PM)
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thank you, thank you, thank you!
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"What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive."
Image photographed at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, 2009
-Arnold Palmer
Image photographed at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, 2009And....Happy 35th wedding anniversary to my parents! I love y'all!!!
dottie says:
great pictures, Whitney !! And Happy Anniversary Felix and Carol!!
(03.29.10 @ 04:26 AM)
Julia says:
Beautiful pic of your parents. Happy Anniversary to them!!
(03.29.10 @ 09:21 AM)
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This week I am featuring a Charlotte, NC focused wedding planning site for The Resource Room, but of course, it doesn't matter where you're planning your wedding from-inspiration can be found in all kinds of mediums. Whenever photographers and artists get together, you can bet one question that is always asked is, "Where do you get your inspiration from?" I find inspiration generally in daily life, away from photography. I love flipping through home and garden decor type magazines for inspiration and also, strangely enough, music videos :)
What I found so different and interesting about this particular wedding planning/bridal website is that it has a few videos on the website, a login for your different planning "projects" and it has a section for other members of the bridal party and family. Go check it out: www.thesavvybride.com!
In other news, I've been having a hectic but great week catching up from last week-an unexpected and fortunate event happened this week...our washing machine broke! Why is this fortunate? You see, we couldn't do laundry for a few days, so I just had to go shopping :) I'm also in the process of trying to make my home and business office 90% paperless...this has been quite the project. I'm starting to think it will take the next decade. By the time, my scanner will be obsolete and everyone will be flying around in spaceships and paper will be virtually non-existent (I like to dream big!). Our scanner and washing machine and shredder (the shredder is the bane of my existence) must be in cahoots since they decided to quit working at the same time. But, for some reason, Mike didn't think shopping for clothes was a reason to celebrate all of our electronics breaking down....ahh, men! :)
Happy Thursday!
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It is a sad situation, but I love how you have captured the beautiful spirit in the people of Haiti.
(04.12.10 @ 05:06 PM)Your slide show is absolutley beautiful.........thank you so much for the moving stories you are telling about the Haitian people through your blog.
(04.12.10 @ 07:10 PM)Excellent, powerful slideshow. Looking at these images helps me to process a rocky re-entry into our lives here in the US. It is hard to fathom that we all live on the same planet.
(04.12.10 @ 11:21 PM)what beautiful photography whitney! and your words are just as beautiful. looking forward to seeing more from the trip. such an experience. thank you for sharing.
(04.13.10 @ 05:15 AM)WOW! Beautiful photos Whitney!! I'm excited to follow your journey!
(04.13.10 @ 08:08 AM)