hello all,

Arrived yesterday early afternoon. The airport was a different experience but not as disorganized as i anticipated. We didn’t know which side to look out the windows as we were driven to Hospice. HUGE tent cities and many smaller clusters. Some are actually tents and others are a mix of sheets, tarps, plastic. When we arrived we took in the sights at and surrounding Hospice. Just utter diisaster. Most of what was close to Hospice is unusable. At Hospice itself we were surprised to see what has already gone up in the yard – with plywood, 2 x 4’s and metal roofing. There is a makeshift office, a dormitory and the initiation of a clinic area.

We were greeted by the employees – some of them still working and some just “hanging out” because this is their “place.” This is where I lost it and just cried for about the first 15 minutes as I greeted each one and asked about their families and their homes. Most of them have nothing left.

Later in the day we walked up the hill to the Genius School where many of the sponsored childdren went – it’s destroyed. We met the brother of the principal who spoke perfect Enbglish and had a nice conversation with him. He is hoping to rebuild – right now he and his father are working on salvaging what they can. At Hospice there have been several parent meetings. Max and Erold (Education Director) were hoping to gaher the children here this week, but because they are taking the building down it’s not safe or practical – hopfully by next week.

Max was out visiting his elderly father so we didn’t see him until the evening. Had a good long talk. Max feels that the earthquake really proved how necessary the services that Hospice offers – expecially the medical – are so needed in this neighborhood as Hospice was the only provider of anything for the first few weeks.

It is a hub of activity here. Five guys with sledgehammers are pretty much taking the building down by hand. This morning they are shoveling the debris into 5 gallon buckets and one wheelbarrow and carrying it down to the pool area (for those of you who don’t know – this was never used as a pool since we have been coming) and filling up that space. I can’t believe how hard they are working..

A small tip for those who follow us here..when taking a bucket shower do a little quality control on the bucket you are using before you take off your clothes…it shortens the shower by at least ten minutes..Slept remarkably well.

all for now.

Peace

Sue and Dennis